As if the Genesis G70 couldn't look any more dashing already! This week I bring you the new limited-availability 2026 G70 Prestige Graphite. It takes the already gorgeous luxury sports sedan and dials it up a notch with an exclusive sport-oriented exterior and interior designed for enthusiasts.
The G70 is a fantastic entry-level luxury sports sedan - so it's heartening to hear that despite some reports of its upcoming demise, word on the street now is that it will in fact likely get another facelift for the 2027 model year.
Exterior
The G70 has been from the get-go a gorgeous sedan. The Prestige Graphite adds a sporty dark-themed appeal. My tester wears Vatna Gray, one of two color options for the Prestige Graphite.
The unique trim gives the G70's already stunning exterior the dark chrome treatment on the signature Crest Grille, window surrounds, and rear garnish. It also adds dark-finish 19-inch multi-spoke wheels, black mirror caps and black brake calipers, and gloss black power-folding side mirrors with genesis logo puddle lamps included.
Performance
The G70 backs up its sporty looks with real power. It offers two powertrains - a 2.5 turbo four-cylinder engine with 300-horsepower and my test model's 3.3T V6 with a range-topping 365-horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. (Figures based on Premium fuel.) It's mated to a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters. My test vehicle is equipped with a Limited Slip Differential and optional all-wheel drive. Acceleration is fantastic and crisp Brembo brakes deliver excellent stopping power. For comparison, 365-horsepower handily bests the new Audi A5, but faces more competition with the Audi S5 which edges it out on torque.
Interior
Genesis wows with its interiors and they really set the brand apart. Nappa leather, quilted door panels and seats, a leatherette-wrapped dash, aluminum sport pedals and quality switchgear exude luxury appeal. Never underestimate, too, details like the upscale allure of a microsuede headliner which extends overhead to the second row.
Quilted sport seats in exclusive Nappa Leather Ultramarine Blue featuring orange stitching and seatbelts envelop you in comfort. The 16-way Ergo Motion Power driver's seat is a dream with power side bolster and cushion extender. Both front seats are heated and ventilated. The 12-way passenger seat's additional side power adjustment is conveniently reachable by the driver and back seat passengers. A tailored heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel features more detailed orange stitching. Everything is impeccably crafted.
When it comes to technology, the G70 in its current state starts to lose me a little bit. It's lacking the curved OLED display in newer Genesis models - although it now does have a 12.3-inch fully 3D digital instrument cluster, with unique Prestige Graphite graphics, a welcome update since I last reviewed it in 2024. The 10.25-inch multimedia / navigation touchscreen that protrudes out of the dash doesn't have the same upscale look as the newer dual screen models. When I compare the set-up to the new 2025 Audi A5 Prestige's Digital Stage I recently reviewed, the A5 wins.
The G70 3.3.T features 15-speaker Lexicon premium audio that delivers excellent sound, though I am a bigger fan of the Audi A5 Prestige's 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen system with headrest speakers. The G70's aluminum front speakers look terrific in the front row but I'm not sure why they don't follow through to the second row.
A tastefully designed center console is devoid of glossy black trim - instead featuring sport pattern aluminum trim and matte black surfaces. Elegant is the word that comes to mind when you see the gear shifter. The silver hardware looks amazing for the drive select and the Auto Brake Hold, camera and parking functions. You'll control the climate using haptic touch controls from the center stack.
Beautiful design continues in the 60/40 split second row where you find more quilted seating and orange contrast elements. The seats are comfortable back here, too, and while there is a lot of legroom you do lose some headroom due to stadium seating. The seat-backs are a mix of hard and soft touch materials. Nice trim elements continue to the drop-down center console silver-trimmed cupholders.
Ride and Drive
The G70 3.3T is a real joy to drive. Driving dynamics and acceleration are both fantastic. It's fun with engaging steering, and handling is excellent too especially in Sport+ mode, which also adds a great Active Sound Design exhaust note (which by the way adds 3 HP!).
The G70 Prestige Graphite's sport electronic controlled suspension has a 10 mm height reduction that Genesis says results in improved handling and stability. The ride is comfortable, too, with a smooth suspension making it an excellent daily driver, though you get more road noise in the G70 than in the larger G80.
Standard Equipment
The Prestige Graphite trim includes the exterior dark chrome and black elements, 19- inch alloys, Nappa Leather seats, Microfiber suede headliner, 3D digital gauge cluster, electronically controlled suspension and hands-free smart trunk with power open. Other standard equipment includes wireless charging, four USB ports, wide sunroof, assist grips, a 12 volt, rear coat hangers and a lockable glove box.
Safety
I've long been a fan of Genesis' advanced driver assistance features. Automated adaptive cruise control works impressively. Other standard G70 ADAS features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Rear Occupant Alert , Parking Distance Warning, Surround View Monitor, Blind Spot View Monitors and Head Up Display.
Highway Driving Assist is amazing semi-autonomous driving technology. The G70 has the first-generation system, which is good, but HDA 2 really heads into wow territory.
What You’ll Pay
With no options on this model, MSRP rings in at $60,295.
Verdict
Things have changed a bit since I last reviewed the G70 with the arrival of the new Audi A5. I won't compare their powertrains since it's not an apple-to-apple comparison, but I can offer a few thoughts about the interior. While the G70s exceptional interior wins in the switchgear and quilted Nappa leather seats department, I prefer the sound quality of the A5 Prestige Quattro's Bang & Olufsen premium audio and Audi's overall technology suite, high-tech Digital Stage.
That said, I am still very happy to hear the G70 will in fact live on at least for a little while longer if recent reports are correct. It's an overall fantastic luxury sedan at an excellent price point that deserves more time on the road. The Prestige Graphite trim adds some additional excitement to the lineup.
2026 Genesis G70 3.3T Prestige Graphite AWD
- What I Liked most: New Prestige Graphite trim, gorgeous interior, fantastic power and driving dynamics.
- What I would change: Genesis' voice command assistance could sound more natural.
- MSRP: Base: $58,900. As equipped: $60,295.
- Official Color: Vatna Gray.
- Fuel Economy: 17 MPG city/ 23 MPG highway/ 19 MPG combined.
- Odometer when tested: 1,261 miles.
- Curb Weight: 4,017-4,063 pounds.
- Spare tire: Compact temporary Spare.
- Length-Width-Height: 184.4" long/ 72.8" wide without mirrors/ 55.1” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.8 gallons with filler on the driver's side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2026 Genesis G70 Prestige Graphite a few words: An exclusive sporty look elevates an already gorgeous sports sedan.
- Warranty: 5-year/60,000 miles New Vehicle Warranty; 10-year, 100,000 mile Powertrain Warranty, 7-year, unlimited-mile Anti-Perforation Warranty
- Genesis Experience: 3 Yr / 36K Complimentary Maintenance; 3 Yr / 36K Complimentary Service Valet; 3 Yr Complimentary Map Care
- Final Assembly Location: Ulsan, Korea.
- Manufacturer's website: Genesis.
