2019 BMW X2 vs 2023 Genesis GV70

What's the difference?

As is often the case, BMW has come late to a really good party. One imagines there was some chatter about making a quick X1 but that would have been an answer to a question few people thought to ask. It's not a racy-looking machine and perhaps its more prosaic aims as a compact SUV ruled it out. Or the hangover from the weird first generation.

The X2's Paris Motor Show debut a couple of years ago signalled BMW's second entrant in the compact SUV segment, but this one looked fast standing still. Most of it made it to production - including the C-pillar BMW badges, sadly - but there was no promise of a fast one.

Weirdly, the Australian market hasn't really taken to the X2 as enthusiastically as I thought it might and I wondered if it was because there was no headline act - Mercedes has the guilty pleasure of mine, the AMG GLA45, and Audi the completely bonkers RS Q3. But the headline act has arrived in the form the of the X2 M35i - perhaps this will suddenly get us a bit more interested.

Genesis is conducting a stealthy, slow and steady attack on established players in the Australian luxury car market.

Minimal fanfare, low-key strategic planning in terms of brand awareness, retail presence and product portfolio, with annual sales likely to break four figures locally for the first time this year.

So, small numbers, but the range is growing with a distinct focus on electrification. In fact, Genesis has committed to cease production of combustion models in 2025, and move to a 100 per cent electric line-up by 2030.

And this is the brand’s latest EV arrival, the Electrified GV70. A five-seat SUV designed to win over open-minded prestige buyers willing to look beyond the usual suspects at the premium end of the market.

We were invited to its local launch including a first drive from Sydney to the NSW Southern Highlands and back.