5 Thoughts About the 2024 Genesis G70
Author:
Jason Fogelson.
The Genesis G70 followed the G80 and G90 into Genesis’ lineup in 2019, the third sedan in the emerging luxury brand’s portfolio. The original design, by former Audi, Volkswagen, and Kia designer Peter Schreyer, took focus as a modern, flashy midsize 4-door and captured the prestigious 2019 North American Car of the Year award. For 2024, the G70 received a mild facelift under the supervision of another design legend, Luc Donckerwolke, a Bentley, Lamborghini, Skoda, and Audi veteran. Donckerwolke’s team focused on functional design updates, such as upgrading the exterior lighting, side venting, and grille, among other details. The G70 has a new menacing elegance but is still recognizably a G70. The 2024 G70 comes in four trim levels: 2.5T Standard (starting at $42,750), 2.5T Sport Prestige (starting at $46,950), 3.3T Sport Advanced (starting at $51,200), and 3.3T Sport Prestige (starting at $55,600). Add $2,100 to upgrade any trim from rear-wheel drive (RWD) to all-wheel drive (AWD).
Quick Facts About the 2024 Genesis G70:
- This edition is a mild refresh of a luxury sport sedan
- G70 sales have increased every year since 2020
- A new 4-cylinder turbo engine is the most significant update
1. A New Base Engine
The new base engine in the G70 is a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder unit (300 horsepower/311 lb-ft of torque), replacing the outgoing 2.0-liter turbo (252 hp/260 lb-ft of torque). The 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (365 hp/376 lb-ft of torque) carries over from 2023. The improved power in the base engine is welcome, while the engine note and grunt of the V6 is still the more appealing choice.
2. Not Much Different Inside
I was a little disappointed that Genesis retained an analog rotary speedometer and modest digital driver information center in the instrument panel when the company has gone to fully configurable digital gauge clusters in most of its other vehicles. Still, the G70’s interior displays genuine sporting luxury, sure to impress even skeptical shoppers.
3. Stiffer Body
Engineers frequently talk about percentage increases in body stiffness. Most of the time, I nod and write it off as public relations. But Genesis allowed me to drive the G70 on a private track and a parking lot autocross course in Arizona. The chassis and suspension did a great job keeping the G70 level and calm during even the most assertive driving — a demonstration of stiffness.
4. Smooth on the Road
Beyond track and autocross time, I spent a few hours on the road in the G70 as a passenger and driver. The sedan is dreamy to drive in Comfort mode and tightens up in Sport mode (I restricted my Sport Plus driving to the closed course portions of the day). The standard 19-inch alloy wheels were wrapped in Michelin rubber specifically developed for the model and gave a satisfying balance between responsiveness and comfort.
5. How It Stacks Up
The G70 is gunning for stiff competition. The German trio of BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Audi A4 has a healthy head start in brand identity, loyalty, and accomplishment. However, the G70 can attract open-minded, uncommitted drivers moving up from non-luxury brands — most notably Kia and Hyundai — if they can get in front of them. Genesis reps talked a lot about elevating the buying experience at dedicated Genesis retailers and service centers, which will have an impact. Genesis can have more of an effect on enthusiast drivers by developing an in-house performance sub-brand to compete for attention with BMW’s M, Mercedes-Benz’s AMG, and Audi’s S models. Genesis is innovative and is almost certainly working on this approach.
The Takeaway
The 2024 Genesis G70 has some incremental improvements, making a good sports sedan even better. Drive one before you default to a more established brand and see if the G70 captures your heart. Related:
2024 Genesis G70: Choosing the Right Trim.
Learn more