Summary
The Genesis G70 is a mid-sized saloon and estate (called a shooting brake, but it’s not really) that arrived in the UK in Autumn 2021, joining the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Genesis is a spin-off upmarket brand owned by Hyundai and the G70, alongside the GV70 SUV, is part of its first foray into the European automotive market after successes in Asia and the USA. There is another saloon available in the range, the larger Genesis G80.
You won’t be able to buy a Genesis at a traditional dealership; orders are delivered to the customer, and cars are collected from the owner for servicing over a standard five-year care plan, as the brand looks to provide an attractive premium ownership experience.
All variants of the G70 are fitted with an automatic gearbox, with customers able to choose between a 2.0-litre petrol engine or a 2.2-litre diesel unit. “Unfortunately, its diesel engine sounds horribly coarse and sends unpleasant vibrations into the car”, explains What Car?. “It feels closer to diesels of the early noughties than the refined four-cylinder units used today by the likes of Audi and BMW.”
Reviewers often comment that, like the rest of the Genesis range so far launched in the UK, the G70 is let down by its weak range of engines, and the fact that there are no electrified models currently on offer.
On the other hand, British reviews of the G70 consistently praise this executive saloon for the impressive amount of equipment included on the base model, and for its high quality interior trim.
That said, due to a lack of practicality and poor fuel economy in the face of the quality models produced by established premium brands, Car finds the G70 hard to recommend, “With interior space being on the tight side and pricing that’s competitive but in no way a bargain, you’d have to really fall for the looks or the promise of a stress-free ownership experience. For some that might be enough, but we want a little more.”
As of January 2024, the Genesis G70 holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 64%. It has an excellent safety rating, but its CO2 emissions are only average, while its running costs are poor and media review scores are very poor. We also don’t yet have reliability data for the G70, so check back again soon.
G70 highlights
- Well-equipped
- Refined and comfortable interior
- Care plan and five-year unlimited mileage warranty
- Five-star safety rating
G70 lowlights
- Unimpressive range of engines
- No electrification
- Tight rear space and boot
- Poor fuel economy
Key specifications
Body style: Medium saloon and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £33,400 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Luxury Line Shooting Brake
Score: 7.5 / 10
“The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is a value-for-money premium estate though it’s not that spacious and lacks any electric powertrain elements.”
Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Shooting Brake estate range
Score: 7 / 10
“Out of the wide range of models from Genesis, the G70 is the least convincing. It’s competitively priced, but let down by a very cramped cabin that lacks the sense of occasion as other models in the family. Dynamically it lacks a little sophistication to the best premium rivals, too. But if you’re sold on the looks and you can live with the lack of space, then it’s still an intriguing offering.”
Read review
Model reviewed: saloon
Score: 6 / 10
“After an impressive arrival in the UK, Genesis has taken a sideways step with the G70. While the brand’s other products are real rivals for the premium establishment, the G70 won’t give the average 3 Series or C-Class buyer much to think about.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Shooting Brake estate range
Score: 7 / 10
“Overall it’s something a bit different, great value for money and very well equipped but the limited engine line-up and old-school vibe may limit appeal somewhat.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A fresh twist on the compact luxury saloon format, the Genesis G70 is a new alternative to established favourites like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Shooting Brake Luxury Line
Score: 7 / 10
“Appealing to look at inside and out, and impressive enough to drive. But a hard car to recommend until electrified or even just more efficient versions arrive.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 7 / 10
“The Genesis G70 is a characterful take on a familiar recipe, but that’s unlikely to be enough to convince the notoriously loyal buyers of German saloons to try something different, as it doesn’t offer any knockout reasons why it’s better than what we know already. File as a likeable also-ran, then.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Shooting Brake estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“The best-looking Genesis yet is also clearly the best to drive, even if its slightly flat four-pot engines will dim its appeal to keener drivers.”
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic Sport Line Shooting Brake
Score: 7 / 10
“The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake does plenty of things well but, like the saloon, it remains more of a niche choice for now.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic estate Shooting Brake
Score: 6 / 10
“The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is a likeable, left-field choice in a sea of me-too designs, and we like it all the more for that. It’s good to drive, with keen handling, but let down by a weak range of engines and a lack of any sort of electrification.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“With interior space being on the tight side and pricing that’s competitive but in no way a bargain, you’d have to really fall for the looks or the promise of a stress-free ownership experience. For some that might be enough, but we want a little more.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Shooting Brake estate range
Score: 6.6 / 10
“The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake offers more style than substance and seems destined to struggle against the best rivals.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The Genesis G70 is a comfortable new contender in the hotly fought compact executive class but it’s compromised in some key areas.”
