Genesis GV70 vs BMW IX3

What's the difference?

The updated Genesis GV70 Electrified Signature Performance is packed with features, effortless on the road, and backed by fantastic ownership value. This isn’t just polished luxury, it’s smart luxury, making it a vehicle worth serious consideration. The only caveat? I’d opt for a different interior colour to white if you have kids or pets.

The BMW iX3 50 xDrive is a seriously quick electric SUV that earns points for its family practicality, while its impressive range could go a long way towards easing range anxiety. The ride isn’t always as settled as I’d like, but for the most part, this is a well-executed premium EV.

Although slightly smaller than some rivals at 4715mm long and 1630mm tall, the GV70 comfortably fills out its medium SUV stature with a pronounced nose, wide stance, and pillowed, swoopy rear end. The update adds an exclusive reverse G-Matrix pattern in the grille, new 20-inch alloys, and a rear aerodynamic spoiler for a more distinctive presence.

Inside, there are three interior colours to choose from. Our test model’s white leather looks stunning but isn’t the most practical choice for families, pets, or anyone frequently navigating unpaved roads. A rainy day could make you anxious! The quilted leather upholstery shines visually, complemented by the new ‘Milky Way’ ambient lighting panels in the doors.

The electrified platform gives the cabin a flat floor, which improves legroom for middle-seat passengers, though it does mean there’s no space for a spare tyre in the boot.

Other notable updates include intelligent Matrix LED headlights, smart key sensors on all door handles, and new paint options. I particularly like the hidden charging port cover integrated into the grille; a subtle, clever touch. Overall, the GV70 is a handsome SUV.

BMW has done a really good job with the iX3's styling. It’s distinctly futuristic without falling into that pillowy, blob-like look that some EVs have. The LED light signatures are gorgeous, although the illuminated kidney grille, from some angles, gives off bucktooth vibes. The rear indicators are also far too small.

The optioned 22-inch alloys are enormous and look fantastic, but are they worth the extra coin? Because in the EV world, size does matter and the larger the tyre, the bigger the hit to the driving range (in this case, roughly between 8-10 per cent).

Inside, BMW has avoided the same-same, slightly sterile feel of some EV cabins. There’s plenty of personality here, with the burgundy two-tone synthetic leather, stepped dashboard and seriously flashy displays bringing plenty of wow factor. The knitted accent panels across the dashboard add some welcomed warmth and texture to what could otherwise be a very tech-heavy cabin.

The GV70 Electrified Signature Performance feels spacious and comfortable front to back. Up front, the seats are thickly padded and packed with features, making it easy to find a good driving position. The electrically adjustable steering wheel adds to the ease, and the 172mm ground clearance with wide door openings makes getting in and out effortless.

Storage up front is a bit limited. The middle console and glove box handle most of the load, while door drink holders are slim. I do like the dedicated phone tray and sunglasses holder, which add some practicality to everyday use.

The 27-inch multimedia and instrument cluster display is sharp, high-tech and intuitive, while the responsive touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto make connectivity easy. The system includes built-in sat-nav, and you can customise it to fill the full screen while keeping a small speedo widget visible.

Charging is well-covered with two USB-C ports per row, a wireless charging pad, a 12-volt socket and a 250-volt domestic plug in the boot. Small practical touches like extendable sunvisors, manual rear sunblinds, smart key sensors on each door and the ability to move the front passenger seat or operate the boot from the driver’s seat add extra convenience.

In the rear, legroom is good and while I’m comfortable behind my driving position at 168cm, taller passengers may need to shuffle seats to optimise comfort. Seat cushioning is excellent, and the outboard seat heaters are a welcome touch. The bench is wide enough for three adults for short trips, and families will appreciate the two ISOFIX child seat mounts and three top-tether anchor points. Amenities include climate control, rear air vents, sunblinds and charging ports, although storage is limited to a couple of cupholders and map pockets. The pull-down armrest sits a little low for me, but my kid has no concerns.

Boot space measures 503L with all seats in place, the smallest compared with nearest rivals. That said, it easily accommodates my family of three’s groceries and school gear. There’s a small underfloor pocket for the tyre repair kit and home cables, plus a 22L frunk for extra storage. The powered boot lid is a practical convenience I always appreciate.

The front row is spacious, and the sport seats offer plenty of adjustment to get comfortable. The massage function is particularly good when you’re sitting in a school pick-up line or waiting for the car to charge. Access is also easy, thanks to the comfortable step-in and step-out height.

There are a few storage options up front, including a shelf underneath the centre console, a couple of cupholders and drink bottle holders in the doors. Both the centre console and glovebox are on the shallow side, but I love the dual phone holders and the way they’re angled so you can still see your phone screen when you need to.

Charging options are good, with a 12-volt socket, two USB-C ports and a ventilated wireless charging pad. A second charging pad for your co-pilot would have been nice, though.

