Genesis G70 Review 2019

The Genesis G70 has finally arrived in Australia, carrying on its slender metal shoulders the hopes and dreams of the wider Hyundai group as it desperately tries to break into the premium market.

Now about everything in order; just what the hell is Genesis? Think of it as Hyundai's answer to Toyota and Lexus with the premium division of Genesis, the Korean brand.

The Genesis G70 has finally arrived in Australia.

But you won't hear the word "H" very often, as Genesis is keen to be treated as a brand in its own right, and the cars will be sold in dedicated concept stores rather than Hyundai dealerships.

The larger G80 will also be sold here, and the brand's true flagship is the G90 sedan, which will eventually be offered in Australia as well. But this G70 is the best product the brand currently offers, and so any success for Genesis in Australia will depend in large part on the car's popularity here.

The G70 is the best product Genesis has to offer right now.

We've already talked about brand reputation, but let's take a quick look at them again. The brains behind performance come from former BMW M division head Albert Biermann. Appearance? This is former Audi and Bentley designer Luc Donkerwolke. The Genesis brand itself? The company is headed by former Lamborghini heavyweight Manfred Fitzgerald. 

When it comes to automotive resumes, few are stronger than this.  

Have I pushed him enough? Okay. Then let's see if he can live up to the hype. 

Genesis G70 2019: 3.3T Sport
Safety Rating
engine's type	3.3 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	10.2l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$51,900

Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10

Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I personally am a fan of the G70's styling. It doesn't quite push the boundaries of premium design, but it doesn't do anything noticeably wrong either. Safe and sensible design that is unlikely to become obsolete. 

Rear and rear three-quarter views are the easiest on the eye: the G70 appears to flow out of a greenhouse, with beefy bulges over the rear tires and dominant taillights that extend from the trunk to the body.

We're not as convinced by the straight look as the flashy work on the Ultimate models looks a bit cheap, but overall you have nothing to complain about in the looks department. 

Slip into the salon and you will be greeted by a really well thought out and beautifully designed space. No matter how much you spend, the choice of materials is well thought out, and the way the layered dashboard pairs with the door materials feels both premium and distinct enough from the mostly European Genesis competitors.

The choice of materials is thought out to the smallest detail.

However, there are some less-than-premium reminders, such as infotainment screen graphics that are taken straight from Atari's game book (which Genesis says will be improved soon), plastic switches that feel a little cheap, and seats which started to feel a bit uncomfortable on long trips.

How practical is the interior space? 7/10

All G70 models are the same size; 4685mm long, 1850mm wide and 1400mm high, all with a 2835mm wheelbase.

Up front it feels spacious enough, with enough space between the front passengers so you never feel cramped, with a wide center console that also houses two cup holders, with space for (small) bottles in each of the front doors.

The front seats are spacious enough.

However, the rear seat is significantly cramped than the front. The G70 offers good knee and headroom, but as we've reported overseas, cramped toe room leaves you feeling like your feet are wedged under the front seat.

Behind, too, you can’t fit three adults - at least without violating the Geneva Convention. Rear seat passengers have their own vents but no temperature controls, and each of the rear doors has a pocket (that won't fit a bottle) as well as two cup holders housed in the seat's fold down bulkhead.

Ahead, there are two cupholders on the wide center console.

The rear seat has two ISOFIX anchor points and three top tether anchor points. The trunk size, however, is small for the segment at 330 liters (VDA) and can also be found in a spare part to save space.

The trunk is small, only 330 liters.

In terms of technology, you'll find a total of three USB charging points, a wireless charging pad for your phone, and a 12-volt power supply.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

The G70 comes with two petrol engine options and a price range of $59,000 to $80,000 for the top models.

Three trim levels are offered for both engines: cars with the 2.0-liter engine come in an entry-level trim (2.0T - $59,300), a performance-oriented sport trim (63,300 $2.0) that provides additional options for fast ride, and there's a luxury-focused version called the $69,300 Ultimate that will set you back $XNUMX.

The V6 lineup is a bit different, with every model in the lineup getting a boosted treatment that includes a limited slip differential and Brembo brakes. This car is available in Sport ($72,450), Ultimate ($79,950), and Ultimate Sport ($79,950) trims. 

Genesis is taking an all-inclusive approach here too, so the options list is refreshingly small, which really only consists of a $2500 panoramic sunroof on non-Ultimate vehicles. 

Entry-level vehicles feature LED head and tail lights, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, heated leather seats up front, wireless charging, dual-zone climate control, and a 7.0-inch TFT screen in the cabin. binnacle driver. 

Entry-level cars get an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

The Sport trim adds Brembo brakes, 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in improved Michelin Pilot Sport rubber, and a limited-slip differential. It's worth noting here that all V6-powered vehicles get a performance kit as standard.

