Genesis Motor G70 Saloon Saloon (2021 - ) review

Genesis has positioned itself against premium brands such as BMW, Audi, Lexus and Jaguar, so the price tag and monthly finance costs are on the high side, although the base versions come with lots of kit. The brand currently lacks a hybrid offering, and its first pure-electric car won’t be here until the end of 2021, so there’s no reduction in Benefit In Kind for company drivers, and thus there’s no easy win with running costs. But as part of the five-year ‘Care Plan’ (see Reliability) you get five years’ roadside assistance, use of courtesy cars and servicing.

Although this is a new brand in Europe, with no track record or owner feedback yet, as part of the Hyundai family Genesis’s reliability record should be strong. For 2021 at least, the G70 line up consists only of proven petrol and diesel powertrains and a shared chassis from across the group, with few reported issues. There’s a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and Care Pack (see Running Costs) which includes putting you up in a hotel should you become stranded. You will also be taken care of throughout your ownership by a Genesis Personal Assistant, who isn’t on commission, but is there to help.

The G70 has a satisfying range of safety features built in from the base model upwards. Active cruise control and systems to warn you about cars in your blind spot, if you’re straying out of your lane and if you’re about to collide with another vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian, are all standard. When you’re driving and indicate left or right, the corresponding digital dial in the driver display turns into a camera generated view from that side of the car, which will be extremely handy in cities where there are lots of cyclists at junctions. The G70 comes with every conceivable air bag, too. Extras include evasive steering to avoid an accident, rear cross-traffic avoidance to warn you if you’re reversing out into an oncoming vehicle and fiercer Brembo brakes.

There are three trim levels to choose from: Performance Line, Luxury Line and Sport Line. Across the board what Genesis cars lack in European design flair, they make up for in space, light and comfort. The G70 really invites a good stretch and slumber from its passengers, while the driver has the luxury of wide, supportive seats and a delicate, thin steering wheel which responds to light touches. There’s lots of storage space, too. We’d like to see alternatives to leather on offer from this premium brand on the basis more and more rivals give the option of upmarket textiles and other more sustainable options. But if you like big, comfy American influenced cars, you’ll love the G70’s quilted leather, the range of upholstery colours and little flourishes like the red pinstriping along the doors, seatbelts and stitching of our Sport Line car.

The main displays and designs aren't the coolest in the business - Mercedes’ MBUX system is prettier while Peugeot has some dancing 3D graphics - but the glass touchscreen is large and nothing is crowded or too small to see. You can select functions like sat-nav, ventilation or media from the touch-screen or a rotary dial. The driver’s display uses clean digital graphics on the base model, or a more detailed 3D display if you pay more, but we preferred the graceful simplicity of the standard dials. There’s smartphone connectivity, two USB ports in the front, a wireless charging tray and high-beam assist, which automatically dips the lights in front of an oncoming vehicle. Extras include upgrading to the 15-speaker Lexicon audio system which we’d recommend if you can stretch to it, and augmented-reality sat-nav which, like Mercedes’ system, sends an arrow down the road in a camera display, showing you your route.

There’s a gruff 2.2-litre diesel engine and a smooth and fast 2.0-litre petrol version which is undoubtedly the one to go for, even if you do longer motorway mileages and would normally buy diesel. It’s a shame that a plug-in hybrid is still to come; no model line-up feels complete without something electrified now. But boy, is the 2.0-litre petrol engine a winner. It feels way faster than the 241 horsepower it develops, sprints on overtakes and flies up the road. There’s a Sport drive mode and even launch control. At times, this saloon feels more akin to a four-door sports car. Take advantage of the Genesis offer to bring a car to you for a test drive.