The Genesis G70 has always been a standout sports sedan. Since its launch in 2018, it has generated significant buzz for the brand, positioning itself as a compelling competitor to the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class by offering strong performance at a more attractive price point.
Fast forward to 2024, and the G70 is a few years into its mid-life facelift and has just been updated for the second time. The improvements are only minor, but make the G70 feel a little more up-to-date. Under the skin, however, this is still the same solid performer we fell in love with six years ago. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Quick Facts
I’ve had plenty of seat time in the G70 over the years, in both its 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 guises. Having also spent significant time behind the wheel of the mechanically-related Kia Stinger, the chance to experience the new 2024 G70 for a week was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
For 2024, Genesis Australia has simplified the G70 family. This means the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that was once offered has been removed from the line-up. The same thing happened in the US, but in that case, Genesis replaced it with a larger 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder.
Aussie buyers don’t get the choice of this 2.5-liter. Instead, the flagship 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 is the only option for the G70 sedan. If you don’t want the sedan, the G70 Shooting Brake is available and sold exclusively with the 2.0-liter.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/CarScoops
As in previous model years, the G70’s 3.3-liter mill packs 274 kW (367 hp) and 510 Nm (376 lb-ft) of torque. This engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, sending power exclusively through the rear wheels.
So, what changes have been made? For 2024, all G70 sedan models in Australia come standard with the Luxury Pack that was once a AU$10,000 ($6,600) option. This includes a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster, a powered tailgate, Forward Attention Warning, Intelligent Front-Lighting System, a head-up display, and a 16-way power driver’s seat. It also adds a heated and electronically adjustable steering wheel, a 15-speaker Lexicon sound system, heated rear seats, and a suede headliner.
Interior
The 2024 G70’s only significant new features are in the cabin. These include a new steering wheel, a frameless rear-view mirror, and a new 6.0-inch touchscreen for the climate control.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/CarScoops
Ordinarily, we hate it when carmakers ditch physical buttons, switches, and knobs for screens, particularly when it comes to climate controls. That’s not the case with the G70. The old controls were plasticky and cheap, whereas this new screen feels far more premium, and thanks to haptic feedback, it is easy to operate, even when on the move.
The screen also houses switches for the heated and ventilated front seats and the heated steering wheel. Genesis has also replaced the plastic shortcut buttons for the HVAC and infotainment screens with a strip of metal switches.
The rest of the cabin remains identical to pre-2024 models, and that’s certainly no bad thing.
Read: 2022 Genesis G70 Remains A Great Sports Sedan For The Money
One thing we’ve always liked about the G70 is its superb driving position. The seats offer plenty of support and, importantly for tall drivers, can be lowered right to the floor. It remains one of the best driving positions of any car in this segment and the quilted red leather of our test car made it even nicer to live with.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/CarScoops
The familiar 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display has been retained and continues to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it’s only wired and doesn’t offer wireless support. For 2024, this display provides support for over-the-air software updates. It runs the carmaker’s familiar software and is easy and intuitive. In addition to the absence of wireless Apple and Android support, it’s strange that Genesis has retained the USB-A connection port rather than switching to USB-C.
Like all previous iterations of the G70, headroom remains an issue for taller folk despite the good seats. At 6’2″, my hair lightly brushed the headliner, even with the driver’s seat in its lowest position. Things are even worse in the rear.
The toe room is minimal, and anyone over 6 feet will have to slump down in the seat if they don’t want their head forced into the ceiling. There’s not much legroom, either. This is a crying shame as it will limit the G70’s appeal among family buyers. Trunk space sits at 330 liters (11.6 cubic feet) which, again, is quite minimal.
Fortunately, Genesis has loaded the 2024 G70 with all of its latest safety technologies. These include Adaptive cruise control with stop/go, blind-spot assist, lane keep assist, lane following assist, and leading vehicle departure alert. There’s also a surround-view camera and parking sensors at the front and rear. Like other Genesis models we’ve tested, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist worked flawlessly on well-marked highways.
Undoubtedly, the latest 3-Series and C-Class have the G70 beat when it comes to interior luxuries. However, the G70 remains a compelling option in the performance stakes, particularly since it significantly undercuts cars like the BMW M340i xDrive (AU$104,900) and Mercedes-AMG C 43 (AU$134,900) while offering similar performance.
A formidable performer
The G70’s 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 is a gem. As mentioned, it produces 274 kW (367 hp) and 510 Nm (376 lb-ft), largely matching the 285 kW (382 hp) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of the M340i and just short of the 300 kW (402 hp) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of the new C43 AMG.
In a straight line, the G70 feels properly rapid. It can sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds, and the eight-speed automatic transmission punches through the gears smoothly and quickly. It’s not a dual-clutch, but it’s still good. What’s particularly impressive about this engine is that turbo lag is virtually non-existent, and there’s strong power and torque even low in the rev range.
As it always has, the G70 handles brilliantly, too. Unlike the Stinger, which has always felt more docile and cruise-y than the G70, the Genesis has quick and brilliantly weighted steering, making it a joy to drive aggressively. It may weigh 1,765 kg (3,891 lbs), but it feels lighter.
The G70 is also beautifully playful. Even with the traction and stability control systems enabled, the rear end can step sideways if you’re too heavy on the throttle. Turn off these safety nannies, and it is a competent sports sedan that’s easy to control and powerslide (on a racetrack, of course.)
As a daily driver and a car to have fun with, the G70 has few faults. One shortcoming is the lack of aural excitement from the engine or the exhaust. Had Genesis wanted to capture the attention of car enthusiasts, it would have been wise to engineer an intake that sounds the business and an exhaust with a nice burble. Unfortunately, the G70 has neither.
We also would have loved to see the carmaker offer the G70 with all-wheel drive, allowing it to compete with the M340i xDrive. For fun, rear-wheel drive reigns supreme, but all-wheel drive would help calm down the frisky rear-end. The G70 could be even more intoxicating if it had the dual-clutch eight-speed from Hyundai N’s division, although that’s wishful thinking on our part.
Verdict
The G70 3.3 may be getting a little old, but it’s aged gracefully and is just as enjoyable to drive in 2024 as when it launched six years ago. Yes, its price has increased over the years, and its cabin isn’t as nice as the German competitors, but the Genesis still represents good value for money.