Genesis G70 Review 2024

A new kid on the block, the Genesis G70 is a bold alternative to premium saloon cars like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It's likely to sell in even smaller numbers than left-field models like the Volvo S60, Jaguar XE and Alfa Romeo Giulia – but should it be on your radar? Read our full Genesis G70 review to find out.

If you're not familiar, Genesis is the premium brand of Hyundai-Kia. It does a similar job to Toyota's Lexus, although it's taken until now to arrive in the UK.

So how's it going to stand out in such a competitive market? Well, it's how the brand goes about business that will raise eyebrows. There are no conventional dealerships, no target-driven sales people and no haggling.

Instead, it's recruiting personal assistants from the hospitality sector. You'll be assigned one from the moment you show an interest in a Genesis model. They'll bring the car to your home (or workplace) for a test drive, talk you through the ordering process and be on hand to answer any questions. After you've taken delivery, your PA will be on hand to talk you through the car's features, collect it for servicing and deliver a courtesy car.

All sounds pretty revolutionary, doesn't it? Well, it's a shame the car isn't. The Genesis G70 has actually been on sale elsewhere in the world for a number of years now and its launch in the UK coincides with a mid-life facelift.

It's based on the same platform as the Kia Stinger, along with petrol and diesel engines. There's no V6 petrol power here, though – nor, more pertinently, any hybrid technology. As such, the 2.2-litre diesel is the easiest to recommend and even that (with its mid-40s MPG) isn't that impressive on paper.

Still, engines aside, the Genesis G70 is enjoyable to drive in an old-fashioned rear-wheel-drive executive saloon kind of way. It's more comfort-focussed than the Stinger, although the 19-inch alloy wheels and adaptive suspension fitted to our Genesis G70 Sport Line test car means you will feel imperfections in the road's surface.

All Genesis G70 models are well-equipped, and we actually reckon the entry-level Premium Line strikes the best bang for your buck. Standard kit includes leatherette seats, a 10.25-inch nav system and a whole range of driver-assistance tech.

Inside, the Genesis G70 feels noticeably plusher than its Kia and Hyundai relations – but what would you expect in a car that's hoping to take on the Mercedes C-Class? It's certainly showing its age in some respects, but that's not necessarily a bad thing (there's an actual knob for adjusting the volume, for example).

Practicality isn't its forte. You'll be fine in the front, but teenagers in the back will be justifiably grumpy. It feels pretty cramped in the rear, both in terms of head and legroom. The boot's pretty woeful, too – not just in outright capacity, but in terms of access. Fortunately, there's a Genesis G70 Shooting Brake (aka estate) on its way.

Ultimately, you'd have to have a pretty strong desire to stand out to buy the Genesis G70. But it's a stylish car that'll turn more heads than an Audi A4, while the Genesis ownership experience is pretty appealing. Especially when you consider that it comes with a five-year care plan that includes a warranty, roadside assistance and servicing.

Just like the Kia Stinger (with which it shares a platform), the Genesis G70 feels like quite a sporty car to drive. The steering is direct (if a little on the light and uncommunicative side), while the power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels.

That means it feels satisfyingly agile on twisty roads, but there's plenty of competition in this sector if you're looking for a car that's fun to drive. The BMW 3 Series is the master of that, while the Jaguar XE, Alfa Romeo Giulia and Mercedes-Benz C-Class will also appeal to buyers who enjoy driving.

You sit relatively low down in the cabin, which adds to the Genesis G70's sporting edge. That's not great news for visibility, but at least you do get front and rear parking sensors as standard on all models.

We've sampled the Genesis G70 in Sport Line trim with the adaptive dampers and 19-inch alloy wheels which, when paired together, provide a relatively firm ride. There are definitely more comfortable options, but it's not deeply unsettled on broken road surfaces.

The Genesis G70 is offered with petrol or diesel power alone – you won't find a smidgen of hybrid assistance here. The petrol unit is a 2.0-litre engine available with 197PS or 245PS, while the diesel is a 2.2-litre four-cylinder motor packing 200PS and 440Nm of torque.

So far, we've only sampled the more powerful 2.0-litre petrol, which didn't feel as quick as its figures suggest (it can officially accelerate to 62mph in 6.1 seconds). It's a shame that we don't get the V6 petrol offered elsewhere but, for most drivers, we reckon the 2.2-litre diesel is probably the engine of choice.

