Genesis’s G70 Shooting Brake Is a Euro-Ready Vehicle

Regional preferences in automobiles vary widely. The G70 Shooting Brake, a station waggon variant of the G70 sedan, was commissioned by Genesis specifically for the European market after the automaker’s expansion there.

Yet, the longroof’s development may have been mandated using antiquated data. Wagons are still popular in Europe, but SUVs are quickly becoming the preferred mode of transportation. A stylish and practical crossover SUV, perhaps reminiscent of the Lexus IS300 SportCross from the early 2000s, is the outcome of the Korean brand’s efforts. Unfortunately, Genesis has no plans to export the Shooting Brake anywhere beyond Europe. In the United Kingdom, we got behind the wheel of one. to find out what it is we’re not getting.

The rakish slant of the G70 Shooting Brake’s liftgate makes its design-driven objective clear, much like the old Lexus SportCross’s emphasis on flair over utility. In the U.S., the G70 range-topping 3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6 is available, however in Europe, only turbocharged four-cylinder engines are available. The 2.0-liter gas-powered variants produce 194 and 241 horsepower (and 260 and 324 pound-feet of torque, respectively), while the 2.2-liter diesel generates 197 horsepower and a hefty 324 pound-feet of torque, respectively. There is just rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission available to European customers. We opted for the 241-horsepower Luxury Line model.

Considering its niche market, the G70 Shooting Brake displays excellent levels of engineering (the brand sold just 650 non-SUVs in all of Europe last year). The power liftgate may be opened by pressing a button located in the rear wiper housing, and it has a spoiler built in to tastefully divide the glass. Cargo room is limited, as the taillights block the opening and the load cover is only slightly bigger than those seen on most hatchbacks. No dog would feel comfortable riding back there, even without this obstruction. With the 40/20/40-split folding rear seatbacks in place, Genesis estimates luggage space of 16 cubic feet, which is only 5 cubic feet more than the sedan, and 54 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded.

The liftgate is a nice touch, and it operates smoothly, but the powered struts are fastened to the rear pillars, making the mechanism obvious. When equipped with the more potent gasoline engine, the extra-large oval exhaust finishers appear a touch goofy without tailpipes visible inside of them, and we’re not lovers of the false plastic mesh stamped into the sides of the rear bumper, much like we are with the G70 sedan.

The Shooting Brake is indistinguishable from the sedan before the back doors. The interior is gloomy and utilitarian apart from some bright trim, but our test vehicle had the luxurious upgrades of quilted nappa leather and a 3-D digital instrument cluster, both of which are quite dear. The front seats are roomy and offer a lot of adjustability, but the back seats are too cramped for adults of average height.

The Shooting Brake’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine provides more than enough power. The engine has a gravelly tone at idling and becomes vocal when pushed hard, so refinement isn’t great. The four-cylinder engine, though, offers a strong midrange and is prepared to rev to its 6300 rpm maximum. The Shooting Brake, according to Genesis, weighs roughly 100 pounds more than the saloon. Our waggon has a 0-62 mph time of 6.4 seconds, which is slower than the same saloon by 0.3 seconds.

The powertrain is a bit sluggish to respond in the more relaxed driving modes, with the transmission pausing before delivering kick-down gearchanges. Nevertheless, in Sport and Sport+, the gearbox may be overeager, with Sport+ seemingly intent to remain in the lowest available gear. The eight ratios can be manually selected using hefty metal paddles, and while gear changes are quick, the digital readout is stubborn about showing the gear it thinks the Sport Brake should be in for maximum fuel economy, rather than the gear it is actually in.

The G70 Shooting Brake has a more rigid chassis than the sedan version thanks to a custom chassis tune developed by Genesis. That was especially clear on the pothole-riddled roads we encountered in the United Kingdom. Even in the most forgiving Comfort setting, the Luxury Line’s suspension frequently rattled over flaws despite the customary inclusion of adaptive dampers and the use of smaller 18-inch wheels. On the flip side, it displayed remarkable grip in wet circumstances, precise turning, and controlled body motions as chassis loads grew.

Because the Sport Line is the only one that has a limited-slip differential, our test vehicle felt decidedly rear-wheel driven under heavy acceleration. Sport+ mode, which weakens stability control and permits tail-out antics, is probably not something that many owners would choose on a regular basis. Most importantly, the Shooting Brake has great cruising refinement since the interior remains quiet even at high highway speeds. Less spectacular was the fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 23 mpg and a range of 360 miles from a 15.8-gallon tank.

The G70 Shooting Brake is a new option for Europeans in comparison to the station waggon versions of the Audi A4, BMW 3-series, and Mercedes C-class. It offers more exclusivity due to its newness and is competitively priced compared to them. One of the many curious onlookers who saw us driving the G70 waggon inquired whether or not it was an Aston Martin. Another person, upon seeing the insignia, inquired as to whether or not Phil Collins had launched his own car brand.