When Genesis unveiled the G70 several years ago, it was a warning shot for the sport sedan segment. The Germans ruled the roost, the Japanese were an afterthought despite their strong offerings, but the Koreans weren’t playing around, with Genesis even going as far as offering a manual transmission for a short time. Today, not much has changed; the BMW 3 Series remains the king of the castle, but with the 2024 Genesis G70 2.5T Prestige entering the picture with a number of updates inside and out, let’s see if it can still make a splash.
Unlike some manufacturers that sometimes let models languish over several years, Genesis is keen on keeping their vehicles fresh. The G70 is a perfect example: despite hitting the market in 2019 in North America, it received a major facelift in 2022, bringing it in-line with the rest of Genesis’ lineup. This year, it receives another major update: the often-ignored base trim gets a new engine under the hood.
Let’s be honest: the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder in previous G70s was pretty much a dog of an engine. It lacked power and finesse, especially compared to the optional 3.3L twin-turbo V6 in upper trims. This year, however, base G70s gain the 2.5L turbo-four we’ve seen in other Genesis models as well as certain Hyundais, and it’s a massive improvement all around.
With 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, it’s a significant bump over the old 2.0T, building power nicely and no longer sounding strained when pushed. It’s paired to an eight-speed automatic built in-house; it’s a good transmission for the most part, but needs some more tinkering compared to, the 3 Series’ automatic built by ZF. All-wheel-drive is standard on all G70s in Canada, whereas U.S. buyers have the option for rear-wheel-drive.
Even with the added power, the G70 2.5T is quite efficient. With official ratings of 11.7 L/100 km city, 8.4 highway, and 10.2 combined, it’s not too shabby. In our time with it, we beat the numbers and averaged 9.9 L/100 km combined. Premium-grade fuel is required.
Beyond the new engine, Brembo brakes are now standard across the board. Despite the changes, the G70 retains the driving manners that made it an award-winner in the first place. It rides well and doesn’t punish you over bumps and rough pavement, there’s plenty of grip and little body roll through a corner, and it’s hushed when you simply want to cruise. With the added power of the base engine, most buyers will be perfectly happy with the 2.5T.
Inside, the three main climate control dials have been replaced with a more modern-looking touch panel again lifted from other Genesis models, but don’t fret: two smaller dials for temperature, as well as haptic feedback help maintain ease-of-use but look appreciably more upscale and fitting for a luxury brand. There’s also a USB-C port, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still missing. Beyond that, fit-and-finish and material quality are top-notch; the Prestige trim adds features such as Nappa leather, a microfibre headliner, a wireless charging pad, and a 15-speaker Lexicon surround sound system, to name a few.
Despite the updates, the G70 still lags behind the competition in a few ways. Rear-seat legroom is quite tight for adults, and trunk space is also quite small, at 297 litres. Also, if you want a fully digital gauge cluster, you’ll need to step up to the upgraded V6 engine; the Prestige makes do with a part-digital, part-analog setup that looks outdated.
Pricing for the 2025 G70 starts at $53,000 for the base Advanced trim, running all the way up to $64,000 for the fully loaded Sport with the 3.3L V6 under the hood. Our Prestige tester slots in near the top of the lineup, at $58,000 as-tested. As with all other Genesis vehicles, the price you see is the price you get; there are no additional options or packages. For comparison’s sake, a BMW 3 Series starts at $56,000, with zero options and putting out only 255 hp from its turbo-four.
In the few years since the G70 launched, people have begun to slowly but surely take notice. SUVs like the GV70 and GV80 may be all the rage, but for those still seeking a sporty sedan, the updated 2024 Genesis G70 2.5T Prestige takes a good product and makes it even better. Between the upgraded engine, the upscale interior, and the compelling sense of value, the G70 is still here for drivers who want to do things a little differently.
