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While automakers say the delays can be attributed to ongoing chip shortages and overall growth in demand for new vehicles, many buyers believe the Korean automaker is prioritizing overseas markets due to the depreciation of the Korean currency against the US dollar.

Some buyers of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis cars have been told they will have to wait up to two and a half years before the new vehicle they ordered is delivered, the Korea Times reports.

Indeed, the local car trading platform revealed that Korean buyers of the 26 models made by the listed automakers will have to wait up to 30 months for their car, compared to "just" 11 months of waiting a year earlier.

"I have to wait two and a half years to buy a Genesis or any SUV made by Hyundai or Kia? I don't understand," said one customer on a local forum.

"The delay was only seven months last year. Why don't they make them quickly?"

As stated, the compact model Kia K3 and family sedan K5 are waiting three to five months, and up to 8 and a half months for selected versions of the model K5, large sedan K8 and SUV Sorento Hybrid.

Meanwhile, buyers of the Hyundai Avante, Sonata, Grandeur and Santa Fe models will have to wait between six and 20 months before picking up their keys.

A local company official denied claims that overseas customers were a priority.

"Not only Korean consumers, but also overseas consumers have to wait for the vehicle to be delivered," he said.

"The claim that we prioritize foreign consumers at the expense of local ones is simply untrue. Whether it's electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrids, the latest models need the latest chips and parts, which can take time to get. We'll do our best to make it as soon as possible respond to the growing demand for our vehicles."

Published in Blog/News
Tagged under
Monday, 17 January 2022 07:24

New Genesis G70 Shooting Brake 2022 review

 

Verdict

Out of the wide range of models from the fledgling Genesis brand, the G70 is the least convincing. It’s competitively priced, but let down by a very cramped cabin that lacks the sense of occasion as other models in the family. Dynamically it lacks a little sophistication to the best premium rivals, too. But if you’re sold on the looks (and we’re sure many will be) and you can live with the lack of space, then it’s still an intriguing offering.

This is the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake, the latest offering from Hyundai’s premium brand offshoot. Sitting alongside its existing range of smart saloons and imposing SUV’s this striking estate has the BMW 3 Series Touring in its sights. 

If it was fighting on looks alone, we wouldn’t bet against it. In a segment where style counts for a lot, the G70’s sleek estate body certainly cuts a handsome figure, but it’s not without its compromises.

But first, the technical stuff. The car is new to us in the UK, but the model you see here is a facelifted version of a car that’s been in production since 2017. That Hyundai connection gives Genesis access to a wealth of tech from various other models in the Korean giant’s range. 

 
Most notable here is the G70’s basic platform. It’s shared with the Kia Stinger, which means rear wheel drive but, sadly, UK buyers don’t get the Stinger’s 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6. Engine choices include a 241bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol, and a 2.2-litre diesel with 197bhp, which we’re driving here. An eight speed automatic gearbox is standard for both.

Each of the previous Genesis models we’ve tried have all impressed with a contemporary, minimalist and high quality cabin. In contrast, the G70 feels like a little bit of a letdown. There are some neat details; the red stitching and contrasting seat belts help to lift the cabin, and the 3D-effect digital dials are brilliant, but the overall design looks like it’s come from a previous generation of Genesis model. 

The infotainment system is right on the money compared with those in other premium offerings though. The graphics here look razor-sharp and loading times are quick enough. The dashboard features a row of physical shortcut buttons that give easy access to all of the system’s major functions. Build quality is decent, but not class-leading.

But the slightly underwhelming finish is not the greatest of the G70’s problems, because the back seats are very cramped. Even with a driver of average height, another adult will struggle for knee room behind. Headroom isn’t brilliant and the central tunnel running along the floor is huge, so it feels very cramped. Some superminis are more spacious.

Things don’t improve out back, either. The shallow load floor means the boot is also a small 403 litres, around 100 less than most rivals. Fold the rear seats and it’s a little more promising though; the 1,535-litre total is on par with the competition.

 
Things improve on the road, though. The G70 slots into a class where there’s a lot of sharp handling options, but it doesn’t humiliate itself – far from it. The rear-driven chassis has a natural balance, which combined with quick steering and plenty of grip, allows you to throw the G70 around with similar enthusiasm to a 3 Series Touring. 
 
 

And that’s if the diesel hasn’t already soured the mood. Start it from cold and you're subjected to an unpleasant clatter, and though it settles down when it’s warm, refinement still isn’t a strong point. The 7.7-second 0-62mph time seems optimistic, too, so performance is merely okay rather than exhilarating. On longer journeys, we did see the G70 easily top the official WLTP 40.7mpg fuel consumption figure, though.

