2025 Genesis G70 Review

Genesis’ 2025 G70 is a compact luxury sedan with four trims starting at $42,000. The 2025 model year remains unchanged from its predecessor, except for a new Burleigh Blue Matte exterior finish option. Genesis’ G70 is still in its first generation, which launched in 2019. The 2025 G70’s primary upsides include, but aren’t limited to, traditional sports sedan styling, posh design touches like luxury materials, and brisk acceleration via two robust powertrain options.

MotoPickers Rating: 8.5/10

Some downsides associated with the 2025 Genesis’ G70 are a cramped rear seat, limited trunk space, and lower-than-average fuel economy, which isn’t helped by a lack of a hybrid option. While evaluating the 2025 G70s upsides and downsides, we’ll see how it stacks up against its competitors, which include BMW’s 3 Series, Audi’s A4, Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class, Lexus’ IS, and Alfa Romeo’s Giulia.

Many drivers are shifting to the SUV segment, which continues to grow in popularity in all sizes. However, Genesis makes their case for the compact sedan lifestyle with its new G70. The 2025 G70 is ideal for drivers seeking a balance between luxury and performance at a competitive price, which is indicative of Genesis’ design philosophy.

Gain a fuller understanding of whether the 2025 G70 fails or succeeds in aligning with your driving needs and preferences with the rest of our review below.

Exterior spotlight

The 2025 G70’s exterior has unique LED headlamps with a two-line design that’s sleek, refined, and contemporary. All wheels are aluminum and 19”, and Genesis offers two different styles: alloy or alloy sport with all-season or summer tires.

Upscale exterior design touches include a dark chrome grille and daylight opening trim along with sport aluminum trim. Outside mirrors are heated with LED turn-signal indicators, which are standard within the 2.5T trim, and power-folding electrochromic outside mirrors come with both 2.5T and 3.3T trims. Genesis logo puddle lamps help the 2025 G70 mark its presence alongside LED headlamps and rear combination lights.

Color options include:

• Alta White
• Tasman Blue
• Uyuni White
• Cavendish Red
• Burleigh Blue Matte
• Makalu Gray
• Kawah Blue
• Vik Black
• Vatna Gray
• Savile Silver
• Bond Silver

Buyers of a 2.5T Sport Prestige special edition gain a wide sunroof, and the minimum ground clearance on all 2025 G70 models is 5.1”. This compact luxury sedan’s bumper is body-colored with black bumper inserts, and its door handles appear high-end with their chrome finish. Glass is lightly tinted, and despite its smaller dimensions, the exterior as a whole contains a muscular appearance.

G70 rivals like BMW’s 2025 3 Series have adaptive headlights that this Genesis lacks. Adaptive headlights adjust the lights’ direction based on steering inputs and road curvatures, providing a significant advantage during night drives. BMW’s 3 Series also has a more pronounced front grille, which may be a better fit for sport enthusiasts.

Still, the 2025 G70 is plenty sporty regarding its exterior, especially when side-by-side with more conservative designs like the one on Audi’s A4. If you’re seeking a compact luxury sedan exterior similar to the Genesis G70, Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class also has chrome accents.

Interior analysis

Drivers who opt for the 2025 G70’s Sport Prestige package receive minimally processed Nappa leather designed to preserve the hide’s entire grain to maintain a natural texture that’s soft with complementary stitching. Optional sport aluminum trim paneling enhances this Genesis’ interior with a geometric fan pattern reflecting light across panels and your instrument cluster for a unique aesthetic.

A 2.5T comes equipped with leatherette seating surfaces, and a leatherette-wrapped lower instrument panel is standard across all grades. The power driver’s seat with 4-way lumbar support is standard, but selecting a 3.3T gives you a power driver’s seat bolster and cushion extension for optimal comfort. Front passengers in a 3.3T 2025 G70 get a power seat with lumbar support and integrated memory systems recalling settings. Ventilated front seats are standard within the 3.3T, along with a power-adjustable telescopic steering wheel, alloy pedals, and acoustic front door glass.

Climate control is dual automatic, and 3.3T drivers can bring more of the outside world in with the grade’s expansive sunroof. The rear seats contain a 60/40 split-folding configuration, and the trunk contains a mere 10.5 cubic feet (cu. ft.) of storage space.

Precise touches within the 2025 G70 extend beyond intricate stitching patterns and into offerings like piano black trim around controls. The leatherette upholstery present in this Genesis feels more upscale than the synthetic SensaTec leather from BMW, and the leather in Audi’s A4’s that lacks a warm feeling. However, BMW’s 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class, and Alfa Romeo’s Giulia offer more trunk space at 17 cu. ft., 12.6 cu. ft., and 13 cu. ft., respectively.

Regarding rear-seat passenger space, the 2025 G70 falls short of BMW’s 3 Series, Audi’s A4, Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class, Lexus’ IS, and Volvo’s S60.

Power and performance

Genesis offers 2025 G70 drivers a 2.5-liter turbo GDI in-line 4-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque or a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. These robust powertrain options are balanced by precise handling, all-wheel drive (AWD), and five drive modes. The five distinct drive modes include Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Custom. Toggling between drive modes initiates noticeable changes in the G70’s engine, steering, and suspension.

A variable valve exhaust system assists in transitions between drive modes by reducing noise for comfort modes, producing a more aggressive exhaust note in sport settings, and optimizing efficiency in Eco. Each 2025 G70 contains an 8-speed automatic transmission and Brembo high-performance brakes.

