Used 2022 Genesis G70

If you want a twin-turbo V6-powered Genesis G70, order a 3.3T Sport, which starts at $42,100. The two other V6 G70s, the Sport Advanced and the Sport Prestige begin at $46,400 and $50,400, respectively.

To compete more effectively with the likes of the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, the Genesis G70 has been significantly refreshed for 2022. While this Genesis remains a reasonably compact 4-door sport sedan with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) and a choice of a turbo 4-cylinder engine or a 3.3-liter V6, the G70 sports has been refreshed with a new diamond-shaped grille, revised headlights, and taillights, and a rear facia with a lowered license plate and a spoiler integrated into the curved lid of the trunk.

Big improvements also have taken place inside the G70, where a large 10.25-inch navigation screen commands attention at the top of the center console. A new 8-inch digital instrument cluster complements it, plus a steering wheel covered in perforated leather. Genesis also says the G70 benefits from nine new or updated standard safety features.

The G70 powertrains remain the same for 2022 (a turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 252 horsepower, or a twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 with 365 horsepower), but the manual transmission offered with the 2.0-liter has been dropped. Genesis tells us its take rate was in the single digits. Fortunately, the 8-speed automatic is a good gearbox that profits from shift paddles, rev-matching, and Sport and Sport+ modes.

The Genesis G70 does not have the badge cachet of its European rivals, but with its sports-sedan handling, generous standard features, outstanding warranty, and comparatively low prices, it’s making a bold and even more persuasive case for extra attention in 2022.

KBB’s Lyn Woodward recently drove a 2022 Genesis G70 3.3T on some mountain roads near Palm Desert and at The Thermal Club, a private racetrack in the Mojave.

Reports Lyn: “This thing absolutely rips. Launch control and Sport+ tuning make it much sportier than before. The steering is sharper and well-weighted, and the variable exhaust valve opens to provide a growly exhaust with an extra 3 horsepower. You’ll definitely feel the difference between Sport and Sport+. When the rear end squirts out from behind you, it makes for some spirited and exciting driving.”

Lyn also drove a base G70 with the turbo 2.0-liter. “Comfort mode is great for daily driving. It’s supple, but not too sedate, while Sport and Sport+ ratchet up the action. The G70 gets firmer and more responsive without feeling harsh. This car is stacked with available strengths, in everything from the mechanical limited-slip differential to the beefy Brembo brakes.

“Body roll is well controlled. The G70 is the lowest and widest car in its segment, so it has a low center of gravity and a firmly planted feel. The torque vectoring system uses inner rear wheel braking for optimum cornering, and the all-wheel drive system can send 100 percent of the power rearward if needed, essentially creating a highly entertaining drift mode.

“Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires are optional. They’re sticky, but a little firm for daily driving. The all-season Michelin Primacy Tour tires on the G70 with 19s are quiet and an outstanding choice.

“The seats hug you in turns, aided by active bolsters that effectively keep you in place. And while the view out of the G70 is good for a sports sedan, the comfort mode is so quiet that it makes it tough to hear the glorious engine.”

The 2022 G70 also has Highway Driving Assist, a partially autonomous system that teams with the navigation-based smart cruise control. In our time with the car, we found this feature to be impressively smooth. It maintained a consistent gap to the car in front while also keeping the Genesis centered in its lane without any awkward tugs on the steering wheel.

The Genesis G70 continues with a driver-centric cockpit for 2022, but has been improved in several ways. There’s now has a standard 10.25-inch navigation screen complemented by a new 8-inch digital instrument cluster.

Although the base model has leatherette upholstery, most other G70s have leather. High-quality materials are found throughout this 5-seat interior, which also has contrast stitching and a steering wheel covered in perforated leather. The center console and lower dash are covered in a leatherette that does a good job of simulating actual leather.

We think the new 2022 Genesis G70 looks a tad sharper than last year’s model.

The grille, more V-shaped than before, looks rich and classy, and it’s complemented by larger lower air intakes. The headlights are also new, LED units bisected on each side by a pair of linear daytime running lights, also LEDs.

In back, the new G70 has been updated with quad LED taillamps that spread outward and are reminiscent of the winged Genesis emblem. Genesis lettering appears in all capital letters on the new trunk, which has a curved lid incorporating a spoiler. The license plate area has been moved down to a spot on the lower rear bumper.

From the side, this Genesis still looks like a G70, with a long hood and short overhangs. But look closely, and you’ll see a new vent just aft of the front wheel. While it looks cosmetic, this vent is functional, reducing turbulence in the G70’s front wheel wells.

10.25-INCH TOUCHSCREEN
Standard on the 2022 G70, this 10.25-inch widescreen display has split-screen capabilities and a cloud-connected platform that allows for individual driver profiles, connected routing, dynamic voice recognition, and a valet mode that locks the head unit whenever you are using a valet.

LEXICON AUDIO SYSTEM
The Lexicon audio system, by Harman, is a 15-speaker/660-watt setup with Quantum Logic Surround. It sounds fantastic. It’s standard in the G70 Prestige and the G70 Sport Advanced trim levels.

As a base model, the 2022 Genesis G70 is equipped with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD), 18-inch wheels, leatherette upholstery, 10.25-inch navigation screen, 8-inch digital instrument panel, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

The 2.0-liter G70 gets 19-inch wheels and interior leather at the Prestige level, plus a sunroof, the Lexicon audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and acoustic laminated front side glass.

The base G70 V6, called the 3.3T Sport, packs a twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 under its hood, and it’s also equipped with sport suspension, Brembo brakes, 19-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust, and a leather interior. At the Sport Advanced trim level, the G70 gets the Genesis Digital Key, variable exhaust valve system, unique 19-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, Lexicon audio system, alloy pedal covers, and dark chrome on the grille and side-glass trim.

As the top 2022 Genesis G70, the Sport Prestige doesn’t lack much. Standard fare in this trim level includes a head-up display, Nappa interior leather, pseudo-suede headliner, Brembo brakes, limited-slip differential, and electronically controlled suspension.

Three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance — along with valet care, Connected Services, and lifetime traffic data — are included with the purchase of a 2022 Genesis G70. Also reassuring is a bumper-to-bumper warranty that lasts five years or 60,000 miles and a superb powertrain warranty good for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

All-wheel drive is a $2,000 option on all 2022 Genesis G70 trim levels, grouped with a heated steering wheel. Grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires also are available.

The base Genesis G70 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque at only 1,400 rpm. It sends power to the rear wheels via a rev-matching 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. There is no manual transmission offered in the 2022 Genesis G70 — very few people ordered it in 2021.

A twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 propels the G70 3.3T models. It packs a 365-horsepower punch, backed by 276 lb-ft of torque at only 1,300 rpm. It also uses the 8-speed automatic transmission.

All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on all G70s. While good for stability in sketchy driving conditions, AWD does hurt fuel economy a bit, mostly the 4-cylinder model. See the numbers below.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
252 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/30 mpg (RWD), 20/27 mpg (AWD)

3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6
365 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
376 lb-ft of torque @ 1,300-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26 mpg (RWD), 17/25 mpg (AWD)