I’m kind of shocked–pleasantly, mind you–that the Genesis G70 still exists. It launched all the way back in 2017 as part of the first wave of stand-alone Genesis product and quickly proved to be a worthy rival to proven sports sedans like the BMW 3 Series. The G70, alongside its Kia Stinger platform mate, quickly racked up accolades from us journo types for giving us the focused, premium driving experience we’ve always craved.

But sedans, as we all know, are a dying breed. Crossovers and SUVs are both more profitable and more popular, so automakers are finding it doesn’t make sense to invest in niche segments like the fast four-door saloon. Kia axed its Stinger in 2023, so when I got word that Genesis was not only keeping the G70, but enhancing it for 2024, well, I had that aforementioned shock that kicked off this whole article.

While I was (and am) a fan of the Kia Stinger, and used my “I’m an auto writer” card to get into one as often as I could, I had yet to sample its fancier Genesis cousin. That finally changed when Genesis handed me the key fob to the 2024 G70 3.3T AWD Sport you see here.

In order to provide you with an honest and unbiased review, I drove the vehicle reviewed in this article on a daily basis throughout the course of daily life for a period of one week. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review
our methodology policy
.

2024 Genesis G70 3.3T AWD First Impressions

I’ve yet to come across a Genesis vehicle that doesn’t impress at first glance. But I guess that comes with the territory when your chaebol parent company throws ungodly amounts of money—and a whole lot of freedom—at the world’s top car designers.

The G70 is one attractive machine, exhibiting a sense of athleticism that, as I’d come to find out, has the mechanicals to back it up. There’s no ignoring its vibrant Kawah Blue paint, and those multi-spoke wheels have the right size and offset for a near-perfect sense of fitment right from the factory. And if I could gush over those wheels for another minute: Genesis is absolutely killing it with their wheel designs, creating rollers that somehow exhibit a design complexity that suggests they were made via 3D printing, yet are restrained enough to feel timelessly tasteful.

While Genesis says that the G70 has received enhancements both inside and out, you’d be hard-pressed to find what exterior cues have changed from 2023 and 2024. The press release mentions that the new front badge gets a luxury watch-inspired Guilloché pattern, but the bisected front headlights, trapezoidal grille and split rear taillights are all business as usual.

Speaking of that last bit, this specific G70 tester arrived at my house with the body-colored adhesive panel that splits those rear lights starting to peel off. I get that having what amounts to a sticky piece of tape makes taillight repair and replacement cheaper for the end user, but I can’t help but feel there’s a better, more robust way to build out these design elements. I’m not going to ding Genesis too much as this specific G70 is a press vehicle, and these vehicles generally live a life of abuse. But this is the first time I’ve had a press vehicle start to lose its exterior trim, and it’s the first one I needed to “fix” with a square of clear packing tape.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Maybe it was that sheer power and speed that caused the taillight trim to peel off. Or maybe I just needed a clever lead-in line to say that the G70 gets new performance goods for 2024. Either way, base-spec G70 models feature a new 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four good for 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 model, which my car has, outputs a respectable 365 ponies and 376 lb-ft of twisting force. An 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and rev matching is standard no matter the powertrain. Also new for all 2024 models is the inclusion of Brembo brakes as standard equipment, for that extra performance bling.

I drive on public roads, not race tracks, so I really don’t care if a car is “technically” faster to 60, will hold a gear long enough for me to grenade the engine, or have a better skidpad number. It’s the feeling of response, the engagement that really drives me. It’s why I prefer the mechanical purity of ‘90s-era sports cars. And it’s why I’m really appreciative when a company can hide the software that controls its newer cars to make it feel “old.” And the Genesis G70 feels old—in that good way.

I’m drawn to the steering, especially the weight and feedback I get upon turn-in, which helps me feel what those front tires are doing. The body itself feels drum-tight, so my steering inputs feel sharper, which in turn make the car’s cornering feel that much quicker. Its chassis is stiff, which will likely turn off true luxury buyers, but I’m fine with trading off some comfort for performance. And it should go without saying that the all-wheel drive system keeps the grip levels high—well high enough for my local mountain roads.

