Focus RS to Genesis G70 3.3T Sport (Tentative)

[PerfN3rd]

Hello Genesis Owners!

I might be moving from my little hatchback to the Genesis G70 and think you guys can lend some feedback.

I've had my 16' Ford Focus RS for a bit over 2 years as a daily now and I love the car dearly. However, I'm getting older (later 20's) and the car is starting to wear on me. It's stiff, makes youthful pops and bangs and has a tendency to pull the a*****e out of anyone who drives it, Including it's daily driver.

I've got the RS2 trim on this car, so it's fully spec'd out. (Sound, sunroof, heated steering wheel, heated seats, pbs, etcetc)

I looked at the Kia Stinger GT2 AWD and while it has all the options I want, I like smaller cars. They just have to have AWD because snow.

It seems that the Genesis G70 Sport will be a car I'm happy with. It may not have the handling manners as the RS at speed and near the limit, but it seems that it'll be so much better in all other areas that it'll make up for it. Especially long distance driving.

I've got a test drive scheduled soon and I'm getting excited. Has anyone here gone from a Focus RS as a daily to a G70 3.3T Sport AWD?

 

[Toddasaurus]

Hello Genesis Owners!

I might be moving from my little hatchback to the Genesis G70 and think you guys can lend some feedback.

I've had my 16' Ford Focus RS for a bit over 2 years as a daily now and I love the car dearly. However, I'm getting older (later 20's) and the car is starting to wear on me. It's stiff, makes youthful pops and bangs and has a tendency to pull the a*****e out of anyone who drives it, Including it's daily driver.

I've got the RS2 trim on this car, so it's fully spec'd out. (Sound, sunroof, heated steering wheel, heated seats, pbs, etcetc)

I looked at the Kia Stinger GT2 AWD and while it has all the options I want, I like smaller cars. They just have to have AWD because snow.

It seems that the Genesis G70 Sport will be a car I'm happy with. It may not have the handling manners as the RS at speed and near the limit, but it seems that it'll be so much better in all other areas that it'll make up for it. Especially long distance driving.

I've got a test drive scheduled soon and I'm getting excited. Has anyone here gone from a Focus RS as a daily to a G70 3.3T Sport AWD?

First off - welcome to the forum!

Unfortunately I haven't driven the RS, but I was considering one before jumping on the G70. Sometimes I wish I had gotten the RS instead, but I've been very wishy washy lately, and I often forget just how smooth, nice, and luxurious the G70 is on the inside until I'm actually getting in and driving it. That said, I'm sure it's the first thing you'll notice when you see one in person.

The RS is a lighter car than the 3.3 G70, especially in AWD trim, and I assume that is where you'll feel the biggest difference in terms of handling. (~3400lbs vs 3900lbs in 3.3 AWD Sport trim). Even so, you'll probably appreciate the refined suspension tuning. It's pretty dang good - comfortable, yet very responsive and sporty (in sport trim, in sport mode).

Like me, I bet you'll miss having a manual. But, the 8spd on the G70 is pretty good (there are better ones out there, though), and once you get used to it you'll actually appreciate it more and more.

In the end, the G70 isn't for everybody; but, it certainly is a valuable option in the luxury sport car category.

I'll be interested in your thoughts when you test drive one. Again, make sure you test drive a Sport trim/package car, and set the mode selector to Sport as well during the test drive to get the best feel out of it. If the salesman will let you, maybe even disable traction control and stability control - this puts it into Genesis' own drift mode, and makes it pretty dang fun to mess around with. Don't be shy on the throttle, either.

Good luck!

 

[ShakaDaKine]

I'm currently driving an SS and am looking at the G70 Sport as well. I'm a bit worried that I'll miss the exhaust note and handling characteristics of the SS, but the G70 seems like a good replacement for the coin. I'll most likely wait until after the refresh and place an order, for I never buy a vehicle off the lot that has more than a few miles on the OD...too many test drivers flog the motor, which needs to be properly broken in.

 

[joschneider]

I'm currently driving an SS and am looking at the G70 Sport as well. I'm a bit worried that I'll miss the exhaust note and handling characteristics of the SS, but the G70 seems like a good replacement for the coin. I'll most likely wait until after the refresh and place an order, for I never buy a vehicle off the lot that has more than a few miles on the OD...too many test drivers flog the motor, which needs to be properly broken in.

the G70 should handle better than the SS, and a quick exhaust mod will fix that quietness right up for you (but it wont ever match the sound of a V8)

good luck, youll love it

 

[CoconutRob]

the G70 should handle better than the SS, and a quick exhaust mod will fix that quietness right up for you (but it wont ever match the sound of a V8)

good luck, youll love it

I am a huge fan of the G70 and the handling should be better on the g70 but the exhaust note will never match the SS.

