A Week With: 2024 Genesis G70 RWD 3.3T Prestige

Genesis continues to ensure its vehicles offer an impressive coalescence of luxury and performance. The 2024 G70 RWD 3.3T Prestige keeps that trend on track.

There is a bridge on one of my favorite test drive routes. Arrow-straight, pool table smooth and just over a quarter of a mile long, it’s situated in a remote, lightly trafficked area. The condition, location and length of the span make it perfect for my “scientifically unscientific” zero to 60 timings. This is particularly true when you also consider there are no cross-traffic concerns.

Turns out, previously unbeknownst to me, those factors also make it a favorite waypoint for young sport bike pilots. Arriving in the G70 3.3T to clock a zero to 60 run, I found a group of them engaged in the sort of friendly competition you’d expect of young sport bike riders. I asked if they minded if I cut in for a quick pass.

Looking at the G70’s elegant lines, they laughed, and one of them said, “Seriously sir, in that?” While the “sir” honorific stung just a tiny bit, I brushed it off and replied, “Sure.”

As I lined up to go, a pair of them pulled up beside me. I nailed the throttle and my wife started her chronometer. The bikers, not taking the Genesis seriously, popped wheelies as they took off with me. When they came down, all they saw of us were the G70’s gracefully formed tail lights and exhaust outlets.

Arriving at the other end of the bridge (where we were already waiting) the two of them exclaimed — in unison, “What TF is THAT?!?” Long story short — the svelte 2024 Genesis G70 RWD 3.3T earned itself a whole new cadre of admirers that day. Oh, and for the record, my wife’s Omega Speedmaster showed just over four seconds when I called out 60.

Turbos, Turbos, We Got Turbos!

Displacing 3.3 liters and force-fed by a pair of turbochargers, the G70’s direct injected DOHC V6 is capable of generating 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode and shift paddles conducts engine output to the rear wheels.

The powertrain features five pre-programmed drive modes — Comfort, Smart, Eco, Sport, and Sport+. You can also set up a custom mode to lock in the steering, throttle, transmission, exhaust and suspension responses you prefer.

More than just a one-trick pony though, the G70 RWD 3.3T moves with the refinement, assurance and fluidity of American Ballet Theatre principal dancer, Misty Copeland. Smooth, collected and graciously athletic, the G70 commands a twisty road the way Ms. Copeland owns the Manhattan stage.

Turn-in is highly accurate. Steering feedback is both plentiful and well managed. Braking is at once precise and resolute. Throttle response is dead solid perfect and the transmission always finds the exact gear you need to exit a corner crisply.

What’s more, the Genesis consistently delivers a smooth and comfortable ride — even over corrugated surfaces. By the way, all-wheel drive is available as an option. The EPA rates the G70 3.3T RWD at 18 mpg in the city, 27 on the highway and 21 combined.

Plushness and Performance CAN Co-Exist

A true luxury sport sedan, the 2024 Genesis G70 3.3T’s passenger compartment radiates class, especially when the car is outfitted with the optional Sport Prestige Package I experienced. Fine quilted leather upholsters the seats and door panels, while microfiber suede swaddles the headliner and pillars.  The package also includes a head up display, a limited-slip diff and a heated steering wheel.

Striking a nice balance between the delivery of luxury and the encouragement of performance, the passenger compartment presents large gauges, easily operated secondary controls and an abundance of creature comforts.

The front seats’ side bolsters snug up to your body when the Sport and Sport+ modes are selected. The soft glow of brushed aluminum emanates from the switchgear and the layout’s ergonomics are thoughtfully considered. Moreover, the interior’s architecture says, “Yes, some of your money went here too.”

Wireless smartphone charging, automatic lane keeping and intelligent cruise control are among the standard features, along with tetherless Carplay and Android compatibility. You can also use your smartphone to unlock and start the car. Build quality is strong with straight seams, narrow gaps, and no squeaks or rattles apparent — even over rough pavement. There was a time when I applauded Genesis for hitting the broad strokes while chiding the marque for overlooking the fine details — that time is gone.

Still, There Are a Few Flaws

It’s easy to put together a sharp-looking interior with all the right equipment and still log a miss on comfort. While that’s not the case here in most regards, ingress and egress are a bit compromised by the position of the B-pillar in relation to the driver’s seat for a long-legged person like me (I’m 6’1”).

The rear seat is somewhat cramped too, although that’s pretty common among sport sedans in this size category. The door pockets could be sized more generously and the trunk could offer more capacity as well.

Plus, if you’re a person to whom this sort of thing matters, you’ll have to explain your choice of automobile to people. Like that cadre of bikers I encountered, most folks won’t know what the G70 is.

Genesis Does Have Your Back Though

Three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary service are provided. Genesis will also send someone to pick up the car and deliver it back to you for those services over that same period of time.

While the majority of the G70 is warranted for five years or 60,000 miles, its powertrain is covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Pricing starts at $49,500 for the 2024 Genesis G70 RWD 3.3T Sport Prestige. Price as tested for the example I experienced is $57,100 — which is quite reasonable when you consider everything you get in exchange.