Genesis

G70

The Genesis G70 is a slick saloon with plenty of appeal and charm. New to the UK for 2021, the car is easy on the eye and the pocket offering customers a wealth of choice with well-equipped trim levels and a choice of powertrains. Definitely one to watch.

The good

Stylish design, great to drive and competitively priced

The bad

Difficult for new brands to get noticed

Tech Specs

Price from

£35,860

Combined Fuel up to

44.4mpg

0-62 from

6.1 seconds

max speed up to

149mph

co2 from

171g/km

Test Drive

Genesis G70 – first drive (2021)

Genesis is certainly making an impact with its classy saloon and SUVs hitting the UK and the latest model has some big hitters in its sights.

With on-board luxury to match the premium German marques, but with a price-tag that will make you double-check the figures, the G70 is an executive four-door saloon with plenty of attitude.

It is available in generously-equipped trim levels called Premium Line, Luxury Line and Sport Line with prices starting from £35,860 and rising to £40,030.

For now, the car is available with conventional engines – a 197bhp 2.2-litre diesel or 2.0-litre petrol with two power outputs of 194bhp or 242bhp with plans to fully electrify by 2025.

We tested the G70 saloon model in Luxury Line trim costing £38,510, increasing to £46,490 with options. This model, with dynamic, streamlined styling, was powered by the 2.2-litre diesel engine delivering 197bhp and 440Nm of torque.

That translates into interesting performance statistics with a 0-62mph sprint time of just 7.4 seconds and maximum speed of 143mph. According to official figures, under WLTP testing, the G70 can deliver a combined 44.4mpg with carbon emissions of 171g/km.

The G70 looks dynamic when approached from any angle with its sleek curves, distinctive grille, long bonnet housing the Genesis badge, sweeping light clusters, air intakes, twin tailpipes and 18-inch alloy wheels.

When it comes to performance, the rear-wheel drive saloon handled beautifully when unleashed on the country lanes with a reassuring sure-footedness and that meant tight bends could be attacked with complete confidence.

There is no sign of body roll no matter how enthusiastically the G70 is driven and the power levels also impress with ample zip to overtake slower moving vehicles at short notice.

Drive modes called Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ alter the reactions of the car with the sportier settings really sharpening up responses. The acceleration through the eight-speed automatic gearbox is nicely responsive and all controls, dials and readouts are perfectly positioned for ease of use.

The main focal point inside the cabin is the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Creature comforts include a 15-speaker Lexicon sound system, Bluetooth, DAB digital radio and a smart 12.3-inch 3D instrument cluster that looks premium quality behind the steering wheel.

The 12-way powered front seats offer armchair-like comfort and can be heated, along with the steering wheel, to fend off the winter blues.

Comfort levels up front are exceptionally high and there is ample space in the back for a couple of adults too. The deep boot can swallow 330 litres of luggage and there are numerous handy compartments scattered throughout the G70, such as a lockable glovebox, deep central cubby, door bins, seat back nets, cup holders and a wireless charging pad for smartphones.

The interior is not as stylish or impressive as the GV70 SUV, but still features all the mod cons we demand in our cars today.

And safety specifications are also high with a wealth of systems, including lane follow assist, lane keep assist, smart cruise control with stop & start, blind spot collision avoidance, high beam assist, rear-cross traffic collision avoidance, forward collision avoidance including pedestrians and cyclists, driver attention warning, plus lots more besides.

There is a downside to the G70 though and that will be the running costs especially for a business driver who will be tempted by the asking price. The high CO2 emissions figure means the Benefit in Kind – or tax relief – is set at 37 per cent – the worst possible rate.

On a positive note, the G70 comes with the Genesis five-year care plan and that means five years of warranty, servicing with a courtesy car, roadside assistance, plus maps with over-the-air software updates.