Genesis G70

In almost no time at all Hyundai’s upmarket arm, Genesis, has built itself from nicer versions of Hyundai cars, to a fully-fledged premium contender. If Genesis wants to play with the likes of Mercedes-Benz and BMW it is missing one key product, for now. A svelte two-door would be the ideal profile-builder, while taking a swipe at the established C-Class and 4 Series coupes.

The refreshed 2021 Genesis G70 has been revealed ahead of time this week, thanks to a pair of leaked photos. Surfacing on The Korean Car Blog this week, these images offer our best look yet at the G70's complete front and rear makeover. Where the premium sedan previously wore a handsome if somewhat anonymous look, its midlife refresh brings the car in line with the new-generation G80 sedan with its unique 'double-line Quadlamp' lighting and 'Crest Grille'.

If you want to go up against established rivals, you have to offer more. Genesis understands that, its G70 outgunning similarly-priced Germans. Sometime in the next couple of years, it’s planning to introduce a new entry-level engine that will further surpass those rivals’ base engines. Car & Driver reports the G70 range will open with the same turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder which will power the upcoming 2020 Hyundai Sonata N-Line.

The Genesis G70 is no slouch, especially with its 272kW/510Nm 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6, but a more hardcore version could be on its way. "A big effort with the [Genesis] G70 was thermal management, to make sure that this car will hold up," Mike O'Brien, the head of product planning for Hyundai USA, told Road & Track during a discussion about the Veloster N and how it was designed to withstand long track sessions.