If you were putting together a fantasy team of auto executives, it might look something like this: an engineering head from BMW, a head of design from Bugatti, and a senior vice president from Lamborghini. Based on these credentials alone, Genesis has the skill level and fortitude to stand tall in this ultra-competitive luxury space from the jump. But it won't be easy trekking.

Check Out The G70's Genesis:

2019 Genesis G70 Arrives In New York With 6-Speed Manual

2019 Genesis G70 First Drive: Confoundingly Good

While the brand’s larger G80 and G90 sedans are both outlier options in their respective classes, the G70 is the brand's first true mainstream model. It will act as the centerpiece as Genesis sprawls out to showrooms across the country, and will come in at under $35,000 to start. But it has a laundry list of competitors to get by first. The BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Lexus IS, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and Infiniti Q50 are among them. The good news is, the G70 isn't wasting any time showing up some of the established crop.

The top-tier model is motivated by a turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 that pumps out a hearty 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. There's also a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder option, but most of my time was in the former. Paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission (a manual is available on the 2.0-liter), and either a rear- or all-wheel-drive configuration, the G70 lives up to its reputation as the most aggressive offer...