Finally, Ultimate cars get Nappa leather trim, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear window seats, a heated steering wheel, adaptive headlights, a sunroof, and a much better 15-speaker Lexicon stereo. 

The last word is here; Genesis is taking a rather new approach to selling in Australia, promising that the price is the price, so there is no haggling. There's plenty of research out there that shows that the fear of not getting the best deal is one of the things people hate the most when visiting a dealership, and Genesis believes a simple listing price that doesn't change will solve that problem.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

Two engine options are offered here; one is a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit that develops 179kW and 353Nm, sending that power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. But the main thing here is a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that will produce 272 kW and 510 Nm.

Two engines are offered for the G70.

This engine, along with standard launch control, delivers a fast 100-4.7 mph time of a claimed XNUMX seconds. Big-engined cars also get adaptive suspension as standard and seem like the most performance-oriented cars in the lineup.

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How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

Genesis claims that its 2.0-liter engine consumes 8.7 to 9.0 liters per hundred kilometers on the combined cycle, while the V6 unit consumes 10.2 l/100 km under the same conditions.

CO02 emissions are pegged at 199-205g/km for the smaller engine and 238g/km for the V6.

All G70s come with a 70-litre fuel tank and require 95 octane gasoline.

What is it like to drive? 8/10

We spent several hours driving the G70 through all sorts of road conditions, and to be completely honest with you, we spent most of that time waiting for cracks to appear, given that this is the first real crack in a Genesis car. so.

But you know what? They didn't show up. The G70 seemed composed and infinitely attractive, and very good indeed.

The G70 seemed composed and infinitely attractive, and very good indeed.

Yes, it may feel heavy - especially with the V6 engine adding 2.0kg to the weight over 100-litre cars - but it's in keeping with the nature of the car, which always feels crouched and connected to the road underneath. Remember that this is not a full performance model like an M or AMG car. Instead, it's kind of a sub-hardcore model. 

But that doesn't mean it's not a lot of fun. While the smaller engine feels lively enough, the larger 3.3-liter unit is an absolute cracker. The power - and there's plenty of it - comes through in that thick and constant flow, and it really puts a smile on your face as you jump out of corners.

One of the complaints we had in Korea was that the ride was a little soft, but this was remedied by local suspension tuning that left it feeling seriously streamlined, aided by the super-straight steering that helps make the car look smaller. than it actually is.

The steering is direct, inspiring confidence and absolutely no backlash.

Performance-focused cars usually have to walk (or ride) the fine line between stiffer suspension for better driving dynamics and a more comfortable ride that's easier to live with (or at least won't rattle the fillings coming out of your teeth). the rutted roads that our cities suffer from). 

And frankly, more often than not, they end up falling off, exchanging flexibility for sportiness, which becomes obsolete very quickly unless you live on a race track or at the foot of a mountain pass. 

Which is probably the biggest surprise about how the G70 rides. The brand's local engineering team has managed to strike an impressive balance between all-round comfort and traction dynamics, making the G70 feel like it's taken the best of both worlds.

The steering is amazing: direct, inspiring confidence and absolutely no backlash. This allows you to bite corners with precision, and the tail wiggles slightly when you push it too hard on the way out. 

There is no click and crackle when shifting gears or a booming sound from the exhaust when you put your foot down.

However, it lacks some fanfare. There is no click and crackle when shifting gears or a booming sound from the exhaust when you put your foot down. For me it seems too reasonable in that sense.

We did get to do a short ride in the 2.0-litre version and our first impressions were that it was lively enough without being overwhelming. But the 3.3-liter V6 engine is a beast.

Drive one. You may be surprised.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10

Fortunately, Genesis' all-inclusive approach extends to safety, with every model in the lineup equipped with seven airbags, as well as blind-spot monitoring, AEB that works with cars and pedestrians, lane keeping assist, cross-traffic alert. behind. , and active cruise.

You also get a rearview camera, front and rear pairing sensors, a driver fatigue monitor, and a tire pressure monitor. More expensive models added a surround view camera and dynamic torque vectoring. 

It doesn't matter how you shake it, it's a lot. And that's up to a five-star ANCAP safety rating. 

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 9/10

Genesis is trying to change the premium car ownership experience by offering a full five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, free service for that same five years, and valet service to pick up and deliver your car when it's time for service. , and even access to a concierge service to help you book a restaurant table, book a hotel, or book a safe flight.

This is the best ownership package in the premium space guys. And trust me, this is something you will appreciate for a long time to come in your ownership experience.

Verdict

A first try that doesn't feel like it, the Genesis G70 is a compelling premium product, even in a segment filled with the world's heaviest cars.

Genesis has some way to go before it truly establishes the brand in Australia, but if a future product is as compelling as this one, that's a mountain it could very well end up climbing. 

What do you think of the new Genesis? Tell us in the comments section below.