Two of the auto industry’s leading luxury sedans – the Genesis G70 and the Audi A4 – have returned to the scene for model year 2023. While both of these upscale four-doors are marketed as relatively affordable options in a segment typically dominated by higher pricing, the G70 and A4 nevertheless display many of the same cutting-edge features found in their considerably costlier peers. Despite the similarities between the two, however, one of them leads the way with characteristics that place it considerably ahead of the other. Read on to see what we found when we compared them.
Leading Coverage
The 2023 Genesis G70 comes with better warranty coverage than the 2023 Audi A4. Its basic bumper-to-bumper warranty lasts for 5 years/60,000 miles, while its powertrain warranty is good for 10 years/100,000 miles. In contrast, both the A4’s basic and powertrain warranties reach their limit after 4 years/50,000 miles. Genesis also includes a generous complimentary maintenance plan that takes care of the G70’s routine oil changes and oil filter replacements, tire rotations, and multipoint inspections for 3 years/36,000 miles. Audi does not offer any complimentary maintenance – only maintenance plans that the buyer must pay for at the time that they purchase their vehicle.
Powertrains and Performance
Although the ’23 G70 and the ’23 A4 are two potent performers, the G70 takes the cake when it comes to outright power. The default engine in the G70 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 252 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, and while the A4’s standard engine is also a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, it puts out 201 hp (about 25 percent less than the G70’s base engine) and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. For more enthusiastic shoppers looking for greater zest, the G70’s available turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 produces 365 hp and 376 lb.-ft. of torque. The A4’s optional engine barely exceeds the power generated from the G70’s 2.0-liter turbo, making only 261 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. The two engines in the G70 are also paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, whereas the A4 has just a seven-speed.
Signature Amenities
Many of the same high-level features are shared between these two small performance sedans, like power-folding side mirrors, leather seats, sleek digital instrumentation, and wireless device charging. The G70, however, is treated to some unique features that aren’t available with the A4. These include Digital Key (which lets you unlock and start the vehicle from your smartphone), a convenient passenger walk-in device (this allows the driver to easily adjust the front passenger’s seat to improve comfort for the backseat occupant), rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a driver’s seat with a power cushion extender to lessen leg fatigue.
Advanced Safety Systems
There’s no shortage of active safety equipment in the G70 and A4. The two offer a slate of common driving aids, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and a surround-view camera system. Unlike the A4, though, the G70 is eligible for a few enhanced technologies, such as a rear seat reminder, driver attention warning, and a live-feed blind-spot view monitor that displays a real-time image of the vehicle’s blind spots in the gauge cluster.