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Editors' Picks August 2021 | Honda Civic, Mercedes S-Class and more

This month of Editors' Picks saw us award the honor to a couple of redesigned stalwarts like the Honda Civic and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Plus, a new crossover that splits the difference between the compact and subcompact class takes home the prize. On top of this, we'll introduce you to a new term: midcompact. We'll be using this to describe those in-between crossovers that are a tad too small to be considered compact, but too large to neatly fit into the subcompact class. For a few examples of these "midcompact" cars, we'll point you to the Ford Bronco Sport, Kia Seltos and VW Seltos. In case you missed our previous Editors' Picks posts, here’s a quick refresher on whatÂ’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get EditorsÂ’ Pick status. Those are the ones weÂ’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody whoÂ’s curious and asks the question. The list that youÂ’ll find below consists of every car we rated in August that earned an EditorsÂ’ Pick. 2021 Genesis G70 2022 Genesis G70 View 26 Photos Quick take: Genesis hits all the right buttons with its G70. It's attractive, fun to drive and can be had for a fair price. Enthusiasts should give it a shot before taking home one of its German competitors. Score: 8 What it competes with: Alfa Romeo Giulia, Lexus IS, Acura TLX, Infiniti Q50, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CT4, Volvo S60 Pros: Sharp handler, stunning exterior looks, strong engines Cons: Average interior, loses manual option, small backseat and trunk From the editors: News Editor Joel Stocksdale — "I was already a big fan of the Genesis G70. It has brilliant handling, and the twin-turbo V6 is a beast. It's even a bargain against the competition. And Genesis just made it look a lot better. I wish they'd done a bit more to update the interior, but it's still not a bad cabin. Besides, you won't think too much about it when you're hustling down a fun back road." Features Editor James Riswick — "Yes, it is small, but in a sport sedan segment where "sport" means increasingly less, the G70 still delivers (in part because of that smallness).

2022 Genesis G80 is more expensive, adds Sport model with rear-wheel steering

Pricing for the 2022 Genesis G80 is out, and it’s up from last year. Plus, further details and pricing are also out for the new-for-2022 G80 Sport model. Packaging changes for the G80 lineup this year reveal that the only way to get the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 is to spring for the new Sport model. All other G80s get the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This is different from last year, since there was no Sport model for 2021. The V6 upgrade was essentially exactly that, but now itÂ’s a model all its own. The mix-up of trims/engines also spells the end of the rear-drive V6 model. For 2022, you can only pair the V6 with all-wheel drive, so conversely the only way to get rear-wheel drive is with the four-cylinder. The base price for the four-cylinder is up, too, now starting at $49,045, including the destination charge. ThatÂ’s up $300 over last yearÂ’s base price. Getting into a V6 is much more expensive. Since the Sport model is the base V6 choice at this point, and with all-wheel drive being standard, the cheapest 2022 G80 V6 is $4,350 more than last yearÂ’s entry point. If you compare similar entry points (both AWD models), the premium you pay for the Sport is less harsh at just $1,200. For your extra coin, the G80 Sport throws in rear-wheel steering, a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, aluminum interior trim, unique three-spoke steering wheel, Sport-specific seat designs and a slightly revised exterior design. The exterior changes include dark glossy chrome trim, a new front fascia, unique wheels and an available Cavendish Red paint option.  You can also spec the G80 Sport with summer performance tires if you so choose. These are only available on the fully decked-out Prestige trim, and will cost you an extra $500. Fully loaded, the G80 Sport Prestige (with the summer rubber) will run you $71,295. Genesis hasnÂ’t said when the new 2022 G80s will be hitting dealer lots, but we suspect it isnÂ’t far from today now that pricing is out. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Genesis maps out its sustainable EV future, 14 years out

