It’s been a while since we’ve driven a Genesis – not that we haven’t wanted to, it’s just things never lined up properly over the years. Looking back, we were shocked to see it was all the way back to 2010! Wow, that’s way too long. Back then, Genesis wasn’t a stand-alone brand, so it was called the Hyundai Genesis 3.8L Coupe GT and we loved it and wanted to own one. What about the 2022 version? The coupe is long gone and it’s now got 4 doors – will we like this one as much?
What Is It?
- Premium Mid-sized Sports Sedan
- Three trim levels
- We’re driving the 3.3T SPORT AWD
- Twin-turbocharged 3.3L DOHC 24-valve V6 with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT)
- 8-speed automatic transmission with overdrive lock-up torque converter
- Manual mode with wheel-mounted shift paddles
- Drive Mode Control system (Smart/Eco/Sport/Comfort/Custom)
- Drive Mode Select (DMS) to control response of steering, engine, transmission and GACS suspension (3.3T Sport only)
- Mechanical Limited-Slip Differential (m-LSD)
- Genesis Adaptive Control Suspension (GACS)
- AWD + LSD Integrated Control System – This system controls the all-wheel-drive (AWD) transfer in tandem with the left/right traction control of the limited-slip differential (LSD), improving driving performance during turns. It also allows the driver to drift around corners – only available with the 3.3 Turbo Sport AWD
- 19″ aluminum alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires (P225/40R19 front, P255/35R19 rear)
Related: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8GT
How Does It Look?
- Beautiful and perfectly proportioned
- It looks fantastic in Siberian Ice on the test car – it’s kinda white, kinda blue
What’s It Like Inside?
- One word – Beautiful!
- Interior Colour – Obsidian Black with Sevilla Red Nappa Leather with sport quilting
- When was the last time you saw the seat belt in anything other than black or beige? The G70’s is the same colour as the interior
- The diamond stitch quilting leather trim is very nice – gives it a very classy look, and the seats are also extremely comfortable
- Everything is perfectly laid out and easy to find without having to spend time scanning the dash and centre console for the various buttons
- The driver gets a 12.3” 3D cluster – it recognizes the driver’s eye trajectory with its built-in cameras and offers a vivid 3D screen that can be seen from every angle, without the need for special glasses
- Head-Up Display (HUD) – adjustable not only in height, but what/how much info you want presented
- Driver’s seat – 16-way power-adjustable with adjustable side bolsters, cushion extension and 4-way lumbar adjustment
- 12-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat with 4-way lumbar adjustment
- Heated Front and Rear Seats, Ventilated Front Seats
- 3-person memory for the driver’s seat includes the steering wheel and outside mirrors
- Heated, Power tilt-and-telescopic adjustment steering wheel
- Wide-view 10.25-inch infotainment system (OTA updates) with touch-screen navigation system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB (x3), Bluetooth hands-free phone system and audio streaming and Wireless charging pad (Qi standard) and Genesis CarPay
- Voice-recognition car control – allows the driver to control the air conditioner, window, sunroof, and trunk lid using voice commands
- Built-In Cam – allows you to check the vehicle’s surroundings and status remotely through a smartphone app even when away from vehicle
- Lexicon 15-Speaker System w/Quantum Logic Surround technology is crystal clear and there’s plenty of bass from the subwoofers located under the front seats
- Getting in and out of the rear seat was easy enough for someone of my stature (5’7”), but I’m not so sure 6-footers would be happy
- Once seated I had plenty of knee and legroom, but my size eights had a bit of a time getting under the front seat
- Hip, shoulder and headroom were perfectly acceptable – it’s definitely a 2-seater back there
So How Quick Is It & How Does It Handle?
- The twin-turbo V6 a joy to listen to and the torque comes on nice and low – 1,300 rpm, so the oomph is virtually instant
- Transmission shifts are fast and seamless
- Variable Exhaust Tips – Depending on the drive mode selected (Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+, Custom), the exhaust sound varies according to the accelerator pedal
- I thought I liked the G70, but then I went into the menu, used the Sport mode and also tweaked the settings and saved them in the Custom setting… then I fell madly in LOVE with the car! It is PHENOMENAL. You can make numerous adjustments to the acceleration and suspension so that it responds the way YOU want it to – it’s not a gimmick, it actually changes the dynamics of the car
- In Sport mode the steering and throttle are dialed in and it feels like you have to restrain it from taking off – it just wants to go! Braking for lights/stop signs and the throttle blips and downshifts
- In Eco mode, the G70 is still fun to drive, but you can tell everything has been dialled back and runs somewhat leisurely
- The G70 comes with summer tires, so you’ll have to get some winters ($2,500 for tires and rims from Genesis) – and that’s NOT a bad thing because the grip from the summer tires is far superior to any all-season tires
- Braking is superb – thanks to the Bembro braking system
Horsepower: 365 @ 6,000 rpm (Premium fuel)
Torque: 376 lb-ft @ 1,300-4,500 rpm (Premium fuel)
Top Speed: 269 km/h (167 mph)
0-60 mph (sec): 4.5
What Does It Cost? For up-to-date pricing and options visit: Genesis.ca or G70 Website
To Buy…
Base G70 Price (2.0L): $45,000
3.3T SPORT AWD – $59,000
As Tested: $59,000
To Operate…
Warranty:
- 5 years / 100,000 km – Comprehensive Limited Warranty
- 5 Years / Unlimited km – Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance / At Home Valet with Courtesy Vehicle Service / Complimentary Multimedia & Navigation Map Updates
- 24/7 Enhanced Roadside Assistance: 5 years /Unlimited km
The Competition
Audi S4, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti Q50, Jaguar XE/XF, Kia Stinger GT, Lexus IS 350 F Sport, M-B C-Class
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
- The Good: Great looks, luxurious and sporty… and a blast to drive!
- The Bad: I had to give the car back
- The Ugly: Zero
What’s The Verdict?
The G70 can be summed up in one word: Phenomenal. It’s extremely rare that we can drive a vehicle and not find something that drives us nuts or doesn’t make sense – This is one of those rare vehicles. When you can go into the settings and make all the adjustments to the infotainment, suspension, display and drive modes without having to guess where they might be located in the myriad of menus…and do it all in less than 5 minutes – THIS is how a vehicle should be designed!
Seriously, this is a very impressive sports sedan that is truly worth the price of entry. If you think you can’t quite get to $59k, then there’s the 2.0L turbo (available with a manual!) for a lot less money – and less fun obviously, but LOOK at it! Either way you get a beautiful car with nothing more to pay for other than your lease/bank payments for 5 years. You also get a car that is somewhat rare – how many BMW/Audi’s do you see every day? Plenty. How many G70’s? I’ve seen 3 or 4 in the past year.
Copyright © 2021 by Iain Shankland. All rights reserved.
Text: Iain Shankland / Images: Iain Shankland
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