{"id":2318,"date":"2020-01-11T05:29:42","date_gmt":"2020-01-11T10:29:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/?p=2318"},"modified":"2025-03-07T09:25:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T14:25:18","slug":"2019-genesis-g70-3-3t-sport-awd-road-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/2019-genesis-g70-3-3t-sport-awd-road-test\/","title":{"rendered":"2019 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport AWD Road Test"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"2019
The new Genesis G70 performs as well as it looks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Few categories in the luxury auto sector are more competitive than the battle between compact sport sedans, so bringing an all-new entry into this class takes an entirely new level of courage. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t already heard, Genesis is the new luxury brand of Hyundai Motor Group. Basically it\u2019s what Lexus is to Toyota, Infiniti is to Nissan and Acura is to Honda, or for that matter what Audi is to Volkswagen. Each of the just-noted Japanese luxury brands were relative late arrivals compared to their European and domestic American counterparts, some having been around for more than a century. <\/span><\/p>\n

With the G70, Genesis hasn\u2019t exactly broken the mould like Tesla has with its lineup of electric vehicles, the Model 3 now leading this class in sales. Instead, the new G70 offers an attractive, well made, potent performing, and strong value propositioned alternative to market leaders such as BMW\u2019s 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz\u2019 C-Class and Audi\u2019s A4, not to mention the many others including Lexus\u2019 IS, Infiniti\u2019s Q50, Acura\u2019s TLX, Cadillac\u2019s ATS, Volvo\u2019s S60, Jaguar\u2019s XE, and Alfa Romeo\u2019s Giulia. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
Genesis has taken a conservative look with the new G70, but it still has a lot of style in 3.3T Sport AWD trim. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That\u2019s a full sleight of competitors, and didn\u2019t even include all the coupes, convertibles and wagons, some of the coupes even boasting four doors like the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. How has the G70 fared? Specifically regarding sales, Genesis Canada sold 1,119 G70s through calendar year 2019, which is quite good, even representing a 15.7-percent gain year-over-year (although the year prior was only 10 months as the G70 went on sale in March, 2018). <\/span><\/p>\n

That puts its sales higher than some key rivals, namely the Cadillac ATS that required a sedan and coupe to total 1,032 units yet still dropped 36.1 percent from the year before, although that\u2019s not as bad as the Alfa Romeo Giulia that lost 52.5 percent year-over-year with only 242 sales in 2019, not to mention Jaguar\u2019s XE that plunged 72.5 percent after selling a mere 157 units last year, resulting in the last and final place in this segment. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
Sport trim includes a unique front fascia, LED headlights, fog lamps, 19-inch alloys and Brembo brakes with red calipers. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That Genesis achieved 1,119 deliveries in a year that saw many of its competitors lose ground made for impressive beginnings. Let\u2019s remember it\u2019s a three-year old brand, and this is its first totally new model. Yes, the G90 full-size luxury sedan was new when it was introduced together with the entire brand in November 2016, but like the G80 mid-size luxury sedan it started off as an older Hyundai model. The G90 began as the Hyundai Equus, and therefore can be considered to be in its third generation, while the G80 merely had its rear badge changed from Hyundai\u2019s stylized \u201cH\u201d to Genesis\u2019 wings. In fact, it had been wearing the new Genesis brand\u2019s logo on its hood and steering wheel for two generations and eight years already, thanks to previewing the Genesis nameplate. <\/span><\/p>\n

To say the G70 is an important model for Genesis is an understatement, being that it made up 73.4 percent of Genesis sales in 2019. The G80 found just 324 new owners last year, and the G90 just 82 (that\u2019s nowhere near last place, by the way, but rather 18th from last, with Canada\u2019s worst sales going to the Kia K900 that had zero deliveries and ironically shares its platform architecture with the G90). <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The G70 offers up a very impressive interior.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first Genesis win is styling, with the G70 providing the kind of good looks it needs in order to stand out. It has a strong, aggressive stance, yet it\u2019s not too over-the-top either, other than maybe its nonfunctional front fender vents. It\u2019s also sized perfectly to fit within the compact luxury D-segment, measuring 4,685 millimetres from nose to tail with a 2,835-mm wheelbase, 1,850 mm wide, and 1,400 mm tall, which makes it near identically proportioned to the current C-Class sedan, and only a bit shorter than the 3 Series. This appears to be an ideal size for compact luxury sedans, compared to the Infiniti Q50 that\u2019s quite a bit longer. <\/span><\/p>\n