Genesis just did a cannonball into the clear blue waters of Earth's sustainable future, using a 12-minute livestream to announce eco-conscious commercial and electric-vehicle goals for the next 14 years. The first target arrives in 2025, after which every newly introduced Genesis will run on electricity alone, the automaker's dual technology strategy envisioning both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell offerings. Brand chief Jay Chang said engineers are working now on more efficient batteries with better performance and fuel cell systems with higher outputs. Five years later, Genesis plans to sell only an eight-strong lineup of zero-emissions vehicles that rack up 400,000 unit sales globally per year. In 2020, the brand sold 128,365 units globally. Last year was a down year for everything and everyone, but still marked the first time Genesis moved more than 100,000 units in a year around the world. The range shown in a dark image in the livestream looks like four cars and four crossovers and SUVs, all with the company's trademark quad lamps running from the front fascia to the leading edges of the front doors. The imminent GV60 electric crossover will break the seal on this lineup, but the GV60 isn't in the picture. One of the future products, based on a concept shown in the video, could put the swiveling seats and stage doors we've seen on so many concepts into production, and include an audio system delivering an at-the-orchestra experience.  Five years after the EV-only curtain gets raised, Chang declared the company plans to be carbon neutral, managing emissions starting from raw materials and including everything from parts production to assembly plants and corporate offices. Based on what's happening around the world right now, this would be an astute move for reasons beyond helping the planet, in that it would give Genesis close contact with its entire supply chain. Next time things go topsy turvy planet-wide — and they will — such intimacy with the lifespan of company processes from seed to shallow grave means Genesis will know which buttons to press to keep the machine moving as efficiently as possible. An item mentioned in the video as an afterthought is one we hope comes first.

Genesis GV80 gets luxurious six-seater option in South Korea

Genesis pushed the GV80 even further upmarket in its home country. It released an updated version of the big SUV that gains an available six-seat layout designed primarily around the passengers riding in the second row. The six-seat interior joins the five- and seven-seater configurations on the GV80's list of options. While the largest Genesis SUV offers luxury regardless of how many people it can carry, the six-seater was developed as a range-topping version with a pair of individual second-row seats separated by a full center console. The leather-upholstered chairs are heated and ventilated, and the passengers sitting in them enjoy a long list of amenities. Separate rear-seat entertainment systems allow one second-row passenger to watch a movie while the other listens to music. Cupholders, wireless device chargers, and separate HVAC controls let them travel in their own little bubble. And, the second-row center console features ambient lighting plus the same wood trim as the one that's between the occupants in front. Most of the other changes Genesis made to the GV80 for 2022 are relatively minor. For example, the color palette gains two shades named Mauna Red and Barossa Burgundy, respectively, and the brake calipers available on the 3.5-liter-powered model are now also fitted to SUVs powered by the 2.5- and 3.0-liter engines. Additionally, some of the onboard software (like the navigation system) will receive over-the-air updates. Buyers can already order the 2022 Genesis GV80 in South Korea, where it starts at 61.36 million won (about $53,000). Details about the American-spec version of the SUV haven't been released yet. We've asked the company if the posh six-seater layout is coming to our shores, and were simply told to stay tuned. While the five-, six-, and seven-seat GV80s look the same when viewed from the outside, the range could grow with a fastback-like model in the not-too-distant future. Unverified reports claim a more style-oriented version of the SUV with a swoopy roof line could make its debut before the end of 2021 to compete directly against the BMW X6.

Genesis GV60 shows more of itself, this time in white

Genesis unboxed an additional selection of photos and bombast concerning the design of its new GV60 electric hatchback. Neither the images nor the words do much to illuminate aspects of the GV60 we're really keen to know about, like tech specs and feature options and interior materials, but there are two enlightening sentences. The first describes what Genesis calls the "Volt-DLO concept," being the chrome strip running above the side windows. It begins at the A-pillar and arcs ever-so-slightly downward toward the C-pillar, where it cuts a sharp "V" before resuming its run to the base of the hatch window, ending next to the rear spoiler. The second phrase concerns the Crystal Sphere, the laser-etched glow globe on one side and shifter on the other. Genesis tell us that it will not allow the vehicle to be put into gear during charging, a kind of mood-lit failsafe for drivers.  And just like the automaker did when it failed to mention wireless charging the first time around, Genesis didn't mention another novel feature. This would be the filament of red light running across the rear spoiler, which we suppose will act as a third brake light. Our favorite three words in the Genesis press release, however, probably weren't meant to picked up. Someone named two of the new batch of photos, a front-three-quarter and a rear-three-quarter image, "GV60 FIXED FUEL HOLE." It's so gloriously awkward and municipal, like a state utility marker near a natural gas facility, that we'd be the first to sign a petition for Genesis to retain that name for the actual car. Or the actual car's fuel hole, at least.   Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Here's the Genesis GV60 EV looking much better in black paint

