[Roderick]

Not the best comparison video that AutoGuide has done, but it does give a solid overview of the strengths of weakness of each vehicle in this comparison. I don't really know how fair it is to compare the G70 to the M340i as that platform is 7 years old now.

_______________________________________________​

EDIT: June 05, 2019
I'm including some info that helped me come to a decision after an in-person G70 vs M340i vs Stinger GT cross comparison of my own, and choosing the G70.

Genesis G70 vs BMW 3-Series (M340i)

Value/Price

• "With a starting price around $36,000, the G70 undercuts such rivals by thousands. Standard conveniences are comparable to other base-trim luxury cars, but other items — among them a full complement of safety and driver-assistance technology, Genesis’ impressive warranty and three years’ free maintenance — go above and beyond. With all factory options, an AWD V-6 model tops out in the low $50,000s. That’s less sticker shock than many rivals: Pile on the extras and an Audi S4, BMW M340i or Mercedes-AMG C43 can easily barrel toward $70,000." -- Cars.com
• "At last we arrive at pricing, where the advantage shifts to Genesis. At roughly $10,000 premiums over the G70 3.3T, the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C43 lean on their reputations and specs. Audi’s S4 is a few thousand dollars cheaper and includes all-wheel drive as standard (a cost add-on for the three other cars), but is still far pricier than the Korean. Load up the three Germans with equipment to match the G70 and the price gap widens considerably." -- MilesPerHr

Performance

• "Genesis’ quickest car (60 mph comes in as little as 4.5 seconds, the brand says) is just as fun on curvy roads. All told, it can hold its own against the best sports sedans from heavy-hitting luxury brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz." -- Cars.com
• "Priced at $54,995, the M340i XDrive is not the screaming performance deal of the Genesis G70 3.3T, which is a solid 10 grand less. But if I were wailing around Portimao in a race for pink slips, my gut (and buttocks) say the BMW's suspension, brakes, and AWD system would carry the day." -- MotorTrend
• "Cutting three inches from the GT’s wheelbase and 100 pounds from its mass gives the G70 livelier response and greater agility. Taking corners at speed, the G70 remains flat and predictable. Steering feedback is limited, but turn-in is sharp and rapid. Proving itself as a true rear-drive sport sedan, the G70 wags its tail on command and holds drifts with traction and stability control switched off. Whether the Genesis is as sharp as the M340i is difficult to say, but it’s arguably more enjoyable as a daily driver." -- MilesPerHr
• "Both BMW’s M340i and Mercedes-AMG’s C43 boast more power than the G70 from their respective forced induction six-cylinder motors, while the Audi S4 has the least output of the four. The sprint to 60 mph shows the AMG out in front (4.0 seconds) and the G70 at the back of the pack, though the G70 has the highest (unlimited) top speed." -- MilesPerHr

Practicality/Space

• "Fuel economy favors the M340i and Audi S4 at 24-combined mpg, while cargo capacity is a tie between the AMG and BMW (both offering 17 cu. ft.)." -- MilesPerHr
• "Cargo space is up from 15.8 to a huge 17.0 cubic feet, which is significantly better than the Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4, Volvo S60 and Genesis G70." -- CNet

Manual Transmission

• "Manual transmissions are beyond endangered these days, with even stalwart players like the BMW 3 Series doing away with the stick shift. The fact that the G70 even offers one — available on rear-drive four-cylinder models — is laudable, but the execution is not. Imprecise throws, widely spaced gates and a bulky, low-rent shifter make this manual nothing to write home about." -- Cars.com

Genesis G70 vs Kia Stinger

Value/Price

• "So how do the two cars compare in price? Our 2018 Stinger GT1 AWD, whose sole options are a $125 red interior (now no longer offered with the red exterior), $50 cargo net and $95 cargo tray, totals $46,620. The 2019 G70 AWD 3.3T starts at $46,746, and our tester's Prestige package brings that total to $50,995. When configured with similar equipment, they're priced very closely to one another. Despite feeling more expensive, a top-of the line G70 ($52,495) is actually cheaper than the all-boxes-checked Stinger ($53,395)." -- AutoBlog

