2022 Genesis G70

With the aim of taking on the luxury giants in the automotive industry, Genesis has made a name for itself over the past few years. The new 2022 Genesis G70 returns this year with a makeover to ensure it looks the part when going up against rivals like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series. Though the G70 shares many underpinnings with the Kia Stinger, including a turbocharged V6 which develops a little less here at a peak of 365 horsepower, Genesis has taken the platform down a much more premium route and amped up its cornering prowess on the sport-driven models. Luxury and style are the name of the game here, and while Genesis does demand a premium price for its product, it is still more affordable in comparison to its European competitors, while taking a big leap in styling. Will the latest updates to the 2022 G70 help catapult the brand to even greater success or will the other premium automakers try to put it back in its place? To answer this question, Genesis handed us the keys for a week to find out.

The G70 was always a handsome vehicle, but it did nothing to really stand out from the crowd. Genesis wanted to change that in 2022, so its smallest sedan now sports a brand new Crest grille, quirky quad LED headlights and a matching design for the taillights. Below these are twin oblong exhaust outlets. The rest of the body is all sleek lines and sharp, angular creases, and the same 18-inch alloy wheels fill the arches. LED turning signals and daytime running lights are standard, while a sunroof is available.

The Sport trim gets larger 19-inch alloys and dark chrome accents around the grille and light moldings. Meanwhile, the limited Launch Edition is presented with a matte paint finish and lightweight 19-inch alloys.

Despite its aesthetic changes, the dimensions of the G70 remain the same for 2022. From its stylish new front to the updated rear, it measures 184.4 inches in length, with a 111.6-inch wheelbase in-between. It stands 55.1 inches in height, and the overall width is 72.8 inches.

Curb weight is trim-dependent and ranges from 3,516 pounds on the 2.0T RWD to 3,887 lbs on the 3.3T AWD.

You can choose to have your G70 sedan dressed in one of 12 paint colors. Free-of-charge options include Alta White and Siberian Ice, while the other ten will cost you $575 extra. These comprise Tasman Blue, Uyuni White, Himalayan Gray, Havana Red, Adriatic Blue, Savile Silver, Mallorca Blue, Black Forest Green, Vik Black, and Makulu Gray.

The Launch Edition gets an exclusive matte paint palette with just two choices: Verbier White or Melbourne Gray. There are otherwise no restrictions when choosing the perfect color to suit your personal taste.

Performance varies significantly between the two powertrains available under the hood. Starting things off is a turbocharged inline-4, good for 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. There is nothing inherently wrong with it, and it does a good job of matching what you'll find in base-level C-Class and 3 Series sedans. Though Genesis doesn't provide the figures, independent testing shows that this engine can launch the compact sedan from 0-60 mph in just 6.2 seconds.

For a real kick in the pants, though, you'll want the twin-turbo V6, which gives you access to more potent 365 hp and 376 lb-ft. Like the smaller power plant, it can be paired with either RWD or AWD, with both delivering a sprint time of less than five seconds. While Mercedes and BMW can match this, it will cost you significantly more. So, in terms of money for power, there are no comparable luxury sports sedans.

There are two engines to choose from for the new Genesis G70 sedan, each available with either a rear- or an all-wheel drivetrain. The first is the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. Its outputs are not overly impressive, at 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, but they are more than enough to hustle the small luxury car around town or a tight backroad. It never feels truly lacking, even on the highway, though overtaking other sporty vehicles may not be possible unless they let you.

The second option is far more enticing for those with a heavy right foot or those wanting a more effortless ramp-up to freeway speeds, and the fact that it comes in at well below the cost of similarly-powered rivals is all the more impressive. The 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 churns out 365 hp and 376 lb-ft, and it sounds great doing it - as long as you wind down the windows while you wind out the engine. This makes city driving truly effortless, while the highway and the open road become a real playground for the G70. Both power plants come mated exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission since the optional six-speed manual has fallen away. This is for the best; the manual never delivered the kind of engagement we wanted from a sport sedan, while the auto is smooth and decisive.

As a luxury vehicle, the Genesis G70 doesn't disappoint on the road. It is smooth sailing whether you are cruising around town or hammering down the highway. Comfort is always guaranteed, and small bumps or abrasions are swallowed up without a fuss. All the while, the cabin does an excellent job of dampening exterior noise. However, this is not all the sedan has to offer.

