Into that whirlwind of activity rolled the 2025 Genesis GV70 Sport Prestige in a dazzling Ceres Blue, a luxury sport SUV that not only turned heads at the fairgrounds but also proved to be the perfect partner for the heavy lifting that comes after the last event ends.

A busy week just got a lot easier

Fair week is always a blur — early mornings, late nights and a constant stream of “Can we get one more banner hung over here?” or “We need those signs moved to the south gate.” The days are filled with keeping events running smoothly, making sure vendors are taken care of and juggling a dozen tasks at once. This year, when the GV70 showed up midweek, it instantly became part of the fair crew.

By Saturday night, after the last demolition derby spectators had gone home and the final car was towed out of the arena, the real work began: moving everything out of the fairgrounds that it takes to run a fair.

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As luck would have it, the GV70’s power liftgate opened to reveal a spacious cargo area that swallowed up boxes of paperwork, stacks of banners, crates of leftover shirts, the office printer, computer equipment and even a couple of chairs. With the rear seats folded flat, there was more than enough space to get everything home in just a couple of trips.

For a compact luxury SUV, the GV70’s cargo space felt surprisingly generous. Even better, the flat load floor and wide opening made loading heavy or awkward items a breeze — and the hands-free tailgate was a lifesaver when Craig was juggling boxes in both arms.

The daily driver we didn’t want to give back

Beyond its duties as our post-Fair pack mule, the GV70 quickly became our everyday driver during that week. Trips to the grocery store, runs to the bank and a couple of much-needed date-night dinners after the fair all gave us more reasons to appreciate the Genesis’s blend of comfort and performance.

From the moment you slip into the driver’s seat, it’s clear Genesis has nailed the luxury experience. The Sport Prestige trim brought quilted Nappa leather seats, real aluminum accents and a cabin design that felt as artful as it is functional. Our tester came in an elegant two-tone interior with deep black leather and orange contrasting stitching, a perfect complement to the vivid Ceres Blue exterior.

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Every surface felt soft to the touch, and the seats offered heating, ventilation and multiway power adjustment, making even the longest days in the driver’s seat feel comfortable. The panoramic sunroof brought in plenty of natural light, and the 21-speaker Lexicon audio system was as crisp and immersive as any home theater.

A color that steals the show

We’ve driven plenty of vehicles that blend into traffic, but the GV70 in Ceres Blue was anything but forgettable. This shade of blue was both vibrant and sophisticated, with a metallic sheen that shifted subtly under different lighting conditions.

Genesis has done a masterful job of giving the GV70 a distinctive look. The bold crest grille, slim quad headlights and coupe-like roofline combined to make it instantly recognizable. Our Sport Prestige test ride added dark chrome accents and unique 21-inch wheels that gave it an athletic edge without losing the elegance.

Under the hood: Power meets poise

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

The 2025 GV70 Sport Prestige is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6, producing a hearty 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. All that power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to a standard all-wheel-drive system. The result? Smooth, confident acceleration whether we were merging onto I-15 or cruising the back roads of Utah County.

Even after long days at the fair, Craig couldn’t resist taking the scenic route home just to enjoy the GV70’s responsiveness. In Sport mode, the SUV came alive, delivering quick shifts and a growling exhaust note that was both refined and exciting. The adaptive suspension stiffened slightly for tighter handling, yet it never crossed into harsh territory.

In Comfort mode, the GV70 settled into a plush, quiet ride, absorbing bumps and rough pavement effortlessly — a welcome feature after navigating the sometimes-rutted vendor parking areas. The all-wheel drive provided sure-footed stability when we encountered a sudden summer rainstorm one evening, making the drive home feel secure and controlled.

Tech that works with you

Genesis has taken an intuitive approach to technology in the GV70, striking a nice balance between digital innovation and straightforward usability. The 14.5-inch central display was sharp and responsive, offering split-screen capability so we could run navigation alongside music or vehicle settings.

We loved the 3D digital gauge cluster, which subtly adjusted its appearance based on drive mode.

The GV70 also came loaded with driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and even a forward attention warning system. The 360-degree camera made backing into tight parking spaces at the fairgrounds stress-free, while the remote smart parking assist — which lets you move the car forward or backward from outside the vehicle — impressed more than a few folks.

Fuel economy and practicality

For a twin-turbo V6 luxury SUV, the GV70 delivered reasonable efficiency. We averaged around 21 miles per gallon for the week, which included plenty of stop-and-go driving around the fairgrounds and some spirited runs on the freeway. With a 17.4-gallon tank, that meant we could easily go several days without needing to fill up, even with our busy schedule.

The SUV’s size hit a sweet spot for us — small enough to feel agile in town and easy to park, yet large enough to carry everything we needed for the fair’s wrap-up and our normal daily errands.

At the end of the week

By Sunday evening, the fairgrounds were empty, the banners were stored away, and the last load of supplies was sitting neatly in our garage. The GV70 had handled it all with ease, from hauling gear to providing a comfortable retreat during a hectic week.

But more than that, it added a touch of luxury and fun to a week that could have been nothing but work. Whether we were driving home late at night with the Lexicon system playing softly or carving through a twisty back road in Sport mode, the GV70 made every drive feel special.

Base price: $70,095

Destination charge: $1,450

Price as driven: $72,225