2026 Lexus NX 350 vs Genesis GV70 2.5T Review

For a number of years now, the Lexus NX has been topping the luxury medium SUV sales chart in Australia, beating out European rivals BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60. For those shying away from European luxury brands in favour of Asian luxury brands for their perceived better customer service and reliability, an alternative to Lexus is Genesis.

Relatively new to the luxury space compared to other more established brands, Genesis is the premium offshoot of South Korean car giant Hyundai. And the Genesis GV70 is an often overlooked model in the luxury medium SUV segment. It’s a direct rival to the Lexus NX and that justifies a comparison between the two vehicles.

Both the NX and GV70 line-ups consist of multiple variants with varying powertrains but the focus of this comparison review is on the sweet spot of each range. For the Lexus it’s the NX 350 model which is powered by a four-cylinder 2.4L turbo petrol engine. Its Genesis equivalent is the GV70 2.5T which packs a four-cylinder 2.5L turbo petrol engine.

The mechanical similarity extends to the drivetrain as well, with both models fitted as standard with all-wheel drive systems and 8-speed torque converter automatic transmissions.

The NX 350, which is available solely in F Sport guise, is priced at $79,450. The GV70 2.5T, on the other hand, is offered in Advanced, Signature or Signature Sport model grades. For fairer comparison against the NX price wise, the GV70 2.5T Advanced is used on test priced at $79,300. All stickers exclude on-road costs.

It is worth noting that buyers looking for a sportier GV70 flavour, one that is probably a better match with the F Sport trim of the NX, the Signature Sport variant (pictured below) might be the better pick but that’s a premium of over $10k at $90,300 plus ORCs. With that you do get a sportier looking front and rear bumper design as well as larger wheels.

Regardless of which of the two competing models you buy here, you’ll end up with one of the prettiest luxury medium SUVs in the segment. Both the NX and GV70 are beautiful cars, the NX is more contemporarily styled while the design of the GV70 is more classy and elegant. They both look premium and expensive in their own unique way.

On the inside, things are a little different. While the NX’ plush cabin is a pretty nice place to be in, it’s no match to the GV70’s stunningly opulent interior. It’s pretty obvious we’re looking at two different classes of interior here. The NX’ cabin is appropriate for the vehicle’s price but that of the GV70 feels like it belongs to a car twice the price. Beautifully executed with first rate materials throughout, the GV70’s cabin is quite possibly the best in class. And that’s a big statement in a segment full of strong contenders.

Indeed, we often find ourselves drawn to the keys of the Genesis just to be wrapped in that tan interior. Not just an eye candy, it’s got some serious tech going on in here as well. Central to it all is the 27-inch OLED widescreen that spans nearly half the width of the dashboard, incorporating both the infotainment system and driving instrumentation into a single display unit. It looks superb.

Elsewhere in the lower dashboard a smaller display operates the climate control. Despite the digitisation, it’s good to see physical knobs are retained for temperature adjustment, volume control and radio tuning. That’s greatly appreciated.

Where it’s a little cumbersome and unintuitive is the pair of rotary dials in the centre console. The front dial operates the infotainment display which can also be operated by touch, the dial further back is the drive selector. In the midst of things, it can get confusing as to which dial is for what. Since there’s already a touchscreen, the drive selector dial is probably all that’s needed, making things a little less complicated.

Where the NX’s cabin lacks the glamour of that in the GV70, it makes up for in ergonomics and ease of use. It feels as if you can operate almost everything blindfolded. That’s how straightforward it is in the Lexus. Make no mistake, the NX is not lacking in tech by any means. Its 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system is big and high-res, while the 8-inch digital driving display looks good as well. Like the GV70 it’s got physical controls for all essential functions, but unlike the Genesis the stick shifter is much easier to operate.

Both cars feature wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity but if it’s an Android device only the GV70 will keep wires out of sight as Android Auto is a wired connection in the NX. A wireless phone charger is also fitted in each vehicle but the GV70 will sterilise your phone while it’s charging thanks to an ultraviolet (UV) charging compartment.

Also standard on both models is a head-up display (HUD), DAB+ digital radio, powered front seat adjustment, heated and ventilated front seats, powered tailgate and powered steering column adjustment. While a panoramic sunroof is standard on the GV70, it’s a $3,000 option in the NX.

Interior space is very similar in both vehicles. While they aren’t class-leading, rear seat space is decent though the GV70 is slightly wider across which is helpful when 3 adults are seated back there. The NX does have a lower and less bulky centre hump which would be welcomed by the middle rear passenger.

Both cars have superbly sumptuous front seats that are very comfortable. Again, the GV70’s seats feel a bit wider than the NX’ sport seats which are more snug and supportive. Even the seats in the GV70 Signature Sport trim feel less bolstered than the NX’ sports seats.

