The 2021 Genesis G70 stands out in the luxury sport sedan segment, not only for its performance and style but also for its commitment to safety. As a content creator for cardiagxpert.com and an automotive repair expert, I’ve analyzed the safety ratings and crash test results for the 2021 Genesis G70 to provide you with an in-depth understanding of its safety performance. This article delves into the details of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluations, offering a comprehensive look at how the G70 protects occupants in various crash scenarios.
IIHS Crash Test Evaluations for the 2021 Genesis G70
The IIHS conducts rigorous crash tests to evaluate vehicle safety, and the Genesis G70 has undergone several of these assessments. These tests simulate common accident scenarios and provide valuable data on how well a vehicle protects its occupants. Let’s examine the G70’s performance in each test.
Small Overlap Front: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end, on the driver’s side, impacts a barrier. This is a particularly challenging test as it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the car.
The 2021 Genesis G70 earned a “Good” rating in the driver-side small overlap front test. This is the highest rating possible and indicates that the G70 provides excellent protection in this type of collision.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Technical measurements from the test reveal the extent of occupant compartment intrusion and potential driver injuries. Lower occupant compartment intrusion was minimal, with the maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar being only 3 cm. Crucially, there was no steering column intrusion, and upper occupant compartment intrusion was also limited.
Technical Measurements – Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 3 |
| Footrest | 6 |
| Left toepan | 5 |
| Brake pedal | 7 |
| Parking brake | 0 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 2 |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 1 |
| Upper dash | 2 |
| Lower instrument panel | 2 |
Driver injury measures were also excellent across all categories. Head and neck injury risk was minimal, as indicated by a low HIC-15 score of 226 and minimal neck tension and bending moment. Chest compression was well-controlled at 35mm, and femur and tibia forces were low, indicating a low risk of leg injuries.
Driver Injury Measures – Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 226 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.1 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 10 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 35 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 1.6 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 1.0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.66 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.70 |
Small Overlap Front: Passenger-Side
The passenger-side small overlap front test mirrors the driver-side test but assesses the protection offered to the front passenger.
Similar to the driver-side, the 2021 Genesis G70 achieved a “Good” rating for passenger-side small overlap protection. This demonstrates consistent safety performance for both front occupants in this challenging crash scenario.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Occupant compartment intrusion measurements on the passenger side were also minimal, comparable to the driver-side results, reinforcing the robust structural design of the 2021 G70.
Technical Measurements – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 3 |
| Footrest | 8 |
| Right toepan | 7 |
| Center toepan | 4 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 2 |
| Center dash | 2 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 2 |
| Upper dash | 2 |
| Right lower dash | 2 |
Passenger and driver injury measures were again in the “Good” range. Head, neck, chest, and leg injury risks were low for both the passenger and the driver in this test, highlighting the effectiveness of the G70’s restraint systems and structural design in protecting both front occupants.
Passenger and Driver Injury Measures – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Passenger injury measures | Measurement | Driver injury measures | Measurement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 282 | Head HIC-15 | 170 | |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.8 | Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 | |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 18 | Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 11 | |
| Maximum Nij | 0.26 | Maximum Nij | 0.19 | |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 25 | Chest maximum compression (mm) | 31 | |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.4 | Femur Left (kN) | 0.1 | |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.1 | Femur Right (kN) | 0.8 | |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.59 | Maximum tibia index Left | 0.31 | |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.38 | Maximum tibia index Right | 0.27 |
Moderate Overlap Front: Original Test
In the moderate overlap front test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end (40%) impacts a deformable barrier. This test is representative of a common type of frontal collision.
The 2021 Genesis G70 earned another “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front test. This consistent “Good” performance across different frontal crash tests underscores the G70’s robust frontal impact protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion in the moderate overlap test showed minimal footwell intrusion and negligible instrument panel and steering column movement, indicating a stable occupant space.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest | 1 |
| Left footwell | 2 |
| Center footwell | 2 |
| Right footwell | 1 |
| Brake pedal | 3 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Left | 0 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Right | 0 |
| Steering column movement Upward | 3 |
| Steering column movement Rearward | -4 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 |
Driver injury measures were again excellent, with low head, neck, chest, and leg injury risks. Femur forces and tibia index values were well within safe limits, confirming good protection for the lower extremities.
