2022 Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Sport Line review

You’ve not stepped into a time machine, no, this is actually a new wagon. In fact, it’s a new wagon from a (relatively) new brand. But Genesis isn’t a big numbers player, and anything other than an SUV, a dual-cab, or a well-priced hatchback isn’t going to bring about a change in buyer habits.

So why does the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake exist? Wagons aren’t an ‘entry-level’ offering, there are few under $50K and effectively none under $30K. But as a fashionable statement in going against the trend, wagons have found a niche. It seems like that’s exactly what Genesis would hope for.

The G70 SB, as we’ll call it in shorthand, is a single-spec offering here in Australia. Unfortunately, it’s not with the drivetrain that gets the more petrolheaded of us excited. A $79,000 (before on-road costs) starting price puts you in the 2.0-litre turbocharged, eight-speed auto wagon, with the only main option being a no-cost Sport Line Styling package as fitted to our test car. There’s no twin-turbo V6 specification of the Shooting Brake, unlike the G70 sedan. A mechanically identical (2.0T) G70 sedan costs $67K in Sport Line, or $73K in Luxury trim (both before on-road costs).

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But fortunately, the G70 SB is well-equipped from the outset. It arrives shortly after the facelifted G70 sedan, so it also feels properly up to date. First, in terms of styling, the 19-inch wheels only change in design between the standard or Sport Line, not in size. The sunroof is standard, wireless phone charging, heated and cooled front seats (as well as heated rears and steering wheel) are standard, and the upholstery is all Nappa leather – standard.

In Sport Line spec, that Nappa leather is quilt-stitched on the seats, while suede lines the roof and pillars, and the exterior chrome trim is smoked. Conversely, the 19-inch alloys are lighter and sportier than the dark standard wheels.

A head-up display, 12.3-inch instrument cluster screen, and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen all feature the most recent Genesis software and graphics, and of course Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are compatible. Likely just a bug in our test car, but Android Auto took some trying and trying again to finally recognise it was connected. Once it did, it wasn’t an issue again. Lastly, there’s a 15-speaker Lexicon sound system that does quite a ripper job of pumping audio into the cabin.

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The driver’s seat itself is very comfortable, and from there everything is within easy reach, save a slight lean to the touchscreen. The way the centre console is built means that cup holders are in the right spot and there’s no water bottle in your way, plus the entire middle console has buttons, which are laid out so you can see clearly everything.

A trio of big dials for the climate control and buttons for each heating and cooling element live alongside buttons for things like radio, media, map and nav. Anything else you need to do specifically, you've got the screen for.

The rear seats are surprisingly spacious for a wagon with a sloped roofline, even in terms of headroom. The only surprise is that there’s not a great deal of space for feet under the rear of the front seats. There’s a USB charger and two vents for the climate control, but no ability to change the temperature. If it’s cold, the aforementioned heated seats are there, but no dice on a hot day.

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Further back, there’s an automatic tailgate to access the Shooting Brake’s unique selling point – a boot with 465 litres of space. It’s 135 litres more than the sedan, and even more than a lot of small or crossover SUVs. Unfortunately, the loading area is quite rounded, so any wide cargo has to be lifted over the edges. There is, however, a space-saver spare tyre rather than a puncture repair goo can.

Finally, in terms of less obvious features, the Shooting Brake is, much like the G70 sedan, full of safety tech. While the SB hasn’t been crash-tested, the sedan copped a five-star ANCAP rating. Both have the same suite of active tech like collision warnings forward and rear, lane-keep assist, a superb 360-degree parking camera, adaptive cruise control and 10 airbags. The only trouble with the active safety was a very enthusiastic lane-keep on certain highways.

Genesis also boasts a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with 50,000km of complimentary scheduled servicing and access to its valet service, which means your car is picked up and delivered back for servicing with a loan car provided to keep you mobile for the duration.

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On the road

Pretty to behold, delightful to sit in, and pleasant to drive. Looks aren’t deceiving in the G70 Shooting Brake, and while there’s no V6, this wagon still has a bit to offer.

Both around town and at cruising speed on the highway, the Shooting Brake’s suspension and ride are well-tuned for a variety of surfaces, and of course, its sedan-like height means you can get your cargo home without too much body roll.

There’s flexibility in its engine, too. It won’t have you on the edge of your seat, but there’s enough in its 179kW/353Nm to get moving relatively quickly or overtake on country roads. At lower speeds it works well with the transmission, smoothly getting the job done through the gears with no complaint.

Sport mode adds a little more aggression to the drivetrain’s character, and pumps a fake engine growl into the cabin, though it kills a little bit of the agreeable nature of the G70, which is at its best providing comfortable transport.

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Perhaps unsurprisingly, though, it’s not the most frugal of things when hauling nearly 1700kg of Korean kerb weight. Consumption is a claimed 9.1L/100km, though on test I averaged 11.3L/100km, admittedly with a lot of short journeys and sitting for photography. I suspect a figure closer to 10L/100km is reasonable for more regular driving.

Perhaps it’s not as sharp a drive as say, a 330i Touring – its steering is, for example, not as communicative nor is there much weight behind the rack – but if that’s not the goal, the G70 does a fine job.

There are other rivals than just that obvious (and similarly priced at $81,900 plus on-road costs) BMW. On the cheaper side, if a stylish wagon is the aim and luxury appointments are lower on the priority list, then the Peugeot 508 Sportwagon is an interesting way to save almost $20,000. Similarly, the Volkswagen Arteon Shooting brake can be had for $70,740 before on-road costs but with a slightly more robust 206kW and 350Nm four-pot.

But if the goal is a dash of opulence in a stylish design aiming to stand out, the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake makes a convincing case.

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2022 Genesis G70 Shooting Brake specifications