It’s not only the fuel consumption that’s competitive for the wallet, the financials in general stack up quite well. Pop down a £5,000 deposit on a three-year PCP with a 10,000-mile annual limit, and the G70 Shooting Brake diesel in this top spec Sport Line trim comes to £665 per month. The closest match in the BMW 3 Series range is the 320d M Sport Pro Edition, and the numbers are almost identical – the German comes to roughly £2 more each month. 

With the G70’s standard kit list out-punching the 3 Series’, with standard-fit ventilated front seats and blind spot cameras, that makes it worth a punt – but only if you fit in the cramped interior. Anyone who can easily reach high shelves need not apply.

Model: Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Sport Line
Price: £41,430
Engine: 2.2 turbo diesel
Power/torque: 197bhp/440Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
0-62mph: 7.7 seconds
Top speed: 140 mph
Economy: 40.7mpg
CO2: 182g/km
On sale: Now

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/genesis/g70/shootingbrake

 

Published in Genesis
 
 

Verdict: The all-new Genesis GV70 is a joy to drive, and it mimics its luxury competitors both in its ability to provide high style and in its occasional highly questionable design choices.

Versus the competition: Still perhaps a notch below its German rivals, the GV70 is Genesis’ best attempt yet to establish the South Korean brand’s credibility as a luxury marque.

As Genesis fills out its lineup, the latest vehicle to join the South Korean brand’s assault on established luxury rivals is the 2022 GV70 compact SUV. Hyundai’s luxury division, Genesis became a separate brand for the 2015 model year, and we’ve long been fans: We named the 2019 G70 sedan our Best of 2019 winner, and the pre-brand-spinoff Hyundai Genesis sedan was our first ever Best Of winner back in 2009.

 

With the GV70, Genesis has set its sights squarely on the lucrative luxury compact SUV class, including competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC (plus a whole host of others from brands not based in Deutschland). Can the GV70 compete in such a loaded field?

Driving Done Right

One of the things we love about the G70 sedan is how much fun it is to drive, and it’s no surprise that the GV70, which shares the same platform, retains some of that fun. Really, “some” is an understatement: The GV70 — at least the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 Sport Prestige version we tested — is a blast to drive. It’s not full-on bonkers like a BMW X3 M, Mercedes-AMG GLC63 or Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, but all three of those SUVs are at their best on a track. The GV70 Sport Prestige strikes a nice middle ground, more like a Mercedes-AMG GLC43, BMW X3 M40i or Audi SQ5.

The GV70’s 3.5-liter makes 375 horsepower and 391 pounds-feet of torque. Also available is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 300 hp and 311 pounds-feet that we haven’t yet driven. Both are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard on all GV70s.

Press the gas pedal and you’ll notice a bit of lag. Depending on your personal preference, you may find it annoying or you may enjoy the buildup before the GV70 takes off. Putting the driving mode into Sport or Sport Plus (the latter is only available on Sport models) seems to improve response time a bit. Either way, though, once you get going, the GV70’s twin-turbo V-6 pulls hard.

Ride and handling are also impressive. There was some impact harshness over bumps and imperfections, but I chalk that up mostly to the giant 21-inch wheels on our test vehicle. (The wheels can be as small as 18 inches, trim depending.) Otherwise, the adaptive suspension does a great job providing a cushy ride in its more comfortable settings, then firming up in Sport and Sport Plus. I was also impressed by how little body roll I felt during my time behind the wheel, though some of our editors felt more than I did.

GV70 Sport Prestige models add an electronically controlled limited-slip differential that aids in handling, and while it’s not quite up to par with the G70, the GV70 feels nimble, with decently communicative steering. More aggressive driving modes add a bit of extra weight to the steering feel, but they don’t do much to improve feedback or inspire confidence during more spirited driving.

My sole complaint about the driving experience lies with the GV70’s brakes: It takes a lot of effort to move the pedal, and the brakes themselves sometimes felt like they were being overworked trying to haul the GV70 to a stop. Something with more bite and easier, more linear pedal feel would do wonders for the GV70.

Interior Luxury Done Mostly Right

You’ll find some good and some bad inside the GV70. Genesis says its design approach was “inspired by the aerodynamic sections of aircraft wings”; as such, you’ll find elliptical shapes everywhere inside. It gives the GV70 a sort of retro-futuristic, Atomic Age vibe that I really enjoy.