Driver Injury Measures – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 148 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.1 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 19 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 28 |
| Femur force – Left (kN) | 0.3 |
| Femur force – Right (kN) | 0.5 |
| Maximum tibia index – Left | 0.50 |
| Maximum tibia index – Right | 0.51 |
Side: Original Test
The side impact test assesses the protection provided in a side collision, a dangerous type of accident.
The 2021 Genesis G70 achieved an “Overall Good” rating in the side impact test. While most injury measures were rated “Good,” the torso protection for the driver was rated as “Acceptable”. Despite this, the G70 still offers strong side impact protection overall.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | A |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Structural measurements indicated good resistance to intrusion into the occupant compartment during a side impact.
Technical Measurements – Side Impact Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -19.0 |
Driver injury measures showed good head and neck protection. Torso deflection measurements were within acceptable limits, although higher than other areas, leading to the “Acceptable” rating for torso protection. Pelvis and leg protection were rated “Good.” Rear passenger injury measures were “Good” across all categories.
Driver and Passenger Injury Measures – Side Impact Test
| Driver injury measures | Measurement | Passenger injury measures | Measurement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 236 | Head HIC-15 | 162 | |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 | Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 | |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.9 | Neck Compression (kN) | 0.2 | |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 44 | Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 26 | |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 36 | Torso Average deflection (mm) | 22 | |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.5 | Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.2 |
Roof Strength
The roof strength test evaluates the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover accident.
The 2021 Genesis G70 achieved a “Good” rating for roof strength, with a strong strength-to-weight ratio of 5.53. This indicates that the roof can withstand over 5 times the vehicle’s weight, providing excellent protection in rollover scenarios.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Curb weight (lbs) | 3,627 |
| Peak force (lbs) | 20,068 |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.53 |
Head Restraints & Seats
Head restraints and seats play a crucial role in preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
The 2021 Genesis G70 earned a “Good” rating for head restraints and seats. Both the dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good,” indicating effective whiplash protection.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats Test
| Geometry | Measurement (mm) |
|---|---|
| Backset | 36 |
| Distance below top of head | -18 |
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime driving safety. IIHS evaluates headlights for visibility and glare.
The 2021 Genesis G70 has two different headlight variations, and both received a “Good” overall rating. The LED projector headlights, available on various trim levels, provide good visibility on straightaways and curves, with high-beam assist further enhancing nighttime driving safety.
Headlight Ratings – Trim with Prestige/Elite/Sport package
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | G |
Headlight Ratings – Base Trim
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | G |
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle & Pedestrian
Front crash prevention systems are increasingly important in avoiding accidents. IIHS tests both vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian front crash prevention.
The 2021 Genesis G70’s standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection system earned a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and an “Advanced” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| System performance | Superior |
The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle tests.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Day)
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| System performance | Advanced |
In pedestrian tests, the system avoided collisions in some scenarios and significantly reduced impact speed in others, demonstrating effective pedestrian detection and collision mitigation capabilities.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchor ease of use is important for proper child seat installation.
The 2021 Genesis G70 received a “Marginal” rating for child seat anchors (LATCH). While it has LATCH hardware in multiple rear seating positions, the lower anchors were noted as being too deep in the seat and difficult to maneuver around.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | M |
| Vehicle trim | 2.0T |
| Seat type | leather |
Child Seat Anchor Details
| Position | Rating | Lower Anchors | Tether Anchor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marginal | Too deep, difficult to maneuver | Easy to find |
| 2 | Marginal | None available | Easy to find |
| 3 | Marginal | Too deep, difficult to maneuver | Easy to find |
Conclusion: 2021 Genesis G70 Safety Performance
Overall, the 2021 Genesis G70 demonstrates excellent safety performance in IIHS crash tests. It earned “Good” ratings in most crashworthiness evaluations, including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, roof strength, and head restraints & seats. Headlights and front crash prevention systems also received top ratings. While side impact torso protection was “Acceptable” and child seat anchors were “Marginal,” the 2021 Genesis G70 remains a very safe vehicle, offering robust protection for occupants in various accident scenarios. For those prioritizing safety in a luxury sport sedan, the 2021 Genesis G70 is a strong contender.
For more detailed information about each test, you can refer to the “About the test” links provided in each section, which link back to the IIHS website and provide further context and methodology behind these safety evaluations.
