If we take a look at the past, Genesis has been mostly leaned against the luxury side of the automotive market rather than the sportier crowd. There’s no denying: Genesis has a knack for build quality and technologically packing its cars. Surprisingly though, its smallest sedan happens to be the most fun to drive in the entire lineup.
The G70 is Genesis’ smallest sedan, doubling as a base for the GV70 compact crossover that also got high review scores upon launch. The G70 first came on the scene in 2019 and for 2022, the small sedan gets a facelift: redrawn bumpers and a new front grille, retouched headlights and taillights.
AWD Is Cool, But Then There’s RWD...
The base G70 comes with a 2-liter inline four turbocharged unit that spits 252hp. However, you definitely want to go for the 3.3-liter V6. At 365hp and 375lb-ft of torque, the 6 cylinder makes the G70 feel like a totally different car, in a league of its own. Power reaches the wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox with torque converter, built in-house.
Here’s where the fun part begins. The 2022 Genesis G70 comes with rear wheel drive as standard. All wheel drive is available optionally, but few are actually giving up the thrill of spinning just the rear wheels.
The interior speaks volumes for the luxury segment. The 2022 Genesis G70 brings leather as standard. For those looking to go the extra mile, white Nappa leather paired with white interior trims is available as an option. Infotainment wise, the 10.3-inch pop-up display brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
A Refreshing V6
The all-wheel drive system will add some weight but get the car better planted on the road. Regardless, a true gearhead will still go for the rear wheel drive. It will prove to be well-mannered and quite the gentleman in day-to-day traffic. However, once you escape for the canyon roads, switch to Sport mode and let the V6 roar increasingly harder and louder as you approach the redline.
The 8-speed automatic holds gears predictably well and shifts and lightning-fast. Seats hug your sides well when pushing into the corner apex. Sport+ will turn off traction control. After a few close calls with the ravines you might want to turn it back on, but it seems like the rear end won’t run away any more than a BMW 3-series.
Practicality isn’t necessarily the strong point of the G70, as the trunk cannot fit a lot in its 10.5 cu-ft volume. Legroom is a bit on the tight side for rear seats – this is however expected from a small-sized sedan. The V6 engine is good for a 17/25 mpg (city/highway) mileage. Real life testing proved the EPA numbers were fairly accurate and thus the G70 isn’t that much of a gas guzzler.
Conclusion: Premium Quality, Plenty Of Fun
The 2022 Genesis G70 sedan looks and feels different from your average premium car. It turns heads and gets you comfortable in a well cushioned seats complimented by premium interior elements. The V6 unit works wonders with the rear-wheel drive system, especially in Sport Mode, letting the sedan fight the tarmac. One wouldn’t be surprised if BMW Series 3 fans would consider the G70 for having an edge over the German automaker, regardless of the fact that they need to dig deeper into pockets to acquire one.
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