The Genesis G70 is a credible challenger to German sport sedans like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It is engaging to drive, well-equipped, and nicely finished. But it falls short on a few measurements that cause it to rank midpack among its direct competitors.
From the first mile, the G70 comes across as well-tuned, with a welcomed balance of performance, ride, and handling. The 252-hp four-cylinder engine has a willingness to rev, and it delivers power without delay. However, once we dug deeper, we found that it’s neither as quick nor as fuel efficient as its peers, and its stopping distances are a bit long.
On the street and our test track, the car is nimble, with an even-keel attitude through sharp turns and a good amount of steering feedback. Like many of its competitors, the G70 comes in rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations.
The quiet cabin is covered in upscale materials, complete with soft surfaces, leather upholstery, and detailed stitching. The comfortable front seat is shapely, with mild bolsters, helped by the four-way lumbar adjustments.
The controls are a model of simplicity, easy to read and operate. But the touch screen is far away and requires a reach, and the gear selector is unintuitive. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are well integrated.
As is the case with other sedans in its class, the G70's backseat compromises on space. It isn't roomy enough to comfortably seat average-sized adults, and it falls toward the tight end of the spectrum for the class.
Standard advanced safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, lane keeping assistance, and driver-attention monitor.
The Genesis brand may not have the cachet of its decades-old rivals, but it is poised to gain ground on them, while undercutting those rivals on price.