Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Review 2024
Written by Andy Brady
- 2022
- Premium
- Petrol, Diesel
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Quick overview
Pros
- Desirable appearance
- Bigger boot than the Genesis G70 saloon
- Good to drive
Cons
- Engines are thirsty and not particularly powerful
- The interior is dated and not as practical as you might expect
- Don't expect the used market to be flooded with affordable examples
Overall verdict on the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake
"Hyundai's luxury brand Genesis is demonstrating how serious it is about launching in the UK. While there have been a flurry of model launches in recent months, the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is its first destined solely for the European market. And while the G70 Shooting Brake is let down by inefficient engines, a small boot and a dated interior, there's still something about it which makes it a desirable choice against popular premium alternatives like the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant."
We'll start by saying the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is not a car you buy with your head. If you're a sensible car buyer, you'll go out and buy something like a Mercedes C-Class Estate instead, or maybe even a more mainstream model like the vast Skoda Superb Estate. But, as you'll read in our full Genesis G70 Shooting Brake review, there's something rather compelling about this Korean disrupter.
You only need to look at the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake to see the appeal. It's very similar to the Genesis G70 saloon, of course, but we reckon this is the more desirable model. The main visual difference is at the rear, where quad taillights, a large glass tailgate and a floating roof spoiler give it a distinctive look, not dissimilar to a 2000s Subaru Impreza Sports Wagon (in a good way).
Practicality is improved over the saloon but, frankly, that wasn’t so difficult. And it’s still not a hugely versatile choice. The boot can carry up to 465 litres of luggage, which isn't all that competitive, while there's quite a high lip for lifting items over. If you’re looking for a large, flat load bay, you’d be better considering a Volvo V60 or Audi A4 Avant instead.
The interior feels upmarket if a little dated. There are some obvious similarities with Hyundai and Kia models from a number of years ago – all the switchgear, for example. It’s a comfortable cabin, while the standard-fit infotainment is easy to use. You're not going to get frustrated trying to work out how to turn the heated seats or adjust the climate control, for example, but it certainly doesn't look as new or impressive as other Genesis models.
Just like the G70 saloon, power comes in the form of a petrol or diesel engine. They’re rather old-fashioned in their approach – none of this new-fangled electrification business, just simple four-cylinder turbo petrol and diesels.
The petrol offering is a 2.0-litre unit available with two outputs (197PS or 245PS), while the diesel is a 200PS 2.2-litre. All engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox with power sent exclusively to the rear wheels.
It’s good if not class-leading to drive. It feels sporty, while a variety of drive modes allow you to dial up the excitement when you feel the need. Ride comfort is pretty good, although we'll wait until we've driven it in the UK before delivering the full verdict.
As with other Genesis cars, the way you go about buying a G70 Shooting Brake is a tad different. As soon as you express an interest, you'll be assigned a personal assistant who'll deliver a car to your home or workplace for a test drive. They'll then take your order (no haggling necessary – prices are fixed) and keep you updated on progress.
After delivery, your personal assistant is a phone call away to answer any questions or arrange servicing. Incidentally, servicing (along with a warranty, roadside assistance and over-the-air updates) is covered for five years as part of the Genesis Care Plan.
It's all a bit different to going to your nearest BMW dealer and requesting a test drive of a 3 Series Touring. And it's that different approach, as well as the G70 Shooting Brake's desirable looks, which might tempt you away from the obvious German competitors. We'll let you decide if that's enough to make up for its lack of competitiveness in other areas.
Is the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake right for you?
If the premium German estates are too obvious and you actually like being approached by strangers in car parks, the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake could be an interesting choice. Don't expect family-friendly practicality but it is, at least, more usable than the Genesis G70 saloon. If you really want an up-to-date Genesis, we'd recommend looking at the GV70 SUV instead.
What’s the best Genesis G70 Shooting Brake model/engine to choose?
Whisper it, but we reckon the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is at its best with diesel power. Not only will it be less crippling in fuel costs, but the punchy turbodiesel engine feels like less effort than even the more powerful petrol unit.
In terms of trim level, it probably comes down to taste. The entry-level Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Premium Line has a pretty comprehensive list of standard equipment, however we'd stretch to the Luxury Line for its slightly more premium interior with leather seats and a heated steering wheel. The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Sport Line will appeal to fans of sporty looks and big alloy wheels, but we'd be inclined to opt for one of the softer models.
What other cars are similar to the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake?
The obvious competitors are premium German estates like the BMW 3 Series Touring, Mercedes C-Class Estate and Audi A4 Avant, as well as the slightly left-field Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake.
In reality, though, if you're considering a Genesis G70 Shooting Brake, you're probably after something that isn't German. So you could be looking at a Volvo V60, for example, or maybe a Jaguar XE or Alfa Romeo Giulia (neither of which are available in wagon form).
