Between hatchback and estate
Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, takes the European market very seriously. To prove it, it has even developed a kind of G70 station wagon, the G70 Shooting Brake. In the Netherlands we will probably not see it, but in Germany we were able to drive it for a while.
If you want to score in Europe, you have to offer a station wagon. At least that was the case until recently. The SUV and the crossover are equally popular worldwide and therefore a real godsend for car manufacturers, because they can greatly simplify the range due to their broad popularity. Nevertheless, the station wagon remains important in Europe, especially in the segment of the BMW 3-series and the Mercedes-Benz C-class. Take a good look around you in traffic: if there is a ‘3’ or ‘C’, there is a good chance that it is a station wagon. That is no problem for Genesis, they have developed a five-door based on the G70, which operates in the same class as the aforementioned Germans.
Genesis G70 Shooting Brake not a traditional estate
The result is called ‘Shooting Brake’ and is indeed not exactly a traditional estate, but more of a car that is somewhere between that and a hatchback. His concept is therefore very similar to the first and only attempt by the Japanese Lexus to come up with a station wagon, the IS Sportcross from 2001. Now Genesis will not be too happy with that comparison, because such a Sportcross has always remained a rarity. A remarkable difference between the G70 Shooting Brake and a real station wagon is that the Genesis has no extra side windows behind the rear door. Instead, the rear window appears to continue far around the corner, although the actual transparent part is limited to the rear. At 4,685 mm, the G70 Shooting Brake is exactly the same length as the sedan, but that is not exceptional. Due to the flat rear window and the tightly cut body, the space available is limited. Only 403 liters go under the cover, almost 100 liters less than in a 3-series. In the back seat, partly thanks to the fairly strongly reclined seat, there is enough space for well-supported legs, but the headroom is a bit disappointing. The Shooting Brake is suitable as a family car, but giving serious prams a place requires some fitting and measuring.
G70 has been there since 2017
Genesis has been a separate brand within the Hyundai ranks since 2015, similar to the position Lexus has at Toyota. In principle, the current G70 dates back to 2017 and was then the third model of the still very young Genesis, after the larger G90 and G80. The G70 started with a fairly modest appearance, but received a very extensive facelift in 2020. With the double-layer lighting that is so characteristic of this brand and a much bolder grille, the design has since become much better. The Shooting Brake followed in 2021 and, as mentioned, is mainly intended for Europe, although Genesis, like almost all other models, offers it worldwide. Genesis does not use hybrid technology and there is no electric G70, so the car runs on petrol or, also very European, on diesel. In Germany there are three versions, of which the Sport distinguishes itself with fashionable dark accents and 19-inch wheels. There are thirteen paint colors and also different types of leather, so there is quite a bit to personalize, although it does not go as far as with the German competitors.
G70 is on Stinger platform
The fact that the G70 has actually been running for a few years, despite its fresh five-door carriage, is clearly visible inside. It is certainly not old-fashioned here, but the difference with more modern and – admittedly – ​​more expensive models from Genesis is large. No lush, flowing shapes here, but a fairly sleek and businesslike dashboard with many recognizable Hyundai elements. The infotainment system is also much more similar to that used by Hyundai itself, if only because the rotary knob for operation is (still) missing here. The quality impression is good and buttons and switches have an extra aluminum-colored edge here and there, but this interior does not feel really lavish. Yet you immediately notice that this is not just an i30 or i40. This is not only due to the leather-covered dashboard or the beautiful stitching in the seat upholstery, but also due to the low seat and high center tunnel. Together with the thick steering wheel, which you can pull in nice and far, this results in an almost perfect sitting position. That’s how it should be, in a car that focuses its arrows so emphatically on the BMW 3-series and storms the market as a sporty mid-sized car. The G70 shares its platform with an old acquaintance, the Kia Stinger. Just like that car, it is basically a rear-wheel drive, although we drive a model with four-wheel drive. The Stinger’s delightful 3.3-litre V6 is missing from the G70, but with a two-litre four-cylinder with 245 horsepower it is still adequately motorised. Acceleration is enthusiastic and smooth, thanks in part to the standard eight-speed automatic transmission.
How G70 drives more impressive than powertrain
The most impressive thing about the G70 is not so much its powertrain, but especially its handling. The car feels much smaller and lighter on the road than its nearly 1,800 kilograms would suggest. The steering could be a bit more communicative and heavier, but it is very precise and it is very stable in fast corners. A winding road through the hills is so easy that we involuntarily compare the G70 with an (old) 1-series rather than a 3-series. Just like with BMW, comfort has certainly not been lost sight of. The chassis is quite sturdy, but that high degree of connection is very pleasant on a long highway ride. It is noticeable that there are too many rolling noises coming into the interior from the luggage compartment. That may be exemplary, but could be a result of the roofline extended further to the rear.
Only electric Genesiss to the Netherlands
Within Europe, Genesis is active in Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom at the time of writing. Officially, the brand is not yet making any statements about expansion, but in Germany it is rumored that the Netherlands will follow in 2024. If that happens, there is a good chance that the brand will only supply purely electric models to us. That makes sense, because from 2025 Genesis does not want to introduce any new models with a combustion engine at all. In addition, for the Netherlands, the CO2 emissions of the G70 are quite substantial despite the relatively modest engine, which would make the bpm very expensive. The chance that the G70 Shooting Brake will ever be marketed in the Netherlands is therefore minimal. 
Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, takes the European market very seriously. To prove it, it has even developed a kind of G70 station wagon, the G70 Shooting Brake. In the Netherlands we will probably not see it, but in Germany we were able to drive it for a while.
Technical data
Dimensions (lxwxh) 4.69 x 1.85 x 1.40 m
Drivetrain Combustion engine
Engine 4-cyl., petrol, turbo
Engine capacity 1,998 cc
max. assets 245 hp at 6,200 rpm
max. couple 353 Nm at 1,450 rpm
Top speed 235 km/h
0-100km/h 6.9s
Consumption avg. 9.3 l/100 km (1:10.8)
Co2 emissions 212g/km
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl