Several months ago, we had the pleasure of driving a 2020 Genesis G70 3.3T flat-out on an airport runway at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, the second busiest international airport in North America (click here to check out the event). Most impressive was the way the G70 handles and how much poise it demonstrates during high-speed driving, as well as the interior that seems to punch above its own weight class. Therefore, when Genesis Motors Canada offered up this new trim level, we grabbed the keys and drove off for a weeklong evaluation.
Following a successful launch year where the Genesis G70 made a name for itself and won a bunch of awards including the 2019 DoubleClutch.ca Car of the Year and the North American Car of the Year, it returns for 2020 mostly unchanged. Our tester, the 2020 Genesis G70 3.3T Prestige AWD, is a newly added trim level slotted below the top-of-line 3.3T Sport AWD. It’s equipped with quilted Nappa leather seating, head-up display, wireless charging pad, power trunk lid, and a bunch of other premium goodies. The Prestige trim makes the 3.3T more enticing to buyers who want the bigger engine without necessarily needing the full sports driving features such as a limited-slip differential (LSD), Michelin Pilot Sport PS4 tires, and Adaptive Control Suspension.
Power comes from a 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine that delivers 365 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 376 lb-ft. of torque from 1,300 to 4,500 RPM. In city driving, the 3.3T’s massive low-end torque helps get the car move along without much hesitation, and has enough power to continue the surge until you are well past most speed limits. The G70’s power delivery is not unlike that of the all-new BMW M340i (reviewed here), which I would argue is the benchmark for a modern turbocharged engine. It is not as fast as the BMW, being 200 pounds heavier and down 17 horsepower, but the fact that the G70 shares similar traits in smoothness and response is a huge win for the aspiring luxury brand.
An eight-speed automatic transmission connects power to all four wheels. While it doesn’t have that crisp feeling between shifts like ZF-sourced gearboxes, it is lightning quick and perfect for the job at hand. Steering weight is adjustable; I had it in “Sport” nearly the entire time, and it rewarded me with great weight and feel. Other aspects such as suspension firmness, transmission response, and all-wheel drive bias can also be adjusted, either through pre-set drive modes or individually through the “Custom” mode.
We took advantage of the G70’s custom driving modes all week; with steering, suspension, and AWD bias all set to sport. With these set, and transmission left in “Normal”, the G70 is an enjoyable driving companion. Feedback is excellent, and the AWD system works well to power the car through hard corners without fuss. Those looking for the sportiest driving experience should seek out the G70 3.3T Sport (reviewed here), as the added performance goodies far improve its abilities at the limit. The good thing is that all G70 3.3T models come with an excellent Brembo braking system. The four-piston front, two-piston rear calipers and ventilated rotors offer drivers confidence and solid feel.
Natural Resource Canada rates the Genesis G70 3.3T’s fuel consumption at 13.3L/100km in the city and 9.5L/100km highway, for a combined rating of 11.6L/100km. Our weeklong commute consisted of mainly city commute, and we observed a consumption rating of 12.5L/100km, thirstier than what we observed in the BMW M340i and I suspect the extra weight is the culprit. Premium fuel is recommended for the small 60-litre fuel tank.
Thanks to a beautifully designed interior, the Genesis G70 is a great place to spend time in. Materials and craftmanship are excellent, with an abundance of leather material inside the cabin, and the brushed silver colour trim bits help to add contrast and class. The centre console is slightly angled towards the driver, with most buttons within reach and clearly labeled. The only complaint would be that the G70’s interior does not feel much more premium than the new Hyundai flagships like the Palisade (reviewed here). This is not a knock against Genesis by any measure, but when the company’s mainstream offerings are setting new benchmarks, more distinctive design is expected from the luxury division.
Infotainment is controlled using an eight-inch touchscreen mounted on the centre console. We appreciate the simplicity of Genesis’ infotainment system, as well as the sound quality from the Lexicon 15-speaker premium audio system. Smartphone users will be able to connect using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as Genesis Connected Service, a subscription service that allows drivers to remote start, pre-set cabin temperature, track the car’s location, notify and dispatch emergency services in the event of a collision, and monitor the vehicle’s health status using a smartphone application.
The latest generation of proactive safety features is included in all 2020 Genesis G70, regardless of engine size or trim level. The list includes Blind-Spot Collision Warning with Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist with Pedestrian Detection systems.
Pricing for the 2020 Genesis G70 2.0T Advanced AWD is $42,000, and our tested G70 3.3T Prestige AWD is $56,000, just $2,000 short of the 3.3T Sport AWD. Those with a keen attention to detail will notice I did not say pricing starts but rather pricing is. This is because Genesis uses an all-inclusive pricing model that includes freight and PDI (excluding tax and levies) in their structure, and there are no options available, leaving all guesswork out when it comes time to make a purchase.
To enhance the buying and ownership experience, all Genesis models are sold through their Genesis At Home program, a full service experience that begins with Genesis sales staff bringing a sample vehicle to the prospective buyer, to service staff bringing a courtesy vehicle to the owners when it comes time for maintenance and warranty work, all at the buyer’s location of choice (within 50 km of a Genesis Motors agency). All Genesis vehicles come with complimentary scheduled maintenance for five years or 100,000 kilometres, and also five years of free Genesis Connected Service.
The 2020 Genesis G70 3.3T Prestige AWD is a great option in the entry-level sports sedan segment, predominantly occupied by fine German vehicles such as the BMW M340i, Mercedes-AMG C 43, and the Audi S4. Even though the Genesis brand is still in its infancy, product planners and marketing staff have come out of the gate swinging and the net result is a vehicle that is as good as the leaders, while offering great value along with a trendsetting shopping and ownership experience.
See Also:
2019 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport AWD
2020 BMW M340i xDrive
2019 Jaguar XE S AWD