For detractors of the recently-revealed Genesis GV60 electric crossover, this one’s for you. The GV60 debuted last week in what can only be described as Kia Soul green. Considering the Soul is made by the same parent company, the comparisons and similarities between the two are inevitable. Of course, weÂ’re fairly certain those arenÂ’t the comparisons that luxury brand Genesis wanted folks to be making for its new, sporty electric crossover. For a change in pace, we present these spy shots of an uncovered and undisguised GV60 wearing black paint. It is significantly better looking than the green car. The effect is similar to applying a dark paint to the new BMW M3 or M4. The darker shades allow the grille to melt into the background and blend with the rest of the bodywork better. It does the same on the GV60. The big widemouth grille with its boomerang-shaped mustache is toned down significantly. All of its gray cladding works better as an accent to the black paint. And even the unique V-shaped window trim in the rear doesnÂ’t stand out as much. Genesis very obviously doesnÂ’t want to hide it (still made of chrome), but itÂ’s certainly less objectionable with this color combo. Even the dark gray wheels on this specific GV60 look better than the ones on the reveal car. All the above said, we still need to see all the interior color options. Genesis showed us the interior in its incredible all-blue spec to start, a color and look we have zero objections to. Will the light blue be available with black paint? Most likely not. However, Genesis has the chance to put together a nice red or cream/white interior thatÂ’d match this black paint well. Until a full color palette/configurator comes out, weÂ’ll at least have some peace with the photos of the GV60 in this black paint. ItÂ’s leagues better than that green, and thereÂ’s a good chance GenesisÂ’ other darker shades help it even more. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Genesis GV60 to gain wireless charging capability

When Genesis debuted the GV60 online last week, the accompanying press release hyped the Crystal Sphere that provides mood lighting on one side and a gear shifter on the other. Someone decided that was more important than wireless charging, a capability Green Car Reports discovered the GV60 will enable at some point next year. The GV60 is anticipated to go on sale in South Korea later this year and reach our shores sometime next year with conventional charging only. GCR says the wireless rollout will then begin in South Korea late next year with a pilot program to gather data. Assuming the pilot program returns good news, it's not clear how much longer it would take for Genesis to expand the tech to other markets, or for the Hyundai Group to enable the tech on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 that share their E-GMP bones with the GV60. American firm WiTricity is tabbed as the wireless charging hardware provider, and we know Hyundai's been working with WiTricity for at least three years. Hyundai showed a Kona EV concept at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show with WiTricity cordless charging, and a month after the show, WiTricity's CEO told technology site IEEE that an unnamed OEM would debut wireless EV charging that year. Obviously, that didn't happen, but WiTricity did provide the wireless phone charging pads for the 2019 Kona Electric. The following year, BMW introduced a wireless charging system for its 530e PHEV, the first OEM vehicle in the U.S. to offer it; two years later, the BMW unit is still only available in limited markets and still in the data-gathering phase. According to the report, wireless charging for the GV60 will be a cost option, the cost still a mystery. In 2018, WiTricity's CEO said all the hardware for a wireless system would be about $800 more than a wired-up charger. The performance stats are closer. WiTricity's site says "Most Level 2 chargers are between 89-94% efficient, and so is the wireless charging built on WiTricity’s technology" across the typical ground-clearance gap for an EV. SlashGear reports the wireless system needing just six hours to recharge the GV60 according to Genesis, "compared to 10 hours when using a conventional wall charger." The BMW inductive system needed 3.5 hours to charge a 9.2-kWh battery at a 3.2-kW charging rate.

