2020 Genesis G70 AWD Sport 3.3T: South Korean Menace on Wheels
Genesis G70 upends a traditionally staid segment with fresh styling and responsive handling. Tech could be better though.
Until recently, if car shoppers wanted a svelte luxury sedan with decent driving dynamics, they’d be forced to go European. Fortunately, a new player promises to mix things up. With the G70, Genesis created something special. A luxury bargain with actual performance chops. It’s a stunning vehicle aimed right at the heart of the segment.
My week with a 2020 Genesis G70 AWD 3.3T Sport convinced me that the brand is destined to impact the luxury automotive landscape. The sedan lacked some tech you’d expect from a higher end vehicles. Otherwise, it performed extremely well and is a must-drive for anyone in the market.
G70 Interior Quality
Genesis needed to wow prospective owners with the G70. Fortunately, they delivered. My Genesis G70 Sport contained impressive materials. Genesis created an aesthetically pleasing layout. Additionally, the Prestige Package, which came equipped in my loaner, included what Genesis calls “Luxury Quilting.” Whether outfitted on the door or the seats, the quilted material impressed. Beyond those areas, Genesis decided to spend some dough on high quality buttons, switches, and dials too. Particularly noteworthy was the shifter, which felt extremely substantial. My only criticism concerns the overly firm seat cushion. Genetic masterpieces like Jennifer Lopez likely have the correct amount of natural posterior cushioning for these seats. For the rest of us, more padding is needed.
Slightly Outdated Infotainment
Let’s dispense with the bad news first. The 2020 Genesis comes saddled with an 8 inch touchscreen. At this price, it needs a larger screen. To make matters worse, Genesis configured the system in ways that are less than ideal. Physical buttons designated for navigation controls and other functions might seem useful, but automakers integrated those into their touchscreen setups long ago. Although to be fair, the buttons themselves felt incredibly substantial. There’s also no dedicated button for phone operation, which seems like a really glaring omission.
My inner devil’s advocate reminded me to mention that although the screen is small and lacks the polish expected of something in this class, everything worked well. My Samsung Galaxy S20+ paired quickly to the system and call quality was very good. Navigation also performed admirably and the map’s zoom function was responsive. The system also had no problem with Android Auto.
A Winning Chassis
Interior quibbles aside, the G70 rode and handled like a champ. My various attempts to befuddle the sedan ended in failure. That’s because Genesis engineered the G70 to easily tackle curves well above the posted limits without a sweat. It absolutely begs drivers to take pretty much everything one step beyond their comfort zone. Superlative steering offers excellent feedback and substantial buildup from steady and repeated inputs. Paired with the all-wheel drive system, the Michelin all-season tires gripped with confidence. In fact, they gripped so well, it’s probably worth skipping the summer-only tires, unless you plan to take the G70 to the track. The suspension is well-sorted and composed over bumps as well, and the low-profile tires didn’t feel punishing on poorly paved roads.
Augmenting the G70 is a truly fantastic powertrain. Although not exclusive to the Genesis, the 3.3 liter twin-turbo V6 is properly up to the task of authoritatively moving the G70. In Sport mode, the G70 practically snarls with enthusiasm from a stop. The 8 speed automatic transmission quickly upshifts and left nothing to be desired. It is absolute torture to be stuck in traffic with the sedan unless you’re in Eco or Smart modes. But even then, it’s easy to get up to speed.
An Enthusiast’s Bargain
Genesis priced the G70 3.3T Sport at least several thousand dollars cheaper than its rival from Germany. With a worthy interior and what is likely best-in-class handling, there really is no compelling reason to shop elsewhere. The G70 boasts unique styling that your neighbors will notice, unlike the Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG or Audi S3. Oddly enough, the greatest G70 competitor may also come from South Korea.
The Kia Stinger, essentially a platform rival of the G70, also features sharp styling and largely the same capability, all for a lower price. Obviously, buyers won’t get the same dealership experience at a Kia dealer than they would from a Genesis showroom. But it’s something to consider. Similarly, the upcoming 2022 Genesis G70 promises to introduce some needed tech updates into the cabin. It could be worth waiting for that update.
That being said, if you don’t want or need the latest and greatest infotainment, the current model is perfect for your enthusiast cravings. Even at roughly $53,400, which is about the cost of the G70 Genesis loaned me, it presents a cheaper yet more compelling option for luxury sedan shoppers than its German counterparts.
Photos for 6SpeedOnline by Edward Snitkoff