Driven: 2026 Genesis G70
- Mar 9
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 9
I remember a time where driving was more than just getting there. Way before one would consider plugging a car in, unless you were charging a starter battery. The thought of self-driving was confined to animation, and in Australia – it was all about the latest sedan from our much-missed local manufacturers.
As a long-time Lexus fan and owner, the Genesis story has been intriguing to watch. The correlation in brand and product strategy speaks to the MBA in me, but as a motoring enthusiast I was always intent to observe how far Genesis had gone to compete against the luxury mainstays.
The G70 traces its roots right back to the Australian launch of Genesis as a standalone brand in 2019. It was a bold move that followed the success of the “Hyundai Genesis” back in 2014, a model that became the G80 and joined the G70 for a sedan-only launch lineup.
This latest iteration benefits from an update in 2023 that deploys a design language which Genesis coins as “Athletic Elegance”. It’s hard to argue the words as you take in the strikingly handsome design. Long, low and wide must’ve been on the mood board at conception.
It manifests in the form of smooth flowing lines that start with the signature quad-lighting treatment up front, featuring long and thin DRL’s embedded in the leading edges of the guards. Side on, it’s hard to miss the elongated bonnet, combined with the stubby boot and short overhangs all around.
Those headlights flank a large central honeycomb grille, while functional vents present in the quarter panels. They’re some of the many design cues that carry a feeling of reminiscence, and I still have no idea how they got away with the Aston Martin-esque badge.
Staggered 19-inch wheels shod in 255 and 235 section Michelin Pilot Sport tyres fill out the guards and work perfectly against the Makalu Grey. If that’s too subdued, there are another 13 colours available, including Matte options.
Grabbing the door handle provides a first look at the Fog Grey interior. In combination with dark carpet and aluminium inserts, it provides the perfect contrast to the subdued exterior.
The first thing you notice is the quilted Nappa leather seat as it makes way to allow for easy ingress, moving back into place as the door is closed with a satisfying thud.
It’s a beautifully crafted and finished cabin, with quality soft touch materials everywhere. Clearly well insulated too, as it’s a quiet place when on the move, with no rattles or sounds to be discerned during the test period. Up above, a sunroof breaks up the black headliner, giving the already bright and airy cabin a further boost.
The driver hangs on to a chunky leather-wrapped wheel with a smattering of logical controls, whilst peering at a 12.3-inch screen in the binnacle. Infotainment is handled by a small-for-today’s standards 10.25-inch screen atop the centre stack.
This is perhaps the first sign of the aging chassis. To be clear it’s not the biggest issue, but it did feel a little far away from the driver with no other way to handle controls.
It also doesn’t allow for wireless screen mirroring, with a USBC or A port ahead of the gear shifter required to facilitate CarPlay.
They sit in a cubby featuring a wireless charger, but unless the phone is placed in a very specific way, it would simply come flying out with any liberal throttle application. One may argue that performance is a priority to a wandering phone.
The seats themselves have ample adjustability and sit deep in the cabin. This is an appreciated attribute, as it not only gives a feel for what the chassis is doing, but provides for a cossetted feel.
The same high-quality finishing extends to rear row accommodations. Entry is easy, but leg space was a little more cramped than we expected, especially given the wheelbase. It doesn’t relegate it useless, but adults will struggle for longer trips with another upfront.
The boot is opened at the touch of a button, revealing a large enough space with 330 litres available.
But technology and space limitations don’t rate highly in the deliberative process of a keen driver. What the G70 does possess is a surprising level of dynamism to match said luxury.
Hitting the dash mounted starter button brings the 3.3L V6 to life. It’s the same engine as the now-defunct Kia Stinger, featuring a pair of single-scroll turbochargers bolted outside each cylinder bank.
It’s a willing unit, developing 274Kw and 510Nm of torque channelled to the rear wheels through an 8-speed convertor gearbox. It’s completely devoid of electrification, instead relying on an endearingly old-fashioned combination of force-fed air and fuel.
It also comes with a decent enough soundtrack, which can fall into the background in subdued driving modes, or see muffler valves opening when Sport or Sport+ modes are selected. Thankfully, the augmented sound can be switched off.
It’s not obnoxious but it adds to the experience, replete with judicious burping on downshifts through the steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters. Far from simply increasing sound, those modes also firm up the suspension, hold the gears longer and downshift in preparation for corners while livening up the response from the floor-hinged accelerator pedal too.
Launch control is automatically engaged in Sport/Sport+ mode when ESC is disabled and a set of firm feet are pressed on each of the two pedals.
The G70 was a delightfully engaging and analogue combination through twisties. The ESC system allows just enough slip in Sport+ for a little fun, whilst remaining within the warm confines of a safety net. It does need to ferry the kids to school on Monday after all.
Turn in is sharper than I’d have imagined, but mid-corner speed was hampered at times by what felt like an underdamped rear axle. It was exacerbated by the conditions and ultimately endearing, because getting the most out of it necessitates work. Power out is aided by a clever mechanical LSD which did its best to get the power to the ground.
When one tires of the metallic cacophony, the 15-speaker Lexicon sound system provides a blend of depth and clarity for your favourite tunes while the G70 slinks its way down the road.
The world is not long for cars like the G70, with the pressures of NVES and shifting consumer tastes the culprits.
Ultimately, what makes it special is its ability to take the driver on a journey. It will do that literally ever single day, from the shops to school drop off to a run down the freeway.
But the real joy comes from the figurative sense, because flicking to Sport+ at a set of twisties does far more than awaken the G70 from its slumber.
No, it awakens memories of what some may call a wasted youth. A time when cold dark nights were about long drives through mountain passes. The visceral soundtrack of the exhaust reverberating off sandstone walls as the engine crescendo’s to redline. The ultimate calm of the run home.
It’s the ease with which the G70 switches between alter ego’s which makes it truly special. It’s a luxurious, safe and well-appointed dad’s car, that is also capable of reminding that same dad of his far looser years.
And it does it all in a svelte, classy and unassuming package that can be had for under 100k, if you can believe that.
Did someone say Q-car?
Like – Fun to drive, Well finished, Great design, eco coasting mode is clever
Dislike – Launch control should be more brutal, wireless charger storage should be deeper
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