The displays look a little overwhelming at first, but the panoramic display is surprisingly intuitive to use while driving. In fact, I found it made the 3D head-up display feel somewhat redundant. The multimedia system is highly customisable and easy to navigate once you’ve spent some time getting familiar with it. Wireless Apple CarPlay was also easy to connect, and Android Auto is available too.

The rear row is just as spacious as the front, with a flat floor that will make middle-seat passengers happy. There’s also enough width for three kids to sit comfortably. The seats are firm but supportive, and I like the height of the centre armrest.

Storage back here isn’t quite as generous, with two cupholders and door-bin storage essentially covering the options. The hard seat backs are easy to clean, though, and my son was a fan of the rear climate controls, directional air vents and two USB-C ports.

There are three top-tether anchor points and two ISOFIX child-seat mounts, while the 40/20/40-split rear seat adds some useful flexibility when you need to carry a mix of passengers and cargo.

The boot offers up to 520 litres of capacity with all seats in use, which is plenty for a big grocery haul or a road trip’s worth of luggage. There’s a handy netted pocket on the side and a hard cargo cover, although, unsurprisingly for an EV, you only get a tyre repair kit rather than a spare wheel. The powered tailgate is also a welcome convenience.

Rounding everything off is a 58L frunk which houses all the charging cables.

There are two variants available for the iX3, and we’re in the flagship 50 xDrive for this review. It starts from $109,900 before on-road costs, putting it in the same general territory as rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLC400, from $112,200, and the Volvo EX60 Ultra P10, from $101,990.

Of course, like most European cars, that’s before you start adding options and our test car has quite a few.

There's $7700 22-inch M light alloy wheels and Frozen Space Silver metallic paint for another $6000. Topping it off is the M Sport Package Pro for $3500, which adds the BMW Iconic Glow Exterior Package — essentially some very swishy ambient lighting — red M Sport brake calipers, M seat belts, sport front seats and steering wheel, a 3D head-up display and a Harman Kardon sound system.

Standard equipment includes:

• Heated electric front seats with massage function
• Heated steering wheel
• Fixed panoramic roof
• Ventilated wireless charging pad
• 4 x USB-C ports
• 12-volt socket
• 43-inch panoramic display
• Bluetooth
• Digital radio
• Two-tone synthetic leather upholstery
• On-board AC charger
• Charging cable (Mode 3) for public charging
• 17.9-inch touchscreen multimedia display
• Digital key
• Automatic charging flap (opens automatically when you're next to a charger and once the plug is removed, the flap closes automatically)
• BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (can access features such as navigation, communication, entertainment and vehicle control)
• 4 x cupholders
• 4 x drink bottle holders
• Tyre mobility kit
• Tyre pressure monitoring

All up, our iX3 comes in at around $140,000 drive-away. With that in mind, it is a little surprising, then, that the rear seats miss out on heating and the front seats aren’t ventilated. Those feel like notable omissions in a car that otherwise leans heavily into premium comfort and technology.

The GV70 Electrified Signature Performance is a fully electric SUV with dual motors, one on each axle, producing a combined 320kW of power and 605Nm of torque. Activate Boost Mode, and those numbers climb to 360kW and 700Nm, giving the GV70 a serious edge when you need it.

Despite its name, this grade isn't pitched as a performance EV but it's definitely no slouch with a 0 -100km/h sprint time of just 4.4 seconds with Boost Mode, or 5.0 seconds in standard mode. That’s quick enough to hold its own against rivals in the luxury electric mid-size SUV segment, while still delivering smooth, linear acceleration that’s effortless in everyday driving.

The new BMW iX3 is built on an 800-volt platform and features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive set-up producing up to 345kW of power and 645Nm of torque. It can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds, so in a nutshell, it’s pretty darn powerful and fast.

It might not be segment-leading when it comes to outright performance, but there’s certainly no shortage of grunt for a family SUV.

The GV70 Signature Performance runs on a new 84kWh lithium-ion battery, giving a WLTP driving range of up to 462km which is a solid figure for both city commuters and regional drivers, provided you charge regularly. Genesis includes a couple of charging cables, and the SUV also offers V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) capability, ideal for powering larger devices while stopped.

Charging options are strong. The Type 2 CCS port accepts up to 11kW on AC chargers and up to 350kW on DC fast chargers, allowing a 10 - 80 per cent charge in as little as 19 minutes on a 350kW unit or seven hours and 35 minutes on an 11kW AC charger. Realistically, most DC chargers on the road operate closer to 170kW or below, which still delivers a very usable recharge.

The GV70 also features four levels of regenerative braking, including a one-pedal mode. Staying mostly in this mode over the week, I achieved an energy consumption of 21.0kWh/100km, which is very close to the claimed 20.0kWh/100km and again, is a solid result for a car of this size and outputs.

The iX3 has a massive 108.7kWh lithium-ion NCM battery and a WLTP driving range of up to 805km. With the optional 22-inch alloys, that range does take a hit in our test vehicle, dropping to around 740km, which is still very good.

