As with its larger G80 and GV80 models, Genesis also took a close look at the competition with the mid-range model. With more than a touch of luxury, the Genesis G70 is a real opponent for the German premium trio, because the Korean also knows how to shine on the road.
In the beginning, Genesis was rather ridiculed in Europe with its diligent market efforts and the official start, which was delayed again and again, did not make the whole thing easier. But it is surprising how quickly Genesis is now introducing one new model after the other – and bringing it onto the market. Even before the official start, there was the noble upper-class double pack of G80 and GV80 and now there is a league including the triumvirate of G70, G70 Shooting Brake and GV70. Anyone who prefers a classic sedan and has so far been interested in an Audi A4 or a BMW 3 Series should be able to warm up to the 4.69 meter long G70, which presents itself with its fourfold lights in the design language of the larger models and especially because of its stately radiator grille makes a lot of impression not only in the rearview mirror of the vehicle in front. The short overhangs only make the sedan more chic.
Somewhat surprisingly, there is only four-cylinder for the drive; one diesel, two petrol and no plug-in hybrids. Here the Koreans seem to be preparing for complete electrification. The top model is the well-powered two-liter turbo, which in its more powerful version delivers 180 kW / 245 PS and a maximum torque of 353 Nm. From a standing start it goes to 100 km / h in 6.6 seconds and the four-door reaches a top speed of 240 km / h. The engine depends directly on the gas and offers a lot of driving pleasure, especially from medium speeds, but the engine sound is not convincing. Either the slightly sonorous four-cylinder is covered over by an all too artificial power sound from the speaker system, which can only please fans of night-long game console orgies. If you turn off the computer trumpets in exasperation, the sound is not better – just significantly thinner. Neither one nor the other can be liked.
It’s a shame, because the combination of a turbocharged four-cylinder and the eight-stage automatic transmission is quite right. However, it looks a little different with the individual driving programs, because in addition to the normal mode, the eco mode is particularly sluggish and the sport modes simply want a little too much of a good thing. Casual and sovereign is different and whoever looks at the well-coordinated chassis of the Genesis G70 and the sensible all-wheel drive, wonders anyway why there is no more powerful six-cylinder to survive against competitors such as the Audi S5 or BMW M340i? And if you open the bonnet, you can see around the two-liter four-cylinder, which is also available in a weaker version with 197 hp, without much space for additional combustion chambers. One can hope that a multi-cylinder engine will be loaded into the G70, which is also offered as a station wagon and SUV. The standard consumption of 9.1 liters per 100 kilometers is already at the level of a six-cylinder.
Like its big brothers, the Genesis G70 makes an excellent impression in the interior. It’s modern here, but not too innovative. But there is more luxury and more nobility than the competition. The air-conditioned leather seats are excellent and a hit for longer journeys. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster has been copied from the current BMW 7 Series and the central display with a diagonal of ten inches is also very clear; which cannot be said of all the submenus and the operation. It is a matter of taste that the blind spot warning appears on the left in the speedometer and on the right in the tachometer when it flashes. Not always an asset, especially in the dark, but always an important safety feature that could have been solved differently. Anyone who often overtakes on the autobahn is quickly annoyed by the changing projections behind the handy steering wheel.
The available space is not the Genesis G70’s great strength. As comfortable as it is at the front, the space in the rear is manageable when the front occupants are seated with a guard. It gets even narrower in the cargo area, because only the electric tailgate shines here. The 330 liter volume is simply not enough in this class either. The base price for the 197 hp Genesis G70 petrol engine with rear-wheel drive starts at 39,100 euros. The excellently equipped top version of the G70 2.0 T Luxury with 245 hp and all-wheel drive costs 48,490 euros. If you simply want to drive something other than Audi A4, BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class, the Genesis G70 is always a good choice if you don’t want a plug-in hybrid or an electric model. And we just keep dreaming of a six-cylinder that would fit perfectly into the G70.
I am a 24-year-old writer and journalist who has been working in the news industry for the past two years. I write primarily about market news, so if you’re looking for insights into what’s going on in the stock market or economic indicators, you’ve come to the right place. I also dabble in writing articles on lifestyle trends and pop culture news.
