VU4pHSg1 2024 Genesis G70 Sport Luxury Sedan 2
2024 Genesis G70 Sport Luxury Sedan 2

Genesis G70: You can leave the Benz behind

2024 Genesis G70 Sport Luxury Sedan 9

What is it?

Genesis, the opening chapter of the Old Testament, and the titular luxury arm of Hyundai, share a couple of questions: where do they come from and who are they meant for?

Answers were given to me by a local Genesis high-up when the South Korean automobile maker set up shop Down Under.

He told of an owner of a top-shelf Mercedes-Benz, who did not want his pride and joy to face the day-to-day risks of city and suburban driving, so he settled for a top-notch Genesis for half the price, saving the Benz for ‘special occasions’.

If the new Genesis G70 is anything to go by, it was a shrewd investment.

While the Sports Luxury Sedan is not the flagship of the fleet – that is left to the bigger and more expensive G80 – the mid-size sibling is replete with hi-tech and sophisticated ‘home comforts’.

2024 Genesis G70 Sport Luxury Sedan 1

What’s it cost?

The MY24 upgrade consists of two variants, a Sports Luxury Sedan and a Shooting brake (station wagon) debuting Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Genesis Connecte4d Services and over-the-air software updates.

Ride and handling also make use of new-generation Electronic Control Suspension.

The Shooting Brake is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine; the Sports Luxury Sedan by a 3.3-litre V6 turbo.

Both are mated with an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission feeding the rear wheels.

The Shooting Brake comes to market from $81,000, plus on-road costs, the Sports Luxury Sedan from $88,000.

Matte paint adds $2000.

On test was the latter, no less.

The Genesis G70 Sports Luxury Sedan has head-turning looks to match its performance, with traditional sports sedan styling getting together with the latest technology.

Upgrades include new badges, new wheel design and additional exterior colours.

First and foremost up front the new emblem features what is described as a “guilloche” pattern, roughly translated, a type of repetitive decoration symbolising eternity in ancient Assyrian architecture. Strewth!

Newly designed 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, shod with Michelin pilot Sport 4 tyres, are the perfect foil for a red Brembo brake package.

The updated look is topped off by a selection of 13 colours, including three matte finishes, and new gloss finishes — Vatna Gray and Kawah Blue.

There are three separate screens to keep an eye on: one central infotainment screen mounted on top of the dashboard, which runs the car’s smartphone mirroring, voice recognition, satellite navigation, digital radio and driver settings.

A touchscreen, plus separate buttons and switches, controls climate air-con, while a digital driver display is situated behind the steering wheel.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired, not wireless as in many of the G70’s European rivals.

There are two USB points for rear passengers, while all can take advantage of DAB+ digital radio through a 15-speaker Lexicon premium audio system.

The genesis G70 Sports Luxury Sedan scored a five-star ANCAP rating from 2018 testing.

With 10 airbags scattered around the cabin, there is a long list of active safety features.

These include autonomous emergency braking with cyclist/pedestrian awareness and junction turning function, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, lane assistance, road sign recognition, driver attention warning, rear cross-traffic alert and a 360-degree camera.

All G70s come with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with private usage, complimentary servicing for the first five years or 50,000km, roadside assist (10 years if serviced by Genesis) and concierge and courtesy vehicle service for five years.

2024 Genesis G70 Sport Luxury Sedan 5

What’s it go like?

Refinements stamp the cabin with a true sports luxury character.

For example, Nappa leather seats in Fog Grey — heated and ventilated up front, heated in the rear — and leather 16-way adjustable driver’s seat and door trim and console are joined by a heated electronic tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel. Not forgetting sports-style alloy pedals.

Rear seat legroom can be at a premium depending on the size of the person(s) in front.

Head and shoulder space are very much at the mercy of the occupants’ build.

Boot volume is a dark, cave-like 330 litres with seat backs up.

A temporary spare wheel fits under the floor.

The Sports Luxury Sedan is powered by a 3.3-litre V6 turbocharged petrol engine mated with an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.

Premium unleaded (95 RON) has it stumping up 247kW at 6000 rpm and 510Nm from 1300 to 4500 rpm.

The low stance of the car and major seat bolstering present a skinny slot for getting in and out of the front seats.

However, the driver can soon settle in thanks to a 16-way adjustable seat with memory function.

Start-up is accompanied by the characteristic V6 engine note, which is reassuring in these days of electric vehicle stealth.

Combined fuel consumption claimed by maker, 10.4L/100km, translated on test to 13.8L in built-up area crawling and 6.8L on a motorway cruise.

The sedan’s ride and handling have been refined with the introduction of a new generation Electronic Control Suspension which reduce damping lag, increased damping force, improved control logic and a wider damping force window — both softer and harder.

The G70 Sports Luxury Sedan glided through the city and suburbs in the default comfort mode.

Switching to Sport unleashed a completely different drive.

The suspension stiffened, the ride took on a roguish character and the power pedal reacted sharply to the tiniest touch.

It was as if the car was urging the driver to ‘give it a go’ — I left Sport+ mode to another time and place.

Back in the built-up environment, the Intelligent Speed Limit Assist tells the driver of the current speed limit based on navigation data and road sign recognition.

In addition, the system is able to help the driver to change speed during Smart Cruise Control or Manual Speed Limit Assist.

The blind-spot camera that appears in the driver display every time the indicators are activated are a distraction I could take or leave, while the over-intrusive beeping and flashing of the speed sign recognition gear is almost as annoying.

However, the head-up display with a digital speedometer, live traffic sign recognition, and turn-by-turn navigation assistance gets my vote every time.

In the unlikely case of the addition of a tow ball, the G70 Sports Luxury Sedan can tow up to 1200kg braked, or 750kg unbraked.

2024 Genesis G70 Sport Luxury Sedan 4

What we like?

  • Impressive
  • shrewd investment
  • replete with hi-tech and sophisticated ‘home comforts’

2024 Genesis G70 Sport Luxury Sedan 8

What we don’t like?

  • Tricky to get in and out
  • Blind-spot camera a distraction
  • Over-intrusive speed sign recognition annoying
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired

2024 Genesis G70 Sport Luxury Sedan 6

The bottom line?

The Genesis G70 Sports Luxury Sedan really does stand out from the pack, even in its limited upgrade state.

The next model will need something highly impressive to match the present set-up.

2024 Genesis G70 Sport Luxury Sedan 3

 

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CHECKOUT: Genesis GV60: It’s a print!

 

Genesis G70 Sports Luxury Sedan, priced from from $88,000
  • Looks - 9/10
    9/10
  • Performance - 8/10
    8/10
  • Safety - 6/10
    6/10
  • Thirst - 7/10
    7/10
  • Practicality - 7/10
    7/10
  • Comfort - 5/10
    5/10
  • Tech - 7/10
    7/10
  • Value - 8/10
    8/10
Overall
7.1/10
7.1/10

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