2019 Genesis G70: A More Elegant Kia Stinger?
Genesis continued today to drop crumbs that will lead us to the launch this summer of its new 2019 Genesis G70 entry-model sports sedan. After earlier details on the powertrain and chassis, which included a lot of bits similar to the excellent Kia Stinger hatchback in a smaller drive package, the new Hyundai luxury vehicle brand now is detailing how the smaller and lighter G70 sedan will go its own upscale way to be more elegant than its corporate cousin.
Related: Genesis G70 Go-Fast Sedan on the Launchpad at Last
It’s even in the name of the design theme — “Athletic Elegance” — that describes Genesis’ effort to create taut shapes and lines to maintain a feel of energy and sportiness, but in a sedan that bears a luxury family resemblance with its bigger G80 and G90 siblings. That includes a long hood and prominent Genesis grille, but with a more aggressive front bumper and sculpting, distinctive LED daytime running lights and dark-chrome aero trim. Front fender vents are on trend but maybe an unnecessary flourish.
The roofline is a proper sedan, and we’ve seen the parabolic (or hockey stick) shape of the back pillar on other current luxury sedans. The rear shares a low, wide look with other Genesis sedans, and the LED taillights evoke the G80 design. Overall, it’s pleasant but restrained, and it remains to be seen how it will fare in a luxury sports sedan category where style is a selling point.
Inside, Genesis offers upscale materials, soft-touch surfaces and stitching in luxury or sporty themes. You can order it with real aluminum trim, a microfiber headliner, and heated and ventilated seats, but a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter are standard.
Leatherette seats are standard on the four-cylinder models. But leather is offered throughout the line, including soft Nappa leather, and in a variety of the now-trendy quilting patterns (will this look last?). There are more subdued luxury versions (with an optional burgundy upper dashboard) or sportier looks, with red or gray contrast stitching.
The interior features a 7-inch display located between the speedometer and tachometer and an 8-inch multimedia and control touchscreen stands up from the dash. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite radio capability are standard. Tech options include in-car navigation, wireless phone charging, a head-up display and a 360-degree camera system. Also optional is a 15-speaker, 660-watt Lexicon premium audio system with Clari-Fi technology that upgrades the sound of compressed music on your phone.
The new sedan has been eagerly awaited following the enthusiastic reception for the Kia Stinger and the unveiling of the production Kia model in September, and U.S. debut in March at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. It’s the third model in the brand’s currently all-car lineup and will be a new alternative for sports sedan fans, taking on the range of competitors detailed in Cars.com’s most recent Luxury Sports Sedan Challenge. But we expect that in the current auto-market climate, it will simply whet the appetite of many buyers looking for a sporty-driving SUV version to cross-shop with a Porsche Macan or Alfa-Romeo Stelvio.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
