Reviews
2026 Genesis G 70
Price
Starting at $88,000 (excl. on road costs)
3 Things We Love
* That 3.3L Twin-Turbo V6 * Rear-Wheel Drive Fun * Bargain of the Century
3 Things We Hate
* That 3D Digital Display Effect * No Proper Manual Mode * Tight Rear Seat Space
Intro
The 2024 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport Luxury arrives as a reminder of a performance sedan formula that has become increasingly rare. Big engine up front, rear-wheel drive, strong luxury credentials, and a price that makes it look tempting against more expensive European alternatives. On the second-hand market, the G70 now sits between $50,000 and $70,000 depending on condition, while new it came in at just over $88,000 before on-road costs. That raises the main question: is it better to buy a two-year-old performance sedan like this, or spend more on a brand-new base-model European sedan? It also asks whether the G70 feels more refined and polished than the Kia Stinger it shares its foundations with.
Exterior
The Genesis G70 has a design that still feels unique in its segment. Up front, it looks sharp, aggressive, and angular, with Genesis’ signature split LED headlight design giving it a clear visual identity. The shadow chrome grille avoids the heavy-handed look of a large slab of chrome, while 19-inch alloy wheels, red Brembo brake calipers, and side vent detailing add to its performance sedan character. Along the side profile, the curvaceous bodywork exposes the large rear tyres and gives the car a more aggressive rear stance without sacrificing elegance. At the rear, the split lighting theme continues through the tail-lights, while the quad exhaust outlets are real rather than fake, which adds to the car’s authenticity. Overall, the G70 feels distinctive, elegant, and sporty in a way that helps it stand apart from more predictable rivals.
Salvatore Gerace
MotorMarvel Journalist
Interior
Inside, the Genesis G70 stands out because it has not been overwhelmed by giant screens and haptic feedback controls. Instead, the cabin feels like it was designed by a human, with a cockpit angled toward the driver and a layout that feels both sporty and elegant. Materials are a major highlight. The dashboard and doors feature soft leather, the cream quilted Nappa leather seats are comfortable and supportive, and the steering wheel feels good in hand. The physical buttons and knobs for climate control make the cabin easier to use than many newer cars, and the overall design still feels premium without feeling overly complicated. Technology includes a 12.3-inch digital driver display, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, a head-up display, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, USB-A and USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket, and a 15-speaker Lexicon sound system. While wired smartphone connectivity feels a little dated, the infotainment system itself is responsive, clear, and crisp. Comfort is strong, with dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, electronic seat adjustment, and an electronically adjustable steering rack. Practicality is decent up front, with cup holders, a glovebox, door bins, and centre console storage, although the second row is snug. Rear passengers get cup holders, USB-C charging, directional air vents, seatback pockets, ISOFIX anchor points, top tether points, and heated outboard seats, but realistically this is best suited to two adults and two children rather than five adults. Boot capacity is 330 litres, with a space-saver spare underneath, extra netted storage, and a 60:40 split-folding second row to increase load space when needed.
Specifications
Engine
3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol
Power
274 kW
Torque
510 Nm
0 - 100 kph
4.7 seconds
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Drive Type
Rear-wheel drive
Fuel Economy (Claimed)
10 L/100 km
Fuel Economy (As Tested)
Around 12 L/100 km
CO2 Emissions (Claimed)
238 g/km
Fuel Tank
60 L
Weight
Just over 1,700 kg
Vehicle Dimensions
Length
4,685 mm
Width
1,850 mm
Height
1,400 mm
Wheelbase
2,835 mm
On the Road
On the road, the Genesis G70 proves itself as a very strong daily sedan. It is comfortable, quiet, easy to park, and not difficult to live with despite its performance focus. In Comfort mode, the adaptive dampers do a good job of soaking up bumps, while the steering remains pleasantly weighted rather than overly light. The 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 is one of the car’s defining features. It delivers strong performance, plenty of overtaking ability, and a raspy induction note that gives the G70 genuine personality. Fuel consumption can dip under 10 L/100 km with sensible driving, although real-world use during testing sat closer to 12 L/100 km. Switch into Sport mode and the G70 reveals its second personality. The bolsters tighten, the car feels more alert, and the rear-wheel-drive layout gives it a playful, charismatic edge. Like the Kia Stinger, it can light up the rear tyres and feels like a bit of a hoon when pushed, but it balances that with luxury and refinement when driven calmly. The main weakness is the 8-speed automatic transmission. Around town it works well, but when driving harder it lacks engagement. There is no dedicated manual mode, and while the paddle shifters allow some control, the car still intervenes, which takes away from the driving experience. Even so, the G70 remains a very well-balanced performance sedan that blends comfort, luxury, and excitement.
Safety Tech
Because the Genesis G70 is part of the Hyundai family, it comes with a long list of safety features, though some can be annoying in day-to-day use. Thankfully, many of these systems can be adjusted or turned off through the steering wheel. Safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane following assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, driver attention monitoring, speed sign recognition, surround-view camera, and front and rear parking sensors. The standout feature is the blind spot view monitor. When indicating, a camera feed appears in the digital driver display to show what is sitting in the blind spot, which is a genuinely clever and useful feature.
Our Verdict
The Genesis G70 makes a very strong case as a used performance sedan. Compared with a brand-new base-model European sedan, it offers far more character, more performance, and more equipment for the money. Its design has aged well, the twin-turbo V6 and rear-wheel-drive layout deliver genuine excitement, and the cabin feels luxurious without being dominated by modern screen overload. It is also comfortable, quiet, and easy to live with day to day, giving it two distinct personalities: refined luxury sedan and playful performance machine. It is not perfect. The rear seat is tight, fuel economy is not especially light, and the 8-speed automatic transmission holds it back from feeling even more engaging. But as an overall package, the G70 feels polished, premium, and more special than the Kia Stinger. For under $70,000 on the used market, it is a phenomenal machine and a compelling alternative to a new entry-level European sedan.
Overall Rating
