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Launched in 2015, Genesis may not be a familiar car brand to many. But when you buy a Genesis, you’re practically guaranteed one of the safest cars on the road. That’s because Genesis is the luxury division of Hyundai, an automotive brand well-known for safety and dependability. So, it should be much of a surprise that three Genesis models made Car and Driver’s Safest Cars of 2022 list. If you’re looking for a safe and dependable vehicle, one of these three Genesis models may be right for you.

1.   The Genesis G70

A red Genesis G70, one of the safest cars of 2022, driving down the road in a city surrounded by buildings.
Genesis G70 | Hyundai Motor Company

While Genesis manufactures luxury vehicles, the G70 is a low-cost option. And it’s natural to be skeptical that it might also be one of Car and Driver’s safest cars of 2022. After all, a manufacturer has to make sacrifices somewhere. And it’s hard to imagine that an attractive luxury car might also be very affordable and safe.

But that does describe the G70, which earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS’s highest safety distinction). That rating is due partially to it being equipped with more advanced safety systems than most other vehicles in the compact luxury sports sedan segment. A base model G70 has adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

And you might think that with starting price of around $37,000, the G70 might skimp on performance. It doesn’t. Lower-level trims have a 252-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four engine paired with an eight-speed automatic and RWD. If you’re willing to pay a bit more, you can get a G70  with a 365-hp 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6. The V6 can get you from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. And if you need to brake quickly, Car and Driver safety tests revealed the G70 could go from 37 mph to 4 mph in under a second.

2.   The Genesis G80

Genesis also manufactures a midsize luxury sedan. Known as the G80, this Genesis earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from not only IIHS and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The G80 sports all of the same standard safety tech as the G70. And if those systems aren’t enough, you can obtain additional features, such as a 360-degree camera system and remote parking assistance, for an upcharge.

Though it’s up against heavy hitters like the Lexus ES and Acura TLX, the G80 doesn’t disappoint. The standard engine option is a 300-hp 2.5-liter turbo-four. But you can also buy one with a 375-hp 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. RWD is standard, but AWD is available. And both are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

While cargo space is average for the segment, the interior is well-designed with premium materials arranged with comfort in mind. A 14.5-inch infotainment screen comes standard with every G80. And if you get a higher trim level, such as the Sport, you’ll get not only the V6 but also a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, head-up display, and AWD. Other comforts include heated and ventilated front and rear seats, ambient interior lighting, three-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and more.

3.   The Genesis G90

Genesis entry into the executive-class segment, the G90 also earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation and Car and Driver’s Safest Cars 2022 title. And it also offers the same advanced safety systems as the G70 and G80. And while it’s a great pick for safety reasons, the G90 has several other tricks up its automotive sleeve.

First, the G90 offers excellent performance. The standard model comes with the G70’s V6. But higher-level trims have a 420-hp 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and RWD. The G90 offers good interior room along with premium interior materials. And if you opt for the V8 option, you’ll also get a 10.3-inch rear-seat entertainment system.

If not, you’ll still get the 12.3-inch touchscreen that comes standard with every G90, a premium 17-speaker sound system, a head-up display, wireless charging, and a 360-degree camera system. And one of the coolest features is its adjustable 22-way power driver’s seat. When you enter your inseam, height, and weight, the G90 will automatically adjust to match the contours of your body.

Not only are the G70, G80, and G90 safe, but they’re also quite affordable relative to rivals in the luxury sedan segment. And with Hyundai’s reputation for safety and reliability, they’re good value buys too. 

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