[시승기] Genesis G70, 370 horsepower instinct

Input 2021.01.09 07:00

In October, Genesis launched the G70, an entry-level mid-size sedan. The new G70 is attracting less attention than the GV70 released a couple of months later because of the recent popularity of a sports utility vehicle (SUV), but it is a premium sports sedan that is difficult to find in Korea. It was evaluated as a high-quality vehicle and was also selected as ‘2019 North America Car of the Year’,’US Motor Trend 2019 Car of the Year’, and’Top Safety Pick+ of the American Highway Safety Insurance Association (IIHS)’.

Genesis is picking the BMW 3 Series as its competitor to the G70. The BMW 3 Series is called the’standard of mid-size sedans’. In the G70, it was often seen that the test car was compared to the 3 series overseas. By riding the G70 partially modified model, the driving and riding comfort became more sporty than the previous model, and the performance seemed to be comparable to the high-performance M, not the general 3 series. I ran 200km on the G70 gasoline 3.3 turbo AWD model.

First of all, she wore a new family look of the Genesis brand. A pentagonal crest grill and two rows of head and tail lamps were applied. The side character line and the three-dimensional effect around the wheel are reminiscent of the tight tension of a sprinter just before the start. The new style of 19-inch alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and dual mufflers are installed, giving the exterior a sporty feel. The length, width, and height are 4685mm, 1850mm, and 1400mm respectively, which are somewhat lower and wider than competing models.

Newly applied indoors are the 10.25-inch infotainment system and the smartphone wireless charging system with improved charging speed. The cluster has also grown from 3.5 inches to 8 inches. In particular, in the cluster, driving information such as speed and engine speed is displayed in a three-dimensional graphic. In addition, the shape and configuration of the dashboard, center fascia, and center tunnel are almost similar to those of the existing G70.

The test drive car was trim with a sports package applied, so red stitching and seat belts were applied inside. The sheet shape is also firm and the size is large. It feels solid when sitting, and it holds a good posture even when driving for a long time. I thought it was the right seat for the driver.

However, acquaintances in the passenger and rear seats expressed their opinion that the seat was too hard and that it was uncomfortable and wished it would be softer. In addition, the second row is so narrow that the knees are tightly touching the front seat when a skinny 165cm adult woman sits, so it is not enough to be used as a family car.

The G70 was a car that made driving fun for the driver. Like a high-performance sports sedan, the seat position is low, so it feels like it’s buried in the car. When you start the engine, the sound of the engine is roaring, and when you press the accelerator pedal, the speed increases immediately. It feels like it’s popping out as if waiting for the accelerator pedal to be pressed, rather than speeding up gently and slowly.

In addition to fast movement, stability is also outstanding. There are eco, comfort, sport, and sport+ modes as driving modes. From the sport mode, the suspension becomes more rigid and the body seems to be laid low on the floor. The Comfort Mode is also much sportier compared to the regular sedan. In addition, by applying an electronic variable valve to the exhaust muffler, the exhaust sound is adjusted according to the degree to which the accelerator pedal is depressed, and the driving fun is doubled through the acoustic effect.

Even though the suspension is solid, it absorbs shock quite well on uneven road surfaces. If road vibration is transmitted excessively, both the driver and the occupant may become tired or sick, but in the case of the G70, fatigue was less even when driving for a long time. I thought I had a moderately solid driving feel. The tire’s traction was also excellent in a sudden acceleration or sudden braking situation. The test drive vehicle is equipped with a gasoline 3.3 turbo engine, producing a maximum output of 370 horsepower and a maximum torque of 52.0 kg·m.

Fuel economy was somewhat disappointing. The official fuel efficiency is 8.9 km per liter based on combined fuel efficiency, but when I actually ran it, it went back and forth between 5 and 9 km per liter. Even when driving on the highway using the driving assistance function, it does not exceed 10 km, and when the road is blocked, 5 km is also displayed quite often.

The 3.3-liter turbo, a test drive model, starts at 45.8 million won. A variable exhaust muffler and Michelin tires and wheels are installed as standard, and if you want AWD, you have to add 2.45 million won. In the case of the test drive model, the sports package, the driving assistant package, the Lexicon sound package, the sunroof, and the comfort package are all included at 6,480,000 won.