Genesis’ emergence into the luxury market continues to add more and more options for those people who don’t necessarily want the same BMW, Audi or Mercedes that are ever so numerous on our roads.
I had the opportunity to drive a 2021 G70 compact luxury sedan for a week and the amount of looks and comments I received were numerous. The G70 is a fantastic-looking vehicle and holds its own parked next to any of the big three German competitors. The G70 succeeds in identifying itself as a premium vehicle right away with the large grille, sleek lines and fancy trimmings. I find the 3 Series is a rather dull-looking species so the G70 won’t have any issues in this department. Keep in mind that for 2022, the G70 will have a completely new front fascia which brings it inline with the design language of other Genesis products so it’s something to consider if you’re looking at a 2021 model.
The off-white you see in the photos is a nice contrast against the pure white snow in the background. I got many positive comments on the color.
The G70 has two engine options available. There is the entry level 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine making 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque or a 3.3-litre V-6 twin-turbocharged engine putting out 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. The test vehicle had the later and it packed a punch. I can’t help but feel that it’s quicker than the BMW 340 models I’ve tested recently and it’s not surprising because it beats it by a significant 35 horses and and 46 lb-ft of torque.
Pushing on the gas pedal give an instantaneous throttle response and because maximum torque is available from a very low RPM, the vehicle can push you back into your seat quite effectively. Steering feel is on par or better than the BMW with just the right amount of road feel and the brakes can halt the G70 in a jiffy if need be. The overall impression I got from driving the G70 is that it’s very much a driver’s car, able to give you a nice quiet luxurious ride or a screaming run through the mountain twisties.
The vehicle can be had with a manual transmission but not for much longer as rumor has it that it’s on the way out. You’ll need to opt for the 2.0-litre engine to get it but the sport model with rear-wheel drive, limited-slip differential and upgraded brakes makes for a nice package. The problem is that only a small portion of G70 sales are manuals hence the reason for ditching it.
In all-wheel drive 3.3T models there is even a drift mode which sends more torque to the rear than the front while incorporating some neat tech called “countersteer detection logic” to aid you in your follies. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to test it out on a track as that’s beyond the scope of this review.
If the performance of the G70 wasn’t enough, the interior will surely impress you. Sitting inside the cabin, you immediately notice the diamond-stitched-leather seats. They are beautifully crafted and comfortable as heck. I also really liked the layout and shape of the dash. The controls are well thought out and ergonomically sound with proper knobs for climate control instead of buttons or haptics. The shifter is electronic but instead of ditching the handle in favor of a simple button, the lever remains to rest your hand on which is absolutely perfect. The materials and finishing are on par with any of the German luxury brands.
In an effort to pry customers away from other brands, Genesis offers a no-haggle online purchase experience similar to Tesla and the price is all-in except for taxes. When you’re ready to buy, they will bring the car and accompanying paperwork right to your home. If the vehicle needs maintenance, they come and get it and leave you a loaner vehicle. Why can’t all brands do this?
The Genesis G70 2.0T Advanced will run you a very reasonable $43,000. The 3.3T Sport AWD model you see here is the top of the line and will run you $58,000.