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Genesis of Highland Park
490 Skokie Valley Rd #100, Highland Park, IL
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2021 Genesis G70 vs BMW 3 Series Highland Park
The 2021 Genesis G70 is a great luxury small car that comes packed with driver’s assistance features, a potent V6 engine, and a high-class cabin. The BMW 3 Series is competitive in the luxury small car rankings. Let’s see how it compares the 2021 Genesis G70.
Design/Price
The Genesis G70 delivers a sporty, energetic drive, with an upscale cabin full of soft leather surfaces. Five people can sit in the Genesis G70, with comfortable front seating, standard synthetic leather upholstery, a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. Higher trims offer more luxury features, such as suede headliner or quilted leather, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a 12-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. A power-adjustable and heated steering wheel are also available. Trunk space is limited to 10.3 cubic feet of space with its small-size trunk. The G70 comes in three trim levels: 2.OT, 2.OT 6-Speed Manual, and 3.3T, with a starting price of $36,000 for the 2.OT trim and ranging to $46,200 for the 3.3T trim.
The BMW 3 Series features spacious, comfortable seating and has one of the largest trunks in its class. It will carry five people; and you will get up to 17 cubic feet of trunk space, as well as a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat for more cargo utility. Its cabin is mostly upscale, with synthetic leather upholstery, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, and a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel. Genuine leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, carbon fiber front seats, a heated steering wheel, an M Sport steering wheel, and four-way front-seat power lumbar adjustments are options. It is available in five trims: 330i, M340i, 330e, M3, and M3 Competition, with a starting price of $41,250 for the 330i trim and ranging to $72,800 for the M3 Competition trim.
Safety and Technology
The G70 has one of the highest predicted reliability ratings. Its safety features include forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, a driver attention monitor, and lane keep assist. It features a well-organized menu on an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo, HD Radio, and two USB ports. A proximity keyless entry, push-button start, and dual-zone automatic climate control are also standard. Available features include navigation, wireless device charging, and a 15-speaker Lexicon stereo; as well as a sunroof.
The BMW 3 Series standard advanced safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a rearview camera. There are two different infotainment options – a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen running the 6.0 version of the brand’s iDrive software or an upgraded system that pairs a 10.25-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and iDrive 7.0. With the standard touchscreen, you can customize certain menus and icons and also use a rotary control knob on the center console. The upgraded system has voice commands, as well as an option for gesture control. It also is standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a 10-speaker stereo, and HD Radio. An available 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound stereo and satellite radio is an option.
Power and Fuel
The 2021 G70’s standard engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 252 horsepower and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. For a stronger option, a 365-horsepower twin-turbocharged 2.2-liter V6 engine is available on the 3.3T trim and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It has great handling and is fun to drive, with responsive steering that provides a good amount of feedback. The base engine will give you the best gas mileage, with 22/30 mpg in the city and on the highway, and with the twin turbo, you will get 17/26 mpg city and highway.
The BMW 3 Series powertrain options include a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower, an available 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder with 382 horsepower that comes with the M340i, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor with up to a combined 288 horsepower that comes with the 330e, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder with 473 horsepower that comes with the M3, and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder with 503 horsepower that comes with the M3 Competition. An eight-speed automatic transmission comes on all trims; except a six-speed manual comes with the M3 trim. Average fuel economy is 26/36 mpg city/highway for the standard 330i, RWD, and ranges to 16/23 mpg city/highway for the M3 trim.
Conclusion
The 2021 Genesis G70 stands out with one of the highest safety and predicted reliability ratings, elegant cabin materials, and a smooth ride. The 2021 BMW 3 Series has comfortable seating in both rows, a large trunk and some powerful engine choices, but if you want upscale cabin materials and a better price tag, you might want to look elsewhere.