Driving Experience

• "The Genesis G70 borrows a lot from the Kia Stinger, including a version of its platform and a pair of powertrains, though the 2.0T can be had with a manual transmission in the Genesis. I've had the opportunity to spend a good amount of time in Autoblog's long-term Kia Stinger GT1 AWD. When we got a Genesis G70 AWD 3.3T at the office, I finally had the opportunity to drive the two cars back to back. While the driving experience feels fairly similar — especially in the way they both put the V6's 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque to the ground through all four wheels via an eight-speed transmission — this more immediate comparison brought their differences into starker contrast." -- AutoBlog
• "As far as ride, the Genesis isn't exactly smoother than the Stinger, at least not through the suspension, which is more isolating in the Kia. The G70 definitely feels calmer and more confident, however. It also feels lighter and nimbler. While I absolutely love the feeling of setting up for a corner in the Stinger with a hard dab of brakes, then feeling it roll into the turn, the G70 is much more competent at stringing those corners together. The Stinger is more willing to open up its soundtrack to the cabin and the world, though, and I welcome that beautiful V6 voice." -- AutoBlog
• "Where the Stinger offers a bargain on luxury touring, the G70 is a fresh take on the sports sedan. It has plenty of luxury, but driving dynamics are at the forefront as well. In addition to being shorter than the Stinger, the G70 is also lighter. It will be nimble in the corners in an attempt to take the fight to titans like the BMW 3-Series." -- CarsDirect

Design (interior & exterior)

• "The first thing that jumped out when I got in the G70 this time around was the supreme level of quality enjoyed in essentially every aspect of the Genesis. Its exterior design is striking in person. I've received a fair share of admiring comments in parking lots and gas stations with the Stinger, and I don't disagree that it's a hot-looking number, probably sportier looking than the smaller Genesis, even. But the G70 just does more to catch my eye and keep it there, from the big mesh grille, to its chrome accents and tidy but fit proportions. The Stinger's fastback profile is emotional, but the G70 is more elegant. This is amplified inside the vehicle. As soon as you open the door to the Prestige version of the G70, you're treated to an interior full of beautiful quilted Nappa leather. There's more visual and literal texture throughout the cabin, and the materials feel higher in quality than the Kia's. Even the headliner in our tester was pleasing to the eyes and fingertips, thanks to the inclusion of suede microfiber as part of the Prestige package. There's a bit more structure to the center stack, and a layout that is just slightly more intuitive than that of the Stinger." -- AutoBlog

Practicality/Space

• "What the Kia's interior gives up in artfulness and decadence, it makes up for in sheer volume behind the front seats. It's still a lovely place to spend time in terms of design, but the big draws are the extra two inches of rear legroom, and the 23 cubic feet of cargo space, compared to 10 in the G70, more if you fold the Stinger's seats down. Plus, that spiffy red leather interior that's in our long-term Stinger is much loved among many, including other members of the Autoblog staff." -- AutoBlog

Conclusion

• "If I had to pick between the two, the only reason I, personally, would choose the Stinger over the G70 would be if I regularly had to put an adult in the rear seat. With that extra room and larger cargo area underneath its hatch, the Stinger is the better grand tourer. All things considered, I'd much rather have the sharper handling, more involving and far more luxurious G70. Who cares if the occasional rear passenger is short on legroom in the G70? I suppose, to make it up to them, I could use the $900 I saved by picking the Genesis over the Kia to keep the car stocked with complimentary $10 bills. Or, better yet, give the passenger a turn behind the wheel. They'd probably fall for the G70, too." -- AutoBlog
• "Both offer a compelling value, but the Kia Stinger is the more striking statement. It offers legitimate luxury road presence at an astonishingly low price – a package that ought to have luxury badges quaking in their boots." -- CarsDirect

_______________________________________________​

 

[Sheppard]

The biggest differentiator between these models is going to be maintenance and running costs. Also consider the fact that Genesis offers valet service for vehicle maintenance, meaning you're never left with a loaner car or needing to work around scheduled appointments.

 

[FastG]

If you value aftermarket goodies then the BMW 3 Series might be for you. I come from that background but over time started valuing reliability and value, or more simply, the Stinger.

 

[Roderick]

I don't know if the Stinger has really been on the market long enough for anyone to make a definitive judgment on its reliability. At least most long term reviews have been quite positive, and we haven't seen any serious recalls or TSB's.

 

[FastG]

I don't know if the Stinger has really been on the market long enough for anyone to make a definitive judgment on its reliability. At least most long term reviews have been quite positive, and we haven't seen any serious recalls or TSB's.

People keep coming back to buy Kia products to an extent they have in the past to Toyota and Honda. That alone does a lot for the Stingers initial success. As long as Kia stays on top of updates and addressing issues, the Stinger will remain a hit regardless of the woes to be worked out.

 

[Sheppard]

Kia only moved like 15,000 Stingers last year, so the adoption rate isn't that great. I think a lot of people are waiting on cheaper second hand models to buy. Its a pretty big ask for something under a Korean badge.

 

[FastG]

Kia only moved like 15,000 Stingers last year, so the adoption rate isn't that great. I think a lot of people are waiting on cheaper second hand models to buy. Its a pretty big ask for something under a Korean badge.