While this chassis can easily handle a lot more power, the boosted powertrain it’s got is certainly no slouch. Between that extra displacement, extra boost and extra forward gears, it all works in harmony to respond quickly to my right foot. Manual gear shifts are fast and smooth enough for most spirited driving needs, and the stock Brembos show why the brand is the most-trusted name in stopping power.

Sure, some track-inspired cars will do the whole launching-turning-and-stopping-thing a lot better than the Genesis, but I doubt people are buying G70s for extensive track-day use. It’s stiffness, though, will certainly give traditional luxury buyers some pause.

Performance Specifications

Genesis G70 3.3T AWD Sport Fuel Economy

Performance-oriented cars like the 3.3-liter G70 aren’t really tuned for efficiency, so buying one of these means buying into the idea that you’ll be on a first-name basis with your local gas station. This G70 AWD 3.3T Sport gets an EPA-estimated fuel rating of 17 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. My own driving showed between 16 and 18 mpg as determined by the onboard computer, but given that my “highway” driving is pretty much stop-and-go traffic, I’ll go ahead and say that Genesis’ numbers are accurate here.

Interior Design And Comfort

As with other cars in this class—namely the compact sports sedan—things are great up front and heavily compromised in the rear. All you need to know about the back seat of the G70 is that it looks great, but is tight on space. But this car isn’t for the back-seat passenger; this car is for you–the one who will be sitting in that driver’s seat.

The cabin of the G70 is a thoughtfully crafted space, loaded with distinct touches that demonstrate
Genesis is a brand that really sweats the details
. So the seats and door cards aren’t just trimmed in leather—they’re trimmed in quilted leather. Red contrast accent stitching wraps its way across every surface, and I can’t find flaw with the overall fit and finish.

Genesis continues to surprise and delight me with those subtle touches that at once seem so simple, but also have me ask why no one has thought of it before. For example, passenger seats get an extra side-mounted set of power-adjustable seat controls that face the driver—which help me move things forward and back to give my kid more legroom in the rear, helping me keep the back of that seat shoe print-free. The G70’s new touchscreen climate control system—which actually isn’t bad as its display is static—also alerts the driver that the HVAC system will enter a drying phase a bit after vehicle shut off, which helps eliminate that musty smell you get no matter how little or often you use a vehicle’s air conditioner.

Things are comfortable up front, with the multi-way power-adjustable seats offering the usual heating and cooling features, plus ample side support. Controls fall easily to hand, and are largely physical and tactile. By nature of this being a low-slung sports sedan, things do feel a bit tight, but not in a way that feels claustrophobic. This is probably just that “cockpit-like” feeling that’s been lost in our ongoing transition to crossover vehicles.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

If you’re the type of driver who values tech over driving, look elsewhere. Between a gauge pod with analog dials and a 10.25-inch touchscreen that primarily controls infotainment features, the Genesis G70 isn’t a high-definition look into a software-defined future. But what’s here works, and even better, stays out of the way so you can just commit to your drive.

While Genesis technically offers some connected services with this vehicle, most of them focus on ways to connect vehicle features with your smartphone, and opting out of those won’t radically change the overall owner experience. Besides, we all know we’re just gonna connect Apple CarPlay or Android Auto anyway. I don’t own an Android, so I can’t comment on that system, but the wired Apple CarPlay connection works as well as usual.

With this being a press car and all, this Genesis gets the 15-speaker, 660W Lexicon premium audio system. It’s made by Harman International, who pretty much makes most car audio systems these days, so sound quality is on par with what you’d find in other premium brands. Which is to say it will make all your compressed streaming audio files sound good.

Cargo And Storage Space

Size-wise, the Genesis G70 is classified as a compact sedan, so don’t expect to haul any big IKEA loads. Trunk space is a reasonable 10.5 cubic feet, which should be plenty for a weekend getaway. And if you’re the sort who likes to overpack, just use that tight back seat as an extra luggage parcel shelf.

2024 Genesis G70 3.3T AWD Vs. Its Competitors

Despite the ever-dwindling amount of compact(-ish) sports sedans still on the market, luxury brands remain committed to keeping this segment alive and kicking. What’s more, other OEMs in this segment offer similarly sized sports sedans that are both V6-powered and all-wheel drive. And two of my favorite cars in this space are the Audi S4 and the Acura TLX Type S.

