I finally drove a Genesis G70. It was fantastic.

"LJ909" (lj909) 05/29/2019 at 11:18 • Filed to: Genesis, Genesis G70

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First off, I’d like to give props to my local Hyundai/Genesis dealer for the fantastic service. I’m not just saying this either. Every single time I go this place it is wonderful. I was even more elated to find out that the dealership was Black owned. While this may not be a big deal to some, that’s a big deal to me since there aren’t many Black owned dealerships. At least not here that I know of. So if you’re ever in the area, check out Moreno Valley Hyundai/Genesis.

Its good to see that dealers are finally getting inventory for the G70. They have about 15 on the lot. I took my Sonata in for its oil change the other day and I noticed them immediately upon driving in. Well my mom did, who was with me. As I was talking to the service adviser, she made a bee line for a loaded Black 3.3T with the performance package that was sitting right in front of the dealer. It was gorgeous and she was sold. I started telling her about the car when one of the Genesis product specialist came over and started talking to us about it and how exited everyone was about the car. She started telling him her affinity for BMW but how she had started to notice how Genesis was on the up and up. While they talked, I made my way inside to see if there were any Genesis product books I could look over.

Thankfully, they finally got product books in to look over. For the full line too. I grabbed one for the G70, G80 and G90. They also had a small one for the G70 special editions that goes over the Red G70 Dynamic Edition and the Green G70 Design edition.

Parked right behind the bookshelf with all the brochures was a beautiful white G70 2.0T Sport with a manual. The only one on the lot. Sticker on it was just over $39k. Sadly I wondered how long it would sit before someone comes and buys it.

As I made my way back outside to my mom talking to the product specialist, somehow she had found and was talking to the owner of the dealership, Mr.Brown. He was extremely nice and personable and apparently she had run down everything about me to him. My affinity for cars since I was a kid, me writing about them, my current car etc. After introductions, he turns to me and says “Your mother was just telling us about how interested you were in the G70. If I could get you in one for the same payment, would you be interested?” I almost said duh, but I didn’t want sound like a teenager. So while my mom talked to the owner some more, me and the product specialist went onto the lot to find one for me.

What color would you want?” He asks me as we walk towards a row of about 8 G70’s. Black. I love Black I reply. I noted that if I were to be getting one it would be the 2.0T. Of course the 3.3 would be ideal but I like the 2 for a few reasons: fuel economy, and price (especially compared to the competition. More on that later). So I settled on a Black 2.0T Advanced trim that stickers for $36,095.

Upon getting in the G70, you’ll be impressed with how quality everything looks and feels. From the stitching on the dash, to the armrest, to the seats, everything looked and felt good. The standard features list is impressive. 8 speed auto, LED DRL’s, power drivers seat, Android Auto/Apple car play, smart trunk with hands free opening, Sat radio controlled thorough a standard 7 inch touch screen. That’s just a few. What’s even more impressive is how many driver aids are standard: forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, driver attention warning, blind spot collision warning, rear camera and lane keep assist are standard. On all trims. That’s crazy to me.

I also love how even the lower trims come standard with paddle shifters. There are some nits to pick with the interior however. Rear seat leg room is tight, but given its proportions and it being a sport sedan, its to be expected. Also some interior pieces and buttons, while look quality, can be cheap and are shared with other models. I noticed a few buttons in the interior that were pretty much lifted straight out out of my Sonata and a few other models. Also the UI, while it works and is familiar, is the same one you’ll find in my Sonata or an Elantra or any other Hyundai model. The gear selector is weird too. It doesnt actually physically move through PRNDL. It only moves forward and backwards. So you have to tap it twice to get it into drive. Park involves pushing it into R and then pressing a separate button marked with P for park that sits alongside the shifter. It all came across as unnecessary.

One of the first things I noticed before driving was the drive mods the G70 has. My car only has 3: Comfort, which is a balance of the other 2, eco, which can be described as holding the car back for maximum fuel economy and can be a little annoying, and sport, which actually does change throttle response and makes the car a little more peppy. The G70 has 5: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart and Custom modes. They change everything from stability control and how much boost the steering has, to how the trans shifts. Its also a nice touch with how the instrument cluster changes color with each mode. 3.3T models get the availability of changing the suspension dampening as well.

