It has become easier for an automaker to stand out from the crowd. Before the proliferation of touch-screen infotainment systems and advanced safety features, luxury automakers relied on a car's high-quality interior materials, high-end stereos, and exceptional performance characteristics to set it apart from the competition.
Those elements helped give old powers like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class a fortress in the luxury compact sedan market. For better or for worse, these cars benefit from a long history of success. To their credit, BMW and Mercedes have impressive safety and technology offerings to beat out competition from automakers like Lexus, Infiniti, Volvo, and Audi.
But there is a more modern threat to the leaders of the luxury market. Genesis, born out of Hyundai's flagship sedan line-up, arrived with the 2017 G90. Two years later, the company's third series fighter, the G70, made its debut.
We had the opportunity to drive the 2019 G70 and found it to be amazingly cool. With some recent experiences with the 2020 G70, we're left wondering if it's really better than the best in its class, and if so, why? How?
Sport mode keeps the G70 fairly competitive
First of all, the 2020 Genesis G70 isn't quite an impressive performer as the similarly-equipped 3 Series. Despite being built on (or perhaps because of) the Kia Stinger platform and featuring a tuned suspension, the G70 never feels like a dedicated sports sedan. Our car was equipped with a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6, and it totally ripped it off. While the K900 convinces with comfortable, confident acceleration off the treadmill, the Genesis' approach feels more along the lines of dropping a sledgehammer out the window. Point your nose, hit the gas, and before you know it, there you are. Thanks to the Brembo brakes that come standard on the V6 G70s, you'll probably come to a stop quickly, too.
Unfortunately, the car gets quieter - almost dull - when shifting from Sport mode. And before you think, "Just keep it in Sport, problem solved," heed these words: Sport mode turned aggravating once we hit traffic, and our fuel economy figure brought us 15.1 mpg in the test (drank the fuel Mumtaz) looking to save gas at any opportunity.
The 2020 G70 has a price tag that beats it
Inside, the layout is busier than typical Spartan German setups, but it's incredibly well-appointed. And this, more than anything, is how the Genesis G70 stands out from the crowd. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on its infotainment touchscreen. Our test car's seats featured quilted stitching, which caught almost every passenger's eye. The back seat is tight on space, but the front passenger seat features adjustment buttons that are easy for the rear passenger to reach, as they do on the K900.
There is a lot to love about the 2020 Genesis G70. The silhouette of the car attracts a lot of attention, and the LED headlights and tail lights look great, especially at night. The optional 3.3-liter engine performs like a horse, even if the chassis doesn't carve corners like butter. But in today's market, performance may not be necessary to win fans over. A great interior makes a statement, and the G70 is no slouch when it comes to safety or infotainment technology. And at the end of the day, the G70's attractive price—which starts at $34,900 and consistently lives nearly $8,000 less than the relatively equipped 3 Series—may be all the conflicted shopper needs to make a decision.