2025 Genesis G70 Review

The combination of luxuriousness and fun usually come at a cost.

To have a quick and exclusive car usually means shopping in the six-figure range — and usually for something European. However, Genesis has risen to challenge the institution of German performance sedans by taking a simplistic approach to luxury in order to undercut its rivals in terms of price. The 2025 Genesis G70 might not have what it takes to hunt down BMWs with M badges on the back, but it offers a lot to like even in this aging package.

Styling 8 / 10

The G70 is incredibly understated from the outside. Genesis has a distinctive design language, remaining simple while still having details that are unique to the brand — especially the split lights.

The rest of the body remains subtle, with very few lines that keep the overall shape elegant. The interior has a combination of both old and new luxury, with a central touchscreen to go with plenty of buttons that are easy to use. 

Power 8 / 10

The G70 Sport comes with a twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, all of which is delivered to all four wheels. It’s plenty of output for a car this size that only weighs in at 1,840 kg (4057 lb), making the G70 feel truly quick when accelerating. Power is delivered smoothly with only a slight hint of turbo lag when in comfort mode. However, this issue is all but eliminated when sport mode is engaged and output is delivered with little hesitation.

Fuel Economy 6 / 10

The G70 Sport has fuel consumption ratings of 14.3 L/100 km in the city, 10.7 on the highway, and 12.7 combined. During this test, the indicated average was 12.1 L/100 km.

While this is a sporty sedan with a relatively large engine, the fuel economy figures are rather poor — especially compared to its rivals. For example, the BMW M340i has a combined fuel consumption rating of just 8.2 despite having more power. Other rivals with smaller displacement engines and mild-hybrid systems also manage to achieve better results.

Driving Feel 7 / 10

The G70 is a small car, and it certainly drives like one. The steering gives good feedback even in comfort mode, but especially in sport mode, when it gets heavier and delivers more resistance. It’s a perfect pairing for a sport sedan of this size, and it makes it easy to drive but also fun when called upon.

Practicality 6 / 10

The G70 is about the same length as the Honda Civic. However, its space is poorly utilized, which is especially noticeable for rear passengers. Rear legroom is next to nonexistent, while the middle seat is also nearly unusable due to the massive transmission tunnel. The trunk is decently sized, though, and it’s comparable to any other sedan in this segment. 

Comfort: 7 / 10

Despite its sport-tuned suspension, the G70 rides really well, handling bumps and rough roads very comfortably. The cabin is decently insulated — not to the point where there’s no road noise, but there isn’t too much that it gets tiring during long drives, either.

Features 7 / 10

The G70 feels like an older car inside. It was facelifted in 2022, which came with some interior updates, but it still feels like a car that came out eight years ago (which it did). The smartphone connectivity is wired instead of wireless, and while there’s a touchscreen it’s relatively small — especially by today's standards. However, the technology still works, and the screen is very responsive to inputs, although the camera images look dated.

Safety 9 / 10

One standout feature of the G70 is its blind-spot monitoring. When backing up, changing lanes, or even cruising in traffic, the G70 does an excellent job alerting the driver when there’s an oncoming vehicle, making a loud beep to really get the message that there is something nearby. The adaptive cruise control system also does a great job monitoring the vehicle's surroundings on highway drives, giving the driver ample confidence to use it.

User-Friendliness 8 / 10

The main infotainment screen is relatively small by modern standards, but there are plenty of buttons, and a physical gear selector, all of which makes for a very easy-to-use car.

Value 9 / 10

Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz all have very competitive cars in this segment. The closest rival to the G70 in terms of performance is the BMW M340i. However, in terms of cost, a similarly equipped BMW can cost upwards of $85,000, while a similarly equipped Audi S5 is around the same.

The main issue the G70 suffers from is customization. Its German rivals have far more options for interior trims, exterior colours, and particularly wheel options. The options list for the G70 is simple and tasteful but limited. However, performance isn’t compromised.

The Verdict

The 2025 Genesis G70 is a very competitive car. It does as advertised, being a small sport sedan that rivals the BMW 3 Series only at a more affordable price point. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of a BMW, The G70 is still a very well-rounded package, combining style, performance, and luxury in a more subtle way than its German competitors. At this price point, the G70 is one of the quickest small sedans that money can buy, and it still punches above its price.