If I had to do a long drive, I’d be perfectly happy in the newly enhanced 2024 Genesis G70. Similarly, if I had to live with one car for an extended time and it was the G70, I’d consider myself fortunate. And there are no qualifications to those statements, like “only if it had the V6 engine.”
Gear selection
Given the choice, I might actually go with the fresh 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine over the optional 3.3-liter V6. New for 2024, this unit makes 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, a meaningful bump in output over 2023’s 2.0-liter counterpart. And that’s really quite enough muscle for public roads. I also like how the front end feels lighter than the V6-equipped car. It enhances agility by a degree or two and helps to make the G70 feel nicely balanced.
Selecting the 365-horsepower V6 and/or the all-wheel-drive system over the standard rear-wheel-drive setup means more than enough muscle and greater reassurance in bad weather. For life in the sunnier states, though, rear-wheel drive is great. I’ve driven each permutation and would be one of the many G70 buyers who choose the smaller engine, perhaps redirecting some of that money toward more features.
Going back to that hypothetical “long drive” scenario, the G70 rides comfortably, while the front seats are supportive yet not overly firm. The G70 can also shoulder much of the driving in certain conditions, and it’s a better driver than most. Featuring one of the best highway driving assist systems we’ve tested, even a long day behind the wheel of the G70 can zip by with less fatigue.
Competition
The Genesis G70 swims in the same waters as small luxury sedans like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It has a reputation as the best-handling member of the Genesis portfolio. It’s competent, certainly. Although even the rear-wheel-drive version is more likely to understeer (where the front end slips wide of the desired cornering line) during rapid changes of direction than oversteer (where the tail end tries to come around). The slow-in/fast-out approach is best when negotiating a set of quick curves. Luckily, the newly standard Brembo brakes are strong and confident without being grabby. The steering also has some weight to it, and isn’t overly assisted.
I’m still going to give the BMW 3 Series the nod as the most satisfying car of the class for driving enthusiasts, but the G70 is a remarkably compelling package for everyone else.
Introspection
The cabin backs up that argument with nice materials, decent design (with sufficient flair to qualify as a luxury interior) and contemporary technology. I wonder why Genesis didn’t go the whole way with the instrument cluster, though, and make it completely digital. The company has all the necessary components in its other vehicles. The speedometer remains analog. The space to the right of it can show the rev counter, or the video feed from the Blind-Spot View Monitor (if it’s installed). Rear legroom is bearable for an adult male of average size, provided an inconsiderate long-legged person isn’t sitting in front.
There are a couple of minor gripes. I noticed quite a bit of tire noise on the freeway. This might be because of particular road surfaces, but it’s not unreasonable to expect something better in a luxury car. And maybe I’m just becoming more used to large infotainment screens, but the 10.25-inch example in the G70 looks a bit small these days. It works well enough, however.
On Reflection
The G70 is a big favorite here at Kelley Blue Book. It’s equipped generously, the build quality is exemplary, the warranties are unsurpassed, and it looks great. From a standpoint of purely personal taste, I’d like it even better if it had a little more of a BMW-like edge. But it’s hard to argue with the overall package.
Check this week’s Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price or see G70 models for sale near you.
