The Genesis G70 has earned a reputation for strong performance, reliability, and value. We investigate the sporty sedan’s engine options to see if that reputation is truly earned.
Key Points
- The Genesis G70 first launched in 2019 as the sportiest model in the Genesis lineup.
- It was named the 2019 North American Car of the Year and 2019 Motor Trend Car of the Year upon its launch.
- The G70 was based on the Kia Stinger platform and shared two of its engine options with it.
- A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder was available as standard, while a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 was available as an upgrade.
- The V6 was designed as a performance engine, having been developed at the famed Nürburgring.
- Prior to its use in the G70, the V6 was named one of Wards 10 Best Engines.
- Both RWD and AWD were available. A manual transmission was offered with the four-cylinder until 2021.
- Fuel consumption ranges between 22-25 mpg combined for the four-cylinder, and the V6 sits at 20 mpg.
- A 0-60 mph sprint of just 4.5 seconds was claimed for the V6 model.
- Long-term tests by multiple publications revealed that the G70 was reliable over the course of tens of thousands of miles.
What Engines Does the Genesis G70 Have?
The Genesis G70’s 2018 debut for the 2019 model year marked the next step in the evolution of Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand, Genesis. Rather than making something with an outright focus on comfort and luxury, the smaller G70 sedan was intended to showcase the brand’s sporting aspirations as well.
At launch, the G70 was offered with two potent engines, a 252 horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, and a 365 horsepower 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6. Here, we’ll review each in detail to help determine which is best for you.
G70’s 252 HP Engine is a Perfect Mix of Performance & Efficiency
The base engine in the Genesis G70 is the “Theta II” 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Specifically the “G4KL” version of this engine family, Motor Reviewer highlights that it is one of the newest versions among the lineup, featuring a redesigned cylinder head with upgraded valves and injectors. This version is also fitted with a Mitsubishi TD04-19T twin-scroll turbocharger producing 17.3 psi of boost.
Both rear-wheel-drive (RWD and all-wheel-drive (AWD) G70 models are available with this engine. An eight-speed automatic transmission is currently standard with both. With it, the 2.0-liter turbo engine produces 252 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,400-4,000 rpm. However, a six-speed manual transmission was also available on RWD versions up until 2021. With the manual, it made slightly more power, 255 hp at the same 6,200 rpm.
Fuel economy is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 22 mpg combined (18 city/28 highway) for the manual RWD, 25 mpg combined (22 city/30 highway) for the automatic RWD, and 23 mpg combined (20 city/27 highway) for the automatic AWD.
G70’s Nürburgring-tested 3.3L Twin-turbo V6 is Considered ‘Truly Remarkable’ by Auto Critics
The flagship engine option for the Genesis G70 is the same beefy 3.3-liter V6 that’s found in the Kia Stinger GT, a car known for its strong performance. Fitted with a pair of single-scroll Honeywell turbochargers, it delivers 365 hp at 6,000 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. of torque across an even wider plateau from 1,300-4,500 rpm. Again, both RWD and AWD have been available with it. An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission it has ever been offered with.
Officially known as the “Lambda II RS T-GDi”, Cars Guide points out that it features dual variable valve timing and direct injection. It is also highlighted that part of its development for its initial debut in the Stinger saw it lapped around the famed Nürburgring in Germany over 480 times, giving it true performance credentials. It was also named to the Wards 10 Best Engines list upon its debut in 2017, being described by judges as “truly remarkable.”
The V6’s fuel economy is claimed to be 20 mpg combined for both RWD and AWD models. Both are rated at 17 mpg in the city, while highway estimates are 26 mpg with RWD, and 25 mpg with AWD.
How Fast is the Genesis G70?
When it first launched for the 2019 model year, Genesis claimed performance figures of 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds for the 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 4.5 seconds for the 3.3-liter V6, as reported by Motor Week. To verify those claims, however, Motor Trend put it against the stopwatch as part of its 2019 Car of the Year testing.
What the testers found was that the 2.0-liter RWD manual managed to hit 60 mph from a standstill in 7.2 seconds, while the automatic managed it 7.4 seconds, slower than the claimed figures. The V6 was closer to its target, managing it in 4.7 seconds with RWD, and 4.8 seconds with AWD. Ultimately, the G70 managed to grab the 2019 Motor Trend Car of the Year award. However, after retesting the V6 model when it was refreshed for the 2022 model year, which has a new Sport+ driving mode, they managed times of 4.8 seconds with RWD and 4.5 seconds for the AWD model.
The numbers are only one part of the story, though. How the Genesis G70 feels to drive from behind the wheel is another thing entirely. That’s where owner reviews of the car can provide an insight as to how it performs.
In a review of the 2019 G70 3.3T AWD for Bloomberg, Hannah Elliot claims, “It’s capable. The overall feeling is smooth as if it had no rough edges. Punch the gas or step on the brakes and it feels well balanced.”
The 2019 G70 2.0T manual also garnered a positive review by Thomas Holland from the YouTube channel Throttle House. As you can see in his review below, he praised it, noting that with the 2.0-liter manual, “It feels like as you run-up to the top of the gear, it builds more and more torque. That has to have been intentional because it makes you want to run out the gears. The power is up there, and then you get to shift.”
Is the Genesis G70 and its Engines Reliable?
Here at Vehicle History, the G70 hasn’t dropped below an owner review rating of 4.6 out of five stars. Most owners mention it as inexpensive to maintain, luxuriously appointed, and fun to drive.
With a J.D. Power Consumer Verified score of 88 out of 100 for quality and reliability, putting it at the top of the class.
Journalists have clearly been impressed with the G70’s reliability, too. The team at Car & Driver spent 18 months and 40,000 miles extensively testing the 2019 G70 2.0T RWD. Although some testers swear by the more powerful V6, the 2.0-liter proved to be incredibly reliable, with nothing spent on repairs as none were required during this long stint with it.
Long-term tests of the 3.3T also showcased the G70’s reliability. Australian website Drive encountered no mechanical issues during its six months and 3,800 miles with the 2020 RWD version.
Motor Trend tested a 2019 RWD model over the course of 15 months and 17,000 miles, and only had to replace the tires in that time, with no mechanical issues to report either.
A 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is applied to all Genesis models including the G70. This means that even used examples you may be looking at purchasing now will still have their engines covered under warranty should anything go wrong. It’s unlikely that it would, though, if these long-term tests are anything to go by.
Be it for its performance or its reliability, the Genesis G70 and its strong engine options are clearly likely to leave you highly impressed.
Photos: Genesis