Genesis GV60 crossover revealed as the luxury lineup's sporty EV

The hatch-tastic Hyundai Ioniq 5 introduced the world to the Electric Group Modular Platform — E-GMP to its friends — the dedicated battery-electric architecture shared among the Hyundai Group. The architecture showed up next under the Kia EV6, leaving Genesis as the only member of the South Korean group trio yet to show its hand. That changes now, with Genesis revealing the GV60 electric vehicle. As number designations decrease in the Genesis lineup, sportiness increases, meaning the GV60 is meant to be sportier than the GV70 and GV80. Many of the brand cues Genesis created to identify itself show themselves in front, burnished for use on a first-of-its-kind for the automaker. A stretched crest grille takes in plenty of air to cool the electronics within. Above that, quad headlamps wrap around the front corners, defining the leading edge of a clamshell hood, another first for the brand. The Genesis badge front and center is not only almost 80% thinner than the usual Genesis badge, it's engraved with a guilloche pattern often seen on expensive watches and enamel jewelry.  The profile gives the Genesis away as the luxxed-up version of the Kia EV6, especially as it omits the dramatic, declining shoulder line that's a calling card on every other Genesis. Designers fitted rear-facing cameras for the side mirrors, they project images onto screens set into the top of the doors in the cabin. The flush exterior door handles automatically pop out as the driver approaches. The overall shape is as perfectly fine here as it is when it wears a Kia badge. But Genesis has spent three years showing us fascinating electric concepts, starting with the belongs-in-a-video-game Essentia grand tourer in 2018, the charming cosmopolitan Mint city car in 2019, and the why-haven't-you-built-this-already X concept from this March. The GV60's grille graphic has clear ties to the Mint; otherwise, the production electric car would struggle to prove its common lineage with the concepts aft of the front fascia. It seems Genesis wants us to eat our meat before we can have our pudding. Inside, the gear selector has been turned into a rotating Crystal Sphere atop a floating center console. When the GV60 is dormant, the Sphere appears to be a piece of transparent jewelry that throws off mood lighting. Turn the vehicle on, and the Sphere flips to become a deeply scalloped gear selector knob.

Next-gen Genesis G90 spied attacking the Nurburgring and showing off its new looks

Here are some entertaining Genesis G90 spy shots. One of our spy shooters caught the next-gen flagship sedan pushing around the Nurburgring wearing considerably less camouflage than the last time we spied it. This G90 also has a full roll cage on the interior, which is about as laugh-worthy as seeing the suspension do some heavy lifting in this heavily cambered corner. What’s most intriguing about these shots is the look we get at this G90Â’s new body. The car appears lower, longer and sleeker than before. It features a new window line, in which the bottom edge of the rear window kicks upward at the end instead of remaining flat. And the rear fender design gives the impression of dramatically flared rear hips. All of these attractive features were hidden from us previously, and weÂ’re mighty impressed with what weÂ’re seeing so far. ThereÂ’s a definite hint of the new G80 in this design, and it only becomes even more obvious after you take a look at the scooped rear. It has a similar shape to the bumper and trunk. Plus, we can see the pentagon-shaped exhaust tips and a hint of whatÂ’s to come with the taillights. ItÂ’s not obvious in these shots, but we suspect Genesis will apply its two-band design to the G90 that all of its other models feature.  Move to the front, and itÂ’s rather obvious that the front headlights will surely feature the two-band design — we can see the two strips of LEDs up there. Genesis isnÂ’t making much of an effort to cover up the G90Â’s enormous grille, which isnÂ’t totally unexpected considering the big sedan is on the Nurburgring where it requires copious amounts of cool air. The main central grille looks similar in size and shape to the outgoing G90Â’s giant mouth, but it adds mesh to the lower bumper, too. As for the newly-revealed doors and body sides, it looks like Genesis could be using new, electric door handles with the G90. The rear passenger side handle sits flush with the camouflage, and while the front passenger side handle juts out a little, there could easily just be some pre-production strangeness going on with the camo and the door handles. Seeing as the new S-Class finally adopted electric handles, it wouldnÂ’t be out of the question to see Genesis follow suit with its flagship. The last thing weÂ’ll point out are these snazzy wheels. Genesis has brought the fire with many of its recent wheel designs, and this is another wild set of rims on this car.

Genesis X concept and G70 imagined as race cars for 'Gran Turismo'

Earlier this year, Genesis showed off one amazing concept coupe. It was called the Genesis X, and the company seemed to be gauging whether people would be interested in a production version. Things have been quiet, but now it has reappeared as a sweet race car for the "Gran Turismo" video game series. And it's not the only one. Joining the Genesis X are Group 3 and Group 4 versions of the Genesis G70 compact sports sedan. For reference, Groups 3 and 4 are analogous to real world GT3 and GT4 racing classes, with the former being more heavily modified, and the latter being more closely related to the production car. We think they look superb. We particularly love the turbo-fan covers on the wheels, as well as the diamond-shaped fog lights on the G70. The cars were shown to people at the Genesis display at Pebble Beach using VR goggles. While the exact "Gran Turismo" title wasn't specified, we imagine they will appear in the upcoming "Gran Turismo 7" video game for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. Interestingly, Genesis said these cars "showcased its motorsport intent," which has us wondering if we may see real-life Genesis race cars, too. Time will tell. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.