I like to think of these reviews as an ongoing story. Each week a different vehicle rocks up to my house and delivers a unique experience. Well, except late December when I ended up with (a thankfully mild case of) COVID. Across each loan I feel like I can start to make some meaningful comparisons, and the sporty sedan segment is one of my favorites.
Plus, this loan was timely since I’ve been car shopping for…well I’m not sure. Stay tuned. Luckily, I’ve had some great cars recently to compare it to as well, like the TLX Type S. So, I was excited to get a week with the 2022 Genesis G70 with the big motor and loads of options. Let’s see how it advances my sport sedan storyline.
Genesis G70 Overview
As usual, I’ll start out with a bit of history and a quick overview of the G70 lineup. You gotta know where you started to know where you’re going. Or something Forrest Gump said, I don’t remember. Actually, the G70 doesn’t have much of a history, Hyundai created the first Genesis as part of the Hyundai lineup back around 2008. However, that was the predecessor of the larger G80. Thankfully they decided to introduce the smaller G70 for 2019.
For those unfamiliar with the current Genesis lineup, it’s pretty alphanumerically intuitive. The cars start with “G” and the SUVs start with “GV”. The higher the number, the larger the car. You can currently choose between the G70, G80, G90, GV70, and GV80. That makes the G70 the smallest, and cheapest, Genesis on the market.
Like a lot of modern Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models, it was penned by German auto designer Peter Schreyer. I filmed an interview with Schreyer at the unveiling of the Kia Stinger at the North American Inter…Detroit Auto Show. Funny story, a couple of days later at a Hyundai/Kia event, he was tending bar for us media folks at a cool little pub, clearly having partaken in the spirits he was giving out. In my opinion, he has one of the best designer resumes in the game right now, having designed just about every good South Korean car after leaving VW/Audi. Sorry, I’m getting sidetracked, es tut mir leid.
The latest G70 starts at a very reasonable $37,775 for 2022. However, if you want to spend sub-$40K make sure you’re OK with the 2.0L turbo four that delivers 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. While it’s still very well equipped, naturally I was more interested in the bigger 3.3L twin-turbo V6 that will get you an impressive 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. It’s the one you want, more on that in a bit.
When you choose the TTV6, you can opt for the normal G70 or the “Launch Edition” in RWD or AWD. We got to check out the 3.3T RWD with a base price of just over $42,000 and the $8,300 Sport Prestige package added. That, naturally, gives you both the Sport, and the Prestige packages. Here, check it out for yourself.
All in and you’re just under $52,000. Let’s see what’s what.
Exterior
Styling is subjective, except for basically everything that Genesis is making right now (and most of Kia and Hyundai). It’s not perfect, but I absolutely love it. If you disagree, you’re wrong. I was at a gas station and the young couple next to me said “nice Bentley, I really like that”. Despite the similarity, I was floored. I let him know it’s a Genesis and when he realized what I was on about, he was very impressed. The guy in the Audi next to us did not seem as amused.
Since I almost only have good things to say, I’ll try to find something I don’t like about the G70’s exterior design. If I’m honest, I don’t love the split headlight design. It works better at certain angles, but overall looks a little disjointed. The rear treatment looks the business though. On to the inside where I have more to say.
Interior
Inside the story is quite good as well, but not perfect. The interior is made of materials that you would expect to see in a $50,000 luxury vehicle. I really didn’t have any complaints about the textures and feel of anything across the interior. Like a lot of Hyundai et al vehicles, it’s just a pleasant and easy to use place to spend some time.
The diodes to show the radio station numbers are stupid cool and the roller volume on the wheel is functional. Thankfully, there Is still a dial when Don’t Stop Believin’ comes on. The seats are great, with the right amount of adjustability, firmness, and comfort.
Complaints? I’ve got a few, but they are all pretty minor and could be due to user error. I kept moving the position of the Heads Up Display (HUD) to where I could actually see it but it moved back every time I restarted the car. The Qi charger didn’t work, ever, but that’s been par for the course in just about every tester I’ve had recently.
I didn’t like that the turn signal camera is only on the tach, that’s different than other Hyundai and Kia vehicles I’ve driven. Typically in those vehicles if you signal left, it’s on the speedo, if you signal right, it’s on the tach. However, in the G70, the driver display is bifurcated with analog on the left and digital on the right. I don’t like that since it feels partially done.
This was infuriating 
From a practicality standpoint, it would make a great daily driver. The LATCH attachment for a booster seat was a bit of a challenge, it kept catching on the cover. However, the rear seat room wasn’t bad and the G70 has pretty good trunk room. More than enough room for hockey practice. Love that it even has remote start, helpful on a cold morning.
We have Bentley at home 
Stands out nicely in a parking lot
Driving
In the end, the exterior rocks, and the interior is quite good, but what I enjoyed most about the G70 was the drive. I’ve been on a campaign to make Sport Mode actually functional. In most cars it’s absolute garbage. Not in the G70. Sport is solid, it will let you get the rear a little loose and it even tightens up the seat to help keep you in place for lateral Gs. The car actually feels different in Sport mode, which is exactly what you want.
However, as good as Sport is, Sport Plus is an absolute hoon! It will happily shift down all the way to first gear coming to a stop, and sound very good doing it. Although interesting to note, the G70 uses artificial engine/exhaust sounds. Typically I don’t care, but I switched it off since it sounds a bit too fake. The G70 handles great, I’d definitely be happy with the RWD version. Also, the brakes are fabulous. I had a pedestrian decide to pop out in front of me and my panic stop was just about perfect. Thanks Brembo.
Criticisms are minimal, like some Hyundai vehicles, the nanny intrusions are ever present. Several times the system jumped in to panic brake based on things it thought it saw across the side and front of the vehicle.
Summary
If you’re in the market for a fast, luxury sedan, it should very much be on your list. It’s quite good.
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