What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3
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First time poster here, so hello everyone!
TL;DR: driving dynamics or practicality and nice interior?
I'm having a hard time deciding between two options that I like. Buying a new daily driver for both me and my wife, we currently have only one car which is an ND2 Miata. Grocery runs in a Miata are fun except the part where we try to squish the groceries in the trunk. We don't really have really hard requirements, other than it has to be bigger than a Miata, and needs to be comfortable over long highway drives and excel at road trips, as we're new to Southern California and we want to explore the area.
We've been through a bunch of options, ranging from a Mazda6 (sensible budget option), through S550 Mustang GT (something cool) and a X3 M40i (decent trunk and plenty fast, but we don't want to spend that much)
Our thoughts so far on the G70:
- Engine / gearbox / rwd drive combo is really nice on the 3.3. Way quicker than we need it to be and very fun.
- suspension setup is sweet - not to harsh, but drives good
- we don't like the sedan form factor. it will get our groceries, but on a rare occasion that we need to move something bigger, we don't want to have the same issue as we have with the Miata.
- infotainment. it works. it is not supper snappy, nothing to write home about, gets the job done... but we don't like the touchscreen, we would love some input method like BMW's idrive or Mazda knob. The graphics look bad.
- we like the physical HVAC controls
- the audio system is pretty nice
In a nutshell, we love how the thing drives, we don't like the form factor, everything else is ok
Our thoughts so far on the V60
- we love wagons. plenty of space with nothing of that high center of gravity of an SUV. in terms of form factor, this is the car we're looking for.
- the interior is an awesome place to be in.
- we like the looks of the car
- audio is nice, even though we can't find a car with the Bowers & Wilkins setup, the Harman Kardon version is good enough
- we don't like the touchscreen everything. The screen placement makes it a bit better than the Genesis experience, but the fact that you have to use touchscreen to change the temperature is probably the biggest drawback of the car
- the engine / gearbox / fwd combo is just meh. It is far from the slowest car we've ever driven, but it is uninspiring at best.
In a nutshell, we love the form factor and practicality and interior, touchscreen is a pain, engine is barely enough for my liking
We will make our own decision, but I'm curious of everyone's thoughts! What do you think we should get? And before anyone asks: A4 allroad and Buick Regal are not considered.
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As much as I love the V60 (and I really do), the G70 just seems like it is earning its spot as one of the best of its segment for good reason.
Ultimately, I don't think you could go wrong with either one of them.
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Warning Oppo loves a good wagon
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@exage03040 said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
Warning Oppo loves a good wagon
All wagons are good wagons
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Used V60CC? That AWD is nice and it even allows a little oversteer if pushed hard.
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@szy YES
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@szy I drive beaters, so my answer is a yes.
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Welcome to oppo
Get the wagon
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Welcome! May I suggest the Kia Stinger? RWD or AWD largish lift back with great driving dynamics and plenty of practicality for less than a comparable 5 series. It ticks the boxes of a bit if a left field choice based on your interest in the G70 (same platform but more staid styling and less practical conventional trunk) and the V60. Might want to test a V60 Cross Country if you don't like the FWD dynamics.
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Thank you all for the responses so far. I agree that there is no wrong choice here.
@britsnswedes-was-minigti said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
Used V60CC? That AWD is nice and it even allows a little oversteer if pushed hard.
It would need to be almost new - unfortunately, no offers like that in the area. Also if I'm to believe the reviews, T6 is nothing to write home about either. I'm still disturbed by the fact that Volvo discontinued the T6 though!
@whoistheleader said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
Welcome! May I suggest the Kia Stinger? RWD or AWD largish lift back with great driving dynamics and plenty of practicality for less than a comparable 5 series. It ticks the boxes of a bit if a left field choice based on your interest in the G70 (same platform but more staid styling and less practical conventional trunk) and the V60. Might want to test a V60 Cross Country if you don't like the FWD dynamics.
I did drive the Stinger and I dislike the interior so much that I disqualified it completely. My wife likes it even less. I'm missing the light color interior option. The trunk is better than in the Genesis, but I expected it to be bigger based on the reviews. The red and the blue versions look much nicer than the Genesis IMO. Yes, I'm picky as hell.
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I know the A4 didnt make the list, but what about the golf wagon or alltrack? Too small?
Between the G70 and V60 which was quieter on the road? (wind/road noise)
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@szy From a household that owns two wagons, and doesn't like sedans, I still say get the Genesis. RWD, physical climate controls, faster, smoother. A sedan does a day's work 99% of the time.
Here's the problem with the V60: it doesn't seem worth the compromise for the one to two ikea trips you'll make annually. FWD, not as fun, not as fast. Further, the cargo space is the same as my wife's Pontiac Vibe. And it's actually worst because the usable space is squished and stretched compared to a boxy upright Matrix.