Let me say this now, Genesis engineers did their homework on how a sport sedan should drive. The steering is quick and direct. This thing could handle its own in the twisties. The 2.0T is plenty quick for the car and sounds good. With 252 horses, it can hold its on in those stop light races and on those freeway on ramps. 0-60 seems like its about 6.2 seconds. Sport mode is actually sport mode, with the trans holding shifts at the proper time as well. And those paddle shifters actually work. The engine is also equipped with a start/stop system that can be fully turned off thank god. My only gripe with the performance though is that the engine is laggy. Laggy to the point that from a stand still, when you push on the gas to get going, its a few hundred RPM’s before the car actually starts moving. Other than that, I could easily drive this thing. I took the car over some terrible roads and the ride was still smooth which, given the handling of it, is surprising.

I came away impressed. Both me and my mom said that a G70 would be our next cars, though it would be mine before hers. Shes set on a 3.3T model I would be fine with the 2.0T The car is fantastic for the money. You’d have to be a real badge whore to not see the thousands that you would be saving over a comparable 3 Series, A4, IS, etc. So hopefully soon, a G70 will be in my driveway.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > LJ909 05/29/2019 at 11:54

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They really are wonderful little cars.

LJ909 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 05/29/2019 at 11:59

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BMW and Mercedes should be on notice.

MUSASHI66 > LJ909 05/29/2019 at 11:59

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“What’s even more impressive is how many driver aids are standard: forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, driver attention warning, blind spot collision warning, rear camera and lane keep assist are standard. On all trims. That’s crazy to me.”

I think the 2.0T RWD manual would be a nice adult upgrade from my WRX, but all of the “driver aids” - unless they can be easily turned off for good - would make me change my mind. 

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > LJ909 05/29/2019 at 12:03

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Nice review. I prefer the 3.3t any day after driving the Stinger. This was in my list until I explored it at the NY auto show this year. Love how it looks inside and out but it’s simply too cramped in the back and not too spacious in the front, and I want a bigger sedan. Reminded me of the ATS’s size especially with that tiny trunk .

The G80 and G90 especially are fantastic value for money used and loaded with features. Waiting for their prices to drop below $30K when I am ready for my next car in a few years.

LJ909 > MUSASHI66 05/29/2019 at 12:07

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It would be. I think you can get AWD on the 2.0. I could be wrong though.

I know for sure you can turn off the blind spot system. But im not sure about the others. They aren’ t intrusive enough though to be annoying. Only if you put yourself in those situations.

LJ909 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 05/29/2019 at 12:13

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Yea it is small but I think its a compromise I could live with . Its a drawback with both I think. The Stinger seems to big and heavy for the base 2.0T, but you get the room of a bigger sedan. But it might also be slower due to the engine size.

The G80 and G90 are fantastic . Especially the G90. With the next gen G80 coming through prices should drop soon.

MUSASHI66 > LJ909 05/29/2019 at 12:23

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I drove a loaner Outback with EyeSight and it was the most annoying thing ever. My dad has radar cruise control, collision warning, and lane assist on his 2018 Tundra and they can all be turned off thankfully.

I am never buying a car with any of that shit if I can avoid it. It just makes you  less attentive.

LJ909 > MUSASHI66 05/29/2019 at 12:29

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You can get almost dangerously dependent on it. Which is the downside of the tech. But going forward the only way I think one could avoid them is going used.

MUSASHI66 > LJ909 05/29/2019 at 12:36

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Or place tape over sensors :D

CompactLuxuryFan > LJ909 05/29/2019 at 12:59

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Well, the 330i just came in dead last against a G70 and a Model 3 in a Motor Trend comparison: https://www.motortrend.com/video-short-shifts/bd/0_h4frgu24

(Couldn’t find the actual article, but it goes pretty much as you’d expect)

Unfortunately, the G70 doesn’t stand a chance with the puny dealer network it’s attached to.

LJ909 > CompactLuxuryFan 05/29/2019 at 13:05

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I found the article. Had it not been for their affinity for Tesla, it would have won the comparison . They closed the G70 review with this: Through no fault of its own, the G70 represents the pinnacle of a segment … just as that segment is poised to charge in a completely new and uncharted direction.  

