Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Review 2024

You can be forgiven if you’ve never heard of Genesis before. It’s Hyundai’s premium brand, attempting to break into a market where others (ahem… Infiniti) have failed. In order to do this, it’s launching an extensive model line-up and offering a premium car buying experience without the use of traditional dealers.

We’ve already driven the Genesis G70, but now it’s time for the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake. Yes, in some ways it is just an estate version of the saloon car – but it represents much more than that. It’s the brand’s first model destined exclusively for Europe.

Rivals range from the premium German estates (cars like the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes C-Class Estate), to other slightly obscure premium wagons like the Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake.

Just like the G70 saloon, the Shooting Brake’s interior feels a bit old school – but in a good way. Unlike the newer GV70 SUV, the G70’s cabin feels instantly homely, with lots of easy-to-find buttons and an intuitive infotainment system. It’s not quite as upmarket as its competitors, but a few select options (the Nappa leather seats of our test car spring to mind) mean it feels suitably opulent.

While it’s more versatile than the G70 saloon (not particularly difficult…), the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake isn’t as practical as a lot of rivals. Its 465-litre boot is pretty mediocre in the world of estate cars, while access isn’t particularly easy. It’s a classic case of style over substance, unfortunately.

Still, it looks pretty, and it’s decent to drive, too. All Genesis G70 Shooting Brake models sold in the UK are rear-wheel drive and feature a petrol or diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. There’s no electrification, though, and the fuel economy figures are on a par with a BMW from at least 10 years ago. Maybe more.

There are three trim levels to choose from, all pretty comprehensively kitted out. The entry-level Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Premium Line comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, faux-leather seats and a 10.25-inch navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Luxury Line adds leather seats (heated in the front) and a heated steering wheel. It also comes with fancy adaptive suspension. If you’re after a sportier G70 Shooting Brake, the Sport Line model features bespoke exteror styling, 19-inch alloy wheels and a limited-slip differential for improved handling.

Ultimately, the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is a difficult car to justify objectively but, if you really want to stand out on the crowd, it's going to attract a lot more attention than an Audi A4 Avant. Orders are now open with prices starting from £35,250.

Looking for a second opinion? Read heycar's review of the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake

If you enjoy driving, you'll probably find the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake more rewarding than a Volkswagen Arteon. That's because power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels – while the relatively precise and communicative steering gives you the confidence to press on.

You might worry that this creates a compromise when it comes to ride quality, but it's not too bad. Sure, it's on the firm end of the scale (especially with the Sport Line's 19-inch alloy wheels), but it smoothens out potholes or broken road surfaces without too much trouble.

Around town, that low-slung seating position isn't great for visibility (the Genesis GV70 SUV is better in that regard), but there are plenty of driver-assist features to make your life easier. These include the blind spot view monitor (available as part of the Innovation pack) and rear-view camera (standard across the range).

You'd think that Genesis would be making a splash in the premium car market by offering its G70 Shooting Brake with very efficient hybrid or even electric powertrains, wouldn't you? But nope, you can't even buy one with a smattering of electrical assistance.

Buyers are offered a choice of a 2.0-litre petrol (available with 197PS or 245PS) or 2.2-litre diesel engine. The less powerful petrol motor will accelerate to 62mph in 9.3 seconds, while the punchier unit takes 6.6 seconds. With 440Nm of torque available, the turbodiesel takes 7.7 seconds.

Which engine you should choose comes down to the kind of miles you do. Planning a lot of motorway trips? Go for the diesel. Covering a lot of short journeys or stop-start city driving? The petrol. That said, we actually think the diesel suits the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake best. It's effortless to drive and surprisingly refined for a four-cylinder diesel.

All Genesis G70 Shooting Brakes come with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox. This works well, changing gears eagerly and holding onto them when required (especially in sportier drive modes).

While the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake hasn't yet been tested by the bods at Euro NCAP, the brand says it's aiming for best-in-class safety. That class includes Volvo, which is a bold claim to make.

Still, a glance at the standard safety systems suggests that you shouldn't be too concerned about carrying your family in this car. There a load of driver-assist features as standard, including 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.

It might look like an estate, but the more aspirational Shooting Brake label might hint that the G70 wagon isn't quite as versatile as conventional alternatives. It can carry 465 litres of luggage, which is less than rivals like the BMW 3 Series Touring (500 litres), Volvo V60 (529 litres) and Audi A4 Avant (505 litres). The Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake has a 590-litre boot while, if you're not fussed about a premium badge, the Skoda Superb Estate can fit a huge 660 litres of luggage in the boot.

Still, as an alternative to the even-less-practical Genesis G70 saloon, the G70 Shooting Brake is a more usable option. You can drop the rear seats to provide 1525 litres of space – perfect for those Ikea trips.

Teenagers shouldn't be too grumpy about using the rear seats, although there's not a huge amount of knee room. The high window line mean it feels a bit claustrophobic back there, too.

Space is less at a premium in the front, where there's plenty of adjustment in the seats which means you should be able to get comfortable pretty easily.

In a class that includes the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes C-Class Estate, the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake wouldn't stand a chance if it was full of flimsy plastics or cheap finishes. Fortunately, it isn't - everything you touch is soft to the touch and it feels every bit a premium estate car.

The optional Nappa leather of our test car adds to the upmarket vibe, while all the switchgear feels like it'd stand the test of time.

All Genesis G70 Shooting Brake models come with a 10.25-inch navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It's touchscreen-only (unlike newer Genesis models which feature a rotary controller which is easier to operate on the move). It's a smart enough infotainment system, with quick responses and sharp graphics.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is available as part of the Innovation package. This includes a 3D display which tracks your eyes – basically, it's like watching a 3D movie without having to wear the silly glasses. It makes our eyes go a bit funny - but at least you can turn it off if you don't like it. It also works with the blind spot monitor to show a little video feed of your blind spot when indicating, which is pretty cool.

Genesis operates a strict 'no discount' policy which applies to the G70 Shooting Brake. This translates into a clear and transparent pricing structure, says the brand, with no room for haggling. Essentially, everyone will pay the same no matter where or when you buy your G70 Shooting Brake.

Prices start at £35,250 for the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Premium Line with the lower-powered 2.0-litre petrol engine, while a Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Premium Line diesel is £37,600.

From launch, you'll pay £40,250 for a Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Luxury Line diesel and £40,700 for the 245PS petrol model. The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Sport Line, meanwhile, lists at £41,430 for the diesel and £41,880 for the petrol.

Despite the petrol Genesis G70 Shooting Brake's relatively modest performance, its fuel economy figures are far from competitive. The 2.0-litre petrol engine officially returns up to 33.1mpg in official WLTP fuel economy tests – a long way from the BMW 320i Touring M Sport's 42.2mpg or the Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake 2.0-litre TSI's 40.6mpg.

For any semblance of frugalness, you'll need a diesel model. This officially returns up to 41.8mpg – acceptable, but still not all that impressive.

You'll save money on other costs, though. All Genesis G70 Shooting Brakes come with a five-year care plan. This includes 24-hour roadside assistance, a warranty and navigation updates. And, perhaps best of all, servicing is covered for the first 50,000 miles. They'll even collect the car from you and provide a courtesy car.

The range kicks off with the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Premium Line. Standard equipment 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. Advanced driver assist safety systems on the Premium Line trim level include 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.

The sportier Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Sport Line features sports exterior styling, metallic pedals and a limited-slip differential for sportier handling. It also comes with 19-inch alloy wheels as standard.