2021 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport Review

Intro

The luxury sedan market is a crowded one, and it is rapidly changing. In just the past few years, Tesla has successfully carved out a sizable portion of the segment. It is an impressive feat given the fact that the luxury vehicle market is traditionally dominated by German manufacturers and their loyal fans. Another brand that has rapidly gained a foothold in this segment is Genesis Motor, a luxury sub-brand of the Korean manufacturer Hyundai. 

Over the last decade, Genesis has quietly assembled a capable team of elite designers and engineers including Peter Schreyer (former principal designer of the Audi TT), Filippo Perini (former Lamborghini head of design), Albert Biermann ( former head of the BMW M performance division), and Fayez Rahman (former development leader at BMW). 

With such a decorated team, Genesis Motor has been aggressively pushing a formidable lineup of luxury vehicles. The G70 is the smallest in the company’s current lineup, and it is designed from the ground up to compete with the likes of Volvo S60, BMW 3 series, and Mercedes-Benz C-class. 

I had the chance to test drive the 2020 Genesis G70 in the beginning of the year. Thanks to Genesis Canada, I got to review the 2021 G70 3.3T Sport this time. Below is my unbiased review.

Exterior

The G70 is still fresh in its life cycle, and not much has been changed for the 2021 model. Our tester comes in the gorgeous Siberian Ice paint that makes the car look youthful and extra sleek. 

At the front, the G70 is still rocking the signature Genesis crest-type grille with a flat bottom. The rest of the lineup have adapted an updated grille that resembles the Superman logo with its pointy bottom. Two hockey-stick style LED daytime running lights on each side of the grille gives the G70 a distinct light signature.  Except for the lowest model, the headlights and front turn signal lights are all full LED. I especially enjoy the amber color of the turn signal lights.

The long hood and short front overhang maximizes the G70's wheelbase. Smooth roofline and assertive multi-spoke alloy wheels are accompanied by sweeping character lines and dark chrome aero trims. The red Brembo brakes of our tester not only provide great stopping power, but also look striking against the light exterior. Due to its low profile design, the silhouette of the G70 looks more like a coupe than a regular sedan.

At the back, the rear combination tail lamps feature a similar LED light bar design to the front. The turn signals are surprisingly using incandescent bulbs. The lower bumper is bold looking with real dual exhaust tips and a large air diffuser in the middle. 

The G70 is undoubtedly a good looking car. It finds a great balance between sportiness and elegance, and Genesis is starting to establish an unique design language that should appeal to a large audience.

Interior

The interior of the G70 is very driver-focus. That is evident from the fact that the center console is angled slightly toward the driver. All switchgears are high quality and intuitively laid out. While you do see some shared parts from the Hyundai line-up, the interior of the Genesis utilizes higher quality materials on strategic surfaces. These include aluminum door handles, quilted leather door panels, metallic speaker grilles, and suede headliners.

The leather front seats of our tester are both heated and vented. They are very comfortable, and offer great lumbar and lateral support. Unlike some of its European competitors, the passenger seat offers fewer adjustable options. There are no extendable thigh cousins or inflatable side bolsters. 

The heated rear seats are also covered with the same soft Nappa leather. 

There is a surprising amount of legroom for the rear passengers, but taller passengers will find the headroom limited. A sizable floor bump makes sitting in the middle of the back less comfortable. The middle seat should be reserved for emergency only. 

The interior of the G70 certainly doesn't offer the same level of gimmickry as a Mercede-Benz. It is also not as tech savvy as the new BMWs. But the G70 successfully provides an upscale interior that is high quality, comfortable, and functional. On the other hand, a little more flair like ambient lighting would help to sway potential buyers. 

Infotainment

The infotainment system of the G70 is taken straight out of its Hyundai lineup. Hyundai’s infotainment system is one of the best in the mainstream market, but it looks a little basic compared to its German rivals in the luxury sedan market. The tablet style 8" touchscreen display is sharp, responsive, and glare resistant.

The instrument cluster features two analog dials and a multi-functional information display in the middle. The display provides basic vehicle information as well as some performance related data such as G-Force, Engine Torque, Turbo Pressure, and Oil temperature.

Our tester also comes with a heads-up display that provides an array of driving information without the driver ever having to take his/her eyes off the road. 

There is a wireless charging pad and a USB charging port in the lower center console. The USB port provides both Apply Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. The Lexicon 15-speaker system is sophisticated, and provides a rich audio experience.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The G70 offers the most amount of safety and driver aids without making its buyers pay more for additional packages. The standard features include:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
• Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) with Lane Change Assist (LCA)
• Rear Cross-traffic Collision Warning (RCCW)

Other than the 2.0T Manual Version, every G70 is also equipped with the following:

• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• Lane Keep Assist (LKA) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist (FCA-A) with Pedestrian Detection

It earns Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.

Driving

In Canada, the G70 comes in two powertrains: a turbocharged 3.3L V6 gasoline engine that produces 365hp of horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.0L I4 gasoline engine that produces 255hp of horsepower and 260lb-ft of torque. The provided figure assumes that you are adding premium fuel. The G70 will run just fine with regular unleaded gasoline fuel, but the power output will be reduced.

All models except for one comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It is not a dual clutch automatic transmission, but it is quick and responsive. The transmission reacts to the shift paddles manual input swiftly, and there is very little turbo lag.  

If you want to pick up a G70 with a 6-speed manual transmission, you will have to choose the 2.0T SPORT RWD trim. It is the only trim without a AWD system, but a Limited Slip Differential is included. The manual transmission option will mostly likely be gone for the next generation, so if you want to get one, act fast.

Our 3.3T tester is capable of accelerating from 0-100km/hr in 4.7 seconds. It reaches a top speed of 270km/hr. Switching the drive mode to Sport and the driving dynamic of the G70 changes significantly. In some cars the drive mode only changes the throttle response, but with the G70, it also changes the power distribution of the AWD system. If you get the adaptive suspension system, it also tightens the suspension in Sport mode.

The G70 really shines on twisty roads. The car feels well balanced thanks to its stiff chassis and neutral weight distribution. The car comes with dynamic torque vectoring and mechanical limited slip differential. The system sends engine torque to the wheels that have the best grip to avoid tire slips and improves cornering ability.

Fuel economy is slightly below average in the segment. The 3.3T is rated for 14.1L/100km city, 9.5L/100km highway, and 12.0L/100km combined. Our mostly city test drive achieved a 13.2L/100km rating during the one week period. 

Cargo Space & Storage

The trunk space of the G70 is on the smaller side at 297L. Part of the reason for this is because there is a spare tire under the trunk floor. Regardless, the trunk space proves practical for day to day drives and occasional grocery runs. With the 60/40 rear seats folded, more cargo space is available in the cabin.

In cabin storage options are what you would expect in a car this size. Front door pockets are deep and large, but the rear door pocket can only fit a water bottle. The center console storage bin is shallow, but the glove compartment is average in size. Two mesh pockets are located behind the front seat backs. Two additional cut holders are hidden inside the rear folding armrest. 

Verdict

The 2021 Genesis G70 remains to be one of my favorite vehicles. For thousands of dollars less, you get the same performance and the safety features you would get in other German luxury vehicles. The exterior styling is on point, and the fit and finishes of the interior certainly exude quality. While the infotainment system maybe not as fancy as some of its competitors, and there are fewer gimmicks on the inside, the 2021 G70 certainly gives its rivals a run for their money. Did I also mention that the powertrain is covered under warranty for 10 years?

Test Vehicle

2021 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport AWD

MSRP

$58,000 CAD As Tested

Color

Siberian Ice