This results in a car that\u2019s completely comfortable front to back, yet light and quick enough for good manoeuvrability. Its driving position is very good, with lots of reach and rake from adjustable steering column, while the driver\u2019s seat is excellent, with good upper leg, lumbar, and side support. The steering wheel is smartly shaped for comfort and control, with shift paddles where they need to be for fast gear changes, while the pistol grip-style shift knob on the lower console-mounted lever is simply there for selecting D, R or N, P found on a button just in front. A lovely rotating knurled metal dial allows for drive mode selection, the choices being Comfort, Eco, Smart, Sport and Custom, and while I tried each one out for testing purposes, I\u2019m sure you can hazard to guess which one I used most often. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The G70’s cabin easily measures up to the compact luxury class leaders.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Base G70s use an eight-speed automatic transmission, which gets Idle Stop and Go to automatically shut off the engine in order to save fuel and limit emissions when it would otherwise be idling, and then quickly restart it again when lifting off the brake pedal. The entry-level 2.0-litre turbo-four is good for 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and is also the sole engine available with a six-speed manual in performance-oriented 2.0T Sport RWD trim. The \u201cRWD\u201d portion of the trim designation gives away its rear-drive nature as well, this being the only G70 without AWD, but this model actually puts out an extra 3 horsepower over its auto-equipped 2.0T brethren. The base G70 is the 2.0T Advanced AWD model, which gets followed by 2.0T Elite AWD and 2.0T Prestige AWD trims. <\/span><\/p>\n

The only two trims using the upgraded twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre V6 power unit, which makes 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, is the 3.3T Dynamic AWD model and the top-tier 3.3T Sport AWD being tested here. The powertrain has a nice eager exhaust note at idle, while choosing Sport mode automatically adds air to sport driver seat\u2019s bladder-infused bolsters, this exclusive 16-way power-adjustable seat providing excellent lateral support, not to mention four-way lumbar support and an always appreciated lower cushion extension that made it wonderfully comfortable. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The G70’s gauge cluster gets a nice 7.0-inch multi-info display at centre.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 3.3-litre V6 makes for a brilliantly quick getaway car, blasting from zero to 100 km\/h in just less than five seconds, while its exhaust note becomes addictive as the engine soars toward its 7,000-rpm redline. The eight-speed automatic delivers quick, sharp shifts in Sport mode, the paddle shifters only adding to the intensity, this particularly true through corners where the G70 feels light, lively and oh-so eager to impress, making it a great deal more enjoyable to drive than the equivalent Lexus IS 350 F Sport, not to mention many others in this class. <\/span><\/p>\n

The brakes are very strong and don\u2019t fade away after repetitive foot stomps. The Sport gets four-piston front and two-piston rear high-performance Brembos with fixed red-painted calipers, which are easily up to task. The G70 has impressive balance thanks to a well-sorted front strut and five-link independent rear suspension setup that never gets out of shape, yet provided a nice, compliant ride even with my test model\u2019s big 19-inch staggered-width alloy wheels encircled by 225\/40 front and 255\/35 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer performance tires. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The G70’s infotainment system is no more upscale than what you’d find in a Hyundai.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My G70 Sport\u2019s outstanding stability probably has a lot to do with my its upgraded adaptive control suspension. This is a high-performance suspension control system that distributes front and rear damping forces when a driving situation becomes potentially dangerous and\/or unstable, aiding in accidence avoidance. Safety in mind, upper G70 trims also get forward collision assist with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, and driver attention warning, whereas all G70s include blind spot collision warning with lane change assist, plus rear cross-traffic collision warning. <\/span><\/p>\n

A motor-driven rack-and-pinion steering system gets Variable Gear Ratio assistance for quick, positive response to inputs, yet it never felt nervous. Actually, the G70 tracks really well at high speed, its mechanical limited-slip differential helping out rear traction. Truly, the G70 is a sport-luxury sedan I could live with every day, my only wish being a racetrack that would allow me to test it to its maximum (or my maximum), but even in congested city traffic it was easy to drive. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The G70’s eight-speed automatic is one excellent transmission.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was during such slower speeds that I had time to enjoy its nicely detailed cabin. Everything is extremely well put together, with the expected pliable composite surfaces above the waste, except for the glove box lid and surrounding surfaces next to the steering wheel. Most buttons, knobs and switches were high quality, but its aluminized silver buttons with blue backlit lettering came across a bit too much like Hyundai products, as did the 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen atop the centre dash, and its graphic interface. It\u2019s filled with plenty of features, such as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a navigation system, a multi-view camera, Genesis Connected Services, etcetera, the 15-speaker Lexicon audio system with Quantum Logic surround sound being very good, although most others in this category offer some sort of infotainment controller on the lower console, and not just a touchscreen. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ahead of the driver is a large 7.0-inch, highly functional TFT multi-infotainment display as well, and while it was nice and bright plus plenty colourful, I wondered why it wasn\u2019t a fully digital instrument cluster being that it\u2019s a brand new model and Genesis would have been able to include one in upper trims, this being all the rage right now. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
Choose your drive mode with this knurled metal selector.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A nicer surprise was the diamond-patterned quilted black and grey highlighted Nappa leather upholstery on the seats and door panels. This is the kind of over-the-top opulence I expect to find with an Aston Martin or Bentley, not an entry-level Genesis sedan. The seats even included stylish grey piping on their side bolsters and at the top of each backrest. This comes as part of my Sport model\u2019s standard Sport Appearance Package that also adds the power-adjustable bolsters and seat cushion extension on the driver\u2019s seat noted before, plus metal foot pedals and a black microsuede headliner and roof pillars. <\/span><\/p>\n

