Genesis G70 Review 2024
Genesis G70 At A Glance
A new kid on the block, the Genesis G70 is a bold alternative to premium saloon cars like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It's likely to sell in even smaller numbers than left-field models like the Volvo S60, Jaguar XE and Alfa Romeo Giulia – but should it be on your radar? Read our full Genesis G70 review to find out.
If you're not familiar, Genesis is the premium brand of Hyundai-Kia. It does a similar job to Toyota's Lexus, although it's taken until now to arrive in the UK.
So how's it going to stand out in such a competitive market? Well, it's how the brand goes about business that will raise eyebrows. There are no conventional dealerships, no target-driven sales people and no haggling.
Instead, it's recruiting personal assistants from the hospitality sector. You'll be assigned one from the moment you show an interest in a Genesis model. They'll bring the car to your home (or workplace) for a test drive, talk you through the ordering process and be on hand to answer any questions. After you've taken delivery, your PA will be on hand to talk you through the car's features, collect it for servicing and deliver a courtesy car.
All sounds pretty revolutionary, doesn't it? Well, it's a shame the car isn't. The Genesis G70 has actually been on sale elsewhere in the world for a number of years now and its launch in the UK coincides with a mid-life facelift.
It's based on the same platform as the Kia Stinger, along with petrol and diesel engines. There's no V6 petrol power here, though – nor, more pertinently, any hybrid technology. As such, the 2.2-litre diesel is the easiest to recommend and even that (with its mid-40s MPG) isn't that impressive on paper.
Still, engines aside, the Genesis G70 is enjoyable to drive in an old-fashioned rear-wheel-drive executive saloon kind of way. It's more comfort-focussed than the Stinger, although the 19-inch alloy wheels and adaptive suspension fitted to our Genesis G70 Sport Line test car means you will feel imperfections in the road's surface.
All Genesis G70 models are well-equipped, and we actually reckon the entry-level Premium Line strikes the best bang for your buck. Standard kit includes leatherette seats, a 10.25-inch nav system and a whole range of driver-assistance tech.
Inside, the Genesis G70 feels noticeably plusher than its Kia and Hyundai relations – but what would you expect in a car that's hoping to take on the Mercedes C-Class? It's certainly showing its age in some respects, but that's not necessarily a bad thing (there's an actual knob for adjusting the volume, for example).
Practicality isn't its forte. You'll be fine in the front, but teenagers in the back will be justifiably grumpy. It feels pretty cramped in the rear, both in terms of head and legroom. The boot's pretty woeful, too – not just in outright capacity, but in terms of access. Fortunately, there's a Genesis G70 Shooting Brake (aka estate) on its way.
Ultimately, you'd have to have a pretty strong desire to stand out to buy the Genesis G70. But it's a stylish car that'll turn more heads than an Audi A4, while the Genesis ownership experience is pretty appealing. Especially when you consider that it comes with a five-year care plan that includes a warranty, roadside assistance and servicing.