by Gabrielle DeSantis

My first thoughts about the 2022 Genesis GV70 are all about the tech. I’ve only had the new Genesis GV70 for a few days, and I’m still learning about all of the buttons and elite options it provides. Honestly, it feels like Q designed this SUV for James Bond. 

2022 Genesis GV70 tech deep dive 

I’m spending the week with the 2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige. I know, what a mouthful! The base model has an MSRP of $41,000. But with the extra goodies such as the Sport Advance package and Sport Prestige package, the model I’m in has an MSRP of $64,045. 

When the GV70 first arrived, I saw that the infotainment system was position a little far from the driver and noticed a rotary dial for the controls. I was a little disappointed because I’ve spent time in Mazda’s without touchscreens before. 

However, the infotainment system can be operated as a touchscreen and includes physical controls! Then while changing lanes, rearview blind spot cameras display what’s behind you. Also, I heard a ding and received a message that posture support assist was starting. 

That’s when the driver’s seat contoured to my spine for a more energizing driving position. That’s also when I decided that the tech in the Genesis GV70 deserves the spotlight. 

What comes with the Genesis GV70? 

The 2022 Genesis GV70 comes with a 14.5-inch HD infotainment screen and an available 12.3-inch 3D Digital Gauge Cluster. My one issue with this system is that it doesn’t come with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I had to plug my phone in for Apple CarPlay, which isn’t too inconvenient. But the wireless phone charger is a nice perk. 

There are a host of cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors to provide Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Remote Smart Parking Assist. This allows you to park the SUV hands-free from the inside or outside. 

You can have it pull forward, back up, or follow instructions on correcting your parking. The 360-degree camera also displays an overhead view to eliminating blind spots and obstacles while parking. 

With the Genesis Digital Key, you can lock and unlock the GV70 with your phone. It also has a built-in fingerprint reader that can be used to start and stop the vehicle. The driver attention warning makes sure you’re alert and able to safely operate the vehicle too. 

How convenient is the GV70? 

The 2022 Genesis GV70 allows drivers and passengers to adjust their optimal settings easily. The front and rear seats are heated and ventilated. There are three different ventilation settings and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. 

You can use dials on the front of the steering wheel to adjust the radio volume and tune to different stations. Plus, the infotainment system provides weather and traffic updates. The Lexicon audio system sounds great. 

The seats in the front and rear are very spacious. The driver seats are 18-way power-adjustable. The ergonomic design minimizes fatigue and provides plenty of lumbar support for maximum comfort. With a touch of the button, the rear seats fold down to create more cargo space. 

Safety features include forward-collision warning, rear cross parking alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-centering assistance, available adaptive cruise control, and rear seat reminder. 

I haven’t gotten to the driving modes, paddle shifters on the steering wheel, off-roading capabilities with the electronically locking rear differential, or serene quiet mode yet. But I’ll let you know more in a few days. 

RELATED: The 2022 Genesis GV70 Proves It Isn’t just a Smaller GV80

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

Sports car enthusiasts seem to have a mentality of being unsatisfied. They take their sports car and spend a lot of money trying to improve it. Designers and engineers have painstakingly gone the extra mile to ensure it’s balanced and working in synchronous harmony. A lot of the time those enthusiasts will try to squeeze out some extra power with a new exhaust, or an engine tune. 

With those come other complications, depending on where they live. Some enthusiasts get a little more creative with their modifications and go for a lower axle ratio. It makes the car feel faster off the line and is completely street legal. It sounds too good to be true, and as predicted there are downsides.

Why change the axle ratio?

Rear-wheel-drive cars have a differential that spins the rear wheels. The speed at which those tires spin is controlled by gears inside the differential. Those gears operate to a specific ratio. For instance, SN95 Mustang GTs had a 2.73 axle ratio. That means for each complete tire rotation, the gear inside the differential spins 2.73 times. Drivers may opt for a lower gear ratio, like a 3.55 or a 3.73 as a modification. This has the effect of increasing torque at the wheels. It’s what enthusiasts call a “seat of your pants” difference in acceleration. 

What are the pros

The pros are just that. Changing to a lower ratio makes the car quicker, without adding power. It sounds counter-intuitive, so think of it as shifting the torque curve closer to the bottom end of the revs. It works in the reverse as well. If you want higher top speed and better gas mileage, changing to a higher gear ratio can spread the torque out over the power band and allow lower revs in higher gears.

What are the cons

The cons are considerable, so make sure you know what you want before changing the ratio. A lower ratio, while it will give the car more bottom-end torque, sacrifices top speed and gas mileage. Higher revs mean more fuel, and in top gear, where the car in factory-spec was running at 2,000 RPMs, now runs at 3,000 RPMs with the modified axle ratio. The car is noisier from the higher revs and uses more fuel. The road goes both ways of course. On the flip side, the taller ratios will make the car feel sluggish off the line and could be a chore to operate. It’s all about what you as a driver want to experience.

Is it worth changing the axle ratio?

It absolutely can be a worthwhile investment to change the axle ratio, depending on what you want. If you’re dissatisfied with how the car accelerates, then by all means opt for a lower gear. If the trade-off for lower top speed and more fuel usage doesn’t sound good, then maybe skip this mod. There’s plenty of other things you can do to make your car faster, but unlike changing an axle ratio they aren’t always legal.

RELATED: Illegal Car Accessories: What Happens If You Get Caught?

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