2024 Genesis G70 vs. 2024 Audi A5 Comparison

The Genesis G70 and Audi A5 are compact luxury cars that deliver exciting driving dynamics and lots of everyday practicality. They are four-wheel proof that not every vehicle shopper out there is enamored with the idea of parking an SUV in their garage or driveway.

We’ve put countless miles on both the G70 and A5 during many road tests. In the end, does one emerge as the clear winner in a head-to-head comparison?

Let’s take a look at some highlights of each car to find out.

2024 Genesis G70

This G70 joined the Genesis range for the 2019 model year but benefited from a substantial redesign in 2022. The most notable update for the 2024 Genesis G70 includes a stronger base drivetrain and Brembo brakes as a standard fitment. 

Pricing begins at $42,750, including delivery charges. A top-of-the-line 3.3T Sport Prestige trim starts at around $51,000. We’ve routinely praised the G70 for its engaging driving dynamics and solid value among luxury sedans. Here are a few more things we especially enjoy. 

Genesis G70 Highlights 

Excellent warranty: The Genesis G70 has a more extensive warranty than the Audi A5, not to mention just about every other direct rival among small luxury sedans. A 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty is bolstered by 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage. This is great news for car shoppers who value peace of mind down the road. 

Safety first: The Genesis G70 is packed with driver assistance features and performed well in recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests. All G70 trims come with sought-after safety aids such as rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, safe exit assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and a driver attention monitor.

Strong turbo 4-cylinder drivetrain: For the 2024 model year, the new base drivetrain in the Genesis G70 is a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that sends 300 horsepower to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. This replaces the previous entry-level 252-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. This engine is smooth, refined, and delivers plenty of passing power. 

Twin-turbo V6, all-wheel drive: For those who want more thrust when they punch the throttle, there’s an available twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 that churns out 365 hp. This drops the time it takes to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph to less than 5 seconds. Like the turbo 4-cylinder, the twin-turbo V6 is available with rear- or all-wheel drive. 

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the G70 models near you.

2024 Audi A5

Audi sells the 2024 A5 in three body styles: coupe, convertible, and sedan. For the sake of this comparison, we’re focusing our attention on the 5-passenger sedan, which boasts a rear hatchback and roomy cargo hold (more on this in a moment). 

The current iteration of the A5 first arrived on the scene for the 2018 model year. Since then, it has received a steady stream of improvements, including performance-tuned variants with tire-smoking drivetrains. 

This model year ushers in more standard equipment. Every variant of the A5 now comes with active lane assistance, adaptive cruise control, and a heated steering wheel. Pricing begins at $47,295, including destination charges.

Audi A5 Highlights

Fuel economy: Serving as the base powertrain in the A5 40 TFSI variant is a 201-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder coupled to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the G70, where all-wheel drive (AWD) is an extra-cost feature, it comes standard on every A5. This engine returns an excellent EPA-rated 30 mpg combined. For a little more pep, there is also a 261-hp version of this turbo 4-cylinder called the 45 TFSI. While it’s not quite as good on gas, we think it adds more sparkle to how the A5 gets down the road. 

Cabin quality: Audi continues to deliver elegant interiors with no-nonsense controls and top-quality trim. Consider us big fans, in other words. Standard features include a heated steering wheel, leather seating upholstery, heated front seats, wireless smartphone connectivity, a panoramic sunroof, and tri-zone climate control.   

Quick S5, crazy fast RS 5: The A5 turns into a veritable rocket in the S5 or RS 5 configuration. The former comes with a 349-hp turbo 3.0-liter V6, while the latter is equipped with a storming 444-hp turbo V6. Either is a great pick if you crave straight-line speed and don’t mind the additional cash outlay. The S5 Sportback starts at around $57,000, whereas the RS 5 Sportback commands nearly $79,000.  

Cargo volume: From crazy-fast acceleration to … cargo space? It’s true; the A5 Sportback delivers a great deal of room behind its split-folding second row. At 21.8 cubic feet in capacity, it’s nearly double the amount of trunk room provided by the G70. 

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the A5 models near you.

Similarities

They’re refined and fun to drive, loaded with tech and safety features, and each has the all-weather assurance of AWD. We’ve found the Genesis G70 and Audi A5 to be great all-rounders.

Conclusion

The Audi A5 Sportback is an interesting alternative thanks to its handy rear hatchback and standard AWD. We love the interior quality, not to mention the overall comfort levels of this sleek sedan.

The Genesis G70 doesn’t have the cargo space or horsepower bragging rights in this contest. Yet it counters with exemplary warranty coverage, a lower base price, and a long roster of standard features. Let’s also point out that the Genesis’s base engine has a 99-hp advantage over the standard drivetrain in the Audi A5. 

This is why the G70 takes the win and sits near the top of our ranking of the Best Luxury Compact Cars.