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I drive a Volvo and think everyone else should too.
First off, the V60 is one of the best looking cars currently offered for sale. Not sure why you need physical buttons for the climate control, when you buy the car set it at whatever temp you like and never touch it again? I have owned my car for three years and adjust the temp twice a year. 72 in the summer and 68 in the winter. Hell you can set the seat heaters and the defrost to come on automatically based on the outside temp.
I drive a 2015 V60 which has the same engine as you are considering. In normal mode it's kind of slow and uninspired. The transmission shifts gears very early and it seems to like to be just out of the power band at all time. In sport mode it's a different animal. Add to that a Polestar tune and it should feel plenty quick.
I don't remember what other car you were considering. It doesn't matter, get the Volvo.
But buy a used one. You can save $10k on a year old car with 10k on the clock.
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My father in law is considering basically the same 2 vehicles, except he's looking at the S60 and G70. He's coming out of a 5 series hybrid and wants something more sensible. I bet he goes Volvo though because he's had them in the past.
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Would the lack of space be super irritating constantly? Would the irritation be so much that you'd find yourself fed up? If so, wagon, otherwise, not a bad choice I don't think.
If the back seats fold down in the genesis that might allocate more room?
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This feels targeted lol. ND1 and I want my next car to have a bit more trunk and be better on road trips. Luckily I have the GF's focus hatch to lean on if need be.
My first though was g70, since it should be more reliable, longer. BUT if you're buying nearly new and have the miata, damn the V60 is a good looking, practical car. T5 isn't the crazy double boost or have the complicated hybrid set up. Id put that next to the miata. -
I voted for the V60. I recently test drove a V60 Cross Country and loved it. I didnt buy it because I didn't need practical - I already have a GMC Terrain and an '87 Volvo 240 wagon if I need practical. So I bought a fun car (Camaro SS). But if I was in the reverse position, had the fun car and needed a practical one, I'd get the Volvo. Its really, really nice, lots of space, and I thought it was relatively fun to drive.
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Have you considered a TLX?
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Seconding the Stinger recommendation. Same platform as the G70 but with better looks and a bigass hatch in back. The GT1 trim is very well equipped but the GT2 gets you nice additional features like a 360 camera, HUD, power hatch, nicer upholstery, more power seat adjustments & heated rear seats.
Personally I hate the look of the G70's grille. Hate hate hate. Both the G70 and Stinger are getting refreshed for 2022. They're getting updated infotainment, with minor styling tweaks and nicer interior materials for the Stinger, and a big huge change in styling on the G70 that vastly improves the looks up front. I still prefer the Stinger and its bigass hatch over the facelifted G70, but IMHO buying a new pre-facelift G70 now when the new one is soooooo much better looking is foolish.
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Assuming you're talking current gen brand new/CPO, under warranty - I'd go with the V60. It's such a pretty car, and wagon...assuming similar pricing.
If buying used I'd probably go with the G70 (assuming better warranty coverage and overall lower maintenance costs in the long run) as long as you're OK with the sedan form factor and can do without a wagon.
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@kleebrz said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
I know the A4 didnt make the list, but what about the golf wagon or alltrack? Too small?
Between the G70 and V60 which was quieter on the road? (wind/road noise)
Too small and not that nice.
I feel like the V60 is a tad quieter, but G70 is nowhere near bad, especially after the fake exhaust sounds are turned off. Keep in mind that my reference is a miata
@dr-zoidberg said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
@szy From a household that owns two wagons, and doesn't like sedans, I still say get the Genesis. RWD, physical climate controls, faster, smoother. A sedan does a day's work 99% of the time.
Here's the problem with the V60: it doesn't seem worth the compromise for the one to two ikea trips you'll make annually. FWD, not as fun, not as fast. Further, the cargo space is the same as my wife's Pontiac Vibe. And it's actually worst because the usable space is squished and stretched compared to a boxy upright Matrix.
95% of the time Miata gets the job done. It is the time when it does not gets old really quick. 99% of the time we don't need a wagon. But we want one! I disagree on the usable space - I actually like the wagon trunk better than anything that is taller, but I'm not going to argue that it is universally better.
@sovande said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
First off, the V60 is one of the best looking cars currently offered for sale. Not sure why you need physical buttons for the climate control, when you buy the car set it at whatever temp you like and never touch it again? I have owned my car for three years and adjust the temp twice a year. 72 in the summer and 68 in the winter. Hell you can set the seat heaters and the defrost to come on automatically based on the outside temp.
