Make your way through the 2026 Genesis GV70 trim maze
The 2026 Genesis is a compact luxury SUV starting at $48,985, and the model’s immense popularity has increased shoppers’ interest in its six trims. Last year, the GV70 was Genesis’ best-selling vehicle in the U.S., and it remains a top-selling performer in 2025. For the GV70’s 2026 model year, Genesis is delivering a mid-cycle refresh with a new standard 27-inch screen combining infotainment and digital instrument displays, a new lower console touchpad for climate controls, and slimmer headlights with more precise illumination. Genesis has also added a bolder front grille design with a dual basket-weave pattern, updated wheels, refined suspension and steering, and Sport trim design tweaks like different-shaped exhausts. Inform your buying decision with our comparison of each 2026 Genesis GV70 trim below, prioritizing features and in-cabin amenities.
2.5T AWD – $48,985
Genesis
A new 27-inch display isn’t all that the entry-level 2026 GV70 has to offer. The powertrain features a 2.5L inline-four turbo engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, producing 300 horsepower, 311 lb-ft of torque, and a fuel rating of 20/28 city/highway mpg. Advanced safety features include, but aren’t limited to, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping/following assist, blind spot collision avoidance-assist, front and rear parking distance warnings, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance-assist. However, you’ll miss out on advanced safety features in other 2.5T trims, such as reverse parking collision-avoidance assist, side parking distance warning, blind-spot view monitor, and an advanced rear occupant alert with radar-triggered remote alerts. Genesis equips this base GV70 with exterior perks like a hands-free smart power liftgate and heated side mirrors. Still, desirable exterior features such as power-folding mirrors and a panoramic sunroof aren’t available.
The interior is where the 2.5T AWD’s entry-level status is most felt. Upsides to this interior include adjustable ambient lighting and four-way power lumbar support for the driver’s seat, but seating upholstery is synthetic leatherette instead of leather, and you’ll need a higher trim for the driver’s seat power cushion extension bolster, front seat ventilation, aluminum accents, a heated steering wheel, and three-zone climate control. While you won’t get a wireless phone charger, the 2026 GV70 2.5T AWD provides wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2.5T Select AWD – $51,885
Genesis
Several exterior features remain the same between the 2.5T and the 2.5T Select, but upgrading to the 2.5T Select unlocks power-folding mirrors with a ground-projected Genesis logo and panoramic sunroof. Though you’ll still receive leatherette seating upholstery instead of genuine leather, the 2.5T Select adds aluminum trim with a spin-brushed pattern and a wireless phone charger. Advanced safety features between the 2.5T and the 2.5T Select are equivalent.
2.5T Advanced AWD – $56,435
Moving up into the 2.5T Advanced AWD adds valuable safety features such as a blind-spot view monitor, side parking distance warning rather than just the front and rear, reverse parking collision-avoidance assist, and advanced rear occupant alert. Like the prior two trims, the 2.5T Advanced comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, with larger factory wheels not arriving until the next grade. However, this is the first 2026 GV70 trim to feature genuine leather seats, ventilated front seats, backlit accents, a heated steering wheel, and a surround-view monitor. If you’re serious about your in-vehicle sound, the 2.5T Advanced upgrades the nine-speaker audio system to a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen setup.
2.5T Sport Prestige AWD – $59,795
Genesis
The final trim of the 2.5T lineup, the 2.5T Sport Prestige AWD, offers slightly lower fuel economy at 20/26 city/highway mpg. This mileage difference primarily stems from the trim’s larger 21-inch sport alloy wheels. The 2.5T Sport Prestige’s exterior also features a Sport appearance package, trapezoidal exhaust tips instead of circular ones, gloss-black elements, dark-chrome trim — although no backlit trim — satin-chrome accents, and a black bumper insert. Drivers also unlock new interior features, such as aluminum trim with a haptic carbon pattern, a leatherette-wrapped upper instrument panel, three-zone climate control, and Genesis Digital Key 2, which facilitates vehicle locking/unlocking and ignition via smartphone.
3.5T Sport Advanced AWD – $64,415
Genesis
Crossing into 3.5T territory with the 3.5T Sport Advanced AWD gives you a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, still paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, producing 375 horsepower, 391 lb-ft of torque, and 18/25 city/highway mpg. The 3.5T Sport Advanced AWD additionally features an electronically controlled suspension with road preview. This feature reads the road ahead with a front camera and adjusts the GV70’s suspension to better absorb road imperfections before wheels make contact. You’ll receive 19-inch alloy wheels on this entry-level 3.5T, four-way power lumbar support for the front passenger instead of just for the driver, Sport appearance design elements, and Highway Driving Assist 2. The GV70’s Highway Driving Assist 2 feature enhances the standard system with automatic lane changes and more precise lane-centering. However, this GV70 trim doesn’t provide three-zone climate control.
3.5T Sport Prestige AWD – $71,095
Genesis
The top-tier 2026 GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD trim aims to justify its $71,095 starting price with a head-up display, Nappa leather seats, heated second-row seats, carbon fiber trim, and microfiber suede headliner. Genesis also adds manual rear door shades and Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, complementing features like three-zone climate control. Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 supplies automatic perpendicular, parallel, and diagonal parking capability with a driver in or out of the vehicle. Unlike the 3.5T Sport Advanced, the 3.5T Sport Prestige rolls on 21-inch wheels.
Final thoughts
Genesis has hit another home run with the 2026 GV70’s lineup, and the 2.5T Advanced AWD trim is the smartest buy. The 2.5T Advanced is the first 2026 GV70 grade where upgrading makes a real difference, as you’ll receive genuine leather seats, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and backlit accents without nearing $60,000. Tech also levels up significantly via surround-view and blind-spot monitors, added driver-assist functions for parking, and the 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Be sure to test drive the 2.5T Advanced AWD, alongside other 2026 GV70 trims, before making a purchase.
About the author
Cody Carlson
Contributing Writer, Autoblog