2019 Genesis G70 RWD 3.3T Prestige Review and Test Drive

Written By: Amy Plemons | Mar 20, 2019 12:00:00 AM

Ladies and gentlemen, this week I bring you 2019 Genesis G70, an impressive effort from Hyundai’s new luxury brand Genesis. This is a sports sedan that’s received a lot of hype and after a week behind the wheel now I can attest it’s for good reason. This true driver enthusiasts sports sedan hits the right note with its combination of performance and luxury, all for a great and I would say even jaw-dropping sticker price.

Genesis Family

The Genesis G70 follows the G90 and G80 as the lineups smallest, entry-level sports sedan. With its newcomer, Genesis once again clearly took aim at German automakers like BMW and Audi. For one, a former BMW M Performance engineer had a huge role in it. You’ll also see more than a bit of influence from a former designer for Bentley, Audi and Lamborghini.

G70 vs KIA Stinger

The G70 shares its platform with its sibling the Kia Stinger, another vehicle that surprised pretty much everybody. But while the Stinger is more of a grand tourer, the G70 is all sports sedan. It’s also shorter in overall length and wheelbase and a bit lighter too. It also has a stiffer suspension that the Stinger. The G70 also uses more aluminum throughout including the hood.

Powertrain

My Prestige-trimmed test vehicle is equipped with a 3.3.T twin-turbocharged V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic with rear-wheel drive. The powertrain delivers a healthy 365-horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. A manual is available on the base model turbocharged 252-horsepower four-cylinder. WOW is the G70 a great performer as well as a daily driver. It’s fast. The acceleration was in a word, fantastic. Genesis cites a 0 to 60 time as 4.4. seconds if you have AWD and launch control.

The G70s ride and handling is also impressive and expertly balanced My test model comes with sport-tuned suspension as well as a limited-slip differential. You can choose from Comfort, Eco, Sport, Smart, or Custom driving modes. What a fun car to drive especially in sport mode thanks to its power and responsive, quick and precise steering. The ride is smooth when it needs to be but the sport-tuned suspension firms it up nicely when called upon. There was confident braking to go along with all of this thanks to the fantastic Brembo brakes.

Exterior

The G70 is a sleek and sophisticated sedan with a low center of gravity. Proportions are just right with a combination of sharp lines and curves. It rides on great-looking 19 -inch alloy wheels outfitted with the aforementioned red Brembo brakes. The Genesis crosshatched grille is up front flanked by LED headlights. There are LED lights in the rear as well along with dual exhaust tips. The exterior also sports heated power folding mirrors and at night I love the Genesis logo approach lights.

Interior

Genesis designers did a fantastic job on the cabin. What you see is a well-executed interior with excellent build quality using premium materials like aluminum-trimmed door panels and soft touch materials that include microsuede. My test model features very comfortable quilted heated and cooled Nappa Leather seats that hit the right balance between comfort and sport. My trim’s driver’s seat is 16-way power adjustable with lumbar support.

The cabin is also driver-centric with straightforward controls. (All the switchgear is quality, too.) Press the push button start and the tachometer lights up revealing a 7-inch driver display where you scroll through driver info. Underneath you get a leather-wrapped power tilt and telescopic steering wheel. The center stacks consists of radio, dual climate controls, buttons for your heated and ventilated seats. On the console you find a leather gear shifter, electric parking brake, auto hold.

While there are definitely some Audi influences in here, the only real Hyundai influence I see is the 8-inch infotainment screen. It’s from Hyundai’s core brand and a unique to Genesis one would be nice. I also wish it had a knob controller on the console. It has a nice backup camera and my test model has a surround view camera view. The infotainment also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are 3 USB ports - 2 in front and 1 in rear. My model has an excellent 15-speaker Lexicon sound system.

As far as room goes, no complaints about the front row, but legroom in the back is slightly tighter for its class. Cargo space in the trunk is also on the shallow side.

Safety

The G70 entry model comes standard with some great driver assist features like Forward Collision Avoidance with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keep Assist, High Beam Assist, and Driver Attention Warning Blind-Spot Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning My test vehicle as equipped adds low beam assist, rear parking sensors and parking distance warning.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy in the 3.3T engine is 18 in the city, 26 highway for a combined 21 (which I was getting during my time behind the wheel.)

Options

A $1750 Elite package gets you a wide sunroof, wireless charging, low beam assist, rain sensing wipers, and parking distance warning.

My model is also equipped with the $2500 Prestige package that adds a great heads up display, surround view monitor, Nappa leather seats with quilting along with heated rear seats and a microsuede headliner.

Price

The G70 base models starts from $34,900, but my 3.3T Prestige as equipped hits the $48995 mark and that’s pretty jaw dropping considering the combination of power and premium luxury. If it were a German sedan you’d be paying more for a similarly equipped sports sedan.

Verdict

The G70 is an entry level sports sedan designed for driving enthusiasts that does what it needed to do to compete against pricier German rivals. It offers the right combination of power and luxury that is welcome, albeit unexpected, to the segment. Perhaps the most masterful thing on Genesis part is that it’s a value that doesn’t feel like a bargain. Genius.