Can't disagree on the looks. On the HVAC control on the touchscreen, fair point. Does not make me like the touchscreen better and I will be able to live with it, I just don't love it. It's actually a bigger problem with the CarPlay, but that problem exists with both cars. I hate to admit it, but BMW wins here by a mile.
How is the connected app? being able to turn on the aircon remotely on a hot day before you enter the car, or the heating on a cold day seems a nice promise.
@sovande said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
I drive a 2015 V60 which has the same engine as you are considering. In normal mode it's kind of slow and uninspired. The transmission shifts gears very early and it seems to like to be just out of the power band at all time. In sport mode it's a different animal. Add to that a Polestar tune and it should feel plenty quick.
Do you driven a car with and without the Polestar tune back to back? The webpage says that it addresses the throttle response, which should help a ton. I don't need a quick car, I just don't want it to feel slow. The time from hitting the loud pedal to actual acceleration in the Volvo is not too nice, so if anything can be done here, it will help!
@hike said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
My father in law is considering basically the same 2 vehicles, except he's looking at the S60 and G70. He's coming out of a 5 series hybrid and wants something more sensible. I bet he goes Volvo though because he's had them in the past.
G70 and S60 are both smaller than a 5er. Stinger might do the job if the interior isn't an issue.
Have you seen this?@milky said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
This feels targeted lol. ND1 and I want my next car to have a bit more trunk and be better on road trips. Luckily I have the GF's focus hatch to lean on if need be.
I used to have an ND1 and a Focus! It's a good combo.
@milky said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
My first though was g70, since it should be more reliable, longer. BUT if you're buying nearly new and have the miata, damn the V60 is a good looking, practical car. T5 isn't the crazy double boost or have the complicated hybrid set up. Id put that next to the miata.
If you're replacing the Miata, the Volvo is out of question, go for the G70 as it can handle both the commute, road trip and will not make you hate yourself on a twisty road. If you're going to keep the Miata, G70 will make you feel like the ND1 is slow. The V60 seems to be a good idea next to an ND, but I've driven through the Alps in a Focus, longing for the Miata. But I've also hated packing and unpacking the miata trunk on another road trip, so something has got to give.
@onlytwowheels said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
Have you considered a TLX?
Not seriously. It seems a nice car, but I don't love the looks, I would probably want to wait for the V6 and the whole idea of a touchpad disqualifies it exactly the same as Lexus IS. Yes, I'm picky as hell.
@texturedsoyprotein said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
Seconding the Stinger recommendation. Same platform as the G70 but with better looks and a bigass hatch in back. The GT1 trim is very well equipped but the GT2 gets you nice additional features like a 360 camera, HUD, power hatch, nicer upholstery, more power seat adjustments & heated rear seats.
G70 is sooo much nicer than the Stinger inside. Out of the two Stinger trims, GT2 all the way, but nowhere near the MSRP.
@texturedsoyprotein said in What car should I buy? V60 T5 vs G70 3.3:
Personally I hate the look of the G70's grille. Hate hate hate. Both the G70 and Stinger are getting refreshed for 2022. They're getting updated infotainment, with minor styling tweaks and nicer interior materials for the Stinger, and a big huge change in styling on the G70 that vastly improves the looks up front. I still prefer the Stinger and its bigass hatch over the facelifted G70, but IMHO buying a new pre-facelift G70 now when the new one is soooooo much better looking is foolish.
I'm with you on the grille, but I like everything about pre-facelift G70 exterior looks from the end of the bonnet backwards. Infotainment update will do the car a lot of good, but I'm not a fan of what they've done with the gauges. I like the looks of the post-facelift Genesis and I like it better than the pre-facelift one, but my wife hates hates hates the new one. You just can't win. I have no issue to buy the pre facelift G70 now, the price is good enough for a lot of new and great car.
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@szy I have driven just about every model in the lineup. The throttle response in normal driving mode on a Polestar tune is similar to sport mode, but with different shift patterns, if that makes sense. The end result is better throttle response and better transmission management. I am having it installed in my car on January 7th.
I suppose the upside if the normal transmission mode is that I can get the advertised 37 mpgs on the highway. Oven never managed to get the EPA rating in any other car I have owned.
The app is nice for remote starts and the trip logging feature is cool. I don't use either often but I use it often enough that I paid for the subscription.
Have fun making the choice!
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I'd get the G70 because RWD.
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@szy the 3.3 is a gem. The rwd is good, but hyundai's gearbox is not as good as the ZF one... A bit slower. I'd get the G70
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@szy he's trying to downsize and get something more affordable than a 5er. He was even considering the new BRZ but it's coming to far after his lease is up.
That video is perfect though. Love the Throttle House guys too. I'll send it over to him. Thanks for sharing
