Even though the Genesis G70 is nowhere near the likes of the BMW 3-Series or Mercedes C-Class in terms of sales in the United States, the Korean sedan did perform better last year than the likes of the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Jaguar XE.
Sure, that might not be saying much, but generally speaking people do seem to enjoy the G70’s sporty styling and competitive pricing.
Currently, the 2021 model starts from $36,000 and comes with 252 HP, whereas an entry-level Giulia or XE will set you back $39,400 and $39,900 respectively, and neither has more than 280 HP for that money.
Read: Should The 2021 Genesis G80 Pick A Fight With The Audi A7 Sportback?
So it’s hard to argue against the G70 as being a good purchase, and if you like Genesis’ latest design language, then we can expect this sports sedan to do even better starting next year, when it lands in U.S. showrooms.
When the G70 first arrived, it featured styling cues from the old G80 and G90. Unlike its siblings, however, it had a more menacing stance, helped by the muscular hood, functional air intakes, relatively wide fenders and dual-exhaust setup.
This new design language is called “Athletic Elegance” and seems to work just as well on something like the 2021 G80 as it does on the 2022 G70. It adds a large crest grille, quad head- and taillights, plus a more substantial bumper design. In a way it simplifies everything, similar to what Mercedes has been doing lately with its “Sensual Purity” design philosophy.
Other changes include air extractors positioned behind the front wheels and a body-colored diffuser shaped a bit more conservatively. Genesis also repositioned the rear license plate holder on the bumper, so that the trunk lid has a cleaner look.
Where’s the redesigned interior?
The answer is “nowhere to be seen”. Aside from fitting the 2022 G70 with a larger 10.25-inch infotainment display with over-the-air updates, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a Valet mode, not much else is different, unless you really care about the wireless charging pad being positioned horizontally instead of vertically.
We’re actually a bit surprised they kept the same steering wheel and center console design. That’s not because the current car looks particularly outdated inside, but since you’re going through all that trouble to revamp the exterior, you might as well lean into the interior design a bit more.
We should also note that you won’t be able to get a G70 with a manual gearbox starting with the 2022MY, which we reckon should not make a difference for many buyers, but might irk others.
Which version should I get?
All Genesis has said thus far is that a new turbocharged 2.5-liter gasoline unit with 290 HP and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque will be replacing the entry-level 2.0-liter four-pot, so we could look at a small price hike.
Still, it should make the entry-level car more desirable, and if not, you’ll probably still be able to opt for the flagship 3.3-liter twin turbo V6 that has 365 HP and 376 lb-ft (510 Nm).
