In a market dominated by crossovers, SUVs, and electrified everything, the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is something of a wildcard. It’s a sleek, premium estate car with rear-wheel drive, petrol power, and styling that turns heads. On paper, it doesn’t make much sense. But after living with it, it’s surprisingly easy to fall for.
Performance
There’s only one engine on offer in the UK — a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol with 245hp, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and rear-wheel drive. It’s a smooth and refined setup that delivers decent pace: 0–62mph in 6.4 seconds. The gearbox is slick and quick to respond, especially around town.
But it’s not all rosy. Fuel economy is underwhelming, with real-world figures often dipping below 35mpg. CO₂ emissions are also high, which puts it in a steep tax bracket for company car users. At a time when rivals offer plug-in hybrids and mild-hybrid diesels, the G70’s single petrol engine feels a bit behind the curve.
Around Town
It’s well suited to urban life, with light steering, good front visibility, and a refined gearbox. The rearward view is better than in the saloon thanks to the larger rear window. Standard parking sensors and a reversing camera help, though you’ll need to pay extra for a 360-degree camera setup.
That said, the ride can feel a bit firm even in Comfort mode. Speed bumps and rough patches are more noticeable than they are in a BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class.
On the Motorway
The G70 is a quiet and comfy cruiser. The engine settles down nicely and wind noise is minimal. However, road noise — especially from the rear — can be intrusive. The full-length roof seems to amplify tyre roar, so it's more noticeable than in the G70 saloon.
On a B-Road
There’s a Sport mode that tightens the suspension and weights up the steering, but it doesn’t dramatically improve the car’s responsiveness. The steering still feels a bit vague, and it’s hard to get a good sense of what the front wheels are doing on twistier roads. It’s not bad, but it’s no match for the sharper, more engaging BMW 3 Series Touring.
Space & Practicality
You’d expect an estate car to be practical — that’s kind of the point — but the G70 Shooting Brake doesn’t quite nail it.
Boot Space
At 465 litres, the boot is bigger than the G70 saloon’s, but still smaller than rivals. A 3 Series Touring gives you 500 litres, and a Mercedes C-Class Estate offers 490. The boot opening is wide, and there’s no big load lip, but it’s not the cavernous space you might expect.
Rear Seats
The back seats are tight for taller passengers. There’s more headroom than in the saloon, but legroom is limited, and it’s not a great place for adults on longer trips. If practicality is a top priority, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Interior & Tech
This is where the G70 really punches above its weight. The cabin feels genuinely premium, with high-quality materials, solid build quality, and tasteful design.
The quilted leather seats (if you spec them) give it a junior Bentley vibe, and everything from the switchgear to the air vents feels thoughtfully put together. Genesis has resisted the urge to move everything onto a screen — you still get proper physical climate controls, which are a pleasure to use.
Infotainment
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A 10.3-inch central touchscreen comes as standard. It’s easy to navigate but the graphics look a bit dated compared to newer rivals.
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Analogue dials with an 8.0-inch driver display are standard, though you can upgrade to a 12.3-inch digital cluster via the Innovation Pack.
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Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, though not wireless.
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Some useful tech — like a blind-spot camera view — is only available as a paid upgrade.
Safety
The G70 was tested by Euro NCAP in 2021 and earned a five-star rating. It scored highly across the board, including:
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89% for adult protection
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87% for child safety
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76% for pedestrian protection
Standard safety kit includes:
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Adaptive cruise control
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Lane-keeping assist
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Emergency braking
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Driver attention warning
For more advanced features like blind-spot monitoring with a camera feed, you’ll need to tick the options box.
Verdict: Gorgeous, But Flawed
The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is a breath of fresh air — a stylish, well-built estate that dares to be different. It’s easy to like, and in many ways, it’s a lovely thing to live with. The cabin is top-notch, it looks fantastic, and it’s refreshing to see a car that hasn’t gone full touchscreen-mad.
But while it’s likeable, it’s also hard to recommend to everyone. If you want space, low running costs, or hybrid options, rivals from BMW, Audi, or Mercedes will suit you better. And while the G70 has its charms, it doesn’t quite match those cars dynamically or practically.
If your head says “3 Series Touring” but your heart wants something more distinctive, the G70 Shooting Brake is worth a look — just go in with your eyes open.
