Genesis G70 vs BMW 3 Series
Luxury sedans · head to head, 2019–2027
The Genesis G70 and BMW 3 Series were both sold for 9 model years (2019–2027). Among the G70's own years, no year clearly stands out as the best bet; years to avoid: 2019; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the 3 Series's own years, no year clearly stands out as the best bet; years to avoid: 2020; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Genesis G70
Sedan · 2019–2027
- Best bet no standout year
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2019
BMW 3 Series
Sedan · 2010–2027
- Best bet no standout year
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2020
- Be careful 2010–2014
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy G70 year says nothing about whether it beats a 3 Series. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Genesis G70 | BMW 3 Series | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly fuel system and power train | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.5× usual, mostly engine and air bags | Side by side |
| 2019 | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.7× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2027: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2027 Genesis G70 | 2027 BMW 3 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | Not rated | Not rated |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | $79,300 to $88,600 base price by trim, 3 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo manual available |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 23–24 mpg | 18–19 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | Not rated | — |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 0 · 0 | — · — |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2027 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| G70 2.5T first listed | G70 2.5T Sport Prestige last listed | 3 Series Base lowest price, $79,300 | 3 Series Competition xDrive highest price, $88,600 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Standard | Optional | Optional |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | Standard | Optional | Optional |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | — | — |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2027 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2027 page (G70, 3 Series).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Genesis G70
11 manufacturer programs on file: 4 extended coverage, 7 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Certain 2019-2023MY G70 (IK) vehicles are equipped with high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) assemblies that have fuel control valves (FCV) that could allow excess fuel to enter the fuel pump due to gradual wear of the FCV plunger. Genesis is… (25-FL-002G, 2019–2023 models)
- Extended coverage Certain 2019 – 2022 model year Genesis G70 vehicles may experience an inoperative blower motor (not blowing) that may be caused by damage or deterioration of the blower motor multi-fuse and fuse box. In an effort to meet this commitment,… (Z02G, 2019–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Some vehicles may have an inoperative blower motor (not blowing). The warranty coverage for repairs and replacement of the front wiring on some G70 (IK) vehicles has been extended to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original… (26-BE-005G, 2020–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Some vehicles may have an inoperative blower motor (not blowing). The warranty coverage for repairs and replacement of the front wiring on certain 2019MY G70 (IK) vehicles has been extended to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of… (25-BE-004G, 2019 models)
BMW 3 Series
24 manufacturer programs on file: 20 extended coverage, 4 repair programs.
- Extended coverage For the basic steering gears, one possible cause is that the mounting bolts for the electric motor may become loose, missing and/or broken due to corrosion. (B012618, 2012–2015 models)
- Extended coverage N26 LEAK DIAGNOSIS MODULE (NVLD): LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES FOR ""NON-CALIFORNIA EMISSION"" STATUTE STATES. INFORMATION For the eligible vehicles that are not covered under the ""State of California PZEV (SULEV)… (B011516, 2012–2013, 2015 models)
- Extended coverage Engine Camshaft (VANOS) Adjustment Units: Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years Without Mileage Limitation. INFORMATION BMW of North America, LLC ("BMW NA") is extending the limited warranty for the Camshaft (VANOS) Adjustment Units on… (011014, 2011–2013 models)
- Extended coverage The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date. (B010725, 2021–2022 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2021–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2020: the G70 is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly fuel system and power train), while the 3 Series is rated avoid (serious complaints 2.5× usual, mostly engine and air bags). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2019: the 3 Series is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and power train), while the G70 is rated avoid (serious complaints 2.7× usual, mostly engine and fuel system). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: G70 2019; 3 Series 2020.
- Newest year rated a good buy: G70 2025; 3 Series 2025.
- Third row: neither has one in 2027.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2027: G70 at 24 mpg (3 Series: 19), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.