We recently tested the Genesis GV70 SUV, and came away mightily impressed, with its luxury, style and performance. And while the SUV segment is one of the hottest in the market, there’s also a strong desire out there for a true driver’s 4-door sedan. It’s a niche that BMW especially, and Audi and Mercedes have called their own for a long time. But with the Genesis G70, they’ve had a fight on their hands.

For 2026, an all-new G70 Prestige Graphite model has been added to make it even more tempting. Another chance at a sweet Genesis? Count us in!

Svelte Sedan

First impressions matter, especially in luxury vehicles.

With the G70, you have an interesting blend of European reserve with plenty of cues to tell you this is part of the Genesis family.

Like the GV70, there’s the “G-Matrix Crest” – a large pentagon grille with dark chrome on the Prestige Graphite, with side and lower grilles to help feed air to the twin-turbo V6 engine. The split two-line headlights are a signature Genesis look, as is the winged badge that gives off Bentley vibes.

The profile is pure sport sedan, with notably short and rear overhangs for a taut look. A small greenhouse, a high shoulder line and lower cut-ins n the door create a muscular presence. Helping to sell the specialness of the Prestige Graphite model are dark 19-inch, multi-spoke wheels with black brake calipers with red text for a badass look. Black mirror caps add a subtle touch of menace.

Like the front, the rear is easily identified as a Genesis, due in part to G E N E S I S spelled out in big block letters, and the 2-line taillights that echo the headlights. A deep cut in to the trunk lid keeps the muscular vibe while a blacked out lower fascia serves as the home to two very large ovoid exhaust outlets promising big power. Strakes on the bottom of the fascia give some added aero cred.

The new Prestige Graphite is offered in two exclusive colors, a deep almost-black Ceres Blue, or Vatna Grey like our tester. The rich creamy cement tone of the Vatna is a great platform to show off the contrasting wheels and trim pieces, and it looks upscale and modern, but not showy. It’s the same kind of restraint that makes the BMW and Audi models so tasteful, and it works here as well.

Bespoke Beauty

The interior of the G70 makes you feel special.

Like the GV70 we tested, the G70 has an outstanding style that reads very British, with a rich deep blue Genesis calls ultramarine, set off with deep stitched, tufted patterned Nappa leather on the seats. Contrasting orange stitching and bold orange seatbelts give a final nod to a tasteful design.

This is no old-school burled walnut cabin though, with metallic tone accents throughout keeping things looking rich and modern. We also like the clear nod to driving pleasure with a nicely sized shift lever, and circular driver mode control that falls easily to hand.

Facing the driver is a 12.3-inch, 3D full digital gauge cluster. Unique to the Prestige Graphite trim it gives a great impression of analog gauges, with rings that change color depending on driver’s mode. Another feature found on many Hyundai and Genesis models is the gauge face of the speedo or tach, respectively, that becomes a camera display when you activate the turn signals. Very thoughtful.

One area where the SUV and Sedan diverge is in the info-tainment. While the GV has dual digital displays that create a seamless wall of tech – as do competitive BMW and Audis – the G feels more old school with a separate 10.25-inch, touchscreen display. It’s a widescreen display and looks handsome, but we’ve been spoiled by the dual-screen digital design and expect the next G will probably feature one.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work well here, and we find the Genesis interface for all things info-tainment to be easy to understand and quick to use. We also appreciate the row of toggles and actual volume and tuning knobs below the screen for quick and easy access.

Another plus are the dedicated climate controls, and the capacitive touchscreen design is clear and easy to use. Dual knobs for driver and passenger temp are simple things – but a lot of competitors put everything on one giant display, and we’ll just say this is a much better way to stay comfortable.

Comfort is easy as well, the front seats are heated and cooled, and the driver’s perch even has power bolsters and a lower cushion extension. The bolsters can be preset to drive mode – we loved how the seat gave an extra squeeze to hold us in place in Sport Mode! Legroom is surprisingly skimpy for those in the back, and the front seat’s low position doesn’t serve up much room for passenger’s feet. You might want to look at the GV if carrying adults in back is going to be part of your routine.

On the bright side, the trunk is spacious, and the rear seats fold flat to give a surprisingly roomy cargo hold for larger items. Making things even easier, the Prestige Graphite trim includes a power trunk opener with hands free auto open. Nice.

It’s a Bahn Burner

Looks, check. Luxury, check. How about BMW-Baiting performance?