Its athletic good looks are not just for show; the G70 really can keep up with most of the sports cars you are likely to encounter on a regular drive. Handling is as equally nimble, especially when you engage Sport mode. The throttle responses sharpen noticeably, the steering stiffens up, and the Genesis encourages you to play with it. Once the more potent V6 is equipped, the sedan's true potential is unlocked. However, there are a couple of caveats. Less important is the lack of sound. The cabin dampens even the roar of the V6 when you push it to its limits. More importantly, while the steering wheel offers excellent communication, the steering ratios took a little getting used to on our 3.3T tester. The G70's initial turn-in is razor-sharp, and the steering ultra-sensitive - even in Eco mode. That's outstanding for a back road, but if you've been driving calmly and with the drivetrain toned down but then need to drop the hammer and overtake someone on a straight road, the G70 can suddenly feel a little squirrelly as you pull out. On the freeway, the twitchiness means more small adjustments need to be made - a small detraction from the overall relaxed feeling when cruising.

All-in-all, though, as a sporty car, the G70 is capable and genuinely fun to drive, whether you are taking a leisurely cruise down the highway or tackling the turns at inadvisable speeds. Even the most laid-back driver will find themselves with the urge to push hard once in a while and will be rewarded with a grin. Just get used to the turn-in before you open the taps.

Since the G70 markets itself as a sports sedan, you can expect to see this reflected in its gas mileage figures. The base four-pot is naturally the more efficient of the two powertrains if you can call 21/31/24 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles efficient. Swapping out the drivetrains makes a noticeable difference, especially on the highway, with 20/28/23 mpg for the AWD variant.

The same is true of the V6 engine, which is considerably less frugal, to begin with. It returns 18/27/21 mpg and 17/25/20 mpg in RWD or AWD configuration, respectively. With a full tank of 15.8 gallons of premium fuel, the G70 can travel for up to 379 in its most thrifty guise. Our 3.3T tester only managed a shade over 19 mpg over a week but, to be fair, we didn't do much freeway driving and had to explore the performance capabilities. That's our story, and we're sticking to it.

Genesis brings an interesting blend of Hyundai affordability mixed with an understanding of the luxury segment to the design of the cabin. The build quality is unquestionable and the materials are all upscale, yet somehow the manufacturer managed to keep costs down. The layout of the controls is as ergonomic as you'd from a luxury vehicle, but the ride height is a little on the low side. This is due to its sporty bent, which also comes at the cost of some rear headroom thanks to the sloping roofline. Plenty of comfort features come standard, including several that competitors will make you pay extra for.

The interior of the G70 is spacious considering it is such a small luxury sedan. Those in the front seats can comfortably stretch out with 42.6 inches of legroom, while taller passengers won't need to slouch thanks to 39.8 inches of headroom. Adding the optional sunroof does eat into this, though. Rear-seat occupants are not as lucky with just 34.8 inches of legroom and 36.9 inches of headroom, but this is par for the course for the segment. The front seats are heated and power-adjustable as standard. Visibility is good, but the coupe-style roof does create some unwelcome blind spots.

While there is definitely a focus on upscale luxury inside the cabin, Genesis does borrow some pieces from Hyundai, but you have to dig a bit to find the hard plastics. The standard upholstery is leatherette, presented in a choice of Obsidian Black or Sandstorm Gray. The Prestige Package upgrades to genuine leather, and, as with 3.3T models, gets the Dune and Velvet Burgundy color scheme added to the options. You'll just have to check which exterior paints you can match up with these colors as there are some restrictions.

The Sport trim doesn't get the Velvet Burgundy or Dune options, but its Obsidian Black leather has Red accents. Exclusive to the Launch Edition is the full Sevilla Red treatment - the only interior color available. This includes all the soft-touch areas such as the dash and door panels.

Cargo capacity is often an afterthought in luxury sedans so buyers don't really expect much. This is good since the G70 doesn't have much to offer. In fact, it is one of the areas where it most obviously falls behind other premium rivals like the class-leading BMW 3 Series with 17 cubes of space. Behind the rear seats, there is just 10.5 cubic feet of room - just enough for a couple of carry-on bags. The seats can be folded down in a 60/40 split if you want more space.

Small-item storage around the cabin is mediocre, with average door pockets and a standard glovebox. The two cupholders in the front console are quite large, but the armrest cubby is not. The center middle seat has a fold-down back with additional cupholders for those in the back.

