I’m family testing the updated Genesis G70 this week, which has seen some tweaks to its technology and safety systems.
The G70’s release also sees the line-up trimmed to one highly-specified Sport Luxury grade, available as a four-cylinder Shooting Brake wagon or the V6 sedan on test here.
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It competes with other mid-size sedans like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. So, how does the G70 handle life with a small family of three? Keep reading to find out!
Genesis G70 2024: 3.3T Sport LUX
| Engine Type | Twin Turbo V6, 3.3L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | |
| Fuel Efficiency | 10.4L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $86,914 |
| Safety Rating |
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Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 9/10
The G70 3.3T Sport Luxury sedan on test here is priced at $88,000, before on-road costs, which is $7000 more expensive than the 2.0T Shooting Brake version. That positions it right in the middle of its nearest competitors and you get some fab features included.
The premium items include electric front seats with heat and ventilation functions, heated rear outboard seats, Nappa leather upholstery and other leather trims, a sunroof, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and a premium 17-speaker Lexicon by Harman sound system.
The update sees the G70 now have an intelligent speed limit assist feature, the 'Genesis Connected Services' app and over the air updates to its software.
Other standard features include keyless entry, keyless start, remote start from the key fob, a powered tailgate, 19-inch alloy wheels, a temporary spare wheel, dual-zone climate control and extendable sun visors.
Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
The G70 sedan is absolutely gorgeous to look at and the our test vehicle's 'Kawah Blue' paintwork makes the crisp pleating across the body stand out.
The G70 has a muscular stance, much like its BMW rival, but the rear is softer in its shaping.
The front looks sophisticated with the wide-set LED lights and black air-intake vents. The sporty 19-inch alloy wheels and red calipers behind them hint at what the powerful V6 engine can do.
The interior looks high-end with our test vehicle’s white quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a soft-touch black headliner. The dashboard looks solid and robust but the slick looking 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia system and digital climate control panel elevate the overall design.
The only thing I didn’t like about the design was the ambient lighting. It’s limited to two panels on the roof and is a little distracting when you drive at night. I think if it was scattered more throughout the cabin, it would be less intrusive.
Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 6/10
The practicality is hurt a little by the space available for passengers. The front row benefits the most when it comes to head- and legroom but if you’re ferrying passengers in the back seat, you’ll have to scoot your seat forward to accommodate them.
Especially if they’re tall because my knees brush the back of the driver’s seat when it’s in my driving position and I’m only 168cm tall!
The individual storage options throughout the car are okay for the class with the front enjoying a small middle console and glove box, two cupholders and two small drink bottle holders in each door.
The rear gets map pockets, two cupholders in a fold down armrest and two very small storage bins in the doors.
The other amenities are great in both rows and a high-level of comfort will be found for adults with the heat and ventilation functions on the front seats and the heat function on the rear outboard seats.
However, the width of the rear seat and the tall transmission tunnel means the middle seat should be strictly reserved for a kid. Think of the G70 as more of a four-seater if you have adults to carry.
The boot has a 330-litre capacity and it’s not too hard to reach to the very back if items roll that way. The back seat has a 60/40 split and there is a temporary spare tyre underneath the floor.
In terms of technology, you get a USB-A and USB-C port up front, as well as, a 12-volt socket and wireless charging pad to choose from. Rear passengers get two USB-C ports and the boot features another 12-volt outlet.
The 10.25-inch multimedia system looks great and is easy to use with a responsive touchscreen. It also has built-in satellite navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the system now features over-the-air updates and Genesis Connected Services functionality.
The digital climate panel is responsive and very simple to operate, which is handy when on the go. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is semi-customisable and it’s handy that the 8.0-inch coloured head-up display pulls through satellite navigation directions and traffic sign information.
Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission? 9/10
The G70 3.3T Sport Luxury sedan has a 3.3-litre V6 turbo-petrol engine with a maximum power output of 274kW and 510Nm of torque. The G70 sedan is a rear-wheel drive and features an eight-speed auto transmission.
The V6 engine responds eagerly, being able to do a 0-100km/h sprint time in just 4.7-seconds. Suffice it to say it’s fun to drive.
Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range? 6/10
The compromise for getting all of the power is that she’s a thirsty gal and the official combined cycle fuel consumption figure is 10.4L/100km and my real-world usage came to 10.6L/100km.
However, that’s after mostly doing open-roading – expect the fuel usage to be higher in an urban setting.
Based on the combined cycle and the 60L fuel tank, expect a driving range of around 577km on average. Which means you’ll be filling up more on a longer journey than more efficient sedans.
Driving – What's it like to drive? 8/10
The G70 sedan is a lovely car to drive with graceful handling and a good well of power to dip into.
That oomph is there when you need it and it’s as easy to drive in the city as it is on the open-road.
The responsive steering makes the G70 sedan feel nimble and well-balanced in turns, even when you accelerate out of a hair-pin corner.
The suspension is on the firm side and that can lead to a few grunts when you hit bigger bumps but the ride is not unpleasant, even for back-seaters.
The cabin is generally quiet but you can get road/wind noise at higher speeds. It’s not enough to intrude on chatting but you don’t forget it’s there, either.
The G70 sedan is easy to park because it has an outstanding 11m turning circle. The 360-degree camera system is clear and the front and rear parking sensors make light work of a tight car park.
Warranty & Safety Rating
Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 9/10
The Genesis G70 has a great suite of safety features and it’s almost a case of what doesn’t it have.
But a real highlight is the blind-spot view monitor which pops a video feed of your blind spot onto your instrument cluster. Very handy to have in a city setting!
The G70 has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2018, with the update now featuring 10 airbags, which is fantastic for the class.
Other standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, driver attention warning, forward collision warning, lane keeping aid, lane departure alert, rear cross-traffic alert, rear occupant alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
A clear 360-degree camera system as well as front and rear parking sensors also come standard.
The G70 has AEB (operational from 10–180km/h) with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the rear outboard seats and three top tether anchor points but only two child seats will fit. Front passenger comfort may be compromised for front occupants when a 0-4 rearward facing child seat is installed.
Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 9/10
The Genesis after-purchase program is hard to beat and such a treat because you get five years or up to 50,000km complimentary servicing with the G70. How good is that?
The G70 also comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty and the servicing intervals are every at 12-months or 10,000km, whichever occurs first. The interval could be annoying if you travel a lot but any annoyance will be softened by the fact that the services are free.
Verdict
The updated Genesis G70 3.3T Sport Luxury is beautiful to look at and drive. It features premium features, trims and great power but the cabin is tight on space. Which makes it a little awkward to use, so this will suit a small family best or families where this may not be the primary mover. That said, I love the after-care program and it suited my small family of three, so it gets an 8.0/10 from us.
Pricing Guides
Range and Specs
| Vehicle | Specs | Price* |
|---|---|---|
| 3.3T Sport LUX | 3.3L, 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC | $86,914 |
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