The 2020 Genesis G70 marked a significant entry into the luxury sport sedan market, combining performance, style, and a strong emphasis on safety. For prospective buyers and current owners alike, understanding the safety ratings of the 2020 G70 is crucial. This article delves into the comprehensive safety evaluations conducted on the 2020 Genesis G70, providing an in-depth look at its performance in various crash tests and safety feature assessments. Data is derived from rigorous testing and ratings provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a leading authority on vehicle safety.
Comprehensive Crashworthiness: A Breakdown of the 2020 Genesis G70’s Safety Performance
The IIHS conducts a series of crash tests to evaluate vehicle safety, simulating different types of real-world collisions. The 2020 Genesis G70 underwent these tests, and the results offer valuable insights into its crashworthiness.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Driver-Side
In the driver-side small overlap frontal test, which assesses how well a vehicle protects the driver in a collision involving the front corner of the vehicle impacting a narrow object, the 2020 Genesis G70 achieved a “Good” rating – the highest possible. This “Good” rating extends to structural integrity, safety cage robustness, and all driver injury measures (head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot). The driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also rated as “Good,” indicating effective occupant control during this type of crash.
Technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test reveal minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment. For instance, the maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar was only 3 cm, and the steering column showed no intrusion. Driver injury measures were also impressively low. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) was measured at 226, well below critical levels, and there was no head contact with hard structures. Chest compression was a minimal 35mm. These metrics underscore the G70’s ability to protect the driver in a challenging small overlap frontal crash scenario.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Passenger-Side
Mirroring its driver-side performance, the 2020 Genesis G70 also earned a “Good” rating in the passenger-side small overlap frontal test. This test evaluates passenger protection in a similar narrow offset collision on the passenger side. The overall evaluation, structure and safety cage, passenger injury measures, passenger restraints, driver injury measures, and driver restraints all received the top “Good” rating.
Technical data from the passenger-side test further reinforces the G70’s safety. Occupant compartment intrusion was minimal, with a maximum of 3 cm at the lower hinge pillar. Passenger injury measures were again very low, with a HIC-15 of 282 and no head contact. Chest compression for the passenger was measured at just 25mm. Even driver injury measures, assessed in the passenger-side test, were rated “Good,” demonstrating the robust overall safety design of the G70.
Moderate Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Original Test
The moderate overlap frontal test simulates a more traditional head-on collision with a significant portion of the vehicle’s front end involved. The 2020 Genesis G70 once again achieved a “Good” overall rating in this assessment. Structure and safety cage integrity, driver injury measures (head/neck, chest, and leg/foot), and driver restraints were all rated “Good.”
Measurements from this test indicate excellent structural performance. Maximum footwell intrusion was limited to 2 cm, and there was no significant rearward movement of the instrument panel or A-pillar. Driver injury metrics were also favorable. The HIC-15 was a low 148, and chest compression was 28mm. Leg and foot injury measures were also minimal, reinforcing the G70’s effectiveness in protecting occupants in a moderate overlap frontal crash.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Test
In the side impact test, which evaluates protection in a side collision, the 2020 Genesis G70 earned a “Good” overall rating, with one exception. While structure and safety cage, driver head protection, rear passenger protection, and pelvis/leg injury measures for both driver and rear passenger were all rated “Good,” the torso injury measure for the driver received an “Acceptable” rating.
Despite the “Acceptable” torso rating for the driver, the G70 demonstrated strong side impact protection overall. Occupant compartment intrusion was measured at -19.0 cm, indicating minimal deformation into the driver’s seating space. Driver head and rear passenger head protection were both rated “Good,” and injury measures for other body regions were generally low.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test assesses a vehicle’s resistance to roof crush in a rollover accident. The 2020 Genesis G70 achieved a “Good” rating in this evaluation. With a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.53, the G70’s roof demonstrated significant strength relative to its weight, indicating robust rollover protection. The peak force recorded was 20,068 lbs against a curb weight of 3,627 lbs.
Head Restraints & Seats
Evaluations of head restraints and seats are crucial for preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2020 Genesis G70’s power leather seats earned a “Good” overall rating in this category. Both the dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good.” Technical measurements confirmed effective head restraint positioning and performance during simulated rear-end impacts.
Headlight Performance: Variations and Ratings for the 2020 Genesis G70
Headlight performance is a critical safety aspect, particularly for nighttime driving. The IIHS evaluates headlights based on visibility and glare. The 2020 Genesis G70 has several headlight variations depending on trim level and production date, resulting in different ratings.
LED Projector Headlights with Curve-Adaptive and High-Beam Assist (Good Rating)
Certain 2020 Genesis G70 trim levels, including 2.0T AT trims with Prestige, Dynamic, or Sport packages, and 3.3T AT trims with Elite, Prestige, or Sport packages, are equipped with LED projector headlights featuring curve-adaptive functionality and high-beam assist. These headlights earned an overall “Good” rating from the IIHS. Both low beams and high beams provided good visibility on straightaways and curves, with high-beam assist compensating for any minor low-beam limitations.
LED Projector Headlights with High-Beam Assist (Good Rating)
Other trim levels, such as the 2.0T AT trim equipped with the Elite package, the 3.3T AT trim, and the 2.0T MT trim, come with LED projector headlights and high-beam assist, but without curve-adaptive functionality. These headlights also achieved a “Good” overall rating. They provided good visibility in most scenarios, with high-beam assist effectively addressing any limitations.
LED Projector Headlights with High-Beam Assist (Good Rating – Post December 2019 Production)
For the 2.0 AT trim level built after December 2019, the LED projector headlights with high-beam assist also earned a “Good” rating. Performance and ratings were consistent with the other LED projector headlight systems.
Halogen Projector Headlights with High-Beam Assist (Poor Rating – Pre-January 2020 Production)
Notably, the 2.0T AT trim built before January 2020, equipped with halogen projector low beams and halogen reflector high beams, received a “Poor” overall headlight rating. Visibility was deemed inadequate in most scenarios, despite the presence of high-beam assist. Prospective buyers of early production 2020 G70 models should be aware of this headlight performance difference.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Pedestrian
The 2020 Genesis G70 is equipped with a standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection system. The IIHS evaluated this system’s effectiveness in preventing or mitigating vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian crashes.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention
The 2020 Genesis G70’s standard front crash prevention system earned a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing rear-end collisions. The system also meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Daytime)
For pedestrian front crash prevention in daytime conditions, the 2020 Genesis G70’s system received an “Advanced” rating. It avoided collisions with a crossing child dummy in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests. In tests involving crossing and parallel adult dummies, the system either avoided collisions or significantly reduced impact speed. This “Advanced” rating indicates a high level of pedestrian protection capability.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The IIHS also evaluates the ease of use of child seat anchors (LATCH). The 2020 Genesis G70 received a “Marginal” rating for LATCH ease of use. While the vehicle has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor, the lower anchors were found to be too deep in the seat and difficult to maneuver around.
Conclusion: The 2020 Genesis G70 – A Safe and Solid Choice
Overall, the 2020 Genesis G70 demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, as evidenced by its predominantly “Good” ratings in IIHS crash tests and “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. While headlight ratings vary by trim and production date, and the LATCH system is rated “Marginal” for ease of use, the 2020 Genesis G70 stands out as a safe vehicle in its class. Prospective buyers can be confident in the G70’s ability to protect occupants in a variety of crash scenarios, making it a compelling choice for those prioritizing safety in a luxury sport sedan. Always consider specific trim levels and production dates, especially regarding headlight performance, when evaluating a 2020 Genesis G70.