As the luxury division of Hyundai, Genesis knows how to give its customers value for money, which is why the new Genesis G70 comes marvelously outfitted, even at the base level. Dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, push-button start, an eight-inch multi-information display, and cruise control cover the basics. Meanwhile, the front seats are heated, with a 12-way power driver's seat and an eight-way passenger seat. A power hands-free trunk lid and an auto-dimming rearview mirror add convenience. The 3.3T Sport models get even more standard tech, such as a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a wireless charging pad.

The safety suite is excellent, too, with a rearview camera, forward collision avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, and vehicle exit warning installed as standard. The Prestige and Sport packages help to fill in the gaps in the features list with leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, driver-seat memory, a surround-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display.

Genesis has done a great job improving the infotainment suite for 2022 by installing a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with even more functionality than before. It still has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth, HD Radio, and SiriusXM. Navigation is new, though. Channeling the audio is a six-speaker sound system, though the 3.3T models and Prestige sub-trim get a more impressive 15-speaker Lexicon setup. There are two USB ports in the front and one in the rear, as well as a 12-volt power outlet. The new display is much appreciated, as it supplies a much crisper image and more stylish fonts and colors.

A quick look at J.D. Power's ownership survey shows that the G70 is one of the more dependable luxury cars out there. It scored 78 out of a possible 100 overall, with a superb 84 points for reliability and quality. This is backed by a mere two recalls for 2021: one for insufficient fuel supply and another for a short circuit in the ABS system module. The latter was deemed serious enough for the NHTSA to issue an urgent recall for G70 models from 2019 to 2021. No recalls have been issued at the time of writing for 2022 models.

Genesis supplies one of the best warranty plans, with five years/60,000 miles of basic coverage, and ten years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage. The maintenance plan is valid for five years/36,000 miles.

While there is no crash-test review of the 2022 Genesis G70 from the NHTSA, the IIHS did proper testing and gave it top marks across the board. Only the standard headlights scored less than Good. The sedan even earned a Top Safety Pick+ award for 2022.

There are plenty of driver assists and safety systems installed on every G70 as standard. These include ABS, EBD, stability and traction control, and eight airbags. The more advanced tech comprises a rearview camera, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, driver attention assist, safe exit warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. There are some optional systems, though, such as parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, and a surround-view camera.

You'd be hard-pressed to find another vehicle that offers this much sheer value and luxury, for the money. Heck, the G70 costs around $4k less than its premium German rivals and arguably offers more than they do in base specification. That's not to say it is without flaws, as there are some low-quality bits around the cabin, if you look for them, and the trunk isn't ideal in terms of capacity. The rear seats are also not particularly comfortable, but this is not an area where it falls behind the competition. If you're looking for a sports sedan that has the sharp edge of a dedicated sports car, the G70 in 3.3T form definitely delivers.

Similarly, it is an extremely safe vehicle, and one of the few luxury cars that have been put to the test by official safety institutes. It even won a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Now that Genesis has improved the infotainment suite, our main gripe with the G70 has been dealt with, too. And, if performance is a prime concern for you, the V6-powered models can easily keep up with their European rivals, once again at a much more affordable price. Yes, Genesis has not yet garnered the same exclusive reputation as the rest of the luxury segment, but that isn't the brand's goal. It wants to supply a premium product that can compete with the better-known names but at a much lower cost to the consumer. And we have to admit, it definitely delivers on this.

The Genesis G70 has a much lower starting price than its direct premium rivals such as the $41,600 Mercedes C-Class or the $41,450 BMW 3 Series. In comparison, the base level 2.0T in RWD configuration will only cost you $37,775, while the AWD variant costs $39,875, The Prestige Package pushes the price up by $4,000.

The 3.3T models start at $42,350 with RWD and $44,450 with AWD. Opting for the Sport Advanced Package adds $4,300, while the Sport Prestige adds $8,300. The most expensive model is the limited Launch Edition, of which there will be only 500 units. With RWD, it asks for $52,750, while the AWD version bears a $54,750 tag. The price of the 2022 Genesis G70 is MSRP and does not include the $1,045 destination charge, or any other administrative fees.

There are three distinct models within the G70 lineup, though most can be further customized with one of the available sub-trim packages. The 2.0T models are powered by a 252-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four engine, while the two 3.3T models get a 365-hp 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6. Both engines come mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with your choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.