The G70 is also as nicely finished in its rear quarters as it is up front, the back outboard seats including three-way seat warmers. Those up front included these as well, plus the driver could warm his\/her hands on a heatable steering wheel rim, and two front seats were also ventilated for cooling during summer. Dual-zone auto climate control managed cabin comfort, of course, while the usual smartphone connectivity and various charging ports were also included, my go-to choice being a wireless charging pad. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The 16-way driver’s seat that comes standard in Sport trim is truly amazing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The poorly finished cargo compartment was disappointing, the G70\u2019s trunk no better than what you might find in a Hyundai product. It\u2019s slightly shallower than some peers, plus its hinges take up more room than struts would. Worse, the load floor feels flimsy, and the split-folding rear seatbacks are only divided in a 60\/40 configuration, with no centre pass-through, making the G70 less flexible for passengers and cargo than some of its European rivals. <\/span><\/p>\n

To be fair, the G70 is quite a bargain when compared to most of its German competition, with a base price of only $42,000 (plus freight and fees). Even the most affordable Mercedes-Benz C-Class<\/a> sedan starts at $46,100, while the least expensive BMW 3 Series<\/a> sedan takes an investment of $49,000. Even pricier, the slow selling Jaguar XE<\/a> needs $49,900 before it can be taken home, while Alfa Romeo Giulia<\/a> can\u2019t be had under $50,445. Of course, some rivals undercut the G70, such as the Audi A4 that only needs $39,800 to procure, while a base Lexus IS<\/a> (RWD) can be had for $41,250, but these don\u2019t offer the same level of standard features as the G70. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The rear seat could use a bit more legroom, but it’s comfortable.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By the way, you can learn about full-range pricing for each of these models just mentioned right here at CarCostCanada (just click on the links for the car names above). CarCostCanada has trim, package and individual options info, plus you can find out about available offers, such as the zero-percent factory leasing and financing rates now provided by Genesis for 2019<\/a> and 2020<\/a> G70 models. Before you buy or even contact your Genesis dealer, or any of the others, make sure to also get your CarCostCanada<\/a> membership so you can go to your local dealer with invoice pricing in order to make sure you get the best deal possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2020 G70<\/a> hasn\u2019t changed from this 2019 model, incidentally, other than the discontinuation of the 3.3T Dynamic AWD model and availability of new higher-end 3.3T Prestige AWD trim. The base price remains the same too, although some of the other trims move up in price, including this Sport trim that gets a new standard power trunk lid so therefore adds $500 for a new total of $58,000. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
The trunk lacks refinement and its 60\/40-split seatbacks don’t offer the convenience of a centre pass-through.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the end, the 2019 Genesis G70 is a superb sport-luxury sedan with very few negatives. It\u2019s particularly good for those that drive enthusiastically, as it rewards skillful drivers with brilliant straight-line acceleration and wonderfully predictable, thoroughly capable road holding. This said its good balance and the AWD model\u2019s tendency to understeer make it safe for newer drivers too, while its cabin quality and refinement will impress everyone, with plenty of comfort and some of the most luxurious details in the class. <\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, it\u2019s not faultless, its claimed 13.3 L\/100km city, 9.5 highway and 11.6 combined fuel economy notably thirsty (the four-cylinder, AWD model gets an estimated 11.5, 8.7 and 10.3 respectively), but I think its pros, that include a five-year, 100,000-km comprehensive warranty, outweigh its cons, so I have no problem recommending the G70 to anyone thinking of purchasing a new compact luxury sedan. <\/span><\/p>\n

Story and photo credits: Trevor Hofmann<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Few categories in the luxury auto sector are more competitive than the battle between compact sport sedans, so bringing an all-new entry into this class takes an entirely new level of courage. If you haven\u2019t already heard, Genesis is the new luxury brand of Hyundai Motor Group. Basically it\u2019s what Lexus is to Toyota, Infiniti […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2338,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-container-style":"default","site-container-layout":"default","site-sidebar-layout":"default","disable-article-header":"default","disable-site-header":"default","disable-site-footer":"default","disable-content-area-spacing":"default","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[31,283,58,59,407,281,63,66,79,78,38,62,64],"class_list":["post-2318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-carcostcanada","tag-31","tag-3-3t","tag-awd","tag-compact","tag-g70","tag-genesis","tag-luxury","tag-premium","tag-review","tag-road-test","tag-sedan","tag-sport","tag-turbo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2318"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2337,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318\/revisions\/2337"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}