Comfort and design: Genesis G70 Shooting Brake interior
"The Genesis G70 has been on sale elsewhere since 2017 and, while the Shooting Brake is new, its cabin isn’t that different to the saloon car. That means the interior doesn’t feel as modern as newer alternatives – but, in some ways, we actually kinda like that."
It’s just a very comfortable car, with a lot of buttons hinting at the generous levels of standard equipment. You can just twiddle the dial if you want to change the temperature of the climate control and there’s even a knob for adjusting the volume. Everything's within easy reach and you don't have to faff around with touch-sensitive buttons or unnecessarily complicated infotainment screens to perform simple tasks.
You sit fairly low down, which adds to the sporting GT car vibe that the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is going for. There’s plenty of adjustment in the seats, though, and even those with the longest of limbs should be able to get comfortable in the front.
Quality and finish
Quality is generally as good as you'd expect from a premium BMW 3 Series competitor. For the ultimate luxury, you'll have to splash the cash, though – the Nappa leather seats are a desirable option, for example, but will cost you an extra couple of grand. We also enjoyed the heated and ventilated seats of our test car, but the latter are only available as part of the comfort seat pack.
There are also a few things that are a little more Kia than Mercedes. The buttons, which we mentioned as a highlight above, do feel a bit flimsy. And, if we were being picky, a bit more weight in some of the controls (like the drive mode selector, for example) wouldn’t go amiss.
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake
No matter which trim level you choose, all Genesis G70 Shooting Brakes feature the same 10.25-inch navigation system. It’s perched up high on the dashboard which makes it easy to glance at on the move without being distracting, while operation is pleasingly simple.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard – meaning you can mirror apps from your phone. Our test car was also fitted with the excellent Lexicon premium sound system – not a must-have feautre by any stretch of the imagination, but a desirable option if you like to crank up the music.
Our test car was also fitted with the 3D digital instrument cluster (available as part of the innovation pack), which can apparently track your eyes using sensors and adjust the effect as necessary. This less-than-desirable option is technology for technology’s sake and just made our eyes go a little funny. It’s something we got used to with time, though and you can always turn off the 3D function.
Space and practicality: Genesis G70 Shooting Brake boot space
Able to accommodate 465 litres of luggage, the boot space in the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake isn’t quite on a par with more conventional estate rivals. A BMW 3 Series Touring can take 500 litres of luggage, for example, while the Volvo V60 can accommodate 529 litres. The Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake can carry a huge 590 litres.
There’s quite a narrow boot opening and a bit of a lip for lifting items over, although it’s obviously easier to load than a Genesis G70 saloon.
Space for rear-seat passengers isn’t all that impressive, either. Headroom is fine, but the sloping window design means it feels a bit claustrophobic. Knee room is limited with a pair of tall adults in the front, while there’s a huge lump in the floor which makes squeezing someone into the middle seat challenging.
The rear seats split 40/20/40, dropping to provide 1535 litres of luggage space. You don’t get an entirely flat load bay, though.
The external dimensions of the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake are identical to the standard model. That means it measures 4685mm long, 1850mm wide and 1400mm high.
Handling and ride quality: What is the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake like to drive?
"There’s lots of talk about the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake being developed at the Nurburgring Nordschleife (a challenging 12.9-mile publicly-accessible race track in Germany), which means it ought to be as enjoyable to drive as the class-leading BMW 3 Series Touring."
It certainly feels quite agile, helped by direct steering and rear-wheel drive layout. The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Sport Line comes with a limited slip differential which will tighten things up during extreme cornering but, unless you're planning on taking your estate car on track, it's not exactly a must-have feature.
You don't have to be Lewis Hamilton to appreciate how well the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake drives, but that doesn't mean it represents much of a compromise in terms of ride quality, either. Even with the biggest 19-inch alloy wheels, it generally rides well (if a bit firmer than the saloon), without passing too many imperfections from the road surface into the cabin.
Its low-slung seating position means the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake feels a bit more dynamic than some estate cars (and, obviously, SUVs), but that doesn't mean it's challenging to negotiate city streets. All cars come with a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, while the optional Innovation pack adds a surround-view monitor system.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake?
The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake engine line-up mirrors the regular Genesis G70. That means it’s available with one diesel or two petrol engines – significantly, hybrid or pure-electric power is missing from the line-up.
The diesel engine is a 2.2-litre four-cylinder unit, producing 200PS and a healthy 440Nm of torque. It accelerates to 62mph in a relatively sprightly 7.7 seconds.
The petrol offering is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 197PS or 245PS. The former accelerates to 62mph in 9.3 seconds, while the latter covers the 0-62mph sprint in just 6.6 seconds.
We’ve sampled both the diesel and the more powerful petrol engine. It’s out of fashion to say so, but the diesel’s grunt makes it a more desirable choice in our opinion. The petrol doesn’t feel as rapid as its official acceleration figure suggests.
You can’t buy the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake with a manual gearbox. All come with an eight-speed torque-converter transmission which changes rapidly enough, especially if you select one of the sportier drive modes.
