Know that the Genesis G70 is a sports sedan, thanks to its four-door styling and typical sedan look (rather than the slouchy aesthetic of a sports car). In that respect, the G70 is a car worthy of “sport” status, especially in this model with improvements like the 2.5-liter turbo engine and Brembo high-performance brakes. With 300 horsepower, it’s easy to see why the smallest sedan in the Genesis family punches above its weight class and has earned a sports sedan reputation.
The exterior is somewhat conservative, with a mesh grille dominating the front end. While the tall profile doesn’t qualify as a sports car, its stance adds to the G70’s overall appeal as a smartly designed, timeless sports sedan. The look has held up from model year to model year and still boasts elegance and refinement.
The rear is the sedan’s sportiest side, with dual exhaust tips, sexy taillights and a subtle spoiler.
From a performance standpoint, Genesis has added a second turbocharged engine option to the lineup. There was already a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine, but the 2024 model gets a new turbocharged inline-four. This engine produces 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This is what was in my test car. I found this engine plenty powerful and good to launch from. This 2.5-liter is an upgrade over the 2.0-liter offered in the previous model.
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, but all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional. I think RWD is a better choice for this type of car, but the car I test drove came with AWD. The eight-speed automatic performs well with the turbo, especially on upshifts.
Where Genesis stands above other luxury brands is in interior quality. New for this model year, the touch-sensitive climate control display and improved infotainment system take it even further. The frameless rearview mirror is a small but elegant update.
The back seat is adequate for a small sedan, with 34.8 inches of rear legroom and 54.6 inches of shoulder room, making the G70 comfortable for a five-passenger sedan, although the large back seat means trunk space is only 10.5 cubic feet.
The AWD G70 is EPA rated at 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
My test drive was a 2.5T with AWD, so the MSRP was $43,600, a reasonable price for a luxury brand with such an engine.
Small but powerful. More powerful than cars in its class. Whatever the metaphor, the 2024 Genesis G70 shows that the Korean luxury brand is on a roll, continuing to churn out high-quality, powerful yet refined vehicles. The G70 is just the latest example of just that.
Jimmy Dinsmore is a freelance automotive journalist. His email address is jimmydinsmore73@gmail.comFollow @driversside on Twitter.
2024 Genesis G70 2.5T AWD
Price/Price as Tested……………………………………………..$43,600/$43,600
Fuel economy………………………………21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway
Engine………………………………………….2.5 liter 4-cylinder turbo
Horsepower……………………………..300 hp/311 lbs./ft.
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drive wheels: All-wheel drive
Final assembly location: Ulsan, Korea
