2022 Genesis G70 Test Drive Review: The New Face Of Sporty Luxury

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.

2022 G70 Exterior

Dimensions

2022 G70 Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

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.

2022 G70 Interior

2022 G70 Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2022 Genesis G70 A Good car?

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.

2022 Genesis G70 Comparisons

2022 Genesis G70 vs Kia Stinger

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.

2022 Genesis G70 vs Genesis G80

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.