2021 Genesis G70 facelift revealed with bigger touchscreen

Genesis has revealed an updated G70 sports sedan for 2021 with fresh exterior detailing and interior styling to bring the fight to the established kings of the premium mid-size market.

It’s a fast-moving marketplace to play in and includes the recently refreshed Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and incoming Lexus IS.

For those who aren’t aware, Genesis is essentially the luxury arm of Hyundai motor company and its a brand that is slowly building its awareness with strong anticipation for the luxury GV80 SUV due in Australia soon.

Back to the G70, for 2021 it’s had a pretty significant front end refresh. Though still recognisable as a G70, every detail has been further accentuated, pushed and pulled to a logical conclusion. The front bar is now far more aggressive with larger – and functional – intakes and a more intricately shaped grille.

New LED headlights complement the bumper split into two bars on each side, further accentuates the G70s purpose and presence. Hyundai says together the new stance “evokes a sprinter’s pre-race posture”.

Moving towards the rear, the confident body lines remain in tension down the flanks of the G70, while taillights mirror the split nature of the headlights. The boot has picked up a much more aggressive lip on the tail which may very well be a love-or-hate element.

We think the interior updates will be approved of, though. One of the major criticisms we had of the original G70 was some interior details. Specifically, the small and derivative touchscreen of the first model. 

Although you could look past the eight-inch unit and see the good points, those that spent time in a $20,000 Hyundai Venue would immediately notice the similarities. Great for Venue owners, less so for G70 buyers.

But for 2021, Genesis has revamped the G70’s interior with better integration of a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen into the dashboard. This may very well be the key to growing G70 sales. 

The user interface has been updated, says Hyundai, and features over-the-air updates and the CarPay – the ability to pay for goods and services through the infotainment system. There will also be a bigger wireless charging pad to accommodate swelling phone dimensions.

Otherwise, the interior is mostly unchanged with its broad centre stack flowing into a high-set console designed to cocoon the driver in the G70’s cockpit – a good thing in our books.

No information has been revealed about engine choices, though. Currently, Genesis offers a choice of two powertrains; the less powerful a turbocharged two-litre four-cylinder with outputs of 179kW and 353Nm sent to the rear wheels. The more powerful is a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 with 272kW and 510Nm.

We would expect a refinement at the least, with perhaps a new engine added to offer a wider choice, but further details of the updated G70 will be divulged next month. Genesis says the new G70 will launch in Australia by the first half of 2021.