The GV70’s wider and longer dimensions also yielded more boot space, with 542 litres of capacity at your disposal compared to the NX’ 520 litres. With the rear seats folded the difference in space is even more apparent, with the Genesis boasting a massive 1678 litres against the Lexus’ much less 1141 litres.

The 2.4L turbo engine in the NX produces 205kW and 430Nm, trailing in power but more torque than the 224kW and 422Nm developed by the the 2.5L turbo in the GV70. On the road, this translates to a 7-second 0-100km/h sprint time for the Lexus against a quicker 6.2-second dash for the Genesis. This is despite the Genesis weighing 85kg more than the Lexus.

Figures apart, both powertrains impress with sharp response and excellent refinement. The NX features auto idle stop start that is activated with a harder brake depress rather than coming on straight away like in many other cars. It allows the driver to choose when to activate it and we like that. The GV70, on the other hand, lacks auto idle stop start. No doubt this is preferred by some but when it’s well calibrated like the one in the Lexus we’re pretty sure many wouldn’t mind.

The comfort oriented Advanced trim of the GV70 delivers a noticeably plusher ride than the F Sport spec’ed NX. Not surprising given the thicker standard tyres of the Genesis compared to the Lexus’ lower profile run-flat rubber. The NX’ firmer F Sport suspension setup also plays a part in transmitting more road undulations to the cabin. That said, it’s a statement valid only in the company of the GV70 as the NX is not an uncomfortable car by any means. In fact it strikes a pretty good balance between ride and handling.

Around the bends, it’s the NX that is the tauter and sharper handler. On a nice stretch of coastal or mountain roads the NX does feel like the nicer and more engaging car to drive. But if you want a sporty GV70 there’s always the Signature Sport option and that delivers even better dynamics than the NX F Sport.

Genesis vehicles are not known for their fuel efficiency, not yet, and the GV70 2.5T is no exception. Rated average fuel consumption is a high 10.3L/100km against the NX’ thriftier 8.4L/100km. In the real world we’re seeing the same big gap of 10.5L/100km in the GV70 versus 8.6L/100km in the NX. Both cars sip RON95 premium unleaded fuel.

Warranty wise, it’s very similar – 5-year unlimited km is standard on both cars, but the GV70 goes one step further offering a 5-year roadside assistance, 2 years more than the NX. Both vehicles have the same service interval of 12 months or 15,000km.

Verdict

Such different is the approach taken by the Lexus NX and Genesis GV70 to the midsize luxury SUV brief that deciding between the two really comes down to personal preferences. If you’re after more practicality and a tinge of sportiness in your SUV go the NX 350 F Sport, but if comfort and luxury is high priority take the GV70 2.5T Advanced. Either way, you’ll end up with one of the most desirable, well engineered and generously equipped medium luxury SUVs on the market. For us, we just find ourselves wanting to get behind the wheel of the NX just a little more often than the GV70.

	2026 Lexus NX 350 F Sport AWD	2026 Genesis GV70 2.5T Advanced AWD
Design and Comfort	8.5	9.0
Performance and Handling	8.0	7.5
Quality	8.5	8.5
Economy	8.0	7.0
Equipment and Features	8.0	8.0
Overall	41/50	40/50

 Pricing and Specification

	2026 Lexus NX 350 F Sport AWD	2026 Genesis GV70 2.5T Advanced AWD
Price (excluding on-road costs):	From $79,450	From $79,300
Warranty:	5 years, unlimited km	5 years, unlimited km
Warranty Customer Assistance:	3 years roadside	5 years roadside
Service Intervals:	12 months, 15,000km	12 months, 15,000km
Country of Origin:	Japan	South Korea
Engine:	2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol: 205kW @ 6,000rpm, 430Nm @ 1,700-3,600rpm	2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol: 224kW @ 5,800rpm, 422Nm @ 1,650-4,000rpm
Transmission:	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Drivetrain:	All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
Combined Fuel Consumption (L/100km):	Claimed: 8.4 /Tested: 8.6	Claimed: 10.3 /Tested: 10.5
Fuel Capacity (L):	55	66
Body:	5-door SUV, 5-seats	5-door SUV, 5-seats
Safety:	5-star ANCAP, 10 airbags, Blind-Spot Monitoring, Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Cross-Traffic Alert (front & rear), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Safe Exit Assist, Surround View Monitor, ISOFIX	5-star ANCAP, 8 airbags, Blind-Spot Monitoring, Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Cross-Traffic Alert (front & rear), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Safe Exit Assist, Surround View Monitor, ISOFIX, Remote Park Assist
Dimensions (L/W/H/W-B):	4,660/1,865/1,670/2,690	4,715/1,910/1,630/2,875
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,860	1,935
Entertainment:	14-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, AM/FM/DAB+, Bluetooth, USB, AUX, wireless Apple CarPlay /wired Android Auto 10-speaker audio system	27-inch display, satellite navigation, AM/FM/DAB+, Bluetooth, USB, AUX, wireless Apple CarPlay /wireless Android Auto 9-speaker audio system