2023 Genesis G70

Hyundai has been doing a fine job at challenging its giant German foes in the USA with its premium arm's Genesis G70 sedan. The facelifted model has an engaging chassis and powerful turbocharged engines but with an all-new design language to make it even more of a head-turner. The Genesis G70's main competitors are the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It tackles them with turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.3-liter V6 gas engines, with an eight-speed automatic driving the rear or all wheels. In recent years, Genesis has stepped up its game in the premium segment and the G70 is no exception. Although it was recently handed significant revisions and remains a compelling compact sedan, The G70 dates back to 2017, so a few wrinkles are starting to show, such as its substandard space utilization and fuel economy. The G70 is not sold in specific trims as its range is broken down via drivetrain options. Most features are standard, but some are locked into a Sport Advanced or Sport Prestige package.

The Genesis G70 has a much lower starting price than its direct premium rivals such as the $41,600 Mercedes C-Class or the $41,450 BMW 3 Series. In comparison, the base level 2.0T in RWD configuration will only cost you $39,150, while the AWD variant costs $41,250. The Sport Prestige Package pushes the price up by $4,200.

The 3.3T models start at $44,650 with RWD and $46,750 with AWD. Opting for the Sport Advanced Package adds $4,300, while the Sport Prestige adds $8,700. These prices are MSRP and do not include the $1,095 destination charge or any other administrative fees.

The 2023 Genesis G70 excels at providing its drivers with a satisfying driving experience through a twisty set of bends and a plush ride on indifferent surfaces. Both the rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options are great fun to drive, but if you want to maximize grip levels off the line and on slippery roads, the AWD is the way to go. The V6's adaptive suspension elevates the driving experience by offering even firmer settings for flatter cornering, but so good is the basic design that even the passive system is excellent. The steering has a fair amount of weight and is surprisingly talkative, adding confidence when behind the wheel. Both engines perform well for their respective classes, but the turbocharged 2.0-liter's 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque feel ordinary next to the turbocharged 3.3-liter V6's 365 hp and 376 lb-ft. Both are beaten on fuel economy by rivals though. The G70's heavily insulated cabin makes for a relaxed in-car experience if you just want to cruise.

There are very few things that the 2023 G70 does wrong, and Hyundai's premium arm is right up there with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class on most counts. Its list of standard safety, comfort, and convenience features remains highly competitive as only a handful of goodies are locked into the two optional packages. The cabin is superbly styled and only suffers from cheaper materials in a few spots, but both the trunk and rear bench are far too small for the segment. In terms of performance, ride, and handling, Genesis has done a superb job and the G70 can trade blows with the Germans any day of the week. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of fuel economy - and Genesis won't even offer you a hybrid to soften the blow. Overall, a credible showing that nearly catapults the G70 to the top of the class.

While the Launch Edition from 2022 certainly stood out for its form-defining matte paint and exclusive Sevilla Red interior, but it isn't available for 2023. We will have to settle for one of the standard models, and we'd opt for the 3.3T. That V6 is impossible to resist and it truly unlocks the performance potential of the G70. Even if you opt for the Sport Prestige Package, you'd be spending less than you would on a similarly powerful and well-equipped German luxury sedan, so we don't see why you wouldn't get all the bells and whistles. That said, the base 2.0T is impressive and highly affordable. If you're not looking for the sharp edges of the sportier models, the 2.0T still delivers, and adding the Sport Prestige Package adds up to a lot of luxury with a satisfying kick for the money. The G70 is one of those cars where the lower-end models aren't there just to make the upper trims look better.