2019 Genesis G70 luxury sedan has the BMW 3 Series in its sights

By Stephen Edelstein March 29, 2018

Hyundai’s Genesis luxury brand established its footing with the G80 and G90 sedans, but now the real challenge begins. Genesis is taking on the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class with a smaller sedan.

The 2019 Genesis G70 launched in its home market of South Korea late last year, but its first appearance on this side of the Pacific is at the 2018 New York Auto Show. Like the German luxury brands Genesis aims to match, the G70 takes elements from its larger siblings and applies them to a more compact package. But will that be enough to make this Korean upstart stand out in an already crowded segment?

Recommended Videos

While it bears a familial resemblance to the G80 and G90, the G70 is a bit more stylish than those conservative-looking sedans. Genesis’ massive Audi-like grille is present, but the entire front fascia is aggressively folded and creased, almost like the car is squinting and wrinkling its face in an attempt to look intimidating. The G70 sports appealing long-hood, short-rear-deck proportions, while at the back big exhaust outlets and curled trunk lid try to convey sportiness.

U.S. G70 buyers get a choice of two gasoline engines. A 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder produces 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while an available 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 produces 365 hp and 376 lb-ft. The V6 G70 is the quicker of the two, doing 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, according to Genesis. That engine is shared with the G90 and G80 Sport, as well as the Kia Stinger, which also rides on the same basic platform as the G70. As in those cars, the G70 gets standard rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.

Showing that it knows its target audience well, Genesis will offer a six-speed manual transmission on the G70. Considering that many other performance-oriented cars are shifting to automatics, it’s a major coup for driving enthusiasts. Granted, the manual can only be had in base 2.0-liter models with rear-wheel drive. If you want the V6 or all-wheel drive, you’ll have to settle for an eight-speed automatic.

On the inside, the G70 sports a clean-looking dashboard, marred only by an infotainment screen that seems to have been tacked on as an afterthought. The system that 8.0-inch screen is attached to supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, at least, as well as Amazon Alexa connectivity. The G70 also gets a host of driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking.

The 2019 Genesis G70 goes on sale this summer. Pricing will be announced closer to the launch date.

Update: Added U.S. specs and live photos

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.