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Shooting brake (estate) range
Score: 6 / 10
“The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake looks and feels the part, but crucially lacks the practicality of key estate rivals.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 7 / 10
“The Genesis G70 is a great-looking, well-equipped saloon that’s let down by poor practicality.”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Distinctive, decent quality and well-specced, the G70 will help ease Genesis into the UK marketplace without making big waves, although interior packaging and running costs are definitely compromised.”
Read review
Daily Mail
Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic Shooting Brake Sport Line
“The new Genesis G70 Shooting Brake from Hyundai’s premium spin-off brand hits all the right notes.”
Read review
Eurekar
Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic Luxury Line saloon
“The Genesis G70 is smooth and nicely balanced to drive, coping confidently with tricky road conditions. Interior design is very much down to personal taste and there are cabins I find more appealing than that of the G70, but there can be no doubting the quality of the soft leather upholstery, the robust plastics and tough switchgear.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic Sport Line estate
“The Genesis G70 is certainly good enough to compete in a notoriously status-conscious market but whether or not Genesis’ promise of five years of hassle-free motoring with no hidden extras will persuade up-market buyers to make an exodus from Merc, BMW and Audi showrooms remains to be seen.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 7 / 10
“Weird and wonderful premium saloon”
Read review
Model reviewed: Shooting Brake
Score: 7 / 10
“Sexy but imperfect estate car”
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“You’re not buying the car, you’re buying the brand experience. That’s probably a good thing as the Genesis G70 is no match for existing competitors.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Shooting Brake range
Score: 7.6 / 10
“Appealing, left-field estate/coupe lacking engine choices”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.2 / 10
“A decent executive saloon in need of a wider engine range”
Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic estate Shooting Brake
“We all know a BMW 3 Series Touring is superior in almost every department. But the Genesis G70 is a good left-field choice and has its own USP. No showrooms. No salesmen. No fuss. Genesis personal assistants will deliver the car to your door, even for a test drive.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Saloon range
“The guys and girls at Genesis have worked hard to put together an entry-level car that is a great introduction to the brand. This will be a hit for Genesis.”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Sport Line
Score: 6 / 10
“By and large, then, the Genesis G70 is decent enough. If all you ever use it for is to pop to the shops and sit on the motorway, it’ll do the job perfectly well. The trouble is, the premium rivals with which it’s aiming to compete do all that and more.”
Read review
What Car?
Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 4 / 10
“If you’re after an executive car that’s slightly different, then the Genesis G70’s comfortable interior and high levels of standard equipment make it a tempting choice. It is, however, overshadowed by rivals like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, which offer better practicality, more dynamic driving and better economy.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Shooting Brake estate range
Score: 6 / 10
“Few estate cars have the visual appeal of the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake, plus it drives well and comes with a lot of equipment. Those good looks have compromised it as an estate car, though, so if you want something practical that’s also good-looking, go for the Volvo V60 or Audi A4 Avant.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 89%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 88%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2024, the Genesis G70 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. If it happens, we will publish the results here.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Genesis G70 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the G70, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 181 g/km | C | 201 – g/km | D – A |
| Diesel models | 175 g/km | C | 166 – 180 g/km | C – C |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 50 | F | 50 – 50 | F – F |
We only have limited running cost data on the Genesis G70 at this time, but the scores we do have are average to poor. We’ve also cross-checked with other sources, which confirm that the G70 is an expensive car to run.
Check back again soon for a more comprehensive breakdown of running cost data.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Genesis G70 has received
2022
- UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Estate
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Genesis G70, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Giulia | Audi A5 Sportback | BMW 3 Series | BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé | Genesis G80 | Jaguar XE | Kia Stinger | Mazda 6 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Peugeot 508 | Polestar 2 | Skoda Superb | Subaru Levorg | Tesla Model 3 | Vauxhall Insignia | Volkswagen Arteon | Volkswagen Passat | Volvo S60 | Volvo V60
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Genesis G70 at The Car Expert
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