The Genesis G70 was a revelation for the automaker and proved that it may compete with the German institution. Final yr, it acquired a mid-life facelift and needs to be thought-about by anybody trying to choose up the keys to an opulent sports activities sedan.

Manufacturing of the G70 began in September 2017 and it was constructed for 3 years earlier than the up to date mannequin got here alongside. We, like most others, have been received over by the G70 in each 2.0-liter and three.3-liter guise and the up to date mannequin is now extra interesting than ever.

Easy updates

In refreshing the G70, Genesis’ designers adopted the ‘Two Traces’ strategy at present discovered throughout all of its fashions. As such, the sedan now sports activities break up headlights and break up taillights, a redesigned grille and an enlarged lip spoiler included into the trunk lid.

Fewer alterations have been made to the cabin. In truth, when moving into the facelifted G70 for the primary time, it takes a eager eye to note any modifications. Essentially the most vital improve is the set up of an enlarged 10.25-inch infotainment display that makes use of the most recent Genesis software program and gives Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Entry-level fashions offered in Australia additionally come normal with a brand new 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster whereas variants optioned with the AU$10,000 (~$7,240) Luxurious Package deal obtain a bigger 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster.

Our check automotive was the flagship Genesis G70 3.3T with the Luxurious & Sport Line package deal. As such, the brand new infotainment display and gauge cluster have been joined by a Head-Up show, 16-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, Nappa leather-based upholstery, a heated steering wheel and rear seats, and a very good 15-speaker Lexicon premium sound system.

German consolation for much less

The cabin of the G70 has at all times been a pleasure to spend time in and it’s no completely different with the facelifted mannequin. The motive force’s seat will be positioned very low, making it excellent for tall drivers, and the addition of a digital instrument cluster may be very welcome. All the key touchpoints are good and smooth and it’s nice to see Genesis sticking with bodily buttons and dials for the HVAC.

However, we had the chance to drive the facelifted G70 simply a few weeks after sampling the GV70. As good because the cabin of the G70 is, it lacks the wow issue of the GV70’s inside and isn’t completed to the identical normal. For instance, shortcut buttons for the infotainment display utilized by the G70 are easy black plastic whereas within the GV70 they’re steel switches.

What else is new?

Few mechanical modifications have been made to the up to date G70, though that’s no unhealthy factor.

Entry-level fashions proceed to characteristic a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pushing out 179 kW (240 hp) and 353 Nm (260 lb-ft) of torque whereas the flagship mannequin that we examined has a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 274 kW (367 hp) and 510 Nm (376 lb-ft). It’s a disgrace that Genesis didn’t equip the sedan with the newer 2.5-liter turbocharged four-pot and three.5-liter twin-turbo V6 supplied within the G80, GV70, and GV80, however because it stands the three.3-liter continues to be a wonderful performer.

Fireplace the automotive up and the very first thing that grabs your consideration is the sound. Genesis has fitted the 2021 G70 3.3T with a bi-modal exhaust that offers it a way more thrilling soundtrack than the pre-facelift mannequin and whereas it doesn’t match the growl of Kia Stinger 3.3 fashions offered in Australia, it does sound very good.

Genesis says the three.3-liter mannequin can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.5 seconds and it feels each bit as fast as that declare. Nonetheless, it isn’t the straight-line efficiency of the automotive that actually stands out however slightly its very good dealing with.

Pushed: 2020 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport Makes For A Actually Compelling Proposition

For a four-door sedan that weighs as much as 1,765 kg (3,891 lbs) in its heaviest specification, the G70 3.3T feels remarkably mild on its ft. Flip-in is rapid and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires fill you with confidence, encouraging you to push tougher by means of corners to actually see what the automotive is able to. Change into Sport mode and it feels much more responsive.

Genesis Australia has tuned the suspension of the facelifted G70 to higher go well with native roads and when pushed in a extra calm and managed method, the sedan stays poised in all driving situations alongside each sort of highway floor possible. It soaks up bumps with poise and is simply as pleasurable to drive down the freeway as it’s to tear by means of a mountain highway. All 3.3T fashions characteristic adaptive damping, permitting you to fine-tune the driving expertise.

Coupled to each the two.0-liter and three.3-liter engines is an eight-speed automated transmission. On the whole, we have now only a few complaints with this gearbox. Each upshifts and downshifts are carried out quickly and the paddle shifters really feel very good to the contact. Nonetheless, as we stated in our current GV70 overview, it might have been good for Genesis to ditch this eight-speed ‘auto and substitute it with the wet-type dual-clutch eight-speed present in varied Hyundai and Kia fashions.

Each the two.0T And three.3T are good choices

It in all probability received’t shock you that gas effectivity isn’t the sturdy go well with of the three.3-liter engine. Genesis claims it has a mixed gas consumption of 10.2L/100 km (23 U.S. mpg) over the mixed cycle however matching that determine could be nigh-on unimaginable when you drive in something aside from Eco mode and use greater than 50 per cent of the throttle. We averaged 14.2L/100 km (16.5 U.S. mpg) over our week with the automotive and that included various freeway driving. If homeowners intend on taking their G70 3.3T alongside a canyon highway for some ‘spirited’ driving, a determine nearer to twenty.0L/100 km (11.7 U.S. mpg) isn’t laborious to hit.

These on the lookout for higher gas effectivity ought to have a look at the two.0-liter mannequin. We have been completely impressed with this entry-level engine after we examined the G70 in pre-facelift guise in early 2021 and Genesis says it’s good for 9.0L/100 km (26.1 U.S. mpg) over the mixed cycle, a determine that’s really achievable in our expertise.

Sedans are dying off however the G70 stays a great purchase

Australian costs for the 2021 Genesis G70 kick off from AU$63,000 (~$45,600) earlier than on-road prices for the two.0T and AU$76,000 (~$55,000) earlier than on-roads for the three.3T. Prospects choosing the three.3T mannequin with the Luxurious & Sport Line package deal shouldn’t count on a lot change from AU$97,000 (~$70,300) when accounting for native on-road prices and taxes. That’s roughly AU$5,000 (~$3,600) lower than a flagship GV70 with the newer 3.5-liter engine and, as talked about, a extra luxurious inside.

Provided that Genesis will morph into an all-electric model, it’s doable that the facelifted G70 would be the remaining combustion-powered sports activities sedan that it builds. It’s a unbelievable automotive and it’s an actual disgrace that vehicles like this received’t be round for for much longer.

Photograph credit: Brad Anderson/CarScoops