The G70’s standard powertrain produces a 0 to 60 MPH time of 5.9 seconds, while the available version drops this time down to 4.5 seconds. Mileage is a weak point, with drivers receiving 17-21 MPG in the city and 23-29 MPG on the highway.

Regarding the competition, BMW’s standard 3 Series falls short of the 2025 Genesis G70’s performance with 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. You’ll have to graduate to a 2025 M340i BMW to get 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, which holds a far more expensive starting price than the 2025 G70 at $59,600.

Audi’s A4, Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class, and Lexus IS also contain less standard horsepower and torque than the 2025 Genesis G70. The next-best standard option for higher standard horsepower and torque is Alfa Romeo’s Giulia, which delivers 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque.

While Genesis’ 2025 G70 boasts robust powertrains, you’ll find better mileage within 2025 BMW 330i, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus IS Turbo 2.4-liter, and Alfa Romeo 2.0-liter turbo models.

Tech overview

Genesis’ 2025 G70 enhances its value via a 10.25” display with standard navigation and an 8” digital cluster with analog gauges. Automakers are offering navigation as an available option at an increasing rate, and a 10.25” configuration, while smaller than some rivals 12.3” displays, provides a solid presentation.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but you’ll need to get behind the wheel of a 3.3T trim for wireless smartphone charging. Four USB charging ports come standard, and a 3.3T boasts the premium Lexicon audio system. The premium Lexicon audio system has 15 speakers with a subwoofer beneath each seat.

Using a smartphone, drivers of this compact luxury sedan can lock/unlock doors, receive maintenance alerts, precondition the cabin’s climate, and more through Genesis’ Connected Services. The dynamic voice recognition system can control features including but not limited to navigation, and wireless over-the-air software updates conveniently keep your tech up to date. Drivers seeking additional connectivity can benefit from the 2025 G70’s available WiFi hotspot.

Overall, the G70 holds its own against rivals in the tech category. Some competitors, like Audi’s A4, contain larger displays, but the 2025 G70’s screen size doesn’t overshadow valuable standard features like navigation.

Safety capabilities

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) have not yet released crash protection ratings for the 2025 Genesis G70. However, it’s well-equipped on the standard safety front for peace of mind.

Standard safety features within the 2025 G70 include:

• Lane keeping assist
• Lane following assist
• Driver attention warning
• Blind-spot collision warning
• Rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist
• Rearview camera
• Parking distance warning (forward and reverse)
• Safe exit warning
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Tire pressure monitoring system

Lane following assist continuously monitors a driver’s lane markings to ensure they’re in their lane. If drifting occurs, the driver will receive alerts and automatic steering assistance to return to a safe position via lane keeping assist. Driver attention warning monitors for distracted driving behavior and can prompt a break when you may not realize you need one. Unlike lane keeping assist, blind-spot collision warning solely presents a driver with audible and visual alerts instead of coupling these notifications with automatic steering adjustments.

However, you will receive automatic braking support if necessary from rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist. The rearview camera is a common feature within the luxury segment, but some models don’t feature this Genesis’ standard front and rear parking sensors, like BMW’s 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class, and Lexus’ IS.

Safe exit warning will alert any exiting passengers of hazards like oncoming traffic while rain-sensing windshield wipers and a tire pressure monitoring system provide additional layers of convenience.

Regarding available tech, the 2025 G70 offers an optional blind-spot view monitor, streamlining your ability to view vehicles entering your blind spot with live views of the area on your 8” instrument gauge cluster. The feature activates when you initiate your turn signal. Opting for the 3.3T Sport Prestige package gives you a head-up display projecting driving data like navigation onto your windshield within your road line of sight.

Trim guide

Let’s take a closer look at each of the 2025 Genesis G70’s four trims from least to most expensive.

2.5T Rear-wheel drive (RWD)/all-wheel drive (AWD) – $42,000/$44,100

A base-level 2025 Genesis G70 offers plenty of value with features such as 19” alloy wheels, leatherette seating surfaces, and a 10.25” display.

3.3T Rear-wheel drive (RWD)/all-wheel drive (AWD) – $50,450/$52,550

Moving into 3.3T territory supplies you with 19” sport alloy wheels, genuine leather seating surfaces, and a wireless smartphone charger.

Owner considerations

Genesis’ warranty protection for the 2025 G70 includes a five-year or 60,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first and 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage, which is competitive for its segment. Routine maintenance is complimentary for the first three years or 36,000 miles, and enhanced 24/7 roadside assistance for five years and unlimited miles.

Final verdict

Genesis continues to make its mark on the automotive industry with its 2025 G70 compact sedan, which proves the automaker can excel in areas other than its popular SUVs. In our view, the 2025 BMW 3 Series is the new G70’s most direct competitor, and Genesis appears to offer better value with its equally well-equipped sedan that starts at around $4,500 less than its German counterpart.

The 2025 G70s standard 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque is enough to warrant a closer look. Still, drivers can also opt for dynamic interior design schemes like the 3.3 Sport Prestige’s Sevilla red two-tone leather or obsidian black monotone leather with red stitching. This vehicle’s most significant downside is its fuel economy, but some may be willing to sacrifice top mileage for increased horsepower and torque.

While the 2025 G70 has plenty to offer, a number of drivers might be disappointed with Genesis’ decision to keep this production year virtually the same as its predecessor. Since the G70 is still in its first generation and was launched in 2019, a significant redesign is likely approaching. Still, if you’re looking to jump into a G70 for the first time, the 2025 model year presents a prime opportunity to enjoy a quality luxury compact sedan driving experience. The 2025 Genesis G70 deserves a competitive 8.5/10 overall rating.