Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury brand and makes some awfully nice sedans. At first Genesis was part of the Hyundai line-up, then branched out on its own four years ago. Since then, Genesis has given Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and other upscale brands a run for the money.
The five-passenger G70 is the smallest and cheapest sedan in the Genesis line-up and is a good mix of luxury, performance, tech and comfort. And all of that comes at a reasonable price.
The G70 is available in five trim packages: Advanced, Elite, Prestige, Dynamic and Sport. Starting prices range from $34,900 to $52,250 which is below average for the class. Rear-wheel-drive is standard and all-wheel-drive is available.
Two engines are available: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder that makes 252 horsepower and 260 pound feet of torque, and a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 365 horses and 376 pound-feet. An eight-speed sport-tuned automatic transmission with paddles on the steering wheel is standard, and a six-speed manual is available on the 2.0T RWD model.
The G70 is quick with either engine, and downright sporty with the V6. Genesis says the V6 can go from zero to 60 mpg in just 4.5 seconds with almost no turbo lag. It’s a breeze to merge and pass at freeway speeds, steering is responsive and brakes are strong. There are five mode settings: Sport, Comfort, Smart, Eco and Custom. The G70 remains composed when cornering although you will notice some body roll. While it’s not as sporty as some of its German competitors, it’s no slouch, either, providing a fun and exhilarating ride. It’s sure a pleasant ride as a daily driver.
Unfortunately, fuel efficiency is not as good as many rivals. EPA ratings for my tester are 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with a combined rating of 20 mpg. I got 20 during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The elegant interior is well designed with many luxurious touches. Most materials are of high quality, although there is some plastic. As you’d expect in a luxury car, details are well thought out and every stitch is in place. The front seats are nicely bolstered and comfortable with good leg- and headroom. The backseat is also comfy but has limited space. It’s best for kids or smaller adults.
The G70 has a long list of standard features for the price including proximity key, push-button start, dual automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, infotainment system with eight-inch display, three USB ports, HD radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Many driver assistance systems are standard including blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, rear cross traffic alert, driver attention monitoring, and automatic high beams.
Available features include leather upholstery, Nappa leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, sunroof, 15-speaker Lexicon high-fidelity audio system, navigation, wireless charging for smartphones, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
The infotainment system is very user friendly and easy to reach. Some luxury vehicles have clumsy and overly complicated systems, so this one is much appreciated for its simplicity. The system responds quickly to commands.
The G70 has less cargo space than many rivals. There are 10.5 cubic feet in the trunk. A hands-free trunk lid is standard. It opens the trunk when you stand behind the vehicle with the key fob. The rear seats split-fold 60/40.
The good:
Two peppy engine choices
Nimble handling
Pleasant daily driver
Beautiful and elegant interior
Lots of standard and available features and tech
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard
Good value for the money
The not-so-good:
Below average fuel efficiency
Less trunk space than competitors
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $45,750. The Elite Package is $1,750 and adds low beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, parking distance warning, sunroof and wireless charging pad. The Prestige Package is $2,500 and adds a head-up display, surround view monitor, Nappa leather seating surfaces with luxury quilting, heated rear seats and microfiber suede headliner. The Sport Package is $1,500 and adds electronically controlled suspension, 19-inch sport Alloy wheels with Michelin summer tires, copper headlight bezel accents, dark ting taillight covers, dark chrome grille and window trim, and Nappa leather seating surfaces with sport quilting. Delivery fee is $995 bringing the grand total to $52,495.
Bottom line:
The G70 should be on your list if you’re shopping for a small luxury sedan. Yeah, you won’t get a status badge but you will get nimble performance, a beautiful interior, user-friendly infotainment system and a long list of standard and available features and tech. And all of that comes at a reasonable price.