With best-in-class aspirations when it comes to safety, Genesis hasn't held back with the standard equipment on the G70. This includes a clever new centre airbag which will prevent the driver colliding with the front-seat passenger in a crash.

Adaptive cruise control is standard across the range, as well as a lane-assist function to prevent you straying from your lane on the motorway. There's also a blind-spot assist function which will alert you to vehicles in your blind spot, and apply the brakes if required to prevent a collision.

The Genesis G70 is yet to be crash tested by Euro NCAP but expect high marks.

Practicality isn't the Genesis G70's strong point. We'll start with the boot, which can only accommodate 330 litres of luggage. For comparison, the latest BMW 3 Series has a 480-litre boot. Access is pretty poor, too, with a rather slim opening. You won't find an adjustable boot floor in the Genesis G70, while underneath there's only room for a tyre repair kit (rather than a full spare wheel). If you need to carry a substantial amout of stuff, you might want to wait for the new Genesis G70 Shooting Brake.

Things are pretty cramped for rear-seat passengers, too, while adults will find their knees digging into the front seats and the headlining brushing the top of their heads.

Fortunately, things are better in the front. It feels spacious enough for the driver and front-seat passenger, while a wide centre console accommodates two generous enough cupholders.

Some of the switchgear has more than a passing resemblance to that found in cheaper Kia models, but despite this, the Genesis G70 feels just as well-finished as a Jaguar XE. Most of the materials you touch will feel pleasingly squishy, although you will find a few hard plastics lower down in the cabin.

Our test car was a Genesis G70 Sport Line, which featured leather seats, laminated front glass and a leather steering wheel as standard – all helping to add to the upmarket vibe.

The Genesis G70 features a slick 10.25-inch widescreen media system as standard across the range. It features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to mirror apps from your phone (meaning you can use apps like Google Maps for navigation, for example).

It's a simple system to operate with speedy responses and buttons as shortcuts (and a knob for adjusting the volume). It's a shame there isn't a rotary controller for navigation the menus (like you'd find in the Genesis GV70 SUV), but it's easy enough to operate anyway.

The Genesis G70 range starts from £33,400 for a Premium Line model with the entry-level petrol engine, while it tops out at £40,480 for a Genesis G70 Sport Line with the 245PS petrol motor.

The brand says its prices are fixed – every customer will pay the same, no matter when or where you buy your car. Don't expect to save cash by looking for a nearly-new or pre-registered model, either. With no traditional dealerships or sales targets, the market is unlikely to be flooded with used Genesis G70s.

With old-fashioned engines and no electrical assistance, the Genesis G70 will be relatively expensive to run – when it comes to filling it with fuel, anyway. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is available with two power outputs (197PS and 245PS) – both of which return just 35.4mpg in official WLTP fuel economy tests. For comparision, a similarly powerful BMW 3 Series can manage 44.1mpg.

If you're looking for a more frugal Genesis G70, the 2.2-litre diesel official returns up to 44.5mpg. That won't hurt the wallet as much as the petrol, but it's still not that special compared to rivals.

Fortunately, you'll save money elsewhere. All Genesis models sold in the UK will come with a five-year Care Plan, which includes a warranty, servicing, roadside assistance, courtesy cars and over-the-air software updates.

There are three different variants of G70 on offer: Premium Line, Luxury Line and Sport Line.

While it might be the entry-level model, the Genesis G70 Premium Line ticks a lot of boxes. Standard equipment includes LED lights, 17-inch alloy wheels (18-inch on petrol models) and a puddle lamp displaying the Genesis logo. Inside, you'll find leatherette seats with electric adjustment, front and rear parking sensors, air conditioning and cruise control. Tech highlights include a 10.25-inch navigation system with DAB radio as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while there's a host of standard advanced safety features (including Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision-avoidance Assist and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist to name a few).

The Genesis G70 Luxury Line builds on this with 18-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel and heated leather seats. Electronic Control Suspension is standard, as well as electric rear tailgate opening.

Intended to be a sportier choice, the Genesis G70 Sport Line features black exterior detailing, 19-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes and the Electronic Control Suspension. It also gets the electric boot opening, while interior highlights include metallic pedals, heated leather seats and a heated steering wheel.