 

[joschneider]

I am a huge fan of the G70 and the handling should be better on the g70 but the exhaust note will never match the SS.

no it wont, which is why I put that it will never match the sound of a V8

 

[ShakaDaKine]

It's pretty close:

SS C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 10.8 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 18.3 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 30.6 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 5.3 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 9.3 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 9.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.0 sec @ 111 mph
Top speed (governor limited, C/D est): 160 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 156 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.96 g

 

[joschneider]

It's pretty close:

SS C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 10.8 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 18.3 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 30.6 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 5.3 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 9.3 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 9.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.0 sec @ 111 mph
Top speed (governor limited, C/D est): 160 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 156 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.96 g

View attachment 26528

they redid some of those numbers since these were taken in the desert in the middle of summer. Heres some newer info: https://www.motortrend.com/cars/genesis/g70/2019/2019-genesis-g70-long-term-update-2-review/

what most of us see is probably in between these 2 results

 

[Beefer]

That is a shit test...and they admitted it. G70 is a 4.5 second stock. I got 4.4 seconds out of it stock. So not even close...sorry.

 

[Cereal Box]

Every car makes compromises. Incase of the RS, the handling is sharp but the ride is rough and ford interiors suck.

In my opinion, the G70 is a balanced car that doesn't make a lot of compromises. The handling and steering response is sharp but the ride and transmission are smooth. It's fast with a nice interior on all the trims. It's still on the heavy side though and the shifts could be faster but you'd have to buy a more expensive car for that and compromise the good price.

Consider what you want in a car and set a budget and go from there. If you go with the G70 you won't be disappointed.

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[ShakaDaKine]

Looks promising. Thanks for the info guys. I'm not a badge snob and am looking for the best bang for the buck replacement to the SS. I've owned a couple of BMWs, a Jag, and an SRT and the SS is much more fun to drive...only car I've owned that I can't wait to drive, day in and day out.

Unless someone comes out with something better within the next year, I'll most likely be driving an AWD G70. I sure hope they add quad tips to the exhaust and open it up a bit.

 

[Toddasaurus]

The SS is a unique car for sure! It's too bad they stopped making it. Supposedly the new cadillac CT4 and CT5 are supposed to come with a manual in the highest spec, I'm interested to see how those look if they come out, I'd assume they might be the closest to the SS, albeit probably with nicer interiors.

 

[PerfN3rd]

Looks promising. Thanks for the info guys. I'm not a badge snob and am looking for the best bang for the buck replacement to the SS. I've owned a couple of BMWs, a Jag, and an SRT and the SS is much more fun to drive...only car I've owned that I can't wait to drive, day in and day out.

Unless someone comes out with something better within the next year, I'll most likely be driving an AWD G70. I sure hope they add quad tips to the exhaust and open it up a bit.

I'm absolutely with you here. I'm not a badge snob either. I just want something that's worth it and that will give me loads of fun.

 

[ShakaDaKine]

To the OP: If you're coming from an RS, the only things you'll miss are the stiffer ride and cornering ability. Just about everything else is better with the G70, IMHO.

I was looking at one, prior to purchasing the SS. A well driven RS can turn in very respectable times. They're not straight line demons, but in the twisties...respectable. In the end, it just wasn't my style.

I think you'll be happy with an AWD G70.

 

[PerfN3rd]

To the OP: If you're coming from an RS, the only things you'll miss are the stiffer ride and cornering ability. Just about everything else is better with the G70, IMHO.

I was looking at one, prior to purchasing the SS. A well driven RS can turn in very respectable times. They're not straight line demons, but in the twisties...respectable. In the end, it just wasn't my style.

I think you'll be happy with an AWD G70.

The stuff ride is why I'm getting rid of it. The cornering manners is something I know I will miss, but I plan on getting a dedicated performance car for that itch that I'll have in addition to my RS's replacement.

The RS is absolutely a handling machine. It also pulls the a*****e out of any driver lol.

Appreciate the tip

 

[ShakaDaKine]

The SS is a unique car for sure! It's too bad they stopped making it. Supposedly the new cadillac CT4 and CT5 are supposed to come with a manual in the highest spec, I'm interested to see how those look if they come out, I'd assume they might be the closest to the SS, albeit probably with nicer interiors.

It would have to be a V spec and would most likely be $10-15K more, with a lesser warranty and not much difference in quality or creature comforts than the G70. Looks are subjective, but the V version would probably be an eye catcher.

 

[Cgo]

Big difference as the G70 is a true luxury sedan. It just happens to be quite fast and a good performer. The ownership experience depending on your dealers can be a major disappointment though. It for me and many others has been less than luxurious, less than any other car I've owned actually so be prepared for that.

 

[Rmsanger]

Just imagine what the 3.3T could do with a tune and a proper tranny that could launch. Sub 3.5 seconds would be likely...

 

[Toddasaurus]

Just imagine what the 3.3T could do with a tune and a proper tranny that could launch. Sub 3.5 seconds would be likely...

Turns out there IS a tune for that now. Haha.

Kia Stinger GT 3.3TT Stage 1 Tune

3.8s 0-60, pump gas, on AWD equipped Stingers, completely stock (other than the tune, of course). The G70 potentially could be even quicker. Tuner says he's losing traction on all 4 wheels during launch, but I think he has all season's. A sport trim G70 with those nicer tires/wheels may be able to get an even better time.

 

[Beefer]

^ bu bye warranty.