Genesis Continues to Earn Buyers Otherwise Destined for Japanese or German Marques
The Best Genesis Vehicles for 2021
Hyundai’s upscale brand continues to expand, and now includes performance sedans and full-on luxury SUVs. The model line is award-winning, and offers some of the best of luxury and performance at prices that undercut European rivals by quite a bit.
Keep your eyes peeled for Genesis in 2021, as the company is set to release its incredible GV80 SUV and will refresh the excellent G70 sports sedan.
Shopping for a new car? Check out what the 2021 Genesis lineup looks like.
See also: best-midsized luxury cars for 2021 and best-fullsized luxury cars for 2021.
1. 2021 Genesis G70
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The G70 is an excellent all-around sports luxury sedan. Pros: Sharp style, excellent upscale interior, striking performance Cons: No manual transmission, limited rear seat space |
The G70 is a great example of what can happen when a company really buckles down and builds a car to a performance goal, not just a price point. The G70, though reasonably priced, is solid, luxurious, and shockingly quick with the available V6
The G70 is offered with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 252 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The upgraded engine is a twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 that makes 365 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque. It can be upgraded with all-wheel-drive and adaptive dampers, which make it a corner-hugging machine.
2. 2021 Genesis G80
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The all-new G80 is as handsome and luxurious as the day is long. Pros: Clean styling, upscale interior, strong powertrains Cons: No hybrid |
The G80 is all-new for the 2021 model year, and as such has moved closer to the also-new GV80 crossover’s appearance. The car sports a large grille, sweeping lines, and an interior that would make almost any luxury buyer swoon.
The standard engine in the 2021 G80 is a 2.5-liter inline-four that produces 300 horsepower. The car is offered with a 3.5-liter V6 as an upgrade that produces 375 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox are standard and all-wheel drive can be optioned in.
3. 2021 Genesis GV80
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The first Genesis crossover is visually striking and should be a real luxury contender. Pros: Beautiful, inside and out, strong powertrains Cons: Small third row, funky steering feel |
The new crossover from Genesis is thankfully as upscale and memorable as the company’s other vehicles. The GV80’s interior is opulent, and its ride serene, enough so that the mainstay luxury brands should be nervous about their prospects against the Korean luxury brand.
The GV80 is offered with two powertrain choices for the 2021 model year. The first is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded mill will be a 375-hp turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that also makes 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines will get an eight-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive.
4. 2021 Genesis G90
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The G90 is a flagship executive sedan at midrange prices. Pros: Solid value, serene interior, refined powertrains Cons: Can feel too soft at times, no folding rear seat |
The Genesis G90 is a flagship sedan that proves it’s not all about how much you spent. The car carries all of the luxury and plush fixings that its competition has, but does so at a lower price and with a simplified model lineup. The car underwent a thorough refresh for 2020, so updates for the 2021 model year are modest, at best.
The 2021 Genesis G90 will be offered with two powertrain choices for the 2021 model year. The base engine is a twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 that produces 365 horsepower. The upgraded unit is a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 420 horsepower. Both engines get an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, though all-wheel-drive can be optioned in.