Materials quality in the top GV70 trim stands out, with Nappa leather upholstery and suede inserts — and as you can see in the photos, it doesn’t have to be a boring color. I drove an Audi Q5 Sportback shortly after the GV70, and the Q5’s interior felt a bit more solidly put together than the Genesis’, but overall, the GV70’s interior is right up there with its peers.

Interior space, however, can feel a bit lacking. The front seating area is dominated by a large center console and might feel cramped to some, but I thought the snugness enhanced the GV70’s sporty feeling. The backseat offers decent amounts of head- and legroom, but at 6-foot-1, I found it difficult to sit comfortably behind my driver-seat position. Cargo space is also a bit tight. It felt adequate for daily errands, but our testing measured it at 16.15 cubic feet; that’s less than we measured in a Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe, which is the kind of SUV we always knock for sacrificing utility for style.

From a technological standpoint, the GV70’s 14.5-inch touchscreen display has crisp graphics and looks quite sharp. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but not wireless. The GV70 also offers driver profiles that are accessible via a variety of methods, including a fingerprint scanner mounted to the right of the steering wheel. It certainly feels futuristic, but you don’t have to use it if you don’t like the idea of your car having access to your fingerprints.

Cars these days can’t seem to be luxury cars without a few questionable design choices, and the GV70 has a few inside. First, that 14.5-inch touchscreen is placed so far away from the driver’s seat that even my arms and their 36-inch sleeve measurement couldn’t easily reach it. There’s a raised dial controller — though not the confusing, flush dial you’ll find in other Genesis models — to help alleviate that issue, but controllers are not the ideal way to navigate touchscreens, particularly when using features like CarPlay.

Speaking of dials, guess what else in the GV70 is a dial? The gear selector. Having two raised dials adjacent to each other in the center console was confusing, and I often found myself grabbing the gear selector instead of the multimedia controller. Fortunately, like coins, the two dials have different textures, but it’s still frustrating. Adding to my personal frustration was that unlike most vehicles with multimedia controllers, the GV70’s is positioned ahead of the gear selector instead of behind it, though buyers not used to that sort of setup probably won’t care.

Safety

The 2022 GV70 is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick Plus for 2021 (model years and IIHS award years don’t always line up). The GV70 aced every test, but the front crash prevention vehicle-to-pedestrian test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had not yet tested the GV70 as of this writing, but when it does, you’ll find the results here. In our Car Seat Check, the GV70 received mixed scores.

Is Genesis Finally There?

We said once that the 2021 Genesis G80 sedan was “nipping at the Germans’ heels.” Well, the GV70 isn’t just nipping at the heels of German luxury compact SUVs, it’s taking full chomps.

With a starting price of just over $42,000, the GV70 undercuts the competition, though perhaps not as much as other Genesis models have in the past. Our test vehicle carried a sticker price of $65,045, which is more in line with performance-oriented — but not the highest-performance — versions of its competition. Once you start adding options to the German SUVs, however, the Genesis is likely to seem like an affordable option.

In terms of driving performance, the GV70 is certainly a luxury compact SUV, and the interior mimics the good (quality and style) and bad (questionable design and user interface choices) of many of its rivals. It should absolutely be on every luxury compact SUV shopper’s list, but whether it does enough to convince those who care what name is on their car remains to be seen.

(https://www.cars.com/articles/2022-genesis-gv70-review-has-genesis-finally-nailed-it-441469/)

Published in Genesis
Thursday, 16 December 2021 05:09

Genesis G70 Shooting Brake review

Appealing, left-field estate/coupe lacking engine choices
 
 

 PROS

  • Fun to drive 
  • Impressive ride quality
  • High-quality interior

 CONS

  • Lack of hybrid/electric options
  • Tight rear head room 
  • Unimpressive four-cylinder engines
 

Is the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake any good?

The second model in the Genesis G70 range has been rolled out, and it's a segment-busting estate/hatchback/coupe crossover that should appeal those looking for a stand-out compact executive car. In reality, the Shooting Brake is an estate car, with a commodious rear end and a choice of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines for those who don't want to go for one of the default-choice German opposition.

With a decent range of cars already on offer – and more on the way – Genesis aims to establish itself as a premium player with a difference. To help on that journey offering a concierge-style package with all of its cars, and hoping that buyers will be swayed away from their BMWs, Audis and Mercedes-Benzes, on the promise of a better standard of service and more left-field cars – we’re looking forward to seeing how it pans out.

