2024 Genesis G70

This is how good the Genesis G70 is — in our owner reviews, the lowest score this compact luxury sedan has received is four stars — from a maximum of five. Genesis is really doing a lot of things right. It isn’t just the level of standard equipment for the money, although that is impressive. Take something like an entry-level BMW 3 Series, then add options until it’s equipped to the same level as the equivalent G70, and the price difference will be even more remarkable. Another area where Genesis is making strides is the dealership experience, with the marque opening several dedicated sites.

The G70 made its debut for the 2019 model year, so it’s not the newest machine. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is fresher, but more expensive. And the G70’s many qualities are not the kind to fade quickly. 

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact luxury cars, including the Genesis G70.

Looking at other contenders in the class, the Acura TLX, Lexus IS, Audi A4 and Alfa Romeo Giulia all start in the low-to-mid $40K region. The BMW 3 Series begins a little above that, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes in at around $48K.

Before buying a new Genesis G70 luxury sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are above the class average. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

The entry-level G70 receives a new turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower, 48 more horses than before, propelling it to the top of the combustion tables — the Alfa Romeo Giulia comes close with 280 horsepower. Most buyers will choose this engine, as they did with the former 2.0-liter unit.

A twin-turbocharged 365-horsepower V6 remains in the 3.3T. The closest BMW 3 Series in terms of muscle is the M340i with 382 horsepower — but that car is about $10K more.

The good thing about both engines, we’ve found, is that they deliver their maximum thrust at low revs. So darting into a gap in traffic is satisfyingly swift. For the most part, they also operate with a quiet efficiency. It’s only when Sport or Sport+ modes are selected that they become more vocal.

We’ve driven the 2024 G70 with the new 2.5-liter turbocharged engine as well as the larger V6, and discovered that the 2.5T is easily powerful enough and an excellent choice. If anything, we prefer that the front end feels a bit lighter, for a finer overall balance.

In every new G70, outward vision is good, and the front seats hold their occupants reassuringly in place even through quick corners. The G70 feels stable, responsive, calm, and collected. The newly standard Brembo brakes are confidence-inspiring.

Fuel Economy

The G70 isn’t renowned for its sparing use of gasoline. The new 2.5T engine manages 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving (with rear-wheel drive) or 23 combined mpg (all-wheel drive). To compare, the less-powerful BMW 330i can achieve 29 mpg combined, but most of the class is closer to the G70. The 3.3T is capable of 21 mpg combined, subtract one mile per gallon if all-wheel drive is in the mix. Premium gasoline is required for each engine.

Although the G70 is a relative bargain, there’s no indication of that in the cabin. It’s furnished with high-quality materials and assembled to luxury-car levels. This year’s changes include a dedicated touchscreen for the climate control system, USB-C ports, rear side airbags, a frameless rearview mirror, and new 2-tone color schemes of either Fog Gray or Vanilla Beige paired with Obsidian Black.

The G70’s 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen isn’t even the second biggest in the class, but it’s perfectly usable. Rear passengers will find that the 34.8 inches of legroom is probably adequate as long as they aren’t tall. They won’t find much more in any rival premium compact sedan. But the G70’s trunk area of 10.5 cubic feet is on the stingy side.

Like a BMW 3 Series (the benchmark for this class), the 2024 G70 has a relatively long hood, plus short overhangs at each end. We think the overall look is effective and definitely appropriate for the luxury sector. There has been a subtle redesign to the Genesis badge, but the main exterior business this year is the availability of Vatna Gray or Kawah Blue paint finishes.

Navigation-based smart cruise control
This standard adaptive cruise control feature uses information from the navigation system to determine when curves are coming up and can adjust speed automatically. When used with the lane-centering Highway Driving Assist feature (also standard), it lightens the driver’s workload.

Brembo brakes
Previously an option with the 3.3T model, these are now standard on every new G70. Brembo is a highly respected Italian company that supplies Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Aston Martin.

All-wheel drive
A popular option, all-wheel drive brings greater sure-footedness in wet and dry conditions. A heated steering wheel is also part of the deal.

Genesis Digital Key
Using the Genesis app, users can lock/unlock and start the 2024 G70. This now works with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones.

Lexicon audio
Go into any world-class recording studio, and Lexicon equipment will be used at almost every session. The optional 15-speaker/660-watt Lexicon system in the 2024 G70 can make occupants feel like they’re sitting inside one of those studios.

Blind-Spot View Monitor
Not to be confused with blind-spot monitoring, which is standard across the 2024 G70 range, the Blind-Spot View Monitor shows images in the instrument cluster from side cameras. This provides greater reassurance when the driver is about to change lanes. It’s part of the 3.3T model’s Sport Prestige package.

New this year, a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine goes into the entry-level G70, developing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That’s 51 lb-ft more, in addition to the extra 48 horsepower. The more muscular option remains a twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 creating 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. In both cases, rear-wheel drive is the default setup, with all-wheel drive offered as an option. And all transmission duties are handled by an 8-speed automatic.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty from Genesis lasts for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first, with roadside assistance for five years at unlimited mileage. The powertrain is covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. These terms are among the best in the industry. Genesis also includes three years or 36,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance.

Safety Ratings

The current generation G70 was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) — the institute’s highest accolade; however its unrated for 2024 while still in tests using the new testing protocol. Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.