The G70 debuted on September 15, 2017, at the global launch event in Seoul's Olympic Park.[5] It is Genesis Motor's third model and was designed to compete with compact executive and entry-level luxury saloons and sedans. In 2019, the Genesis G70 was named the North American Car of the Year.[6]
The exterior design shares cues from the other two Genesis models, the G80 and the G90. The grille features Genesis' corporate design, with functional air intakes along the bottom and side.[9] The LED headlights operate with separate daytime running lights.[5] The rear is said to have an athletic stance, framed by LED taillights and dual exhausts.[9]
The interior's center console is constructed out of soft-touch plastics, leather and metal accents that are slightly angled toward the driver. The layout has three large knobs for the climate controls, an eight-inch touch screen, and a small electronic shifter.[9] The interior appointments on the G70 include quilted leather seating surfaces, along with brushed aluminum and stainless steel trim.[10]
Genesis G70 2.0T (pre-facelift)
Rear view
Genesis G70 3.3T (pre-facelift)
Interior
Annual Improvements
2019
In 2019, the electronic parking brake was made standard, and an optional electric power trunk became available to buyers. A 12.3-inch (31.2cm) 3D gauge cluster also became an option for South Korean-market 3.3T - equipped G70s.[11]
2020
The 12.3-inch 3D gauge cluster became an option for the 2.0T model, as well as making it an option to export markets. In 2020, the 3D gauge cluster was made available to export markets and became an option for 2.0T - equipped G70s. A carbon fiber package was made optional in South Korea, which includes carbon fiber-appointed outside mirrors and interior trim.
Facelift
On September 8, 2020, Genesis announced a facelift G70, which went on sale in South Korean market on October 20, 2020. The facelift incorporates new corporate design cues from the GV80 crossover SUV and second generation G80 sedan, including new front and rear bumpers, headlights, taillights, and a new grill design. Interior changes include an optional 10.25-inch (26cm) infotainment screen. Whereas the changes were generally well-received in the North American market, the changes were polarizing in the Korean market. Many evaluations were saying that the design of the previous model was better, and in particular, the taillights were criticized for looking forcibly inserted.
The facelift G70 was released as a 2022 model in the United States, where the optional manual transmission was discontinued.[12] On May 19, 2023, Genesis released a refreshed G70 in the South Korean market. A 2.5-liter turbo-charged Smart-Stream G2.5 T-GDI engine replaced the old 2.0-liter turbo-charged Theta II T-GDI engine. Additional changes include a new touch screen climate control, rear view mirror and various trim updates.
Genesis G70 (facelift)
Rear view
Interior
Shooting Brake
In May 2021, Genesis introduced a station wagon version of the G70 specifically for European markets, called the Shooting Brake. The rear end underwent the biggest changes, where the roof is longer and slightly sloping. The trunk space is slightly larger than the sedan. Powertrain options are either a 2.0L turbo-charged Theta II gasoline engine or a 2.2L R II diesel engine, both of which are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Interior and exterior images of the G70 Shooting Brake were unveiled on May 12, 2021.[13]
The G70 Shooting Brake went on sale in Europe in the second half of 2021.[14][15] In South Korea, it was officially released on June 27, 2022.[16] The models are included in the Gasoline 2.0 Turbo Premium and Gasoline 2.0 Turbo Sport Package. It expands the open area by moving the trunk junction forward based on the appearance of the existing G70 model. 4:2:4 seats and 465 liters of basic trunk space were applied, securing a maximum loading space of 1,535 liters. It is equipped with 10 airbag systems, front collision prevention assistance, rear-seat passenger notification, and lane maintenance assistance. In addition, 10.25-inch display, Genesis CarPlay, and voice recognition vehicle control technology are applied.[17]
Powertrain
The Genesis G70 is offered with a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 252 hp (188 kW) and 260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m) of torque, a 3.3 liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with 365 hp (272 kW) and 376 lb⋅ft (510 N⋅m) of torque, and a 2.2 liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with 199 hp (148 kW) and 325 lb⋅ft (441 N⋅m) of torque. Genesis estimates that acceleration from 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) will take 4.7 seconds with the LSD equipped 3.3 liter V-6 RWD model.[5] The transmission is either an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual, which is only available on the 2.0 liter 4-cylinder model.[4] Buyers are able to choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the manual transmission coming only with rear-wheel drive.[5]
Starting with the 2022 model year, the manual transmission is no longer offered.[18]