BREAK WITH TRADITION
This relative newcomer in the luxury car market will tempt buyers with a need for speed and an eye for value
VALUE
The Genesis G70 costs about $84,000 driveaway for the top-shelf 3.3T tested here. For that spend, the sedan comes loaded with equipment including a panoramic sunroof and large 10.25inch infotainment screen. Quilted leather seats add a little Bentley-esque flair. The updated 2021 version has a new horizontal quadheadlight treatment and a fresh grille that retains the brand’s distinctive mesh finish.
Ours also had the $10K Luxury pack that bundles in a terrific 15-speaker Lexicon sound system, suede roof lining, head-up display, 12.3inch digital 3D instrument cluster, powered boot, heated rear seats and memory settings for the front seats and steering wheel. The ownership experience is a step above most rivals, with free services for the first five years or 50,000km. Plus, Genesis will collect the car from you, leave you a loaner and swap them back when the servicing is complete. That servicing deal is worth thousands on its own.
COMFORT
The G70 is very much focused on the driver and delivers with nicely supportive bucket seats and a classy array of materials. Whereas the previous car’s infotainment screen was reminiscent of those used by parent company
Hyundai, the new wide-screen version lifts the cabin ambience. In Sport Luxury guise tested here there are laminated front side windows to further hush wind and road noise and the G70 is suitably calm.
Adjustable dampers soften the ride noticeably when Comfort mode is selected for added plushness.
SAFETY
There’s nothing lacking from the vast safety artillery, which kicks off with 10 airbags, including a centre airbag between front occupants. Some driver assist systems are more useful – the 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, exit warning and auto braking system – while others seem gimmicky.
In particular, the blind-spot cameras that display an image in the digital instrument cluster seem a little unnecessary.
DRIVING
Aside from the feature-laden cabin, the G70 sales pitch promises more performance than similarly priced rivals. The 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 better competes with AMG, S and Mbranded versions of the Mercedes, Audi and BMW competition. Power has inched up 2kW to 274kW but good luck picking that. The competent rear-driver still blasts to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, never lacking for punch. A revised exhaust steps up the aural intensity with more bass and crackles, while sizeable Brembo brakes (with red calipers) take care of stopping.
The new Sport+ drive mode helps, too, for those wanting maximum attack, more aggressively shifting the eight-speed auto and holding lower ratios. Great Michelin tyres make the most of all that go and cement the G70 as a spirited and enjoyable four-door. It does like a drink, though. Claimed average fuel use is 10.2 litres per 100km and it’s easy to head north of that. Unlike rivals there’s no stop-start system to save fuel when stationary.
ALTERNATIVES
BMW 330I, FROM ABOUT $88,000 DRIVE-AWAY
Arguably the sweet spot of the 3 Series range, which is a return to form for BMW’s sporty four-door. Slick engine and transmission set the scene for an impressive driver’s car.
MERCEDES-BENZ C300 FROM ABOUT $82,000 DRIVE-AWAY
Lacks the driving fizz of some rivals but makes up for it with stateliness and elegance as the current model nears the end of its life. An allnew C-Class is due late this year.
AUDI A4 45 TFSI, FROM ABOUT $77,000 DRIVEAWAY
Enthusiastic four-cylinder and all-wheel drive make for agile and athletic four-door that also packs plenty in for the money.
VERDICT
The G70 has an addictively unique luxury flavour that brings serious pace to the sports sedan segment.