Textured Soy Protein > LJ909 05/29/2019 at 13:14

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I’d take the Stinger all day every day over the G70 . I can’t get myself to like the styling of the G70. Most of the G70 is fine in a generic way but I hate the side vents and front end styling. The vents are way too big and their shape makes no sense. T he shape of the grille doesn’t flow with the lines of the front of the car at all, and looks heinous with a front plate.

Luxury sedan makers need to set a baseline of making their cars look at least as halfway decent as a pre-Superman grille Acura TLX, and improve from there.

LJ909 > Textured Soy Protein 05/29/2019 at 13:25

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Its better looking in person than in pics. I think it looks athletic. Those side vents though are as unnecessary and pointless as Buick’s Ventiports. They stick out more than anything. I also dont like that it shares its LED lower DRL’s with the Sonata. They are literally the same ones.

Arrivederci > LJ909 05/29/2019 at 13:33

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“Your mother was just telling us about how interested you were in the G70. If I could get you in one for the same payment, would you be interested?”

Given your work history, I know you’re smarter than shopping payments.

Glad you enjoyed it!  I may have to head over to our dealer to actually set my eyes on one since I haven’t seen one in the flesh yet.

LJ909 > Arrivederci 05/29/2019 at 14:09

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Oh yea of course. He was just friendly and I indulged him. If I had gone for the car though, the shopping experience was hassle free as hell. It was more like we were having a conversation that happened to be about cars. It really was one of the best car buying experiences I have ever had.

CompactLuxuryFan > LJ909 05/29/2019 at 14:18

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Well, they do kinda have a point. The non-Performance 3 can already smoke an M340i! It’s also (along with the X3) slaughtering it in sales. BMW needs to get with the program and cut their ridiculous pricing asap

Textured Soy Protein > LJ909 05/29/2019 at 14:37

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SOO MUCH DERRRRRP

It’s like Hyundai took the Alfa Ro meo Giulia and said, “let’s make the front look like that but make the grille 3 times wider!”

LJ909 > Textured Soy Protein 05/29/2019 at 15:34

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Damn. You’re right.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Textured Soy Protein 05/29/2019 at 16:51

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The stinger also has more cargo and rear seat room given the liftback design vs the tradition trunk that the G70 has

Jordan > LJ909 05/29/2019 at 17:47

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The G70 is everything the new 3 Series should have been: A drivers car, with the availability of a manual transmission, with no dumb gimmicks, and a high quality interior.

LJ909 > Jordan 05/29/2019 at 18:39

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This is why, despite everyone buying crossovers, BMW should be on notice. This is outdoing the 3 Series. Combine that with the standard features not to mention killer warranty.

Chariotoflove > Textured Soy Protein 05/30/2019 at 00:29

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That pic that makes you say “derp” makes me say, “hnnnnnggg”.

Chariotoflove > LJ909 05/30/2019 at 00:30

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The electronic gear selector is funny to get used to for about a day or two.  Then, it becomes second nature.

ihm96 > LJ909 05/30/2019 at 09:34

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I feel like the Stinger has odd looking proportions, almost like an A6. That plus no manual makes it a no brainer for me

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > ihm96 05/30/2019 at 13:12

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I’m baffled that they thought giving the G70 a manual and not the Stinger was a good idea.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > LJ909 08/15/2019 at 00:10

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The G70 is the only Genesis I haven’t had a go in yet, but I want to. I need to see how the driving characteristics compare to the Giulia, which is the king of this segment imo.

OmerCarrothers333 > LJ909 08/15/2019 at 00:11

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I’m sure there’s got to be someone out there that can dyno-tune the G70 turbo. Good luck getting one!

LJ909 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 08/15/2019 at 01:09

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Honestly, better money is spent with the G70. Between the relibility and the warranty, it can’t be beat. A knock agasint the Giulia for me is how big the performance spread is. There isn’t an engine been the base and QF and it's either you spend attainable money for the less powerful engine, or go nearly 6 figures. 

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > LJ909 08/15/2019 at 08:26

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I actually just drove one last week too and my comments are pretty much spot on with yours. The only things I was disappointed with is how small the trunk is and the rear legroom felt smaller than my Matrix, which pretty much rules it out instantly...I need something a baby seat can fit in without the people in front having their knees in the dash.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/what-does-these-vehicles-have-in-common-1837145431