A Premium Sedan Lacking Nothing
The all-new 2024 Genesis G70, the smallest of the three Genesis sedans, slots in below the G80 and G90. But don’t let the compact size fool you, the G70 is every bit a premium sport sedan with power, style, comfort and exceptional performance.
Plentiful Propulsion
The 2024 G70 has two engine options, both available in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Clean Fleet Report drove the G70 Sport Prestige with rear-wheel drive powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 that pumped-out 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. The 8-speed automatic has a manual shift mode, paddle shifters and driver-selectable drive modes.
Running on unleaded premium, the EPA has rated the fuel economy at 18 mpg city/27 highway/21 combined. In 312 miles driving through Southern California, aided by the idle stop-and-go, we averaged 23.9 mpg. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.
The base engine on the G70 is a turbocharged 2.5-liter producing 300 hp and 311 lb.-ft. of torque. Using the same 8-speed automatic, the fuel economy is 22 mpg city/28 highway/24 combined. We are familiar with this engine as it was in the 2021 Genesis GV80 we reviewed earlier.
Excellent Road Manners
The smooth and quiet twin turbo 3.3T really gets up and goes. With torque spooling-up at a low 1,300 rpm and pulling strong through 4,500 rps, we easily negotiated highway on-ramps and passing big rigs. Equipped with two turbos and the automatic stop-and-go feature, the G70 3.3T has little hesitation upon launching from a stop.
For the most performance the driver can select from five drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Snow. Eco is best used on long stretches of flat or gently sloping roads to squeeze-out every last drop of fuel, where there won’t be much performance demand on the engine. The Comfort drive mode offers nearly the same efficiency as Eco, but with better acceleration at all times. The best performance comes in Sport and Sport+, where it holds the transmission in each rev band a bit longer, sending more available torque to all four wheels. Using Sport or Sport+ mode delivered a very respectable and fun 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds.
The 3,911-pound weight never felt bulky and had a very good driving feel as the electric power steering was programmed to deliver good road feedback. The optional electronically controlled adaptive suspension imperceptibly adjusted the ride and handling. The result, even when encountering bumps and other road imperfections, is a controlled and comfortable ride.
It quickly became apparent the G70 was easy to drive, offering no resistance for anything asked of it, living up to Genesis calling it a sports sedan. The Sport and Sport+ drive modes increase the heaviness of the steering, making turn-ins more direct and reliable, which makes it possible to attack corners aggressively. It was fun tossing the G70 around on country lanes and mountain twisties, as the handling precision provided a big level of confidence.
The relaxed feel in-town and at highway speeds began with the Michelin Pilot Sport 235/35 rear and 225/40 front summer tires mounted on 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The responsive steering delivered taught handing with little body roll when pushed on corners. In general, the G70 is a comfortable riding and superb handling premium sport sedan.
Stops were solid with a good brake pedal feel that required no modulation. The power-assisted, 4-wheel ABS system consisted of Brembo vented front and rear discs with electronic brake-force distribution. The G70 is not recommended for towing.
Appealing Exterior Design
The new Genesis emblem boldly sits proudly above the Crest grille that is bordered with a tasteful dark chrome strip. The two-line horizontal LED head and daytime running lights wrap onto the fenders and sit above functioning corner vents. The narrow black grille in the lower fascia has the same cross-hatch design of the upper grille.
The sides are smooth but for two distinctive lines that run the length of the doors. The look is classy without any chrome, accented nicely by the five-spoke sport alloy aluminum wheels. The lightly raked roof has a power tilt-and-slide wide sunroof and a body-color shark fin antenna. The dual level, horizontal LED tail lights wrap from the fender to the hands-free power trunk, and sit above the fascia that features dual, horizontal-oval exhaust ports. Clean Fleet Report’s G70 was painted in the elegant Vatna Gray, which joins Kawah Blue as new colors for 2024.
Interior Splendor
The G70 Sport Prestige interior is a wonderful place to spend time. The Leatherette wrapped console, door panels and dash in Obsidian Black offer contrast to the Nappa leather top stitched and quilted seats in Sevilla Red. Heated and ventilated, the driver gets memory and 16-way power adjustments that included lumbar, side bolsters and a cushion extender. The front passenger gets 12-way power adjustments including 4-way lumbar. Microfiber suede headliner and door pillars added a level of elegance.
The multiple power adjustments to the power tilt and telescoping steering column made finding a comfortable driving position easy. The door pockets can hold up to medium-size bottles; the large, deep padded center console has cup holders.
