2017 Genesis G70 Sedan. 1st generation
Since its debut, the luxury brand Genesis, a sub-brand of Hyundai Motor, has offered a variety of luxury sedans that combine very high quality and affordable prices. The Genesis G70 is one of these cars. It has everything that the luxury segment can offer, but in comparison with the leading European brands, it is available to a wider target audience.
The Genesis G70 is a compact luxury car produced by Hyundai Motor (South Korea) since 2017. This compact 4-door sedan is based on the very high quality Kia Stinger model. It was first unveiled on September 15, 2017 at the Seoul Olympic Park. The G70 sedan is positioned as a competitor to the Audi A4, BMW 3, Mercedes C-Class, and Infiniti Q50. The first generation of the car is currently available on the market (as of 2021).
Design
The car was designed by none other than Peter Schreyer, known for designing classic Audi sedans. This is why the 2017/2018 Genesis G70 has such precise, complete lines, a moody, concentrated expression of the front end with headlights that look right into the soul, as if asking ‘Are you sure you want to take a ride?’ and a moderately athletic rear end, which is well-balanced with the front end.
In general, the sedan looks like a typical Genesis car, featuring a trapezoidal front radiator grille with air intakes located along the bottom and side of the bumper. The raised-edge trunk lid and elegant bumpers are also typical of Hyundai’s premium models. The car has LED matrix headlights. At the same time, one cannot fail to notice that the G70 is not as thoroughly “polished” as, for example, the Mercedes of the same segment. However, the Genesis can offer an excellent combination of options and power for the money. The new Genesis G70 is aerodynamic, with an air drag coefficient of 0.28 provided by a full underbody guard.
Interior
The interior of the G70 is luxurious and very advanced, as are all Korean luxury models. It has a 7-inch LCD display with sensors for engine oil temperature, torque, turbocharging and many other indicators, automatic headlights, a rearview camera, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, cruise control, automatic climate control, keyless ignition and entry, telescopic steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, touchscreen interface, navigation system and much, much more.
There is an Active Sound Design (ASD) option, comprising engine sound leveling technology, connected Apple CarPlay, Android Auto support and head-up display, a combined media controller on the center console, and more.
Engines and chassis
The 2018/2019 Genesis G70 is offered with several quite powerful engines:
- 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 252 hp;
- 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine producing 272 hp;
- 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel 4-cylinder engine producing 199 hp.
The engines are accompanied by either an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission (for 2.0-liter models). A manual transmission will no longer be offered from 2022.
The new Genesis G70 is equipped with variable-ratio steering and electric rack-and-pinion power assistance for precise maneuvering, and a mechanical differential limiter for increased stability on slippery roads. All-wheel drive has options for controlling the braking force and torque of each wheel, which, using the dynamic torque vectoring system of the electronic H-track drive system, control the car during a turn, hard braking or hard acceleration.
Safety
The Genesis G70 has many driver assistance systems, adaptive cruise control with Stop-and-Go technology and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Naturally, the package includes airbags, curtains and seat belts wherever possible. The key safety features include:
- automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection;
- lane departure warning system and lane keeping assist;
- adaptive cruise control.
Trim levels
The new Genesis G70 offers the following trim levels:
- The 2.0T Advanced: 8-speed automatic transmission, rear or four-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels, keyless entry with start button, dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert; a heated steering wheel and a mechanical rear limited-slip differential for four-wheel drive versions;
- The 2.0T Elite includes all of the above features plus LED headlights, navigation system, parking sensors, power folding and auto-dimming side mirrors, automatic wipers, sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, driver’s seat memory settings, as well as a 2.0T Prestige, which comprises a head-up display and a surround view parking camera;
- The 2.0T Dynamic includes all of the above plus 19-inch wheels, high-performance tires and a mechanical limited slip differential on RWD vehicles;
- The 2.0T Sport M/T (manual transmission) offers 19-inch wheels, limited slip differential, sports exhaust system designed for 3 additional hp, and some advanced options from the Elite (LED headlights, driver’s seat memory settings).
Awards
The Genesis G70 is extremely successful! The magnificent car won numerous awards in 2019, including North American Car of the Year, Motor Trend Car of the Year, Car of the Year at the Detroit Auto Show, Autotrader’s Best New Car, and the Southern Automotive Media Association’s Best Panoramic Roof Sedan and even the Best Winter Sedan by the New England Motor Press Association.
