Comparison: 2022 Genesis G70 vs BMW 4 Series

As two of the freshest new products in the luxury sport scene today, I wanted to put this pair in front of perspective shoppers once again — this time, with a focus on the key differences and similarities between the two. Is the BMW worth the extra spend? How does the G70 stack up? Let’s look at the key reasons to spend — or save — your money, when deciding between one or the other.

The Machinery

My top-shelf Genesis G70 Sport tester offered up a 368-horsepower engine, new-for-2022 features and styling, and came in at $59,000, delivered to your door.

For another $6,000 or so, you’ll find a BMW M440i like my tester, opening the bidding at $64,950 with its sleeker two-door body and 382-horsepower straight-six hybrid engine. If you’re after a four-door, the BMW M340i offers a similar setup, albeit in a sedan configuration with a lower starting price.

My tested M440i, complete with over $14,000 in optional equipment upgrades focused on advanced driving assistance, upgraded sporting equipment, and enhanced high-tech feature touches, clocked in at $79,550 — a cool $20,550 more than the G70.

Let’s look at where these machines are the most different, the most similar, and where I levelled my main praises and complaints of each. These observations come from a long-distance, primarily highway-driving route, and I hope they’ll help you to either question or confirm your purchase decision if you’re considering one or both machines.

Built For Enthusiast Drivers

Both contenders run turbocharged engines, AWD, performance-oriented handling and braking, and intend to connect readily with enthusiast drivers by way of equipment like high-performing braking systems, limited slip rear axles, and sporty, sticky tires. Both machines use an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift, as well as wide variability of their on-the-road feel by way of drive modes that recalibrate systems on the fly, taking either machine from aggressive to laid-back and relaxing at the tap of a button.

Though both machines are engineered to put a smile on the face of enthusiast drivers, they’re also both at home on the open highway for hours on end.

Highway Driving Experience

Of the pair, the G70 Sport delivered the more comfortable and quieter highway ride on my watch.

Specifically, the G70 better resists road and tire noise caused by some highway surfaces, and does a better job of smoothing out vibrations through its body and steering, more of the time. Drivers and occupants get a smoother and quieter experience, more of the time.

The M440i’s interior noise levels are more at the mercy of the surface passing beneath, and its suspension doesn’t stand up as well to certain rougher surfaces, without degrading ride quality.

The differences are relatively slight, but remain significant. Enthusiast drivers likely won’t mind the higher levels of feedback in the M440i, though if highway ride comfort is a priority, I think you’ll find the G70 a better pick.

Advanced Safety Tech

Both of my testers offer advanced technology to help inspire driver confidence and satisfy the shopper’s demand for the latest and greatest safety equipment.

In the G70, my favourite feature was the turn-signal camera mirrors. Tap the turn signal, and a corresponding live image from the side of the vehicle is displayed in the instrument cluster via a wide-angle camera video feed. This function works for both directions, looks incredible in action, and helps drivers more easily gather information about their surroundings.

If you’re considering a G70, I think you’ll enjoy having this feature every time you use it.

In the M440i, the upgraded driver assist features include an animated on-screen infographic that uses the car’s advanced radar and camera systems to display a real time 3D map of the nearby traffic. Vehicles nearby are animated onto the screen, and move in real time in relation to the M440i, even as they change lanes. The system is able to track nearby vehicles in several lanes of traffic, and can even tell the difference between motorcycles, cars and trucks.

Like the G70’s turn-signal camera mirrors, this feature is central to the highway driving experience, and helps drivers stay apprised of the goings-on in their motoring environment. Between these features, I found the BMW’s 3D traffic model to be the most impressive to watch, and the Genesis camera mirror system to be the most useful.

Powertrain

Of the pair, the M440i’s powertrain is the most impressive, and easily worth the extra spend from enthusiast drivers with the budget, versus the G70.

In part, that’s because the straight-six turbo engine uses hybrid tech to help enhance performance and smoothness. From the driver’s seat, expect an engine that’s quieter when working gently, more responsive more of the time, and more powerful when worked hard.  In all situations, the hybrid tech also makes the BMW’s engine smoother, considerably more responsive from low revs, and notably more fuel efficient.

Further, the BMW has the more pleasing and assertive engine sound, as well as an advantage in paddle-shift response and speed, versus the Genesis. The BMW offers superior highway driving range as well, more easily handling longer trips with fewer stops to refuel.

The 3.3-litre V6 in the G70 is an excellent powerplant. Though thirstier and less powerful than the BMW hybrid, it puts on a convincing show for enthusiast drivers with a tastefully restrained sports exhaust system, and enough mid-RPM torque to turn in effortless passing and merging with little more than a muted roar coming in from the engine room.

From the driver’s seat, the most notable differences between these two engines are the throttle response and smoothness. Simply, the excellent BMW straight-six hybrid engine does the better job of translating throttle inputs directly into very smooth, often quieter acceleration.

Both powertrains put a grin on this driving enthusiast’s face, but in the BMW, those grins were wider, and appeared more often.

I noted the interiors of my testers to serve up two unique driving environments.

In the BMW, it’s mostly screens, tech, interfaces, and control surfaces that grab the attention. The fully digital instrument cluster looks more high-end than the partial-digital cluster in the G70, and the after-dark lighting and ambience in the BMW is more dramatic. Still, my testers interior colour and texture palette felt more subdued and formal.

If you’re a fan of high-end display tech and futuristic-looking after-dark cabin ambiance, I think you’ll prefer the look of the BMW’s interior.

In the G70, the cabin initially grabs attention by way of its friskier use of colour and texture, with unique details like quilted leather and a flowing centre console rewarding closer inspection. Though the G70’s cabin doesn’t impress as readily by way of its displays and control surfaces, its look is more playful, dramatic, and engaging.

If you’re looking for a unique and powerful design experience from your new luxury car’s interior, I think you’ll be more impressed with the G70.

Happy shopping.