Rear leg, head and shoulder room was generous, even for six-footers. Classy up-market touches for the back seat passengers include 60:40 split-folding heated seat, center folding armrest with dual cup holders, second row HVAC vents and one USB charge-only port.
Tech Abounds
Sliding behind the wheel reveals a 10.5 inch, split-screen high-definition LCD multi-information display for navigation and the great-sounding Lexicon by Harmon 15-speaker surround sound audio system. The 600W, 11-channel digital external amplifier drove the door and under seat-mounted woofers, tweeters and mid-range speakers. SiriusXM satellite radio is included (three-month trial subscription) as is the AM/FM/MP3 HD radio, USB ports and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Aux-in jacks and Bluetooth streaming audio with voice recognition completed the system. Connecting to the voice recognition is as simple as pressing the button on the upper right side of the steering wheel and entering a command. The Genesis Connected Services and Digital Key offer multiple conveniences.
The head-up display offered driver-selectable content that was configurable through the display screen. Clean Fleet Report feels a head-up display should be standard on all cars and all trim levels, as it is an important safety factor for the driver, helping to keep their eyes on the road.
The 8-inch color LCD multi-information display included deep-set white-on-black tachometer and speedometer gauges, which were easy to read. The heated, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel has audio and telephone controls, with the paddle shifters peeking out from behind. Operating the sound system was easy and met Clean Fleet Report’s minimum requirement for being driver-friendly as it had channel and volume knobs.
When reaching for the gear selector wheel on the center console, you may instead grab the infotainment screen multi-media control wheel. I did it several times and appreciate how it may be confusing for others.
Adding to the interior comfort and convenience was a surround view monitor, rain sensing wipers, wirelessphone charging, cut-pile carpeting and carpeted floor mats, push button start, power windows with one-touch up/down, power door locks, power heated and folding outside mirrors, auto dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, multiple beverage holders and an automatic dual zone climate system.
Safety
The 2024 G70 comes with a long list of safety features, including nine air bags and advanced driver assist systems, or ADAS, including forward collision avoidance with evasive steering assist, pedestrian and cyclist avoidance assist, lane keeping and lane following assist, blind spot collision avoidance assist, back-up warning with rear cross traffic warning, electronic parking brake, hill start assist, surround view monitor, rearview camera with parking guidelines, tire pressure monitoring system and electronic stability control.
One very cool feature is the Blind Spot View Monitor. When using the right or left turn signal, a camera comes on automatically, showing the side of the G70, depending on which direction is being turned. Check-out demonstration video for this cool and valuable safety feature.
The G70 has a semi-autonomous driving system, which works impressively well. Checkout the Genesis Highway Driving Assist here. Please note this is not a self-driving system—your hands must be near the steering wheel at all times, and your eyes always need to be facing forward.
The 2024 G70 has been rated with an overall Good rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but has not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Pricing
Clean Fleet Report drove the 2024 G70 RWD 3/3T Sport Prestige with a total MSRP, including the $1,195 mandatory freight and handling fee, of $55,600.
Warranty
- Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles
- New Vehicle – Five years/60,000 miles
- Maintenance – Three years/36,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Five years/Unlimited miles
- Anti-perforation – Seven years/Unlimited miles
Observations: 2024 Genesis G70 RWD 3.3T Sport Prestige
The 2024 Genesis G70 has clean, contemporary styling, an impressive interior with a beautiful cabin, a comfortable ride experience and performance that lives up to its Sport badging. The features list is long and deep, including a full safety suite and the best warranty on the market. Two stout engines, with available all-wheel drive, make the G70 a top choice amongst premium sports sedans. The G70 is a true value proposition as it confidently can stand against European challengers from Audi, BMW, Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz.
Genesis, with its first models in 2018, is still a new car company that is in the process of building out a dealer network. While in some cities they share showroom space with their sibling brand Hyundai, Genesis takes care of its owners by giving them the pampered treatment they deserve.
Son-Nim translates from Korean to “Honored Guest,” which is how every Genesis employee is expected to treat every customer. Genesis is basing its brand reputation and success on its customers receiving the highest level of satisfaction.
Visit your local Genesis dealer to experience a 2024 G70 and see for yourself what a world class premium sports sedan is all about.
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Story and photos by John Faulkner.
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Flash Drive: 2023 Genesis GV70 EV
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Update: 2023 Genesis G80 EV
Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
