2019 Genesis G70 Road Test and Review

2019 Genesis G70 red driving ・ Photo by Genesis

With its rear-wheel drive platform, turbocharged engines, sexy good looks, and luxurious interior, it’s easy to mistake the 2019 Genesis G70 sedan for something from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Audi. But the Genesis hails from parts farther east: South Korea. Genesis is a newly launched luxury brand from Hyundai, and it’s challenging those German automakers head-on.

Genesis is fast setting up its own dealer network and has promised five new models by 2021, including its first two SUVs. The brand has already impressed us with its G80 and G90 large luxury sedans.

And now there’s the new G70, which is ready to take on entry-level luxury sedan segment dominated by the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Audi A4. With prices starting in the mid-$30,000 range and topping out at about $50,000, the 2019 Genesis G70 is the brand’s least expensive offering. It’s also the smallest Genesis, but the performance is there, thanks to turbocharged engines, optional all-wheel drive, and an available Sport Package.

Powerful Turbocharged Engines

Hyundai has the same parent company as Kia, and the G70 shares its rear-wheel drive platform, engines, and other hardware with the critically acclaimed Kia Stinger, which debuted in 2018. To create the G70, Genesis shortened the Stinger’s wheelbase a few inches and made the car about 6 inches shorter overall. It’s also a proper sedan with a traditional trunk, while the Kia is a five-door hatchback.

Two engines are available: a 252-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 365-hp 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6. Both are backed by a smooth and responsive eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, but Genesis does offer a six-speed manual with the 2.0-liter (bumped to 255 hp) and rear-wheel drive, which is a combination not available in the Kia. All-wheel drive is optional with either engine and the automatic. Our test car was an all-wheel drive G70 3.3T Sport, with several optional packages and a sticker price right around $50,000.

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Fast, Fun, and Responsive

With so much horsepower, we expected great performance from the 2019 Genesis G70 — and it delivers. The big turbocharged V6 offers plenty of punch off the line, and it’s well-matched to the eight-speed automatic, which shifts smoothly. Put your foot down hard on the gas and the G70 responds, building speed quickly. The transmission now shifts more firmly to maximize performance, and the acceleration pushes you back in the seat and holds you there until you lift your foot off the throttle. Use the G70’s launch control and it’ll hit 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, a bit quicker than the BMW 340i.

The Genesis strikes a near-perfect balance between luxury and sport. It’s fast and engaging to drive, but it’s also pampering with a compliant ride and quiet interior. The steering is light and communicative, and the Sport model’s Brembo brakes, which are dressed with red calipers, provide good feel, and have awesome stopping ability.

Photo by Genesis

Impressive Handling

Kia’s Stinger has impressed us with its handling, so the G70’s ability to carve up a twisty mountain road is no surprise. Although it’s a bit better balanced with the lighter four-cylinder engine than the heavier V6, the Genesis 3.3T Sport changes direction willingly and its front tires are not overworked. Its suspension stays flat even when you’re pushing it harder than you should, and mid-corner bumps are soaked up well.

Our test car's optional Sport Package added an adjustable suspension and 19-inch wheels wrapped in wide Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Summer Performance tires. The combination, along with the sedan’s all-wheel drive, creates an impressive amount of grip, and the G70 is a blast to drive when traffic is light and you have a two-lane all to yourself. Genesis’ Drive Mode Select system allows you to tune the sedan to your mood and conditions. There are five driving modes, including Eco, Sport, and Normal. Each one tweaks the suspension, throttle response, transmission performance, and steering effort. There’s even a Custom mode so you can choose your favorites for each.

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Many Advanced Safety Systems

Further advanced technology is found in the G70’s many important active and passive safety systems. Our test car came standard with forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian protection, a blind-spot monitoring system with a cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, a driver attention warning, a rearview camera with parking guidelines, smart cruise control with stop-and-go, and automatic high beams. The optional Elite Package added rain-sensing windshield wipers and parking sensors, and the Prestige Package added a surround-view monitor — which gives a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the sedan — and a head-up display, which projects your speed an other information on the windshield ahead of the driver.

Although the Genesis G70 has not received safety ratings yet from the National Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the larger Genesis G80 and G90 sedans have been awarded the highest safety ratings by NHTSA (five stars) and the IIHS (Top Safety Pick+).

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Family-Friendly Sedan

The new 2019 Genesis G70 offers more rear-seat room than many of its competitors, but the Kia Stinger has even more. For four, this is a spacious small sedan, and three teens fit in the back without any issues. The G70’s onboard Wi-Fi kept them happily distracted, along with our test car's heated rear seats and two rear air-conditioning vents. Younger parents still wrestling with child safety seats will appreciate the G70’s easy-to-reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats.

Fuel economy is also good for this class. With rear-wheel drive and the 2.0-liter engine, the G70 is rated at 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive, which adds about 250 lbs to the car, those numbers dip to 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. With the twin-turbo V6 engine, the G70 rated 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive and 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. We averaged 18.3 mpg driving the Genesis with vigor around Los Angeles.

Photo by Genesis

Ritzy-Looking Interior

One of the ways Genesis is attracting luxury buyers from European brands is with its impressive interiors. Open the door of the G70 and you’re met with beautiful materials, dynamic design, and near-perfect build quality. The overall design is a true feast for the eyes, and the tactile detailing is excellent. Most knobs and switches wear small trim and most function with precision. The shifter is perfectly placed. Unfortunately, the interior door handles and the switch for the electronic parking brake don’t quite feel as expensive as the other controls. Both could use a little more heft to their action.

This is a luxurious car, but there’s nothing stale or stuffy about it. The optional Sport Package added diamond-stitched Nappa leather seats and diamond stitched door panels to our test car, and it’s an impressive look. The Genesis designers went all out and added piping to the seats as well, contrasting stitching on the dash and doors, and real aluminum trim. The Prestige Package added a suede headliner.

Photo by Genesis

Comfortable and Packed With Features

Visibility is excellent and comfort is high. The seats are firm and well-shaped. They hold you in place but don’t squeeze, and it's easy to find the perfect driving position. Our test car also featured a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, and a sunroof.

The interior’s focal point is an 8-inch touchscreen for the G70’s infotainment system. It’s well positioned for easy use, and it’s quick to respond. Graphics are clean and modern, and no functions are buried in a sea of confusing menus. Programming the navigation system could not be easier. Bluetooth is standard, as is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. It’s all very intuitive to use.

Photo by Genesis

Good Cargo Space and Cupholders

The 2019 Genesis G70 offers 10.5 cubic feet of trunk volume, which is small for its class. If more is needed, every G70 gets a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, which drops easily to expand the space. We were surprised, however, by the sedan’s lack of a power opening and closing trunk.

Interior storage for smaller items is generous. The center console bin is large, as are the door pockets, and the two front-seat cupholders are sizable, deep, and well-located. There’s also a good-sized bin ahead of the shifter, which is perfect for your phone or wallet.

Photo by Genesis

Final Thoughts

With rear-wheel drive and 252 hp, the base 2019 Genesis G70 packs more than enough performance for most buyers. However, buyers less concerned with fuel economy than with big power should upgrade to the twin-turbo V6. Genesis also uses this engine in the more expensive G80 and G90 sedans, and you’ll appreciate the additional acceleration throughout your ownership of the vehicle.

Just as those more expensive sedans from Genesis have checked all the boxes, the new G70 is packed with extremely high levels of style, features, and technology, and it’s fast and fun to drive. This is a cool car, inside and out. Look out, BMW, Benz, and Audi. There’s some new competition in town.

Photo by Genesis