Refinement and noise levels
We have very few complaints about refinement and noise levels in the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake. It’s just as hushed as you’d expect for a premium car, while even the diesel engine isn’t particularly clattery. Floor the petrol engine in sport mode and you’ll hear an audible rumble from the front (and the speakers…) but it’s nothing too irritating.
If we were to pick holes, the soundtrack of the four-cylinder engines aren't as sonorous as six-cylinder alternatives, while obviously it can't run around under electric power alone (like hybrid alternatives).
Safety equipment: How safe is the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake?
While the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake might seem a bit dated in a lot of areas, its list of standard safety technology isn't going to leave you wanting more. Highlights include a Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist function which can bring the car to a complete stop in order to prevent a crash, while the Intelligent Speed Limit Assist controls the G70 Shooting Brake's speed using data from both the navigation and front-facing camera.
One other safety feature of note on the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is the innovative airbag that pops out of the centre console in a collision, designed to prevent the driver from colliding with the front-seat passenger.
While the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake (nor the regular Genesis G70) hasn't been crash-tested by Euro NCAP, the brand says it's aiming for best-in-class safety. That's a bold claim when it's up against the likes of Volvo.
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Genesis G70 Shooting Brake cost to run?
"While it’d be an exaggeration to say that the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake falls apart when it comes to running costs, it’s certainly not as frugal as competitors."
Both the 2.0-litre petrol engines will require regular trips to the petrol station, with each returning a pretty dismal 33.1mpg in WLTP fuel economy tests. For comparison, the Genesis G70 saloon returns 35.4mpg. A BMW 320i Touring M Sport manages up to 42.2mpg, while the Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake with the 2.0 TSI engine returns up to 40.6mpg.
If you need any semblance of frugality, you’ll need a diesel Genesis G70 Shooting Brake. This manages a slightly more palatable 41.8mpg in official tests.
How reliable is the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake?
As Genesis is such a new brand in the UK, we don’t know for sure what its long-term reliability record will be like. That said, its use of Hyundai and Kia parts ought to be a good thing for dependability – both brands perform well in the annual HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction index.
The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake comes with a five-year warranty including roadside assistance as part of its Care Plan.
Insurance groups and costs
If you're looking for a Genesis G70 Shooting Brake with cheap insurance, we'd recommend the 197PS petrol engine. With less power than the other engine choices, it ought to be more affordable to insure, sitting in insurance group 32A. The others shouldn't cost an extortionate amount to insure, sitting in groups 37A, 38A or 39A depending on trim level.
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Genesis G70 Shooting Brake?
The first year's VED (car tax) is based on CO2 emissions but included in the car's on-the-road price, so no need to worry about that. After that, you'll pay a flat rate of £155/year, as with all conventional petrol and diesel cars (hybrids qualify for a £10 discount while electric cars are free to tax).
Cars with a list price of more than £40,000 are stung with an additional £335 in premium car tax for five years (from the second time it's taxed). That includes a signicant chunk of Genesis G70 Shooting Brake models and is something to bear in mind when ordering.
How much should you be paying for a used Genesis G70 Shooting Brake?
"You'll pay a premium of around £1850 for a new Genesis G70 Shooting Brake over the standard saloon car. Like other Genesis models, though, don't go expecting a discount – and it'll be a while before we see used examples hitting the market."
The most affordable trim level is the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Premium Line which retails at £35,250 with the low-powered 2.0-litre petrol engine. A Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Premium Line diesel is £37,600.
The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Luxury Line will cost you £40,250 for a diesel model and £40,700 for the (higher-powered) petrol. The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Sport Line, meanwhile, lists at £41,430 for the diesel and £41,880 for the petrol.
All of these prices are set in stone – Genesis says it provides a transparent pricing structure and everyone should pay the same for one. The used market is set to be tightly controlled, too, so don’t expect a flood of used or nearly-new models hitting the classifieds with big discounts.
Trim levels and standard equipment
The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake line-up is made up of the same core models as the G70 saloon. That means you can buy G70 Shooting Brake Premium Line, Luxury Line and Sport Line variants.
Standard equipment on the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Premium Line includes 18-inch alloy wheels, faux-leather seats (with electric adjustment in the front and electric lumbar support adjustment for the driver), a 10.25-inch sat-nav system with smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and rear parking sensors. There's also a host of advanced driver assist safety systems, including Highway Driving Assist, Lane Following Assist and Smart Cruise Control.
The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Luxury Line adds leather seats (heated in the front) and a heated steering wheel. A premium air filter is standard, as is the Electronic Control Suspension. On the outside, Luxury Line models get a different type of 18-inch alloy wheels.
As its name suggests, the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Sport Line is a sportier model. Specification highlights include sports exterior styling, metallic pedals and a limited-slip differential for sportier handling. It also comes with chunky 19-inch alloy wheels as standard.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Is the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake sold in the UK?
What's the difference between a shooting brake and an estate car?
Should I buy a Genesis G70 Shooting Brake?
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