2024 Genesis G70 Review and Test Drive
The Genesis G70 gets a round of updates for 2024, including a more powerful standard engine.
Christian Wardlaw
In 2019, Genesis introduced the G70 sport sedan, a compact luxury car designed and engineered to compete with the best from Germany, Italy, and Japan. It went on sale for the 2019 model year and proved that Korea's Genesis could threaten established players in the segment.
Much has changed since we last published a Genesis G70 review. A substantial refresh in 2022 brought new styling, a revised interior, and improved driver-assistance technology. At the same time, the car lost its manual transmission. Now, the 2024 Genesis G70 gets a new standard engine and performance brakes, while the interior features minor refinements and a touch-sensing climate control panel. Genesis also adds digital key technology to the 2024 G70.
For all the changes, the 2024 G70 adheres to the model's original recipe. You can choose between a turbocharged four-cylinder and a twin-turbo V6 engine and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Nearly all available equipment is standard except for a Sport Prestige option package, extra-cost paint, and a handful of add-ons. Prices range from the low $40,000s to the low $50,000s, including the $1,250 destination charge.
Christian Wardlaw
What's New for the 2024 Genesis G70?
Most of the updates are so minor you might not notice them. However, collectively, they increase the car's sense of luxury. They include a new Genesis emblem, engraved with what the automaker calls a Guilloché pattern similar to expensive watches, and a key fob with a textured surface that resembles the car's intricate grille.
Next-generation digital key technology is also available, transforming your smartphone into the G70's key via Apple Wallet or Samsung Pass. It automatically adjusts interior settings to personal preferences stored in driver profiles, and Genesis says users can share or revoke access to a guest digital key via messaging. USB-C charging is also newly standard in the 2024 G70.
Genesis debuts fresh paint colors inspired by the volcanic landscapes of Iceland and Indonesia. They are Vatna Gray and Kawah Blue. Interiors also gain new color schemes: Obsidian Black/Fog Gray and Obsidian Black/Vanilla Beige.
Christian Wardlaw
Genesis enhances the G70's interior with minor revisions to the air vents, trim pieces, and cupholders to elevate the car's sense of luxury. A touch-sensing climate control panel is new for 2024, and the G70 also gains a frameless rearview mirror and standard rear side-impact airbags for improved safety.
The biggest news, however, is the standard 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which replaces the previous 2.0-liter turbo four. It significantly increases output to 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, compared to the previous power plant's 252 horses and 260 lb-ft. Perhaps due to the added weight of the larger 2.5-liter engine, Genesis also makes Brembo performance brakes standard equipment.
Fuel economy dips slightly for the G70 2.5T with rear-wheel drive, from 21/31/25 mpg in city/highway/combined driving with the old engine to 21/29/24 mpg with the new one. Despite the bigger engine, there is no change in gas mileage ratings for 2.5T all-wheel-drive models. At 20/28/23 mpg, it matches the outgoing 2.0-liter's figures exactly. My test car averaged 23 mpg during testing.
Christian Wardlaw
The Base G70 Has More Power and Better Brakes
For this 2024 Genesis G70 review, I evaluated one with the new 2.5-liter turbo engine, rear-wheel drive, extra-cost Kawah Blue paint, and the Sport Prestige option package. The manufacturer's suggested retail price was $47,600, including the $1,250 destination charge to ship the car to the United States from the Ulsan, South Korea, factory where Genesis builds it. The test-driving took place in Southern California.
My previous experience driving the G70 relates to the model's optional twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine, which supplies 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. Comparatively, the new turbocharged four-cylinder will likely prove less inspiring for enthusiast drivers. The car feels quick, and the turbo four delivers plenty of forward thrust, but I don’t think it sounds as good as the V6 when revved. Where I'd say the Genesis G70 3.3T is a laugh riot on a twisty mountain road or a cloverleaf freeway ramp, I'd describe G70 2.5T as merely entertaining.
Still, I'm sure the power upgrade represents an improvement over the old G70 2.0T. In addition — possibly due to less weight sitting over the front wheels — the G70 2.5T's newly standard Brembo brakes turned in a better performance than I recall from my time in the G70 3.3T. However, the steering also felt a touch lighter on and just off-center. Despite that minor quibble, the G70 remains a sound driver's car when the road ahead is twisty.
