2022 Genesis G70 Gains Family Resemblance, Sport Plus and Drift Modes
Looks like: Light updates add some drama and give the G70 a more premium look
Competes with: Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Powertrain: Two turbocharged engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 3.3-liter V-6; standard rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
Hits dealerships: The 2022 Genesis G70 will go on sale in South Korea in 2021; international markets will follow.
Hyundai announced in September that a new G70 is coming and released more details about the updated compact sports sedan — our Cars.com Best of 2019 winner. Revisions include lightly revised exterior styling and a new multimedia system.
Related: Next Genesis G70 Gets Updates, Inside and Out
Family Resemblance
Outside, Genesis calls the G70’s new look “Athletic Elegance”; it’s also worn by the brand’s redesigned G80 sedan and all-new GV80 SUV. Hallmarks include quad design headlamps integrated with thin LED bars that flank the lower, wider grille. In profile, its body takes on a more athletic look with side air ducts and a muscly character line. The theme continues in back with matching quad taillights, dual exhaust tips, a body-colored diffuser and larger Genesis text running across the trunk lid.
For the new model year, two new metallic and three matte colors are available: Sedona Brown and Tasman Blue are the new metallic choices, while the matte options are Verbier White, Melbourne Grey and a G70-exclusive color, Bond Silver.
Bigger Touchscreen
The biggest news inside is the sedan’s multimedia system, which shifts away from the current version’s very Hyundai-looking infotainment setup to a Genesis-specific interface. The system uses a large 10.25-inch touchscreen (similar in size, at least, to current Hyundai products versus the 14.5-inch screens in the Genesis GV80 and G80) and can be updated via over-the-air.
Other updates inside include a larger instrument cluster and an updated wireless smartphone charger that Genesis enhanced for improved charging speed.
Powertrain Plus
The G70’s two turbocharged engines carry over to the new model: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 3.3-liter V-6, with standard rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. (A turbo-diesel 2.2-liter four-cylinder is available in global markets but is unlikely to make its way here.) What’s new is a Sports Plus drive mode that Genesis says upps the G70’s performance capabilities by optimizing engine and transmission programming. A “plus” sports mode was something a few editors clamored for during our long-term ownership of the G70, so this will be of particular interest when it’s time to drive the 2022 G70.
In addition, V-6 models equipped with the Sports Package get a variable exhaust valve system for a more aggressive exhaust note. Lastly, a new Dynamic AWD System features a built-in drift mode.
Release Date and Price
The 2022 Genesis G70 will have a starting price of $38,570 and go on sale in South Korea in 2021; Genesis said international markets will follow but did not specify a U.S. on-sale date.
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