BY: TAREK HAWCHAR
Almost three years after the introduction of its smallest offering in the sedan segment, the South Korean premium brand Genesis has given its G70 a makeover for 2021.
Updated front and rear styling, a more upscale interior, a choice of two powerful engines, advanced driver-assistance systems, and a long list of standard equipment are only a few of the highlights of the 2021 Genesis G70.
The smallest Genesis sedan has managed to prove itself a worthy addition to the entry-level luxury sedan segment, giving its sports sedan rivals such as the BMW 3-series, Mercedes-Benz C-class, and Infiniti Q50 a run for their money.
Exterior
Visually, the 2021 Genesis G70 has now received a host of exterior updates, bringing its styling in line with its other siblings like the G80, G90, and the GV80 SUV. The luxury sports sedan is now further aligned with Genesis’ “Athletic Elegance” design philosophy, thanks to a new front end featuring a split-headlight design with sleek LED daytime running lights, and a larger shield-shaped grille.
Moving further back, there is a choice of 17-inch, 18-inch, or 19-inch wheels, redesigned neat-looking taillights, an oval-shaped exhaust pipe coming from each corner, and a new rear diffuser—features which underline the sportier nature of the revamped G70.
As far as the dimensions go, the facelifted Genesis G70 has an overall length of 4685 mm and measures 1850 mm and 1400 mm in width and height, respectively, with a 2835 mm long wheelbase.
Interior
Inside, the 2021 Genesis G70 delivers a premium driving experience, thanks to the high-quality materials, soft-padded surfaces, and meticulous finishes, making the luxury sports sedan a pleasant place to sit.
The dashboard is dominated by an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and supports over-the-air navigation updates.
In terms of what’s available at the various trim levels, key interior highlights include a 7-inch LCD instrument cluster display, heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats, Nappa leather upholstery, a head-up display, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, rain-sensing wipers, a rear-view camera, and a 15-speaker Lexicon premium sound system, among other luxury features.
Space-wise, while there is adequate space up front, the rear seat is compromised by limited legroom. On the safety front, the 2021 G70 boasts a wide range of driving assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, hill start assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist system, along with ten airbags.
Engine and Performance
The 2021 Genesis G70 is now available with two engine options. The base model is equipped with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine that delivers 252 hp and 353 Nm of torque.
If performance is your main concern, you can opt for the top-of-the-range 3.3T variant powered by a V6, twin-turbo 3.3-liter engine. This engine chugs out 365 hp and 510 Nm of torque. The V6-powered version adds variable-ratio steering, a Brembo braking system, a limited-slip differential, and an electronically controlled suspension. This suspension system allows the revamped G70 to deliver a delightful balance of smoothness, stability, and comfort.
Both engines are hooked to the same eight-speed automatic transmission sending power either to the rear (four-cylinder engine) or four wheels (V6 engine). The facelifted G70 3.3T also gets a new Sport+ driving mode, offering, when activated, a sportier driving experience that goes beyond drivers’ expectations!
Our verdict
In short, the 2021 Genesis G70 is one of the most stunning entry-level luxury sedans available on the market. It features an enhanced premium design, plenty of exclusive luxury amenities, a choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive systems, and many advanced driving assistance features. All these perks wouldn’t be complete without the thrilling performance that comes from the more powerful and lusty 3.3-liter V6 engine, but choosing the four-cylinder engine won’t leave you disappointed either!