If you're looking at one of these, you'll undoubtedly have the BMW 3 Series Touring, Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate on your shopping list, but the G70's daring looks mean it's likely to appeal to those also looking for an Audi A5 Sportback, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, Volkswagen Arteon or Peugeot 508. It's an interesting line-up...

What's it like inside?

From the rear seats forward, the Shooting Brake is identical to the saloon inside. So you get the same blend of tastefully hued materials, pleated leather and dashboard that's liberally sprinkled with buttons. It’s no worse inside than a BMW 3 Series or Audi A4, but the Mercedes-Benz C-Class does better. Build quality is impressive, too.

The interior highlight is the optional Innovation Pack, which brings you a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that will show you – on screen – what’s happening alongside when signalling left or right. Sounds gimmicky, but it really does work on the move. Other than that, it’s standard digital fare, and it all works seamlessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It’s roomy in the front if you like a low-slung driving position, but the rear bench isn’t quite so roomy, with tight legroom being the biggest criticism. Of its rivals, we’d say only the Jaguar XE is more cramped. The luggage space in the Shooting Brake is not bad at all – the carrying capacity with the rear seats down is 1,565 litres, which beats the BMW 3 Series Touring’s 1,510, let alone the 1,300 you get in the sleeker 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Genesis G70 Shooting Brake review (2021) interior view 

What's it like to drive?

It's based on the same tech and underpinnings as the Kia Stinger and powered by a pair of four-cylinder engines. The choice is between a 2.2-litre diesel and a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol in 200 and 245hp forms.

The 245hp petrol model's official WLTP fuel consumption is 35.4mpg and that’s someway behind the opposition, especially as you’ll find yourself driving it hard quite often, dragging the economy down further. It doesn't feel too quick on the road, despite a 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds. Blame that on a kerb weight of almost 1,700kg weight and a lack of mid-range pulling power.

The diesel feels more suited to the G70 Shooting Brake, putting in a solid performance and proving to be at its best when cruising, rather than being driven hard. It’s refined at speed, which is all that most owners will really want. But overall, you're left with the lingering impression that it's a great handling sporting estate in need of better engines.

Comfort and handling

Like the saloon it’s based upon, the G70 Shooting Brake is very good to drive, and you can tell from the first corner that it's excellent in corners, with fast and responsive steering and a near lack of bodyroll. Considering this is the company’s first entry into the compact executive market, it’s very good – up there with the likes of the Jaguar XE and BMW 3 Series for driver involvement.

As well as enjoying keen handling, the G70 Shooting Brake rides well, and all that you can really criticise it for is above average levels of tyre noise. In terms of comfort, the 3 Series and especially the Mercedes-Benz C-Class have the G70 beaten, even if there's little to criticise its ride quality for.

Genesis G70 Shooting Brake review (2021) rear view

What models and trims are available?

The new Genesis G70 Shooting Brake comes in three forms: Premium, Luxury and Sport. The entry-level Premium cars come with a 10.25-inch infotainment system with DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also comes with electrically-adjustable leather seats, blind spot monitoring and LED headlights as standard.

The Luxury models get a heated steering wheel and heated seats, Sport models add more sporting-looking wheels and bodykit. Options across the range include a sunroof, a nappa leather interior and a great-sounding premium sound system.

All variants of the new Genesis G70 Shooting Brake are offered with either a 2.0 turbocharged petrol engine or a 2.2 litre Diesel. The petrol engine in the Premium model makes 197hp, whereas in the Luxury and Sport it makes 245hp. There is only one diesel engine, and it makes 200hp.

 
Genesis G70 Shooting Brake review (2021) front view, driving

Should you buy one?

The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is a very capable and unusual choice in a market dominated by very similar vehicles, and we like it all the more for that. In cold, hard terms, it's not as good all round as the BMW 3 Series Touring, Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, and if you want the best car for your money, you should go with the former.

But it's still an engaging choice, especially considering the extra level of service your Genesis dealer will offer you as a customer. It's not just appealing because it looks interesting. It's also good to drive, with keen handling, and should be fun to live with if you enjoy attacking B-roads on a regular basis. Motorway refinement is also noteworthy, as is the roomy, well-shaped boot (especially considering the swoopy looks).

However, it's let down by an indifferent range of diesel and petrol engines and a lack of any sort of electrification. We suspect its appeal is more deep-seated than that, and most will be sold on the strength of Genesis’s promised customer support rather than the car’s relative merits compared with the opposition.

(https://www.parkers.co.uk/genesis/g70/shooting-brake/review/)

Published in Genesis

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