Compare the2023 Volkswagen GTIVS 2023 Genesis G70

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen GTI have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Genesis G70 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The GTI’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The G70 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The GTI has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The G70 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GTI has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The G70 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the GTI and the G70 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GTI’s warranty.

The Volkswagen GTI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the G70’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 260) than the G70 2.0T’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen GTI is faster than the G70 2.0T 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the GTI gets better mileage than the G70:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the GTI’s fuel efficiency. The G70 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the GTI Automatic and the G70 2.0T have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All GTI Automatics have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the G70.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen GTI higher (5 out of 10) than the Genesis G70 (3). This means the GTI produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G70 every 15,000 miles.

The GTI offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The G70 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The GTI offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The G70 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the GTI’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the G70:

The GTI’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the G70 2.0T are solid, not vented.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The GTI has a standard Hydraulic Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The G70 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The GTI stops much shorter than the G70:

For better traction, the GTI Autobahn’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the G70 (235/35R19 vs. 225/40R19).

The GTI Autobahn’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the G70’s 40 series front tires.

The GTI handles at .96 G’s, while the G70 Sport Advanced pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GTI executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the G70 Sport Advanced (25 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GTI’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the G70’s (35.8 feet vs. 36.3 feet). The GTI’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the G70 AWD’s (35.8 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The Volkswagen GTI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 700 pounds less than the Genesis G70.

The GTI is 1 foot, 3.6 inches shorter than the G70, making the GTI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the GTI is quieter than the G70 (76 vs. 77 dB).

The GTI has 1.2 inches more rear headroom and .2 inches more rear legroom than the G70.

The GTI’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The G70 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The GTI’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The G70’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the GTI to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The G70 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GTI has a standard rear wiper. The G70 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The GTI has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the G70 AWD/3.3T Sport Prestige.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen GTI has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the G70 Advance/Sport Prestige offers wireless charging.

The GTI Autobahn’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The G70 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The GTI was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 16 of the last 16 years. The G70 hasn’t been picked since 2019.

The GTI was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 5 of the last 15 years. The G70 has never been an “All Star.”

The Volkswagen Golf/GTI outsold the Genesis G70 by 32% during the 2021 model year.