Review - Genesis G70

With the latest G70, Genesis has created a car that, on paper at least, not only matches its competitors, it outpaces them in certain areas while somehow undercutting them on price. So, what’s the catch, then? 

Let’s find out if the G70 can actually match the manufacturer’s claims, how it holds up against the luxury sedan establishment and whether or not it’s too good to be true. 

Starting Price: $63,000

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Genesis G70 (2.0T) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Genesis G70 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Genesis G70 lineup kicks off from $63,000 for the entry-level 2.0T, which can be optioned with a matte paint finish for $2,000, or the Sport Line Package for $4,000, or Luxury Package for $10,000. Prices then move to $76,000 for the 3.3T Sport, with the same options of a matte paint finish and Luxury Package. Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs.  

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What Features Does the Genesis G70 Have?

Both the 2.0T and higher-spec 3.3T Sport come with the same range of features, which includes a set of 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB+ radio and satellite navigation, as well as an 8.0-inch driver’s display, keyless entry & start, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats with 12-way adjustment, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, leather dashboard, door sills and central console, as well as automatic wipers and a host of safety equipment.  

Genesis’ Sport Line package adds a limited-slip differential, upgraded Brembo brakes, 19-inch alloys with a black finish, leather sport seats, Sport Line exterior tweaks which include a dark grille, aluminium contrasts in the interior and alloy pedals. 

Opting for the 3.3T Sport adds adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes, a limited-slip differential and an active variable exhaust system. 

Finally, the Luxury Package adds a larger 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, heads-up display, Nappa leather upholstery, Matrix LED headlights, heated steering wheel and rear seats, Lexicon sound system, powered boot lift, suede headliner and laminated windscreen and front door glass that reduces noises from outside entering the cabin. 

Range Features: 

• 19-inch alloy wheels 

• Panoramic sunroof 

• LED headlights 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Heated & ventilated front seats 

• 10.25-inch infotainment system with DAB+, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 

• Leather upholstery, dashboard and centre console 

• Surround-view camera 

• Adaptive suspension (3.3T Sport) 

• Limited-slip differential (3.3T Sport) 

• Brembo brakes (3.3T Sport) 

• Matrix LED headlights (Luxury package) 

• 15-speaker Lexicon sound system (Luxury package) 

• Heated steering wheel & rear seats (Luxury package) 

Genesis G70 Colours

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

The Genesis G70 is extremely comfortable to drive, which is made more impressive when you take into account just how capable of a performance car it is. Even the base 2.0T model offers a significant amount of power, throwing out 179kW and 353Nm to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This is a significant amount of power for any driver, which makes overtaking completely effortless and adds a sense of excitement to the overall refined, luxurious package.

While Genesis might be a relatively new brand, the G70 feels very much on par with its more established European rivals when it comes to the overall balance of power blending with comfort and refinement. As a daily driver, the G70 is extremely easy to drive, with a featherweight steering feel that makes low speed turns and parking simple, while offering a heap of feedback for the driver when the pace picks up. The G70 stays nice and flat through the corners, which means that on your typical commute, the ride quality offers dampening that is on the firm side, but this isn’t anything particularly new for the premium sedan market. Around town, the 2.0T is simple to pilot, with a relatively short wheelbase that makes the urban environment easier to navigate. The G70 feels and drives like a genuinely premium product, and in no significant fashion is it out-paced by its more established competitors. 

Opting for the 3.3T Sport takes performance to a whole new level, adding a significantly more powerful engine (274kW/510Nm) as well as adaptive suspension, a limited-slip differential and upgraded Brembo brakes. These are very welcomed additions, as adding more speed to an already fast car means you want suspension that can handle it, and brakes to slow it down. The 3.3T Sport is a fabulous car to drive, and is a genuine sports car when you flatten the throttle and unleash the twin-turbo V6. Around town, in everyday driving situations, this power translates to completely effortless overtaking and an extremely relaxed driving dynamic that makes each commute as relaxing as possible. 

All up, the G70 is extremely comfortable and exciting to drive, and does an extremely good job at matching its more established rivals in terms of its driving qualities, pace and comfort - particularly when you take its price into account. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

Now that we’ve certified the G70 as a fully-fledged sports car, it’s important to take into account just how comfortable it is, and how user-friendly it is for those with children while ticking off a weekend’s worth of errands. From the outset, the G70 offers a cabin design that positions the driver and front passenger in a low, sports car fashion. However, it welcomes you into a cockpit that is extremely user-friendly, offering the luxuries of a premium sedan while positioned in extremely comfortable sport seats. 

Genesis’ attention to detail is clear to be seen when it comes to the interior design, which utilises luxurious textiles and weaves them with interesting patterns that are far from what you’d expect from what is, at its heart, a Hyundai. This also translates to real-world practicality benefits, with a host of storage spots, bottle holders and easily accessible ISOFIX mounting points. 

The front of the cabin is extremely spacious, made even more so by the panoramic sunroof and huge amounts of visibility. In the rear, though, space becomes a bit more limited, with less legroom than you might expect from a premium sedan, and a limited amount of headroom for taller passengers due to that sloping, coupe-style roof. Overall, though, the cabin is extremely comfortable and a wonderful place to sit on longer trips, even in the back seats. In terms of cargo storage, there’s 330L of luggage space in the G70’s boot, which is perfectly acceptable, but far from the best in the class. 

As a complete package, the G70 is more suited to singles, couples, or those with young children. 

Is it Safe? 

The Genesis G70 has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five star safety rating, scoring 81% for adult occupant protection, and 86% for child occupant protection. As standard, all G70 models are packaged with 10 airbags, a surround-view camera, front and rear mounted parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep and lane-follow assistance, rear cross-traffic alerts and safe exit warnings.  

The Genesis G70 is a particularly attractive offering when you consider just how much safety equipment is included as standard on even the entry-level model, while its rivals often reserve key features for more expensive variants. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Genesis G70’s fuel economy is the one weak-point in an otherwise rock-solid piece of armour. On an official combined cycle, the base model 2.0T returns figures of 9.0L per 100km, while the 3.3T is rated at 10.1L per 100km. These fuel economy figures are steep, particularly for the 2.0T’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 2.0T, which, admittedly, creates a lot of power, but rivals offer similar power outputs with significantly improved economy figures.  

Our Verdict: Is the Genesis G70 Worth it? 

The G70 is a car seemingly cursed by the public’s unfamiliarity with the Genesis brand. The simple fact is that if more people got behind the wheel of a G70 for a test-drive, they would question the need to spend significantly more money on a premium sedan from Europe, when the G70 can do everything they can at a cut-price. The 3.3T is no doubt the go-to option for those looking for maximum excitement, but it’s worth noting just how capable the little 2.0T is, and how much equipment is included as standard on the entry-level Genesis G70. 

It’s high-time that you got behind the wheel and found out for yourself how exceptional the G70 is as an all-round value for money proposition. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car or want to sell your car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. Five-years or 50,000km of free scheduled servicing 

3. Economy figure of 9.0L/100km for 2.0T & 10.1L/100km for 3.3T Sport 

4. 330L of boot space 

5. Adaptive suspension packaged as standard on 3.3T Sport 

Pros 

• Unparalleled value for money in the luxury sedan segment 

• Genuine performance from engine paired with slick transmission  

• Interior design & superb build quality 

Cons

• Firm ride 

• Limited space in rear seats 

• Limited dealer network; it is growing steadily, though. 

OnlineAuto Rating: 8.5/10

Genesis G70 Competition