2020 BMW 3-series vs. 2020 Genesis G70

Hyundai’s Genesis luxury brand is still pretty green, and its lineup continues to lack an all-important SUV.
But it does build some compelling sedans. Its smallest, sportiest, and least expensive model is the 2020 Genesis G70, which shares most of its chassis and both of its available engines with the Kia Stinger. Last year we named the G70 to our 10Best cars list, as well as welcomed one into our long-term fleet in turbo 2.0-liter inline-four guise. What we haven't done yet is line one up next to the long-standing stalwart in the compact luxury sedan class, the BMW 

The Matchup
To make this a fair fight we ordered up the hottest version of the G70, with a twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 good for 365 horsepower, a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive, and, when you opt for the sport package, a staggered set of 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires. Base price is $45,645, which undercuts the entry point of the comparable six-cylinder BMW M340i by more than $9,000. Both brands also offer all-wheel-drive variants, as well as lesser-engined models, but we're more concerned with how things shake out at the sharp end of their lineups. Unlike the BMW, the G70 3.3T doesn't get inflated with a bunch of options. Once you select the $1300 sport package, Genesis also makes you go for the Elite and Prestige packages, making the $51,245 G70 about as loaded as one can get.

As tested, our rear-drive 2020 BMW M340i stickers for $67,070. Its smaller 3.0-liter inline-six only has a single, twin-scroll turbocharger, but it produces 382 horsepower and its 369 lb-ft of torque is just 7 lb-ft shy of the G70's. Unlike the G70, the latest 3-series is no longer available with a manual transmission in the United States, but it does feature ZF's excellent eight-speed automatic, which BMW says has been tweaked for use in the M340i with optimized hydraulics. Our example's $12K in options include black leather upholstery with blue stitching, an upgraded audio system, three safety-related packages, adaptive dampers, and the $1500 Cooling and HP Tire package, which adds Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires, larger front brake rotors, and an oil cooler behind the front bumper. An electronically controlled limited-slip differential and 19-inch wheels are standard.

Both cars weigh about the same, with the G70, at 3879 pounds, being the 66-pound heavier example, and their dimensions match up well. The Genesis is about an inch wider than the BMW, which gives its interior a bit more elbow room, while the M340i is about an inch longer. The BMW’s 112.2-inch wheelbase also is longer, but only by about half an inch. That additional wheelbase and clever packaging gives the German considerably more rear seat space than the Korean. Rear leg and headroom are tight in the Genesis, and if you’re more than six feet tall, your head will rub against its headliner. At 17 cubic feet, the BMW's trunk also is considerably larger than the G70's 11-cubic-foot hold.





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