By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

(September 5, 2021) We were impressed with the first Genesis G70 compact sports sedan we drove two years ago and we found ourselves even more impressed — you might say smitten — with the newest updated 2022 version we got our hands on a few weeks ago — the 2022 G70 RWD 3.3T Sport Prestige. Not only does this newest Genesis look stunning, it drives stunningly well with outstanding driving and handling traits and exciting straight ahead urgency.
               
Genesis has made styling and technology improvements to its BMW 3-Series fighter for 2022. New for the model year are updated front and rear styling that gives the compact sedan the new Genesis "look," and a new, larger and more premium-looking infotainment display.

There wasn't a need for many improvements and Genesis has left the outstanding drivetrains alone and its athletic stance untouched. The top engine, a 3.3-liter twin turbocharged V-6 making 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, remains as one of the most affordable and potent engine/transmission combinations in the luxury compact sports sedan ranks.

One sour note here. The G70 is a sibling of the outstanding Kia Stinger hatchback, and we were disappointed that Genesis didn't give its G70 the same base engine upgrade as the Stinger. There's probably a valid reason, but it's a bit of a head scratcher that Kia upped its base Stinger engine from a 2.0-liter 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder to a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder making 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while Genesis retained the smaller 2.0 engine as the base powerplant.

Nothing wrong with the 255-horsepower engine, but the 2.5-liter would have given the G70 true bragging rights over the base engines in the 3-Series Bimmer and other German sedans. That being said, we have spent time with the 2.0-liter and it is no slouch with published 0-to-60 time of 6.2 seconds.

All that aside, we recommend you spring for the 3.3-liter turbo, which carries a stunningly low base price of $43,145 and stirs the automotive soul with its performance attributes. Combine the engine's performance with the car's sporty and fun-to-drive character and you have the ingredients for a sedan you will eagerly greet each morning for your daily commute.

Published time for the twin-turbocharged engine is 4.3 seconds from 0-to-60 and with no fall-off as speeds climb garnering a quarter-mile time of 12.9 seconds. Considering performance, gas mileage is acceptable, EPA-rated at 18 mpg city, 27 highway and 21 combined on premium. The base 2.0-liter is rated at 22/30/25.



The interior looks and feels premium, a simple but cohesive design that's clearly aimed at user-friendliness. Genesis designers employed premium materials throughout, including aluminum door handles, quilted leather door panels, metal speaker grills and high-quality soft touch surfaces. Nappa leather seats further add to an elegant interior look and feel on higher trim models.

The interior layout includes a freestanding tablet-like touchscreen that now measures 10.3 inches as the centerpiece of the dash. While many luxury cars are abandoning knob and button controls, we prefer the old tried-and-true setup, which we think helps eliminate driver distraction. The G70 comes with tuning and volume knobs for audio, and large round climate control knobs.

The center console includes a drive mode knob, and the steering-wheel mounted cruise control is clear and easy to use. We particularly enjoyed the optional 15-speaker Lexicon surround-sound system. 

Front seats are spacious and comfortable and finding a just-right driving position is easy. Rear-seat space is adequate, but legroom is tight.

Likewise, cargo capacity is on the small size measured at 10.5 cubic feet. That’s due to the downsizing from its slightly larger mainstream Kia Stinger sibling, and important to those who routinely carry two adult passengers in back.
  

The Genesis comes in three trim levels — 2.0T, 3.3T and 3.3T with Sport Prestige package. All wheel drive is available with both engines for about $2,000. Our loaded test car with the Sport Prestige package and the Sport Advanced package carried a bottom line of $51,445.

And it is important to consider that the Genesis, like all Hyundai and Kia products, comes with outstanding warranties including a 60,000-mile/5-year comprehensive warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty.

2022 Genesis G70

Essentials
Base price: $38,570; as driven, $51,445
Engine: 3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6
Horsepower: 365 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 376 foot-pounds @ 4,500 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drive: rear wheel
Seating: 2/3
Wheelbase: 111.6 inches
Length: 184.4 inches
Curb weight: 3,774 pounds
Turning circle: 36.1 feet
Luggage capacity: 10.5 cubic feet
Fuel capacity: 15.8 gallons (premium)
EPA rating: 18 city, 27 highway, 21 combined
0-60: 4.3 seconds (Car and Diver)
Also consider: BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C Class, Cadillac CT4

The Good
• Outstanding performance
• Great fit and finish
• Loaded with technology
• Best-in-business warranty

The Bad
• Lack of rear-seat legroom

The Ugly
• Small trunk for segment