2022 Genesis G70 gets fresh new looks to match G80, G90

It wasn’t that long ago that Genesis luxury vehicles looked like the embodiment of the clip art luxury car used in aftermarket warranty brochures. Thank goodness, then, that the 2022 Genesis G70 puts another nail in that coffin. Refreshed a few years after its debut as a 2018 model, this compact luxury sedan will soon resemble its stylish G80 and G90 siblings.

While that diamond-shaped grille will take decades to coalesce into a recognizable brand trait, the new grille is finally more of a sculptural element instead of a chrome-rimmed texture smashed on the front bumper like an afterthought. But what really catches the eyes (in a good way) is Genesis’ signature quad headlight treatment: four elongated bars that are absolutely unique in the luxury car genre.

The G70’s side profile shows that overall the car hasn’t changed much; the unitized body (door cutouts, roofline, etc) are all familiar. That said, it’s a nice upgrade. Cleaner front fenders (no more aggressive swoosh) with a smaller vent, a more aggressive dovetail in the decklid, and a rear bumper that looks visually lighter thanks to (presumably non-functional) black grilles at the bottom.

The G70 still looks a bit boring and anonymous in the rear, but the the new taillights both mimic the headlights and their inner lines are reminiscent of the “wings” on the Genesis logo. Kind of a shame they can’t put a diamond in the back to go with the front, no?

And while some (incorrectly attributed) songs are known for their lyrical hook, William DeVaughn reminds us to Be Thankful for What You Got. And while there’s only one photo of the redesigned G70’s interior, what’s presented here is similarly evolutionary. It looks as if there may be upgraded finishes to more brilliant chrome, machined aluminum, and knurled control knobs. It’s a bit Bentley-like, which is a good thing.

The G70’s mid-cycle refresh is proof positive that Hyundai takes the Genesis brand very seriously, and possibly proves that luxury sedans still deserve our attention. So “remember brothers and sisters, you can still stand tall, just be thankful for what you got.”