The entry point to the range is the 2.0T, which sports 18-inch wheels and LED headlights. Standard features include keyless entry and ignition, leatherette upholstery, adaptive cruise control, and heated, power-adjustable front seats. A 10.25-inch touchscreen operates the infotainment, which comprises Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker sound system, Meanwhile, the safety suite includes a stack of features, such as forward collision avoidance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. An available Prestige upgrade adds wireless device charging, a sunroof, a 15-speaker Lexicon sound system, park distance warning, and 19-inch wheels.

The standard 3.3T trim gets larger 19-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, side mirror memory functions, rain-sensing wipers, steering column memory, and leather upholstery. Adding the Sport Advanced Package throws in front and rear park distance warning, ventilated front seats, a dark chrome grille, and the upgraded sound system. The Sport Prestige bundle adds a head-up display, surround-view monitor, and Nappa leather, among other features, on top of all the standard goodies.

The 3.3T Launch Edition comes with an exclusive two-color matte-finish exterior and Sevilla Red Nappa leather on the inside, and lightweight multi-spoke 19-inch wheels.

There are numerous packages available to the Genesis G70, most of which comprehensively upgrade the features to create sub-trims of the standard models. The Prestige package for the 2.0T adds 19-inch wheels, a power sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, leather-trimmed seats, and a 15-speaker Lexicon sound system at the cost of $4,000.

Similarly, the $4,300 Sport Advanced package for the 3.3T replaces the standard wheels with sport variants, while adding the power sunroof, a wireless charging pad, ventilated front seats, a Genesis digital key, and the 15-speaker premium sound system. It also gives the sedan dark chrome exterior accents, a variable exhaust valve system, and alloy pedals. The most expensive upgrade is the Sport Prestige package for the 3.3T at $8,200. This comprises Brembo brakes, a limited-slip differential, an electronically controlled suspension, Nappa leather upholstery, a microfiber suede headliner, a surround-view camera, a head-up display, and a blind-spot view monitor, as well as the parts of the Sport Advanced package that it doesn't already improve upon.

While the Launch Edition certainly stands out with its form-defining matte paint and exclusive Sevilla Red interior, it is significantly more expensive than the rest of the range and there are only 500 up for grabs. The rest of us will have to settle for one of the standard models, and we'd opt for the 3.3T. That V6 is impossible to resist and it truly unlocks the performance potential of the G70. Even if you opt for the Sport Prestige package, you'd be spending less than you would on a similarly powerful and well-equipped German luxury sedan, so we don't see why you wouldn't get all the bells and whistles. That said, the base 2.0T is impressive and highly affordable. If you're not looking for the sharp edges of the sportier models, the 2.0T still delivers, and adding the Prestige package adds up to a lot of luxury with a satisfying kick for the money. The G70 is one of those cars where the lower-end models aren't there just to make the upper trims look better.

Since Genesis is the luxury division of Hyundai, and Kia is a corporate cousin to the economy brand, there are bound to be some similarities between these two sedans. In fact, they both use the same V6 engine and eight-speed gearbox, and even their pricing is comparable although the Kia is marginally cheaper. This means that you can expect practically the same level of performance from each vehicle. However, the Stinger is slightly larger, with an extra 2.8 inches of wheelbase length helping to create a more spacious cabin. However, with its new aesthetic makeover, the G70 no longer looks like the drab cousin, and its luxurious interior will lure in buyers who want the best of both worlds. While we wouldn't fault anyone for buying a Stinger, we do feel that the money would be better spent on a Genesis G70.

As the big brother to the G70, the midsize G80 is naturally more accommodating on the inside. There is a lot more cargo space and rear passengers are less likely to complain over longer journeys. It also gets a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine - with 300 hp - as standard, while the optional V6 churns out 375 hp. Since it is bigger and heavier, the G80 isn't noticeably quicker than the G70, and it definitely doesn't handle better. Also, now that the smaller sedan has received its makeover, it doesn't look like a cheap knockoff of the G80. However, even with the larger infotainment display, it still can't compete with the 14.5-inch unit in the larger sedan, which also gets more upmarket materials as standard, such as leather upholstery. Bigger is often better in the case of luxury sports sedans, and the Genesis G80 seems to be proof of concept, but the spritely and playful G70 has a certain appeal we can't ignore. It's a difficult choice, to be sure, and the deciding factor will likely be whether or not you need the extra space.