Steve Says The Genesis G70 Is For The “Driver” And Not The Novice

Many still don’t know the Genesis brand despite the fact that they’ve been selling 2 different nameplates for a couple of years now – both top notch luxury sedans, one of which comes in a delectable Sport trim. But this car is the one designed for you drivers out there – it’s their sportiest and most affordable – the all-new G70.

The Genesis brand launched late in 2016 and it’s still learning to fly, having left the Hyundai nest for its own retail space but in limited numbers. The nearest dealership to me is over 45 miles away.  And in an SUV world they don’t offer a single one.  In recent years, luxury automakers measured their coolness by their compact sports sedans.  That’s no longer the case but having a car that starts at under $40,000 is important and the G70 could be the car that gets the metal moving.  Why?  Because it’s rear-wheel drive, still offers a stick and most of all, has an exclusive allure that has captured the attention of car enthusiasts.

Just like its corporate counterpart, the Kia Stinger, the G70 comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbo. All-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual are available but mutually exclusive.  But the power play is with this car here; the G70 RWD with the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6.  It’s a powerhouse with an elegant interior and a chassis tuned for friskiness.  365 horsepower, 376 pound-feet of torque, an 8-speed auto and a 0-to-60mph time of 4.5 seconds only tells half of the story.  This car is low, lightweight and lithesome.  It’s what you would call dialed in but with the magic of drive modes it can also be an eco-minded small car replete with comfort and convenience.  Gas mileage is rated at 21mpg on premium.  What it doesn’t have is much room.  Rear seats are pretty tight even with the deeply positioned bottoms and foot room can be non-existent.  It’s also tricky getting in and out.  So the G70 is for you and your passenger to enjoy, much like going on a roller coaster with your friend, this car loves to spin its rear tires as you take it through the twists and turns.

I have not watched or read one review of this car but I’ve seen the headlines: the G70 is not the Kia Stinger, 2 totally different cars. Well, that’s a bunch of crap. It’s OK but it’s completely misleading. Sure they are nuanced differences but this car drives very much like the Stinger GT I tested. Lots of turbo boost that comes on quickly that frequently overwhelms the rear tires for lots of tail wagging time. And for drivers who fancy themselves as decent or above that can be really fun. But if you’re not comfortable with how to steer when the back of the car is going sideways the G70 will scare the crap out of a novice driver.