Genesis G70 Review & Prices

This is the Genesis G70, and you’d be forgiven for wondering where it’s come from. This is a premium brand from the hive minds of the Hyundai Motor Group, taking on the established names of BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Lexus.

If the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class are like NASA, the G90 is akin to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin. It’s new on the scene, and pretty unknown yet is backed by a household name with a shedload of funding.

Rather than going space-age with the styling in a bid to grab attention though, the Genesis G70 takes a more subdued and quite elegant approach. It looks classy, and a fresh change from the ever-bolder styling of modern cars. That said, Sport models add a touch of aggression with red Brembo brake callipers and darkened alloy wheels.

That subtle edge continues to the interior of the Genesis G70, too. There are no outlandish trimmings or eye-catching dashboard design, just a sensibly laid-out cabin. Even entry-level models come with high-quality faux leather upholstery, and the build quality is really impressive.

There’s a good amount of tech as standard inside, too. You’ll get electrical adjustment for your seats and steering wheel, keyless entry and plenty of driving assistance technology for a start.

Group Test: Audi A4 vs BMW 3 Series vs DS 9 vs Genesis G70 vs Mercedes C-Class

All models also come equipped with a 10.3-inch infotainment system alongside an 8-inch digital driver’s display, both of which look great — albeit not quite as sharp to use as BMW’s iDrive system. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both included for no extra cost.

Practicality is where the Genesis G70 begins to come unstuck, though. It’s rather tight for both head and legroom in the rear seats, while boot space is really poor.

With 330 litres to work with, it’s well behind the BMW 3 Series’ and Audi A4’s 480 litres, as well as the Mercedes C-Class’s 455 litres. The so-called Shooting Brake estate version does lift this to 465 litres if you want a Genesis with more space, but it’s still not good.

The way the Genesis G70 drives is a bit underwhelming, too. Comfort levels aren’t as good as the alternatives, particularly the Mercedes C-Class, with a few too many knocks and bumps from the road coming into the cabin.

Manoeuvrability around town is decent at least, with nicely-weighted steering and good visibility aiding this. Plus, you can option a 360-degree camera which makes parking a breeze.

It’s not as fun to take down a back road as a BMW 3 Series would be, though. Its steering feels vague here and, though there isn’t a huge amount of body roll, it rarely feels composed when cornering hard.

Your choice of engines is pretty limited. There’s a sole 2.2-litre diesel option, with an official economy figure of 43.5mpg, making it the one to go for if you’re spending most of your time on the motorway.

Otherwise, there’s a 2.0-litre petrol, available with 194hp or 241hp. The lower-output engine offers more than enough grunt, but the extra 50hp will be welcome if you want a sportier-feeling saloon.

Both petrol engines are tested as returning up 35.4mpg. All engines use an eight-speed automatic gearbox, too.

From a style and value perspective, the Genesis G70 does have a lot to offer. That’s as long as you can live with limited practicality, though.

One last thing that may sway it for you, though — whenever servicing is needed, Genesis will collect the car from you and bring it back for no extra cost. That alone might be tempting enough.

Looking to get a great deal on your next saloon? Check out carwow’s best saloon cars to compare the latest offers.