Genesis unveils the new G70 at the New York Auto Show and positions itself as a clear rival to premium compact saloons

Genesis is the luxury brand created by Hyundai to compete with premium brands in the automotive market. The ultimate expression of Korean luxury and performance comes together in the models of this brand, with which Hyundai now wants to go head-to-head with the rest of the premium brands, with its mind clearly set on the style championed by manufacturers such as BMW and Lexus.

Its first step into the Genesis model range will be the G70, a compact saloon that will come precisely to rival the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class or Lexus IS, to name just a few of its most direct rivals, especially in the United States, where the new G70 has just been unveiled at the New York Auto Show and where sales will begin in the coming months. It will arrive in Europe this coming summer, though already configured as a 2019 model.

With the new G70, Genesis enters competition in a new segment for the brand, that of compact saloons, and it does so with everything it has already learned from its larger saloons, the G80 and G90. One of the lessons learned is to offer a manual gearbox option in its range, which the G70 introduces through versions equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.

The G70 range presented in the USA for the American market will offer a choice between a 2.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine delivering 252 CV, paired with four-wheel drive, or a higher-capacity 3.3-litre, also turbocharged, producing 365 CV, this time with rear-wheel drive. Both engines will be available with the new eight-speed automatic transmission, also selectable via paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, although, as we said earlier, Genesis has learned from its mistakes and now offers as standard on the smaller-capacity model, the 2.0-litre 252 CV version, a six-speed manual transmission.

These same mechanical combinations can be found almost identically in the Kia Stinger, a model very close to the Genesis G70’s offering. The differences lie in size, as the Genesis is somewhat more compact, and in performance, as the G70 is also slightly quicker than the Stinger. In fact, its rear-wheel-drive V6 variant is the fastest saloon in the Korean group. Aware of this, Genesis wants to further cultivate that sportiness by offering the option of a limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes and Michelin Sport 4 tyres as part of its equipment.

As for design, for many the Genesis will offer a very recognisable and familiar look, which is genuinely pleasant. Although everything is original, the final result seems very close to that of some of its rivals, as if the designers of the Korean manufacturer had wanted to combine the best of their rivals’ designs in the G70. The front grille recalls that of Audi, the wheel arches and bumpers recall those of BMW, the side has a certain air of Lexus, and at the rear the lights are quite reminiscent of those of Mercedes. They are not copies in any case, but all of them give the feeling that we have seen them before. Even so, and unlike other similar vehicles that in the past seemed to follow that same path, in the case of the G70 it is worth mentioning that the visual result achieved is quite pleasant and certainly attractive.

As for the interior of the model, the on-board space is slightly smaller than that offered by the Stinger, due in part to the shorter wheelbase of the model. Even so, it does not stand out negatively at all against the dimensions offered in the segment, as it sits within the average in all of them. The style of the trim is modern and attractive across all versions, as are the materials used on board, where wood is conspicuous by its absence. Despite this, it does not detract from the car; quite the contrary. The quality of the materials used, their fit and finish are of high quality and would place it at the top of the segment. There is leather and soft-touch surfaces everywhere, and this will be a point in its favour against its rivals, who will also have to start thinking about the units that Genesis could take from their share when making their sales forecasts.

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