2024 Genesis G70: South Korea’s Got Talent

The G70 is not the best-selling vehicle in the Genesis lineup, let alone the best-selling car in the compact luxury segment (the Germans still rule, remember), but this surprisingly dynamic and refined Korean sedan still makes a pretty solid case.

Among other things, the brand offers a completely unique and highly praised customer experience. Except for a few body colour options at $500 apiece, basically everything is included in the price, without any hassle or negotiating.

• Also: The Best Compact Luxury Cars in 2024
• Also: Refreshed 2024 Genesis G70 Packs New 300-hp Engine

As the gateway to the Genesis portfolio, the G70 comes in three trim levels: 2.5T Advanced, 2.5T Prestige and 3.3T Sport. For 2024, the first two feature a new turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine (replacing the previous 2.0-litre unit). Pricing starts at $54,622 and not only includes a 5-year/100,000km warranty, but also complimentary maintenance, valet service and roadside assistance.

Our tester was a top-line 3.3T Sport model finished in Vatna Grey ($500) with a red interior (no extra cost) for a price of $66,122. Financing is available at a rate of 2.9 percent for 48 months or longer (1.9 percent with a shorter-term loan), while lease rates are 3.9 percent or 4.9 percent depending on the duration of the contract.

Sleek and Sophisticated

Most of us here at The Car Guide will tell you that Genesis has done a good job of designing a sleek and understated sedan that is not a copycat of the European rivals. The split headlights and taillights combine with a diamond-shaped grille for an unmistakable look.  

Inside, fit and finish is right up there with the best in the segment. The classy cabin probably won’t blow anyone away, but we love the ergonomic and functional layout as well as the user-friendly controls.

A complaint of ours is the excessive number of menus in the infotainment system. That and the need to turn our attention away from the road to adjust ventilation and activate the heated steering wheel or the heated/cooled seats.

Speaking of which, the magnificent, leather-clad front buckets provide regal comfort. On the other hand, the rear quarters, while comfy, are extremely tight. Whenever the occupant in front is taller than average, legroom becomes virtually non-existent.

Likewise, the trunk is awfully small with just 297 litres of cargo space. The Audi A4 (340 litres), Mercedes-Benz C-Class (455 litres) and BMW 3 Series (480 litres) are much more accommodating in that department. If you’re planning regular family trips, forget about the G70.

Sporty and Responsive

Genesis has yet to launch high-performance models to go head-to-head with Germany’s finest and most powerful sedans. Things could change in the near future with the newly announced Magma program, mind you. In the meantime, the sportiest G70 you can find in the 3.3T Sport like the one we tested.

The twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre V6 generates 376 lb-ft of torque from 1,400-4,000 rpm, ensuring great response in most daily driving scenarios. And with 365 horsepower available at 6,000 rpm, it can shoot the car from 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. The automatic transmission is somewhat slow and not really suited for sporty action (except when using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel). Other than that, there isn’t much to complain about.

Oh, that’s right: fuel economy is pretty disappointing. The official combined rating from Natural Resources Canada is 12.7 L/100 km. We achieved 12.1 L/100 km while spending the majority of our time on the highway. Expect the V6-powered G70 to burn approximately 15 L/100 km when driving around town.

Genesis engineers have struck a satisfying balance between a comfortable ride and agile handling. Alas, the turning circle is excessively large for a sedan of this size, requiring extra manoeuvres to complete U-turns in tight places.

Overall, though, the G70 is pleasant to drive and has good enough reflexes to keep sporty driving enthusiasts happy. Hitting bumps and potholes won’t send them to the chiropractor, either. We love how stable the car is in long, sweeping corners, but we wish steering was a tad sharper and more precise, similar to the 3 Series’. If it’s all fine with you, then you’ll definitely enjoy the compact Genesis.

We came away from our weeklong test drive feeling quite positive about the G70. It offers customers plenty of bang for their buck, the company’s warranty and maintenance program is fantastic, and superb build quality rounds out the package. Those shopping for a compact luxury car should look beyond the name and badge and give it a try. The G70 certainly deserves more attention than it’s currently getting.