Kia is only in the early stages, what matters is they adjust to what consumers want. One key indication has been V6 sales surging well past the 4 banger.

However, a baby Stinger sold with 4 cyl's exclusively would be ideal and the new Forte does that.

 

[Roderick]

15,000 sales of a first gen model is pretty good for a new, unproven platform. When you consider the declining sales that even segment leading sedans like the Accord are seeing, its even more impressive.

 

[FastG]

I'll wait for sales momentum to die down, there's hype that associated with these and that can drop hard.

 

[Roderick]

What does hype have to do with anything? There are plenty of Stingers to go around, so there haven't been any crazy dealer markups either.

 

[Sheppard]

There have been reports of paint issues, particularly with the Yellow Stingers, but I believe Kia is offering a lifetime of resprays for those unhappy. Haven't seen any major mechanical recalls or TSB's yet.

 

[FastG]

resprays are never a good thing and will devalue Stingers quite a bit on the used market

 

[Ricky.M]

Not the best comparison video that AutoGuide has done, but it does give a solid overview of the strengths of weakness of each vehicle in this comparison. I don't really know how fair it is to compare the G70 to the M340i as that platform is 7 years old now.

_______________________________________________​

EDIT: June 07, 2019
I'm including some info that helped me come to a decision after an in-person G70 vs M340i vs Stinger GT cross comparison of my own, and choosing the G70.

Genesis G70 vs BMW 3-Series (M340i)

Value/Price

• "With a starting price around $36,000, the G70 undercuts such rivals by thousands. Standard conveniences are comparable to other base-trim luxury cars, but other items — among them a full complement of safety and driver-assistance technology, Genesis’ impressive warranty and three years’ free maintenance — go above and beyond. With all factory options, an AWD V-6 model tops out in the low $50,000s. That’s less sticker shock than many rivals: Pile on the extras and an Audi S4, BMW M340i or Mercedes-AMG C43 can easily barrel toward $70,000." -- Cars.com
• "At last we arrive at pricing, where the advantage shifts to Genesis. At roughly $10,000 premiums over the G70 3.3T, the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C43 lean on their reputations and specs. Audi’s S4 is a few thousand dollars cheaper and includes all-wheel drive as standard (a cost add-on for the three other cars), but is still far pricier than the Korean. Load up the three Germans with equipment to match the G70 and the price gap widens considerably." -- MilesPerHr

Performance

• "Genesis’ quickest car (60 mph comes in as little as 4.5 seconds, the brand says) is just as fun on curvy roads. All told, it can hold its own against the best sports sedans from heavy-hitting luxury brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz." -- Cars.com
• "Priced at $54,995, the M340i XDrive is not the screaming performance deal of the Genesis G70 3.3T, which is a solid 10 grand less. But if I were wailing around Portimao in a race for pink slips, my gut (and buttocks) say the BMW's suspension, brakes, and AWD system would carry the day." -- MotorTrend
• "Cutting three inches from the GT’s wheelbase and 100 pounds from its mass gives the G70 livelier response and greater agility. Taking corners at speed, the G70 remains flat and predictable. Steering feedback is limited, but turn-in is sharp and rapid. Proving itself as a true rear-drive sport sedan, the G70 wags its tail on command and holds drifts with traction and stability control switched off. Whether the Genesis is as sharp as the M340i is difficult to say, but it’s arguably more enjoyable as a daily driver." -- MilesPerHr
• "Both BMW’s M340i and Mercedes-AMG’s C43 boast more power than the G70 from their respective forced induction six-cylinder motors, while the Audi S4 has the least output of the four. The sprint to 60 mph shows the AMG out in front (4.0 seconds) and the G70 at the back of the pack, though the G70 has the highest (unlimited) top speed." -- MilesPerHr

Practicality/Space

• "Fuel economy favors the M340i and Audi S4 at 24-combined mpg, while cargo capacity is a tie between the AMG and BMW (both offering 17 cu. ft.)." -- MilesPerHr
• "Cargo space is up from 15.8 to a huge 17.0 cubic feet, which is significantly better than the Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4, Volvo S60 and Genesis G70." -- CNet

Manual Transmission

• "Manual transmissions are beyond endangered these days, with even stalwart players like the BMW 3 Series doing away with the stick shift. The fact that the G70 even offers one — available on rear-drive four-cylinder models — is laudable, but the execution is not. Imprecise throws, widely spaced gates and a bulky, low-rent shifter make this manual nothing to write home about." -- Cars.com

