2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

Buick should have named this SUV the Enigma. It would fit with Buick family monikers including Encore, Envision, and Enclave, and it would describe the genuine confusion surrounding the small SUV, which debuted last year. Of course, the confusion is due in part to its actual name, which is Encore GX.

Larger, more powerful, and better looking than the standard Encore, the Encore GX sounds like it’s nothing more than a new trim level for an existing model. But it’s a totally different vehicle from the Encore. And, strangely, it has a lower base price than the smaller and older Encore.

See? Quite the enigma.

Hyundai’s Genesis luxury brand has only been around for about five years, but it’s progressed so much in that time it seems like much longer than that. Genesis has quickly gone from selling two repurposed Hyundai sedans to fielding a full lineup of luxury cars and creating a distinct identity through bold design.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 is the brand’s latest effort. Not to be confused with the Genesis G70 sedan, the GV70 is a crossover SUV positioned below the recently-launched Genesis GV80 in size and price, meaning it competes with the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Volvo XC60, and numerous other small luxury SUVs. As with the larger GV80 and the Genesis sedans, the challenge for the GV70 will be convincing new-car buyers to abandon familiar nameplates for something they might not have heard of.

The GV70 launches with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and optional 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6. The four-cylinder is available with Standard, Select, Advanced, and Sport Prestige trim levels, while the V6 engine is available with all trim levels except the Select. Our test car was a GV70 3.5T, a range-topping AWD Sport Prestige model with the 3.5-liter V6.