Like most of the Europeans in this class, you have a choice of an entry-level 4-cylinder and larger 6-cylinder models. While the entry-level 300-horse, 4-cylinder is attractive, with great pricing, Genesis makes the turbo 6 an easy choice.

With a twin-turbocharged, 3.3-liter V6, the G70 is ready to burn up the autobahn with 365 horsepower and 376 lb.-ft of torque coming in at just 1,300 rpm. It is a great sounding engine, with a nice “whump” and burble on cold start, and a lovely voice as it climbs up the rev range. We did notice a little bumpiness in the pull – lacking the super sweet and linear power you get in a comparable BMW M340i, for example.

While that makes it feel a little less refined, it’s no slouch and with our tester’s rear wheel drive (All-wheel-drive is available), and quick shifting 8-speed automatic, you’re looking in the mid-to high 4-seconds for 0-60 mph. That’s not just quick – that’s fast! Easy to reach paddle shifters put the power at your fingertips, and it really pushes you into the back of the seat. No gas hog, we think 25 mpg EPA highway is a solid number, considering the power.

We’re glad that Genesis offers the big V6 in rear-wheel-drive, because it lets you enjoy an excellent and unspoiled steering feel, and the ability to kick the rear end around a bit if you like. There’s also plenty of grip from the 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Tires – the good suff. Speaking of the good stuff, the Brembo Brakes remind you why Brembo is the name in stoppers, and they feel hugely powerful and feelsome here. Overall, it’s a rewarding package for the experienced driver.

We’d say the ride is a good compromise, but it does lean towards performance rather than luxury. If you’re looking for a creamy, boulevard cruiser, this may not be your cup of tea. Part of this is new, as you previously could get an adaptive suspension on the G70 and dial in your ride, but it’s no longer offered. You still get driver-adjustable modes, and we appreciate a significant ramp up of accelerator response and steering feel in the different modes, and in Sport it’s ultra-responsive to the throttle and exhilarating to drive.

While the ride is firm-ish everything feels beautifully put together, and the G70 is hushed and happy to be the chauffeur when you need it, so it really does offer an enticing blend of lux and sport.

While we wish the world was all Autobahns and Nürburgrings, the real world is where the G70 will spend most of its time, and Genesis builds on the Hyundai tradition of excellent safety tech, with standard Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping and Following Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Safe Exit Warning Rear Occupant Alert and Parking Distance Warning.

While most of the competition offers similar fare, we’re always impressed with how well integrated the tech is on the Hyundai/Genesis models – none of the over intrusive, over-confusing issues we notice with some other brands.

High or Low Deutsch Marks?

This is where Genesis has been giving the Europeans a proper smack upside the head.

The G70 line up starts with the turbo 4-cylinder, 2.5T rear wheel drive at $43,450. Where the Europeans like to bring in a real stripper model, this one is impressively equipped, even to the point of 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, and the full suite of safety goodies.

Handsome looks, and let’s not forget a stellar warranty: 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper, and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Add in more savings with 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

There’s even a complimentary three-year subscription to Service Valet, letting you schedule service online or via the mobile app and having your vehicle picked up wherever and whenever you choose. Luxe indeed!

Our tester was the G70 3.3T Prestige Graphite RWD model, with all the goodies, starting at a still impressive $56,900. With no options (none needed!) and $1,395 for Destination, we rang the bell at $58,295.

The big dog in the competitors would have to be the BMW M340i sedan. It is the standard bearer and a tremendous 382-horsepower sport sedan. It’s also $74,550 comparably equipped. That’s a huge amount of extra cash. In fact, loading up a 4-cylinder BMW 330 rings the bell at $57,850. You start to realize what a fantastic value the Genesis is!

We also think the all-new Audi S5 is a thing of beauty, especially with a 362-horsepower turbo V6 under the hood and stunning interior styling. But comparably equipped, it’s $73,940.  

More in the ballpark would be the Lexus IS350. A very handsome, somewhat smaller, but excellent sport sedan, and it’s right in the wheelhouse of the Genesis with the Lexus treatment you get. Both give you the visiting royalty vibe. It’s less aggressive of a performer and the 311 horsepower, non-turbo 6 is a bit of a holdback, but at $56,048 it’s a very appealing package if performance is not priority one.

Handsome looks, a stunning interior and stonking performance at an impressively reasonable price, the 2026 Genesis GV70 3.3T is a tremendously desirable sport sedan!