2021 Genesis G70 3.3T review: New luxury sedan is packed with value

This all-new luxury car is absolutely packed with value most of its competitors simply can’t match, but one service trumps them all.

2021 Genesis G70.

Hyundai’s luxury offshoot Genesis is rapidly expanding its Australian range as it ramps up its assault on the German luxury establishment.

Here is everything you need to know about the genesis G70 3.3T sedan.

VALUE

The Genesis G70 costs about $84,000 drive-away for the top-shelf 3.3T tested here. For that spend, the sedan comes loaded with equipment including a panoramic sunroof and large 10.25-inch infotainment screen. Quilted leather seats add a little Bentley-esque flair. The updated 2021 version has a new horizontal quad-headlight treatment and a fresh grille that retains the brand’s distinctive mesh finish.

The G70 competes against the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Ours also had the $10K Luxury pack that bundles in a terrific 15-speaker Lexicon sound system, suede roof lining, head-up display, 12.3-inch digital 3D instrument cluster, powered boot, heated rear seats and memory settings for the front seats and steering wheel. The ownership experience is a step above most rivals, with free services for the first five years or 50,000km. Plus, Genesis will collect the car from you, leave you a loaner and swap them back when the servicing is complete. That servicing deal is worth thousands on its own.

COMFORT

The G70 is very much focused on the driver and delivers with nicely supportive bucket seats and a classy array of materials. Whereas the previous car’s infotainment screen was reminiscent of those used by parent company Hyundai, the new wide-screen version lifts the cabin ambience. In Sport Luxury guise tested here there are laminated front side windows to further hush wind and road noise and the G70 is suitably calm.

Adjustable dampers soften the ride noticeably when Comfort mode is selected for added plushness.

Quilted leather upholstery gives the genesis a Bentley vibe.

SAFETY

There’s nothing lacking from the vast safety artillery, which kicks off with 10 airbags, including a centre airbag between front occupants. Some driver assist systems are more useful – the 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, exit warning and auto braking system – while others seem gimmicky.

In particular, the blind-spot cameras that display an image in the digital instrument cluster seem a little unnecessary.

A punchy twin-turbo V6 engine has plenty of grunt.

DRIVING

Aside from the feature-laden cabin, the G70 sales pitch promises more performance than similarly priced rivals. The 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 better competes with AMG, S and M-branded versions of the Mercedes, Audi and BMW competition. Power has inched up 2kW to 274kW but good luck picking that. The competent rear-driver still blasts to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, never lacking for punch. A revised exhaust steps up the aural intensity with more bass and crackles, while sizeable Brembo brakes (with red calipers) take care of stopping.

The new Sport+ drive mode helps, too, for those wanting maximum attack, more aggressively shifting the eight-speed auto and holding lower ratios. Great Michelin tyres make the most of all that go and cement the G70 as a spirited and enjoyable four-door. It does like a drink, though. Claimed average fuel use is 10.2 litres per 100km and it’s easy to head north of that. Unlike rivals there’s no stop-start system to save fuel when stationary.

Unlike its European rivals the Genesis is very thirsty.

VERDICT 3.5/5

The G70 has an addictively unique luxury flavour that brings serious pace to the sports sedan segment.

ALTERNATIVES

BMW 330i, from about $88,000 drive-away

Arguably the sweet spot of the 3 Series range, which is a return to form for BMW’s sporty four-door. Slick engine and transmission set the scene for an impressive driver’s car.

Mercedes-Benz C300 from about $82,000 drive-away

Lacks the driving fizz of some rivals but makes up for it with stateliness and elegance as the current model nears the end of its life. An all-new C-Class is due late this year.

Audi A4 45 TFSI, from about $77,000 drive-away

Enthusiastic four-cylinder and all-wheel drive make for agile and athletic four-door that also packs plenty in for the money.

GENESIS G70 3.3T SPORT VITALS

Price: From about $84,000 drive-away

Warranty/servicing: 5 years/unlimited km, free servicing for 5 years

Safety: 10 airbags, auto emergency braking, radar cruise, blind-spot cameras and warning, safe exit warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist

Engine: 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo, 274kW/510Nm

Thirst: 10.2L/100km

Boot: 330 litres

Originally published as 2021 Genesis G70 3.3T review: New luxury sedan is packed with value