2021 Genesis G70 Review

　　

2021 Genesis G70 Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　If you're in the market for a small luxury sport sedan, it might be tempting to choose one of the three German mainstays and call it a day. But there are a number of competitive four-doors that offer better value and — dare we say it — better road manners than the Teutonic trio. The 2021 Genesis G70 is one of these under-the-radar superstars. With a surprising level of performance, above-average road and seat comfort, and a nicely trimmed interior, the G70 is a bona fide luxury sedan.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Genesis G70 2.0T 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$185/mo  for G70 2.0T

　　G70 2.0T

　　2.0T 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $36,000 MSRP2.0T 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $38,000 MSRP2.0T M/T Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $38,600 MSRP3.3T 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $46,200 MSRP3.3T 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $48,200 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The base 2.0T model dukes it out with the BMW 330i, Mercedes-Benz C 300 and Audi A4. Not only does it cost less than these heavyweights, but it comes with more features to boot. The gem of the lineup is undoubtedly the 3.3T model. Powered by a strong turbocharged V6, this G70 is a sport sedan through and through. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our full analysis of this year's G70 and help you decide if it's the right car for you.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the G70 drive? Driving engagement is one of the G70's biggest strengths. It's a strikingly well-balanced sedan in either rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive guise. The communicative steering is pretty much perfect for a sedan that will serve as both a daily driver and occasional backroad explorer.

　　The G70's responsive and powerful V6 is another bonus. Though it lacks the peak power of some competitors, the few tenths it gives up in acceleration don't matter. This sedan is quicker and handles better than almost any driver could need.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the G70? Optional adaptive dampers give the G70 the control it needs for aggressive driving as well as the ability to absorb road imperfections in daily use. We're taken by how well the sedan handles commuting duty yet offers the precision needed on winding roads.

　　Multiple drive modes allow adjustment of the suspension firmness (when equipped with adaptive dampers) and other parameters such as steering effort, engine sound and engine response, so the G70 will match the driver's needs.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Three knobs and several dedicated buttons (as opposed to touchscreen controls) manage the G70's ventilation system. There are also dedicated buttons for deactivating the car's safety systems, and the traditional black gauges with white type are easy to read in any conditions. The Genesis is both simple and tasteful without being gimmicky in its presentation.

　　In general, the G70's controls are placed sensibly and they're clearly marked and easy to use. And Genesis hasn't yet felt the need to wholly reinvent the shifter like so many of its German competitors. That, too, remains a paragon of functional simplicity.

　　

Technology

6.5/10

　　How’s the tech? We don't love that, as a luxury car, the G70 shares its infotainment system with far less costly Hyundai models, but we can't deny that the system is among the easiest to use in the segment. As the systems from Genesis' competitors add functions, they have become increasingly complex. Yet Hyundai's system remains simple to use without giving up functionality.

　　The driver assist features are also Hyundai standard-issue. They work well enough, and they're impressive in a $25,000 car. But in the luxury class they're merely adequate. The advantage they have is that they're standard on most trims and not costly extras.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Genesis has done a good job of making the available space inside the G70 useful by offering small-item storage up front, including a charging tray/phone cubby. On the downside, trunk space is not generous relative to others in the class and it's barely tall enough to accommodate a grocery bag standing vertically. At 10.5 cubic feet, the trunk is better suited to holding duffel bags than hard-sided suitcases.

　　The back seat has child seat anchors housed in plastic sleeves. The covers are hinged so they need to be pushed aside rather than just popped out. Limited rear seat room means you'll have a hard time installing bulky car seats.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The G70 is well behind most competitors with an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined for a V6-equipped model. Even the base four-cylinder maxes out at 25 mpg combined. Rival sedans, meanwhile, can get close to 30 mpg combined with their four-cylinder engines.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the G70 a good value? Build quality is impressive, specially on the top-tier trims. Almost every touchpoint has been thoughtfully handled — exposed hard plastics and switchgear have pleasant textures. A few areas such as the cupholder surround are tacky (cheaply mirror-chromed hollow plastic), but the G70 makes a solid luxury impression and feels very solidly put together.

　　Another bonus if you plan to keep the G70 for a long time is the warranty. The long powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties are pretty much the best you'll find in the luxury class.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　It's easy to enjoy the G70. It's the kind of lively, engaging luxury sport sedan that enthusiasts have been claiming to want for years. It's a shame there's a Hyundai infotainment screen sticking inescapably out of the dash because otherwise the G70 ticks almost all of the boxes.

　　

Which G70 does zzdcar recommend?

There's nothing wrong with the standard 2.0T trim level. It costs a lot less than similarly equipped competitors, and its set of luxury features is comprehensive. That said, the 3.3T really is the way to go. The turbocharged V6 transforms the G70 into a true sport sedan, and one rich in value thanks to its lengthy list of added features.

　　

2021 Genesis G70 models

The 2021 Genesis G70 is a small luxury sedan available in two main trim levels: 2.0T and 3.3T. Each corresponds with a unique powertrain. Feature and spec highlights for the G70 are as follows:

　　2.0T: turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (252 horsepower, 260 lb-ft of torque) 3.3T: turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine (365 hp, 376 lb-ft)The 2.0T comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission is also available with this engine. The 3.3T only comes with the automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard for the G70, though the 2.0T with the automatic and the 3.3T can be equipped with all-wheel drive.

　　2.0T

　　The entry-level G70 is packed with features, including:

　　18-inch alloy wheels LED headlights Hands-free trunk opener Keyless entry and ignition Dual-zone automatic climate control Power-adjustable front seats Heated front seats (AWD only) Simulated leather upholstery 8-inch touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibilityThe G70 2.0T also comes with a set of driving aids, such as:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Genesis and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assist (steers the G70 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)There are two option packages for the 2.0T:

　　Elite package Power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors Power-adjustable steering wheel Driver's seat memory settings Heated front seats Navigation system Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Prestige package Elite package 19-inch wheels Automatic wipers Premium microfiber headliner Heated steering wheel Ventilated front seats with additional adjustments Heated rear seats Upgraded leather upholstery Wireless charging pad Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Genesis and its surroundings for tight parking situations) 2.0T six-speed manual

　　The manual-equipped G70 isn't a mere transmission swap. Starting with the base model's equipment, it removes adaptive cruise control but adds:

　　19-inch wheels Summer performance tires Brembo brakes Limited-slip differential Power-adjustable steering wheel Driver's seat memory settings Heated and ventilated front seats with additional adjustments 15-speaker Lexicon audio system3.3T

　　The 3.3T is equipped similarly to the 2.0T six-speed manual, except with a more powerful engine and an automatic transmission. It also adds:

　　Elite package Sport suspension Automatic wipers Sunroof Heated steering wheel Leather upholstery Wireless charging padAs with the 2.0T, there are two option packages for the 3.3T:

　　Prestige package Microfiber headliner Heated rear seats Upgraded leather upholstery Head-up display 360-degree camera system Sport package Prestige package Darkened exterior trim elements Adaptive suspension dampers (adjust to enhance ride comfort and handling)

　　

2021 G70 Highlights

Trim: 2.0T2.0T M/T Sport3.3T2.0T

　　

Base MSRP	$36,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$185/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles