2022 Genesis G70
Hyundai’s luxury brand is on a roll. Its newest models are turning heads and earning well-deserved praise. It seems that people are discovering what makes Genesis one of the most desirable brands among luxury vehicles.
While newer models are making their presence known, Genesis felt compelled to give its premium sports sedan – the G70 – a facelift that conforms with the current brand design language, as well as to distinguish it from the competition.
Did this mid-cycle refresh of the G70 puts this premium sports sedan ahead of everyone else in its class?
For starters, Genesis integrated the mesh-finished shield-like grille onto a smoother front fascia. The brand’s split horizontal LED headlamps finish up this new front clip creating a new signature for this sporting sedan. Out back, there is a new trunk lid that has taken its inspiration from its larger siblings – the G80 and G90 sedan. Split horizontal taillights grace a new trunk lid shape for that finishing touch.
Overall, it’s taut four-door body design that offers some lines and shapes that distinguishes it from all comers.
Our tester was the Sport Prestige model, which adds a set of black five-spoke 19-inch wheels to our Siberian Ice paint job. Along with some blacked-out trim, our G70 tester looked the part in the premium sports sedan segment.
Stepping inside is an interior that is both luxurious and sporty. Instrumentation, readouts, and several controls are absolutely great to reach and use. The instrument cluster on our tester now include the Blind Spot View Monitor that is activated in the digital tachometer when you signal your turn. Some other controls have a nice luxurious touch, including the dials for the climate control and on the center console. The new 10.25-inch infotainment screen sits on top of the center stack at a decent sightline to the driver.
The seats wear quilted perforated leather upholstery and the softer touches all around the cabin. Our Sport Prestige tester adds quilted stitching to the seats, although a stain metal applique on the upper seatback could be an issue for taller torso drivers.
Interior space is quite small for most drivers and passengers. Four average-sized adults could sit comfortably inside the G70, but that’s about it. Tall drivers will have to climb out of a small door opening. The Sport Prestige’s seats are heavily bolstered and contoured. In fact, the seats have a 16-way power adjustment, including the seatback bolsters.
Our G70 tester came with the 365-horsepower 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6. This engine is connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission with power sent to the rear wheels. The shifts are equally quick, as well as the throttle response. In turn, we observed an average of 24.5 MPG.
Genesis did a good job retaining a lot of the great qualities from the first batch of G70 models. The handling is superb, with sharp responses around evasive maneuvers. Put the Drive Mode knob into Sport or Sport+, and the ride firms up for even sharper reflexes. Cornering is flat in either Sport mode, however Sport+ turns off the traction control and cancels the Adaptive Cruise Control towards more driver engagement.
Even at its firmest settings, ride quality remains supple and smooth. In Normal, there is some softness to how it dampens the road. Sport is the best compromise for that balance between ride and handling.
In any mode, the steering is equally sharp and precise. In both Sport and Sport+ modes, the on-center feel is direct and the feel is heavy. This is where the enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy what the G70 will offer behind the wheel. Braking is good, though there is a bit of a hesitation if you’re touching the pedal lightly. A slightly harder touch will give the Brembo braking system a quicker response and superb stopping power.
The 2022 G70 lineup starts at $37,525 for a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine model with rear-wheel-drive. Our all-wheel-drive Sport Prestige tester came with a sticker price of $51,445.
The Genesis G70 continues to compete in a tough segment among premium sports sedans. Its competitors include the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Acura TLX, Infiniti Q50, Lexus IS, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Volvo S60, and the Cadillac CT5.
With the mid-cycle refresh, the 2022 Genesis G70 is demonstrating how to do a premium sports sedan by being distinctive and giving you an invigorating driving experience. If you are in the market for this kind of sedan, definitely put this on your shopping list.
Story Credits: CarSoup Editors
