The Genesis G70 has come in for its first major update. This is the 2021 G70 facelift.
Bold new look, new safety and technology, same rear-drive thrills. Let's check it out.
The original G70 helped pave the way for the fledgling Genesis brand in Australia at its
introduction in 2019, and has since been followed up by a new GV80 SUV and updated G80 limousine,
with the heap more Genesis models on the horizon. That makes the G70 a bit of a mainstay for the
Australian model line-up, and this update quite a critical one. As Genesis goes head-to-head
with the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C Class. For 2021, the G70 line-up
has been stripped from six variants to two, offering more standard equipment. Entry into
the Genesis portfolio has risen $3700 for the base $63,000 4-cylinder G70, while the twin turbo V6
driven here starts at $76,000, a $3550 increase. Both models usher in a new front design with quad
lamps and a crisp grill, along with the redesigned tailgate and cosmetic tweaks throughout.
In the coming months, the sedan range will be joined by a stylish new shooting brake version.
As well as those cosmetic improvements on the outside, there have been some big changes
inside the G70's cabin as well. Among those, a new 10.25-inch display screen, redesigned switch
gear in the center fascia, and a larger cubby area at the bottom of that, as well. As ever,
being a luxury car, you can spring for even more by opting for a $10,000 luxury pack that's been
fitted to this vehicle. It brings things like a head-up display, a new digital instrument cluster,
Nappa leather appointed seats, and 16-way adjustment on the front seats as well. The same
criticisms apply to the G70 as before, a really tight rear area and a compromised boot space.
Ten air bags, multi-collision brake, rear occupant alert, and junction turning are just a few of the
additional safety systems in the broadened G70 suite, together with wireless phone charging,
staggered 19-inch wheels and a panoramic sunroof as standard. While we're inside the cabin,
one noticeable bugbear is the high-set driver seat, which doesn't quite allow you to settle
into the cabin in a way that cultivates full feeling and sensation of the vehicle.
That's strange since the G70 is definitely a driver's car.
Now, it has been about two years since the G70 first touched down in Australia,
but I gotta tell you, it is still so refreshing to be behind the wheel of the 3.3-litre
turbo V6 version. Beautiful, honest rear drive dynamics, and just an enjoyable driver's car.
It's still as relevant as ever if you enjoy driving rear drive vehicles.
There have been so many changes to the G70 for 2021, but underneath,
I think Genesis have done a really good thing in leaving it largely untouched. There's no
real changes to the suspension or the steering. There is an additional two kilowatts of power
on offer from the engine. But the meaningful change that they have made with this car, and
I think it really does come through in the final product, is the exhaust. It finally liberates the
engine a little bit more. It finally gives it a little bit more soul, a little bit more theatre,
and just sort of fills the gaps where the previous G70 was sometimes missing.
The twin turbo V6 engine makes 274 kilowatts and 510 Newton metres for 2021,
and as before is mated to a slightly reworked 8-speed automatic transmission. All told,
there's an official naught to 100 claim of 4.7 seconds and a fuel consumption rating of 10.2
litres per 100 K's, which we managed to achieve on test.
Flick across the drive modes, select it to Sport mode, and immediately you get a little bit more
purpose, a little bit more sound from the exhaust, and a little bit more theatre inside the cabin
as well. On top of that, it stiffens up the dampers to a sportier setting,
and it helps transform the G70 from a comfortable touring machine to quiet and capable sports sedan.
The redeeming feature with this car, the real hallmark of it, is that rear drive
layout. It's a really, really easy machine to come to terms with on down the road,
and just enjoyable the way that it's balanced, the way that it talks to the driver,
and just to the way that it links up corners. Really enjoyable driver's car.
Ultimately the G70 can't quite match the damping and the comfort of something like the BMW
3 Series. And in a sense, it isn't quite as balanced or is telepathic
as that car in terms of its driver feedback and controls. In saying that, though,
the 3 Series won the 2019 car sales car of the year, so it's virtually fearless in this
segment. But if you're after a vehicle that more than matches the 3 Series range for performance,
more than matches it in terms of equipment levels, well then, the G70 is still a go-to
car. It's a really accomplished driver's car and it does everything really well.
The G70 is competent and polished across most driving duties, and continues to impress with
its after-sales provisions of a 5-year warranty, five years for servicing, and complimentary
roadside assist and valet. A small 60-litre fuel tank can compromise boot and rear seat areas are
obvious carry-over gripes, but they are relatively small prices to pay for the performance on offer.
The G70 isn't without its bugbears, but all the small changes that have been made for 2021
do conspire to make it an even more appealing rear drive sedan.
The biggest challenge with the G70 as ever is as badge.