A second witness for Genesis

It seems like Genesis is getting a lot of buzz these days. Having been awarded the Motor Trend SUV of the Year and preserving the life of Tiger Woods in a rollover incident, the GV70 certainly deserves its moment in the spotlight.

Like many enthusiasts and car shoppers, I’ve wondered if the Genesis hype train is legitimate. Is Genesis that good?

About a month ago, a cousin of mine, a sales manager at a Genesis dealership in Utah, messaged me about coming down and driving the full Genesis lineup. Gladly, I obliged — albeit with a healthy dose of skepticism. Having driven some very nice luxury cars, including a brand new “Supra powered” BMW M340i certainly, there was no way Genesis could be deserving of all this praise, right?

Boy, was I mistaken.

Genesis 3.3T AWD G70

First up was the Genesis 3.3T AWD G70. After admiring its bold, unique, and smooth exterior styling we set out for a drive. Settling in I was immediately struck by the G70's build quality. The interior was nothing like its German counterparts and felt like it was crafted with great care. The leather and materials were nice to look at and touch and felt very upscale — definitely, more than its $49,000 price tag would suggest.

Getting on an on-ramp, the acceleration was excellent. 365 horsepower is just about right for a daily driver, and this was almost more than enough. The engine’s power delivery is smooth and consistent. Putting the drive mode into sport significantly sharpened throttle response and the handling. Taking it around some pretty tight corners, the G70 felt planted and eager to push harder — not unlike a dog pulling at the leash, begging its owner to run.

After spending about 30 minutes behind the wheel of the G70 I can say that without a doubt Genesis is here to play in the sports sedan segment. If you are looking for a fast, luxurious, unique sports sedan with an incredible warranty, the Genesis G70 cannot be overlooked. Having spent about equal time in a G70 and M340i, it’s hard to justify the nearly $15,000 price disparity between the two for a similarly equipped G70. Sure, the BMW makes more power and has a superior ZF automatic transmission, but is it $15,000 better? Probably not.

Genesis G90

As much as I loved the G70, the G90 was so over the top, I loved every second of it. Big, heavy, and ultra-luxurious, the G90 won me over. Not a performer, the G90 is one of the best cars on the market for comfortable, quiet cruising. I won’t go into as much detail on the G90 as the G70 but know it is a darn impressive luxury barge. Why anybody would spend 50% more (or more) on an S-Class, A8, or 7-Series, is lunacy. This mammoth of a sedan was excellent. If I was in the market for a luxury cruiser, this is the one I would buy — especially for the grille.

Genesis GV70 and GV80

I drove the GV70 and the GV80 and like the Genesis G70 and G90, I walked away impressed. If it were me, I would pick the larger GV80. These SUVs feel substantial, well-built, and are very nice to drive. I was exceptionally comfortable in both and would love to take either on a long road trip.

Verdict

Leaving the dealership I couldn’t have been more impressed. Where some manufacturers seem to be losing their way, Genesis has come out swinging. Offering excellent performance, opulent luxury, a host of standard features, an industry-best warranty, and very competitive prices, Genesis is the real deal.

The next time Todd and Paul recommend one, pay attention. Maybe you won't buy one, but drive one and you will see why they're recommended so often. It's scary to leave the Germans, but it's a trip worth taking.

About the author: Having owned everything from a 1981 DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a 100 Series Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, writer, speaker, and social media manager. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com for comments/questions or to say "Hi."

The views and opinions expressed here are my own and may not align with the founders of Everyday Driver.