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The Hyundai Genesis luxury brand has established a beachhead with its G80 and G90 sedans, but with the 2019 G70, it is pushing further into enemy territory. The G70 is a smaller and sportier sedan that is aimed directly at the BMW 3 Series, the Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, three German models that define the modern small luxury car. The list of G70 competitors also includes the Alfa Romeo Giulia, the Infiniti Q50, the Jaguar XE and the Lexus IS.
Genesis is not yet ready to discuss prices, but said the G70 should fall into the $ 30,000 category. while a fully loaded model will cost around $ 50,000. The G70 will be offered in advanced (base), Elite and Prestige levels. Even the Advanced Basic model is fairly well equipped with standard features like leather seats, an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system and a 15-speaker Lexicon sound system.
The G70 also offers a function that will make fans smile: manual transmission. The gearshift is only available with the turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-liter base (the optional 3.3-liter V6 is automatic only), but that's a good news because competitors reduce their manual transmission offerings. The four-cylinder is also available with the same eight-speed automatic transmission as the V6, and both powertrains can be paired with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
Interior and Technology
The G70 immediately impresses with the quality of its interior. It's a cut above most other cars in this segment, many of which seem to be suffering from cost cutting in this area. The materials are of appropriate quality for a luxury car, and the overall design of the cabin is simple and uncluttered. It was also easy to maneuver the seat into a comfortable driving position. Genesis was keen to keep the driver's seat down, but the outward visibility is not compromised thanks to relatively thin front pillars and lowered exterior mirrors.
The G70 offers an interior space comparable to the German trio for which it is intended. The rear seats are pretty narrow, which is typical for a car in this segment. The Series 3, A4 and C sedans offer more space for the trunk than the G70.
Genesis provides an 8.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment. Genesis Connected Services (three years free) adds smartphone and smartwatch applications that allow the driver to lock or unlock doors and perform other remote functions, as well as Amazon Alexa connectivity and Google Home. The G70 has three USB ports: one in front of the shifter, one in the center console storage bin and one at the rear, as well as optional wireless phone charging. Prestige models benefit from a head-up display.
Genesis has defined the key areas of driving dynamics, interior design and technological integration.
The touch screen uses cellular technology, which means Genesis. This is not something we tested during our July tour in Maine and New Hampshire, but we found the screen quite responsive, with intuitive menus. We also enjoyed the inclusion of analog buttons and buttons for climate control, audio volume and screen menu shortcuts.
The sound quality of the 15-speaker Lexicon sound system was clear and crisp with a pair of under-seat subwoofers providing a bit of oomph. The system includes Lexan's Clari-Fi technology, which restores compressed digital audio files, as well as Quantum Logic surround sound.
maintain assistance, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, braking & deceleration Autonomous emergency, high beam assistance and a driver attention monitor that determines the frequency of the driver intervention. A peripheral vision camera system and parking sensors are available on the top trim levels.
Driving Experience
For a brand that has no legacy of performance, Genesis has done admirable work with the G70. Every driver tries to present his small luxury sedan as a driving car, but the G70 is the real deal.
The G70 immediately impresses with the quality of its interior.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine powers the power (255 hp with manual transmission) and 260 pound-feet of torque, which is more than you get in a BMW 330i, but less torque than you'd expect from a car. an Audi A4 2.0T or a Mercedes-Benz C300. The optional 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 makes 365 hp and 376 lb-ft, beating German competition, excluding BMW M and Mercedes-AMG performance variants.
The V6 is the same engine used in the Genesis G80 Sport and Kia Stinger, but this may be the best app at the moment. The G70 is lighter than other cars, and its chassis is well equipped to handle engine power. The basic four-cylinder engine is less exciting, providing only adequate thrust. But this engine is available with the manual gearbox and, because the four-banger weighs less than the V6, the front feels more responsive in cornering. So while the V6 is more exciting in a straight line, the four-cylinder delivers a more rewarding overall driving experience.
We drove the G70 in New England back roads and on track at the New Hampshire Club Motorsports, with the performance car in both environments . The direction is impressively communicative for a modern electrically assisted system. The car has a lot of grip and, for the most part, behaves predictably when that grip is over. The only exception is the behavior of the optional all-wheel drive system, which may be too intelligent for its own good.
The AWD system can transfer up to 90% of its power to the rear wheels when stability control and traction control are engaged, or 100 percent when these features are disabled (unlike D & D). Other cars, off really means off in the G70). But on the track, we had a hard time predicting what the car would do in a given situation. This would allow the back to slip into certain corners while allowing debilitating understeer in others. Certainly, G70 drivers will probably not follow their cars, and the AWD system behaves much better at healthier speeds.
Every automaker tries to present its small luxury sedan as a driving car, but the G70 is the real one
Decrepit sections of roads in Maine and New Hampshire have revealed a stiff ride quality, but this is not surprising given the sporty configuration of the G70 suspension. Switching between the Comfort and Sport driving modes has not really made any difference, with the exception of the automatic transmission that keeps each gear longer in Sport mode. An Eco mode puts the car on a leash in the name of fuel economy, the Smart mode selects settings based on driver behavior and Custom allows drivers to choose their own settings.
Rear-wheel drive, automatic versions of the G70 feature launch control, something normally found on supercars or many more hardcore sports sedans. The function only works in Sport mode with stability and traction control off. The driver simply presses the brake and accelerator pedals simultaneously, waiting for the rpm to increase and release the brake. We have not had the opportunity to test this feature, but Genesis claims that it allows the G70 V6 to make zero to 60mph in 4.5 seconds
The V6 is ideal for blowing up a highway, but in other situations, its extra power is almost unused, making the four-cylinder engine less compromised in the real world. More importantly, a sporty sedan like the G70 is the perfect fit for a manual transmission, and there are few precious opportunities to enjoy this combination these days.
We would also add the optional Sport package. While this requires a premium upgrade to the Prestige trim level, it adds a more outlandish style (including 19-inch wheels, dark chrome trim, and available red stitching) that matches the sporty driving dynamics of the sport. G70. the car stands out a little more from the crowd.
Conclusion
The 2019 Genesis G70 is an impressive first effort in a small luxury sedan. Genesis has defined the key areas of driving dynamics, interior design and technology integration. Although it's not available with the rugged V6 engine, the manual transmission is a gift for car enthusiasts.
The G70 is not the first Genesis car, but it's the first one you should worry about.