With my average consumption sitting at 15.5kWh/100km, I’ve actually beaten the claimed energy consumption of 18.8kWh/100km. That’s after a mix of highway and urban driving throughout the week, which is seriously impressive for a large, powerful electric SUV.

The iX3 has a Type 2/CCS charging port and can accept up to 22kW on an AC charger and a hefty 400kW on a fast DC charger. Finding a charger capable of delivering that much power will be the real challenge, but if you do, BMW claims a 10-80 per cent charge in just 21 minutes. That’s excellent charging performance and makes longer road trips considerably easier.

However, it does lose marks for missing out on vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality. BMW Australia says the iX3 is equipped with the hardware for V2L, but the company is waiting on approvals for the required accessories before it can be rolled out to Australian versions. In other words, it's coming soon.

My kid called the GV70 the 'Marshmallow Limo' this week, and it’s an apt description for the ride comfort. The SUV probably delivers the one of the most comfortable rides I’ve experienced, thanks to soft suspension and new hydro bushings in the rear, which smooth out most vibrations. The trade-off is that it feels dampened when cornering and you glide over the road rather than feel it, which I find a little soft, but my husband loves.

The dual motors provide strong, prompt acceleration, and Boost Mode adds an extra kick when you need it. The cluster pulses red while active, which is a fun touch.

Visibility is excellent. The wide windows give a clear view around the car, and none of the pillars obstruct from my driving position. The digital rear-view mirror is particularly handy when carrying passengers or cargo.

Regenerative braking is easy to control via the steering wheel paddles. Mode 3 and the one-pedal function deliver strong regen without being harsh, but you need to adapt your braking technique, otherwise passengers might feel a little queasy.

Despite looking larger than it is, the GV70 is simple to park, thanks to an 11.5m turning circle and a 360-degree camera system, though the multiple view modes can feel overwhelming at first. I also love the remote parking via keyfob, which comes in handy in tight carparks or garages.

The iX3 50 has plenty of power and torque to satisfy when you need to plant it on a hill or overtake. Power is delivered smoothly in Efficient mode, but it definitely feels more dynamic when you switch to Sport.

The suspension is nicely balanced around town and through corners, but occasionally the car feels a little unsettled on an uneven open road. This is where you start to wonder whether those big tyres are doing the car any favours.

The steering is lighter than expected, although you do get used to it after a couple of days. The car can also feel heavy when you need to stop quickly, to the point where the brakes can feel a smidge spongey. Otherwise, they’re responsive enough.

The cabin is impressively quiet around town, although road noise, again, likely helped along by those big tyres, creeps in a little more on the open road. To be clear, it’s only more noticeable by EV standards; this is still a quiet car compared with a combustion-powered SUV.

Visibility is quite good from my driving position, and I like the commanding view overall. SUVs do rule the roost in this regard. There are four regenerative braking levels, including B mode for one-pedal driving, and I’ve kept it on either level three or B throughout the week.

I also like that you can still creep at lower speeds in B mode, and the 360-degree camera is exceptionally clear. The way the camera view moves with the steering wheel takes a beat to get used to, though. If you're a little unsure, you can activate the parking assist function, and the car will park itself.

The BMW iX3 has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted under the new 2026 protocols. It scored 71 per cent for Safe Driving, 83 per cent for Crash Avoidance, 86 per cent for Crash Protection and 95 per cent for Post-Crash Response.

Importantly, I found the safety systems unobtrusive in everyday driving, while the adaptive cruise control is nicely calibrated and doesn’t constantly feel like it’s fighting you for control.

Standard features include:

• Seven airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (car, pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, and backover detection)
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane keeping aid
• Lane departure warning
• Safe exit assist
• Driver attention alert
• Driver monitoring
• Forward collision warning
• Intelligent seatbelt reminder (all seats)
• Child presence detection
• Emergency phone call capability
• Occupant presence detection/classification (pet/child/adult)
• Traffic sign recognition
• 2 x ISOFIX
• 3 x top tether anchor points

The GV70 Electrified Signature Performance comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty, putting it in line with its rivals. What sets it apart are the extras included at no additional cost.

Genesis provides free scheduled servicing for five years or up to 75,000km, along with five years of roadside assistance through Assist Australia, and if you service through Genesis, that cover extends to ten years.

Owners also receive a complimentary five-year subscription to Genesis Connected Services and can choose either a five-year Chargefox subscription or an at-home wall-box charger.

Another practical bonus for regional drivers is that you aren’t limited to Genesis dealerships for servicing. You can use any of the hundreds of Hyundai service centres for scheduled maintenance, which makes ownership far more convenient. Overall, Genesis makes it easy and appealing to own a GV70.

The iX3 is covered by a five-year/200,000km warranty, which is a fairly typical term at this end of the market. You can also pre-purchase a six-year servicing plan for $2420, which is a reasonable cost for a vehicle in this price bracket.

Maintenance is governed by BMW’s Condition Based Servicing system, so the car will tell you when it’s time to head in for a service. Depending on how you drive it, expect servicing to be required somewhere between 12 and 24 months.