Genesis G70 vs Kia Stinger

Value/Price

• "So how do the two cars compare in price? Our 2018 Stinger GT1 AWD, whose sole options are a $125 red interior (now no longer offered with the red exterior), $50 cargo net and $95 cargo tray, totals $46,620. The 2019 G70 AWD 3.3T starts at $46,746, and our tester's Prestige package brings that total to $50,995. When configured with similar equipment, they're priced very closely to one another. Despite feeling more expensive, a top-of the line G70 ($52,495) is actually cheaper than the all-boxes-checked Stinger ($53,395)." -- AutoBlog

Driving Experience

• "The Genesis G70 borrows a lot from the Kia Stinger, including a version of its platform and a pair of powertrains, though the 2.0T can be had with a manual transmission in the Genesis. I've had the opportunity to spend a good amount of time in Autoblog's long-term Kia Stinger GT1 AWD. When we got a Genesis G70 AWD 3.3T at the office, I finally had the opportunity to drive the two cars back to back. While the driving experience feels fairly similar — especially in the way they both put the V6's 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque to the ground through all four wheels via an eight-speed transmission — this more immediate comparison brought their differences into starker contrast." -- AutoBlog
• "As far as ride, the Genesis isn't exactly smoother than the Stinger, at least not through the suspension, which is more isolating in the Kia. The G70 definitely feels calmer and more confident, however. It also feels lighter and nimbler. While I absolutely love the feeling of setting up for a corner in the Stinger with a hard dab of brakes, then feeling it roll into the turn, the G70 is much more competent at stringing those corners together. The Stinger is more willing to open up its soundtrack to the cabin and the world, though, and I welcome that beautiful V6 voice." -- AutoBlog
• "Where the Stinger offers a bargain on luxury touring, the G70 is a fresh take on the sports sedan. It has plenty of luxury, but driving dynamics are at the forefront as well. In addition to being shorter than the Stinger, the G70 is also lighter. It will be nimble in the corners in an attempt to take the fight to titans like the BMW 3-Series." -- CarsDirect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=tiVCAfd5Hro

Design (interior & exterior)

• "The first thing that jumped out when I got in the G70 this time around was the supreme level of quality enjoyed in essentially every aspect of the Genesis. Its exterior design is striking in person. I've received a fair share of admiring comments in parking lots and gas stations with the Stinger, and I don't disagree that it's a hot-looking number, probably sportier looking than the smaller Genesis, even. But the G70 just does more to catch my eye and keep it there, from the big mesh grille, to its chrome accents and tidy but fit proportions. The Stinger's fastback profile is emotional, but the G70 is more elegant. This is amplified inside the vehicle. As soon as you open the door to the Prestige version of the G70, you're treated to an interior full of beautiful quilted Nappa leather. There's more visual and literal texture throughout the cabin, and the materials feel higher in quality than the Kia's. Even the headliner in our tester was pleasing to the eyes and fingertips, thanks to the inclusion of suede microfiber as part of the Prestige package. There's a bit more structure to the center stack, and a layout that is just slightly more intuitive than that of the Stinger." -- AutoBlog

Practicality/Space

• "What the Kia's interior gives up in artfulness and decadence, it makes up for in sheer volume behind the front seats. It's still a lovely place to spend time in terms of design, but the big draws are the extra two inches of rear legroom, and the 23 cubic feet of cargo space, compared to 10 in the G70, more if you fold the Stinger's seats down. Plus, that spiffy red leather interior that's in our long-term Stinger is much loved among many, including other members of the Autoblog staff." -- AutoBlog

Conclusion

• "If I had to pick between the two, the only reason I, personally, would choose the Stinger over the G70 would be if I regularly had to put an adult in the rear seat. With that extra room and larger cargo area underneath its hatch, the Stinger is the better grand tourer. All things considered, I'd much rather have the sharper handling, more involving and far more luxurious G70. Who cares if the occasional rear passenger is short on legroom in the G70? I suppose, to make it up to them, I could use the $900 I saved by picking the Genesis over the Kia to keep the car stocked with complimentary $10 bills. Or, better yet, give the passenger a turn behind the wheel. They'd probably fall for the G70, too." -- AutoBlog
• "Both offer a compelling value, but the Kia Stinger is the more striking statement. It offers legitimate luxury road presence at an astonishingly low price – a package that ought to have luxury badges quaking in their boots." -- CarsDirect

_______________________________________________​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p7k3Xu4s6A

Those statements are right about one thing, the Stinger gets a lot of looks... and questions. I borrowed my friends Stinger GT for a weekend and got a lot of people saying its like a poor mans Panamera or it reminds them of the Panamera. Happened to come across a small G70 meet and all those guys reported were people looking as they drive by but no comments. I'm still stuck on which to choose and might hold out to see what 2020 model year is like. Did you realize that while test driving the G70 and Stinger?