The compact luxury sports sedan segment has long been dominated by established automakers like BMW, Audi, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz. But in recent years, some new entrants have emerged to shake up the market. One of these newcomers is the Genesis G70. Manufactured by Genesis Motors – that is a subsidiary of South Korean automaker Hyundai – the G70 is a masterclass that has kept on stretching the limits of greatness across its lineup over the years. What is even more exciting is that newer models now offer an exhilarating driving experience and features that were once reserved for top-tier sports sedans.
When we put aside the disruptive forces of electrification, the Genesis G70 stands out as the most valuable option in the gas-powered compact luxury sports sedan segment today. This claim can be backed by the fact that it has bagged more than 20 awards since its debut in 2016, among them the coveted North American Car of the Year in 2019.
Exterior Design And Styling Denotes The Genesis G70’s Performance Capabilities
From the front, the G70’s bold and unique styling immediately demands your attention. Its distinctive front styling features a wide grille that extends all the way to the lower end. A thin parabolic frame finely separates the lower and upper grille sections, forming a crest-like shape. This is where it gets the name Crest Grille.
The LED Quad Lamps stretch nicely like wings on either side of the front. This combination ultimately gives the G70 an athletic finish in line with the company’s robust “Athletic Elegance” design philosophy. Genesis acknowledges that the styling of both the grille and lamps was largely inspired by the Genesis emblem, and if you’re familiar with it, you can instantly recognize the resemblance without having to double-check.
The side profile of the G70 is characterized by a long hood, low ground clearance, and short front overhang, all of which communicate its agility. Genesis has done a commendable job with the G70’s wheels. The base trim comes with 18-inch twisted five-spoke wheels purposely designed to be distinguishable from the advanced sports model, which features 19-inch lightweight multi-spoke wheels.
The sports model also features red Brembo brakes to communicate the car’s speed and high-performance capabilities. Not to forget the air vents that work to minimize turbulence generated by the front wheel arches while expressing the athletic sports look for the sedan.
Moving on to the back, you are greeted with a minimalist yet functional rear element. Over the years, Genesis has been avidly improving on its new releases. And now, they have reshaped the trunk lid to stick out and function as a spoiler. With the slim taillights resembling the wings in the Genesis emblem, the latest G70 looks sportier than any of its predecessors.
The G70 Is Engineered For Exhilarating Driving Experience
Genesis has dedicated attention to delivering a thrill-filled, engaging driving experience across the G70 trim levels. You have two trims of the value-oriented package to choose from – the 2.0T and 3.3T, representing the engine size, both of which constitute an eight-speed automatic transmission. At the base level, the G70 comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. For this trim, you get 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.
Genesis G70 Specifications
|
Genesis G70 2.0T |
Genesis G70 3.3T |
|
|
Engine |
2.0-Litre Turbocharged In-line 4-Cylinder |
3.3-Litre Twin-Turbocharged V-6 cylinder (60°) |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Power |
252 Horsepower |
365 Horsepower |
|
Max Torque |
260 Pound-feet |
376 Pound-feet |
|
0-60 mph |
6.1 seconds |
4.7 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
149 mph |
167 mph |
|
Starting MSRP |
$39,400 |
$44,900 |
But it is in the larger, more powerful 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V-6 engine that packs incredible value. Here, you get an impressive 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. This engine makes the car feel so calm when driving at a regular speed. While all G70s come with a standard rear-wheel drive, an upgrade to all-wheel-drive is possible on request at an extra cost.
As with all sports cars, acceleration and handling matters a lot. Thankfully, the G70 does not fall short in this department, especially after basing its platform on the Kia Stinger sports sedan. For drivers who desire to experience the thrill beyond everyday sporty driving, the Sport+ mode feature comes in handy. Switching to this mode literally turns the G70 into a high-performance machine with sharp acceleration, responsive steering, and better handling. The 3.3T rear-wheel-drive variant can accelerate quickly when you want it to, achieving a sprint of 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds.
When Genesis designed the G70 with a 167 mph top speed, they also had to incorporate a high-performance braking system to instill confidence in potential customers. The Brembo brakes work intelligently to deliver exceptional stopping power and total safety. Combine this with the technology that adapts to road conditions, and you achieve a driving experience full of dynamism and stability. The new version has an adaptive exhaust system, which adds some excitement to the engine noise while driving.
Top Competitor In The Compact Sedan Segment
From the moment you step into the Genesis G70, everything you see and interact with breathes a sense of elegance. The leather seats and soft interior lighting, coupled with beautifully-lit buttons bring it to par with the rest of the competition. Dominating the cockpit is a 10.25-inch touchscreen, which ensures convenience for the driver while accessing the car’s tech features. Genesis developed their own GUI (graphical user interface) to showcase their tech prowess, and it features:
- Genesis CarPay to allow convenient pay for gas and parking.
- Valet mode to lock and protect personal information while viewing vehicle information.
- Over-The-Air mode updates
- Remote 360° view
Some advanced driver-safety features found in the G70 include:
- Adaptive cruise control.
- Emergency braking aided forward-collision warning.
- Pedestrian detection.
- Lane-keeping assist.
Everything in the G70 is balanced in such a way that it beats the rest in terms of the overall package it delivers.
Many luxury sedan rivals that can go head-to-head with the G70 tend to stand out in one aspect more than the rest. For example, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the BMW 3 Series lean more on the athletic side, while the Audi A4 concentrates on interior and engineering. So, the balanced approach ensures that as much detail of every rival as possible fits into the G70.
However, some little fallouts were inevitable in the process. For instance, the G70 ended up with a rather tight back seat and a tiny trunk measuring 10.5 cubic feet. In comparison, its competitors like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series offer relatively larger cargo space at 10.9 and 15.1 cubic feet, respectively. The fuel economy also falls short of greatness at 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway for the 3.3T trim.
More Bang For Your Buck
If you’re looking for true value from a compact luxury sports sedan, the Genesis G70 should be at the top of your catalog. It’s indeed affordable, considering the base model’s starting MSRP is set at $39,400. That means you can get better horsepower numbers than the standard turbo-2.0-liter four-cylinder Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series going for the same price range.
As if that’s not enough, Genesis offers a 10-year powertrain warranty that nearly doubles most warranties from its competitors, making it a highly practical option among other sports cars in its class. As it is, the only thing that could be standing in its way when weighed up against the likes of Mercedes, Audi, and BMW is its relatively lesser-known brand name.
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