Genesis G70 2020 Long-term Test #1

Perhaps the biggest compliment given to the new Genesis G70 isn’t the street comparison with the German executive triumvirate, but cars much higher in the food chain.

It might line up as a BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Audi A4 rival on paper, but in the opening weeks of driving carsales’ latest long-termer, comparisons have centred more around Bentley or Aston Martin models.

Whether re-fuelling at the bowser, filling its petit boot with groceries or driving to the gym, the G70 garners quite a bit of attention on the road. Associations with Bentley can be forgiven, since the two marques share a wing-inspired motif.

Surely, that comes to clean cut lines, and a beguiling, low-slung profile.

The G70 looks great in the metal. But at $80k in top-spec, twin-turbo V6 form like that driven here, its price bears a stark contrast with any Aston Martin.

Better still, it’s probably more exclusive too. Six months after the Genesis’ Australian launch, only 59 G70s have been sold according to VFACTs data.

That figure doesn’t do the Genesis G70 justice, because in most respects, this is a cracking example of a sports sedan.

The Genesis G70 is offered in six trim levels in Australia and two engine variants, 2.0T and 3.3T. Every example shuffles drive to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic.

Pricing starts at $59,300 (plus on-road costs), topping out at $79,950 (plus ORCs) for the G70 3.3T Ultimate Sport driven here.

Entry 2.0T variants are powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder developing 180kW/353Nm, while 3.3T models get a 272kW/510Nm 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6.

For avoidance of doubt, the G70 shares its origins with the Kia Stinger, including its platform and drivetrains. Overall, the G70 is 145mm shorter and more compact in every other key dimension including wheelbase.

Officially, the G70 Ultimate Sport tips the scales at 1762kg, while 0-100km/h acceleration is rated at 4.7sec in twin-turbo V6 form.

And, just like the Stinger, the G70 is the recipient of its own Australian tuning program, which includes suspension and steering settings derived from extensive testing on local roads. All Genesis G70 models employ MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension.

Standard equipment on the flagship Ultimate Sport is quite commendable: 19-inch alloy wheels with dark grey finish, dark chrome exterior trim, an 8.0-inch touchscreen navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Nappa-appointed leather, heated and ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats, a 15-speaker sound system and a wireless smartphone charging pad.

The 3.3-litre bent-six is allied to some worthwhile performance componentry too, in the form of a limited-slip differential, Michelin Pilot Sport4 rubber, Brembo front brakes and adaptive dampers.

Safety is likewise well sorted with seven airbags, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision assist (autonomous emergency braking or AEB) with pedestrian detection and lane-change oncoming function, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, reversing camera, 360-degree camera and tyre pressure monitoring.

Each Genesis G70 is offered with the marque’s connected services app, which enables smartphone-activated functions such as remote engine start, scheduling services, location data for accidents and breakdowns, and key driving data.

Genesis raises the stakes in aftersales provisions, too. A five-year warranty, five-year roadside assist and five-year inclusive servicing is packaged into the new vehicle price.

If you live within 70km of your local Genesis ‘studio’ (read: dealership), the manufacturer will arrange pick-up and delivery for your G70 and also supply a courtesy vehicle during the transaction.

The caveat here is that there is currently one solitary studio in Australia, in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall.

We’ll get to the finer points of the G70’s cabin, technology, long-range amenity and more in our upcoming long-term updates, but as a first impression, it rates well.

There’s something refreshing about a relatively big-engined vehicle as a daily. Response is effortless at all speeds, the engine casually segues through its ratios and feels under stressed at highway speeds. The whole experience is all very… easy.

Initial fuel use has been quite encouraging for a bent-six too. We’ve averaged 8.9L/100km over the first 1800km, though plenty of highway mileage has no doubt brought about that figure, which is below the 10.2L/100km claim.

Playing some part is the Eco setting within the G70’s different driving modes. It naturally dulls throttle response, pushes for higher ratios and incorporates a ‘Coasting’ function which seemingly uncouples engine and transmission during descents or coasting.

Of course, there’s an angry side to the G70. Switch the dial to Sport and there’s more immediacy and quite a bit more urge from the V6, which has no qualms in lighting up its rear tyres under harder acceleration. Better yet, it communicates this fluently to the driver’s hands and feet to cultivate confidence.

Dynamically, the G70 feels right on the money. It steers positively, corners sharply for a circa 1750kg sports sedan, changes direction confidently, yet handles bumps with aplomb. There’s a sporty premise to the ride, handling and controls, but as a daily, its stands up nicely as an alternative to European rivals including the fang-dangled and Carsales Car of the Year-winning 3 Series.

The ride foregoes sharpness for a controlled and athletic character, with all but the harshest bumps reflected through the cabin without fanfare. Road noise is adequately suppressed too, though not to the level of the new 3 Series.

Elsewhere, the G70’s rear-drive virtues bubble to the surface during headier driving, the rear Michelins breaking traction in a control but encouraging fashion. It’s an engaging machine at speed, let down only by a transmission without a dedicated manual mode.

Space is the biggest downfall. Stumpier proportions than the Stinger equal less rear leg space and a cramped boot area, accessed via a small aperture. Being Christmas time, there have been several instances already where we’ve had to pop boxes on the rear seat because they won’t squeeze through the tiny boot opening.

Stay tuned in the coming week as we take a closer look at Genesis’ pioneering sports sedan.

carsales.com.au aims to make your choice of vehicle easier. Our Editorial section does this via our mix of news, international and local launch reviews, as well as our seven-day tests.

From time to time we also take the opportunity to spend even longer with a vehicle. These longer-term tests can be as short as a couple of weeks, but more recently we’ve settled on a three-month period as indicative of ‘normal’ ownership.

Long-term tests give our staff writers and contributors a chance to get to know a car as an owner would. While the car is with us, we pay for fuel, the servicing, and generally use and live with the car as a new owner would.

We believe long-term tests give car buyers a deeper insight into the vehicle on test, but also the qualities behind the brand and nameplate. The extended period also allows us to touch base with the dealer networks in question.

It comes as no surprise that manufacturers tend to have a love-hate relationship with long-term tests. Three months is plenty long enough to fall out of love with the latest and greatest, and start to nit-pick — just like real owners do.

How much does the 2020 Genesis G70 Ultimate Sport cost?
Price: $79,950 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.3-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo-petrol
Output: 272kW/510Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 10.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 238g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2018)