Oops, EPA Confirms Manual Gearbox For 2019 Genesis G70

Kia’s been making waves with the sporty new Stinger. But if we were to nitpick, there’s one major downside to the Stinger – the lack of a manual transmission. It looks like the upcoming Genesis G70, which shares the same platform and engines as the Stinger, won’t have that problem.

Car and Driver found the official fuel economy figures on the EPA’s website that reveals a manual option for the sporty sedan. According to EPA, the manual transmission will be offered on the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder motor. That engine produces 254 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.

While the G70 will also be offered with a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6, that engine will exclusively be paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. We’d love to get a manual transmission for the more potent motor, but at this point, we’re just happy to see Genesis doing its part to help save the manuals.

According to the same report, there’s a good chance that the manually-equipped G70 in the U.S. will closely mirror its Canadian brethren. If that’s the case, that means the only available manual option will be a rear-wheel-drive 2.0T Sport trim that comes with some other athletic features, including a limited-slip differential, a head-up display, Brembo brakes, and 19-inch wheels.

For enthusiasts that care about the G70’s fuel economy figures, the most efficient sedan features the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the six-speed automatic gearbox. That vehicle can get 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The least efficient model is equipped with the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 and the eight-speed automatic transmission. With all-wheel drive, the sedan’s fuel economy is rated to be 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

The G70 with the manual gearbox falls in the middle with a rating of 18 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. While 22 mpg combined from a compact sedan isn’t great, being able to row through the gears ourselves is something we’re looking forward to.