Christian Wardlaw
I also found it enjoyable to drive in more typical situations, even if there was a hint of turbo lag when launching quickly. That said, I missed having a surround-view camera for parking — especially in parallel spaces that could result in curb rash on the test vehicle's gorgeous wheels.
As is true of most turbocharged four-cylinder engines, I found it's better to gently apply pressure on the accelerator, get the engine revved a bit, and then gradually push down harder to ride the wave of torque.
In the city, the G70 2.5T is responsive and feels connected but doesn't beat you up. Bringing the car to a smooth stop in traffic is easy. On the highway, it effortlessly passes slower vehicles while providing a reasonably quiet and comfortable ride. Generally speaking, except for the engine note at higher revs, I think this Genesis is a smooth operator.
The Genesis G70 Is Luxurious Inside and Out
In addition to its satisfying driving dynamics, I think the 2024 G70 2.5T Sport Prestige looks and feels luxurious, inside and out.
Though it lacks the classy fender lighting on the larger Genesis G80 and G90 sedans, the company's signature styling cues have found a comfortable home on the G70. Originally, the car wore a different design language, and when the 2022 restyle arrived, the G70 looked a little odd to my eye. That's no longer the case.
Christian Wardlaw
Sport Prestige trim adds an oversized sunroof to the G70 2.5T, bathing the cabin in natural light and making the test car's Fog Gray leather glow in sharp contrast to the Obsidian Black interior elements. Genesis reserves premium nappa leather for the 3.3T Sport Prestige, but the standard-grade stuff feels high quality and covers front seats that are both heated and ventilated. The Sport Prestige package also includes a Lexicon premium sound system and wireless phone charging.
Though subtle, I think the upgrades Genesis has made to the 2024 G70's interior add a layer of refinement.
Typically, I prefer traditional knobs and buttons. But I think the new climate controls, which use touch-sensing displays and panels for functions such as fan speed and the heated, ventilated seats, work well. They add some modern visual sophistication to the dashboard, and Genesis wisely retains traditional knobs for temperature control and buttons for commonly used functions.
Partial digital instrumentation includes an 8.0-inch configurable display married with traditional analog gauges. A 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with complimentary Genesis Connected Services lacks only a wireless connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to maximize the user experience. The Lexicon audio system sounds good, too, even if I don't think it is tops in the class.
Christian Wardlaw
I found front-seat comfort to be excellent, and that the back seat provides great support. But this car is a tight fit — especially the back seat. Storage space is adequate, but I feel the 10.5 cubic-foot trunk is too small.
Genesis equips the G70 with a long list of advanced driver-assistance systems, including the Highway Driving Assist system. That technology pairs adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance and proves impressive as a hands-on semiautonomous driving aid.
Safety ratings for the 2024 Genesis G70 indicate it performs well in crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives it high marks in most assessments.
Christian Wardlaw
There's More to the 2024 Genesis G70 Than Value
With prices starting in the low $40,000s, I think the 2024 Genesis G70 represents real value in the entry-luxury sports sedan segment.
The G70 isn't the most affordable member of its class. To me, however, it looks and feels more upscale than less expensive rivals or offers more standard power or does both. In addition to the car's lengthy warranty, original owners of a G70 receive complimentary lifetime access to Genesis Connected Services, cementing the car's value equation.
If there are downsides to the G70, I think they pertain to the interior room. The driver and front passengers will be comfortable, but the rear passenger legroom is snug, and I feel the cramped trunk limits the G70's practicality. In that respect, it might be better to think of this car as a four-door coupe instead of a traditional sedan.
Genesis provided the vehicle for this 2024 G70 review.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Christian WardlawMy first word was “car.” That’s what I’m told, anyway. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with them. The design. The engineering. The performance. And the purpose. I’m a car enthusiast who loves to drive, but I’m also most interested in the cars, trucks, and SUVs that people actually buy. Anybody can tell you that a sports car is fast. What you need to know is whether or not you should buy that new SUV, and why. My life purpose is to help you make that decision.
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