can hyundai's luxury division repeat its magic from the g80 and g90 sedans in a smaller, less expensive package with the all-new 2019 genesis g70? after three days behind the wheel, my answer is yes: the g70 holds up on the driving front — but, like the g80 and g90, the real magic comes beyond that.
let's start with those driving aspects. the g70 comes with a four-cylinder or v-6 used engine , both turbocharged. there are automatic transmissions across the board, but you can get an optional six-speed manual with the four-cylinder. there's rear-wheel drive as well as all-wheel drive.
we drove a whole bunch of those combinations in the hills of southern maine, as well as at club motorsports, a 2.5-mile, 15-turn racetrack with 250 feet of elevation change in new hampshire. we also drove several versions of the g70 at an autocross course next to the racetrack. after lots of experience in the car, i gotta say: it's not the most fun track car in the class, but it certainly holds its own.
the g70 may have a little bit lazier steering and a little more body roll in turns than competitors like the jaguar xe or the alfa romeo giulia, but it's still in the realm of fun-to-drive. the g70 has fairly neutral chassis dynamics in corners, particularly big, sweeping corners. there's a little bit of understeer on turn-in, but then it maneuvers predictably; you can even swing the tail out if you want.
the brakes on the g70 are very good, especially the optional brembo-brand brakes on the g70 i drove on the track. after 10 consecutive laps, they still held up with very little brake fade.
for the rest of my driving impressions and thoughts on the g70, watch the video above. when the g70 goes on sale at the end of this summer, it'll start at around $36,000 and top out at around $50,000.
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