Road Trip READY: Genesis GV70 to Joshua Tree

During COVID, I have taken two amazing California road trips. My first was in a Genesis G80 to Death Valley National Park. Not only was it my first time to Death Valley but it was my first time in a Genesis which we all LOVED! Recently, for President’s Weekend 2022, I went to Joshua Tree for the first time in a brand new GV70 3.5T AWD Sport Prestige. Both the National Park and the car are FANTASTIC!

We were not the only ones to love the GV70 as it was named MotorTrend’s 2022 SUV of the Year®! And as Genesis says, “the first-ever GV70 is here to satisfy your cravings, needs and wants. Featuring incredible performance, athletic styling and advanced technology, this SUV proves that in the end, want wins.” Our car exterior was Mauna Red with an Ultramarine Blue interior. Every detail seemed carefully handcrafted from the seats to the dashboard to the seemingly endless safety features.

SANGYUP LEE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF GLOBAL DESIGN, GENESIS says: “The audaciously designed new GV70 breaks new ground for Genesis through purity of design execution. This follows the Genesis G80 and GV80, which demonstrated the perfect balance of our design identity—Athletic Elegance.”

We loved that the GV70 had so many sophisticated cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors with Smart Cruise Control and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The 14.5-inch HD screen allowed us to follow the navigation even when we had no service on our phones! The touchscreen was easy to use and gave us accurate routing to all of our destinations in the National Park.

This car feels like it is from the future since you can use the Genesis Digital Key and have your smartphone lock or unlock it as well as starting the car with a tap of your finger using the industry-first in-vehicle fingerprint reader!

I was impressed with the full 360º-view around the vehicle while we were parking–every side, angle and above the vehicle made sure that we had no blind spots and avoided any obstacles while parking. I also really loved the Blind-Spot View Monitor which gives “a live view of your blind spot in the gauge cluster, giving you more confidence when changing lanes.”

After years of working on a cruise ship and being involved in safety drills twice a week, I am always thinking about possible incidents and accidents. I loved that this vehicle has been rated as one of the safest vehicles on the road and chosen as a 2021 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ by a set of comprehensive collision tests, standard headlight performance, and crash prevention technologies.

I cannot wait for our next road trip and I highly recommend both the GV70 and the G80! Truly spectacular for driving, safety and teenager approved! Our two teens said there was plenty of room in the back seat–and they preferred the GV70 (but they did love the G80 too!) VIDEOS from our Adventures in Joshua Tree:

Learn more about our G80 Genesis Road Trip to Death Valley

Genesis X Concept Car

Road Trip: Death Valley in a Genesis G80