2021 Genesis G70 facelift goes official: new design, better cabin, drift mode coming to Australia

Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, has given its G70 sedan a significant facelift, with dramatically restyled front and rear ends, upgraded interior technology and a new AWD V6 option with ‘drift mode’ leading the list of changes for 2021.

The G70 luxury sedan, which first launched in Australia in 2019, has received a range of visual updates aimed at bringing this BMW 3 Series rival into line with this Korean marque’s new design language. The fresh alterations include a shift to Genesis’ signature quad lamp LED headlights and taillights along with a lower and deeper grill that form the shape of the brand’s logo.

The styling is representative of what Genesis is calling ‘Athletic Elegance’, and will see the 2021 G70 sit alongside the design of the new, second-generation G80 sedan and the new GV80 SUV in greater harmony. 

Slated to launch in Australia in the first half of 2021, the updated Genesis G70 wears a fresh set of wheels, as well as packing a more sophisticated cabin inside. Pricing has not yet been announced, but we expect the cost of a G70 to gently rise. The outgoing lineup ranges from $59,300 before on road costs for a four-cylinder Sport model, through to $79,950 before on road costs for a fully-loaded six-cylinder Ultimate Sport.

The cabin now features a larger 10.25-inch multimedia display that comes standard across all variants with a Genesis exclusive interface – after the last version was criticised for sharing the same system as the Hyundai units.

The digital instrument cluster has also been upgraded to appear more readable and Genesis also says it sports a 3D visual effect – and the G70 will now receive over the air updates designed to continually refine the sedan after purchase.

Genesis has also gone some way to improve the cabin noise of the G70 by using acoustic glass to block out external ride noise to allow for a quieter drive.

Under the bonnet, the luxury sedan still sports a choice of either the 2.0 litre four-banger, making 185kW and 353Nm, or a 3.3 litre V6 fitted with twin turbochargers that puts out 272kW and 510Nm.

Those engines see the G70 four-cylinder competing chiefly with the Mercedes-Benz C 300 ($74,700), BMW 330i ($71,900), Audi A4 45 TFSI ($70,300) and Lexus IS 300 ($60,500) before on road costs. 

Meanwhile, the V6 goes up against other six-cylinder rivals that take in the Mercedes-AMG C43 ($116,136), the BMW M340i ($108,900) the Audi S4 ($$99,900) and the Lexus IS350 ($66,500) before on road costs.

Unlike rival vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, the Genesis G70 is offered only in four-door sedan form factor – though rumours abound that Genesis is working on a G70 wagon to boost their appeal in Europe.

The Korean automaker has, however, made some changes to the way the engine and transmission function with a new Sports+ drive mode that will make sure the driver can utilise every last kW and Nm effectively. In the same vein, the V6 will now be fitted with all-wheel-drive, while the four-cylinder will continue to be rear wheel drive only.

However, those who appreciated the classic rear-drive layout of the high-torque six-cylinder will still be catered for. An optional Sports Package includes a drift mode, allowing oversteer,and gives the exhaust a variable valve system to give owners the option to select a more aggressive or calm sound from inside the cabin.

Australian specifications and prices for the refreshed G70 will be made available closer to the car’s launch in the first half of 2021.