Crucial to every luxury brand is identity. Once we step up to the premium price range, a car is no longer a simple means of transportation. Part of that identity comes with the design language. And it seems the young Korean brand has finally found its definitive look. The G70 returns for round two, after adopting the brand’s Athletic Elegance design philosophy which we first saw on the G80. The premium sports sedan has no doubt appeared on the radar of many who are looking at the German trio, but can it continue to offer a nice blend of performance and luxury at a fair price?
2021 Genesis G70
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- Model: 2021 Genesis G70
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Drivetrain and performance
The Genesis G70 has never been a slow car. The same will most definitely be true for the new generation since it carries over the engines of the previous model. There were speculations about a 2.5 turbo-four coming on board, but those were quickly dismissed.
Power still goes to the rear wheels and optionally to all four through a smooth eight-speed automatic. The 2.0 Turbo also gets a six-speed manual. With the V-6 you are looking at a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds.
2021 Genesis G70 specifications
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Engine |
turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder |
turbocharged, 3.3-liter V-6 |
2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
249 HP/252 HP |
365 HP/368 HP |
199 HP |
|
Torque |
260 LB-FT |
376 LB-FT |
325 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
six-speed manual |
eight-speed automatic |
eight-speed automatic |
Exterior
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The new Genesis G70 succumbs to the now common trend of brands making their models look the same. The G70 is now further aligned with the brand’s “Athletic Elegance” design philosophy. We first saw this iteration of the design on the G80 and since it has spread to other Genesis models. The most athletic of Genesis cars has now the distinctive Genesis front end, boasting a two-piece split headlight design, and diamond-shaped front grille, accompanied by larger and more-pronounced side vents.
On the side, we get a new rim design and different fender vents. The silhouette remains the same with only subtle changes being made, in order to distinguish the newly revised G70 from the earlier model. We still get the familiar long hood, short overhangs, and muscular but elegant back end. The rear continues with redesigned taillights. They continue the same two-piece design from the headlights. Because of this, you have the impression that the headlights and taillights are connected by an invisible line that spans the entirety of the car’s profile. The head and taillight design is actually inspired by the wings in the Genesis logo.
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The refreshed sports sedan also gets a new diffuser which now accommodates the number plate and is contrasted by a chrome line at its lower portion, hinting at its luxury side. This is further emphasized by the Genesis sign on the trunk lid which takes the space where the license plate used to be on the previous G70. The end result is an even sleeker look that still underlines the sportier nature of the premium sedan.
Interior
The dynamic elegance theme continues inside, where we have a driver-focused cockpit. An extensive amount of leather and high-quality materials have been used throughout the interior, so your time in the G70 can be as pleasant as possible. At the same time, everything is at a finger’s distance, with logically laid out buttons. The very responsive 10.25-inch infotainment screen with exclusive Genesis UI design features the latest in connectivity, including over the air updates, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, among other features. The infotainment screen, with its different design, is the only noticeable change inside the G70. The rest of the interior remains largely the same, as there really isn’t much to be improved upon.
Price
As cars come out with more and more tech integrated into them, prices are gradually rising.
It also means that the premium sports sedan will continue to be competitively priced and will be significantly more affordable than the German analogs.
Competition
Infiniti Q50 Red Sport
Nissan’s luxury brand has a history of struggling to find its identity. At the very least, it finally managed to find its definitive design. Similar to the G70, the Q50 sports sedan boasts a sleek yet aggressive profile with short overhangs and an athletic rear end. Equally impressive is the performance from the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6, which produces 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet (475 Nm). All this goes to the rear or optionally to all four wheels, via a seven-speed automatic. The 0-60 mph sprint happens in 4.6 seconds, and 4.8 seconds for the all-wheel-drive version. The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport starts at around $ 55,275. If you want to spend less you’ll have to settle for the lesser version with 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm).
Read our full review on the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport
BMW M340i
The Bavarian manufacturer once again joins with the usual suspect. Considered the benchmark of the segment, the BMW 3 Series is considered by many to be the epitome of luxury and performance. Its spacious well-executed interior is one of its strong cards, but the biggest gun is its 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six engine which makes 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm) of torque which go to the rear or all four wheels if you get the $ 2,000 optional X-drive. The 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint happens in around 4.2 seconds, partially thanks to the smooth but fast ZF eight-speed automatic. Surprisingly enough, the starting price for this M-tweaked Bavarian sedan is slightly lower than the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport, at $ 54,995.
Read our full driven review on the BMW M340i
Conclusion
In a short amount of time, the G70 managed to prove itself a worthy addition to the premium underdog segment. The new revised version of the car boasts an even more elegant and premium design, confidently conveying the message that the Korean sports luxury sedan is here to stay. It may not have the badge or heritage of some European manufacturers, but do you really care, when you get the same amount of luxury and comfort, with even more performance, at a more affordable price?