How The Genesis G70 3.3T AWD Compares To The Audi S4

• 

  2024 Genesis G70 3.3T AWD Sport

  Model

  G70 3.3T AWD Sport

  Segment

  Luxury Cars

  Horsepower

  365 HP

  Torque

  376 LB-FT

  Transmission

  8-Speed Auto

  Engine

  3.3-Liter Turbo V-6

  Driveline

  AWD

  Starting Price (MSRP)

  $52,050

  Expand

• 

  2024 Audi S4

  Model

  S4

  Segment

  Luxury Cars

  Horsepower

  349 HP

  Torque

  369 LB-FT

  Transmission

  8-Speed Auto

  Engine

  3.0liter V-6

  Driveline

  AWD

  Starting Price (MSRP)

  $60,095

  Expand

There are just two brands who are defined by their all-wheel drive offerings, both of whom have honed, perfected and proven their systems through the crucible of rally. But only one of those brands can legitimately play in the luxury space, and that brand (obviously) is Audi.

The S4 is the slightly more intense version of its bread-and-butter A4 sedan, offering a turbocharged 349-horsepower V6 engine, a phenomenal 8-speed Tiptronic transmission and the company’s famed quattro (yes, it’s all lowercase) all-wheel drive system.

Visually, the Audi S4 is a car that flies under the radar, happy to move about town with the quiet confidence earned from its ability to rocket from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. You want attention? Look elsewhere. But if you want to cruise in complete Teutonic comfort, in a car that prioritizes driver comfort above all else, it’s hard to find better.

How The Genesis G70 3.3T AWD Compares To The Acura TLX Type S

• 

  2024 Genesis G70 3.3T AWD Sport

  Model

  G70 3.3T AWD Sport

  Segment

  Luxury Cars

  Horsepower

  365 HP

  Torque

  376 LB-FT

  Transmission

  8-Speed Auto

  Engine

  3.3-Liter Turbo V-6

  Driveline

  AWD

  Starting Price (MSRP)

  $52,050

  Expand

• 

  2024 Acura TLX

  Model

  TLX

  Horsepower

  280 LB-FT @ 1,600 RPM or 355 HP @ 5,500 RPM

  Torque

  272 HP @ 6,500 RPM or 354 LB-FT @ 1,400 RPM

  Transmission

  10-Speed Automatic

  Engine

  Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6

  Driveline

  FWD | RWD

  Starting Price (MSRP)

  $56,797

  Expand

For those of us who grew up on Hondas–or more specifically, tuning Hondas–the Acura TLX Type S is the “grown up” car we’ve always dreamed about. It’s what happens when an OEM takes a humble luxury sedan and throws a bunch of go-fast parts at it. So compared to a standard TLX, the TLX gets a stiffer body, a performance-tuned suspension, a faster-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, and more aggressive exterior styling. Oh yeah, it also gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine tuned to output 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque.

Similar to the Audi, the Acura gets a front-wheel-biased AWD system, dubbed SH-AWD (“Super Handling All Wheel Drive”). But where the Audi brings its speed with smoothness, the way the TLX Type S drives feels similar to the Genesis G70, in that driving inputs are sharper, more immediate, more savage. It’s great at engaging its driver, but like the G70, may be a bit too much for those times you just want to turn off your brain and chill.

Also working against the Acura is its styling, which feels a lot busier than what Audi or Genesis bring to the table. Personally, I love the way the TLX Type S looks from the outside, but can admit that its “volumes-on-volumes” interior design can be a bit much. And the less said about that interior infotainment trackpad, the better. I’d venture to say that overall the Audi and Genesis will age better as time goes on, but as of this moment, it’s the TLX that will continue to command my attention.

Final Thoughts

The Genesis G70 is exactly the car enthusiasts say they want, so of course no one is buying them. This vocal minority of car fans want the speed, the power and the luxury that the V6-powered all-wheel drive G70 offers–but they don’t want to pay (or don’t have) the $52,550 it takes to get into one. So I fear it’s only a matter of time before Genesis pulls a Kia and has the G70 go the way of the Stinger. Why invest in a fun-to-drive sports sedan when that money could be put into the way-more-popular GV70 SUV? But if you’re one of those drivers who not only rallies against an all-SUV future, but also longs to drive something that’s more car than tablet, then the Genesis G70 just might be for you.