2023 Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Sport Line 2.2D
The newest luxury brand to the UK sure is making waves and has gone from nothing to a five-model line-up, with more to come. We’ve already tested other models in the Korean brand’s line-up and here we drive the latest, the G70 Shooting Brake. And it’s an eye-catching design, with a fastback-style appearance that competes more with the Audi A5 Sportback than A4 Avant. Think of it as a more practical G70, with greater versatility and you’re pretty much there. What is clear is that the luxury brand from the parents of Hyundai and Kia are serious about making inroads into the premium segment with some seriously good products.
The G70 chassis has good breeding as it shares a platform with the Kia Stinger. Now that’s a car that surprised us all, and when we ran one as a long termer a couple of years ago, the keys were constantly being borrowed. The G70 Shooting Brake will no doubt have similar appeal thanks to its bold, ‘in yer face’ styling and upmarket overtones. Here we test it in Sport Line trim, paired to the 2.2-litre diesel engine and rear-wheel drive.
Squeeze the throttle and there’s pleasing performance, and while there’s a little chatter at idle from the four-cylinder engine, the noise ebbs away as the speedometer zips around the dials. Mid-range overtaking muscle is generous and reinforces the impression of this being an effortless cruiser that’s just as much at home on the M25 as it is cruising along the boulevard in Cannes. The eight-speed automatic transmission is a good partner, delivering the right level of responsiveness to your right foot. Four driving modes allow you to fine-tune the driving experience further, and paddleshifts behind the steering wheel allow you to manually intervene, should you be so inclined. The steering is light enough to make town driving a pleasure, but delivering sufficient weight to be meaningful along the back roads.
Grip levels are good, even in the wet, with tidy handling that makes piloting the G70 a pleasure. There’s some pitterpatter from the rear suspension, but generally the ride comfort is decent. Step inside and Genesis can provide an interior that is either mild or wild, depending on which interior upholstery you choose. Our test car was flamboyantly trimmed and it’s certainly none the worse for it. We love the quilted seats, the driver focussed dashboard and the short, stubby gear selector. The 10.25-inch widescreen infotainment display is conveniently placed to view and it sets the scene that this is a cutting edge product. All of the controls are logically arranged in rows for ease of use and the digital instruments are clear and easy to view.
Carefully chosen materials deliver an upper crust feel wherever you touch, and reinforcing the fact that the G70 warrants mention amongst other premium rivals. In many ways it is plusher than its Audi and BMW competitors and more of a junior Bentley. What is obvious is that Genesis engineers have spent a lot of time studying the opposition and have come up with a package that deserves to get noticed.
The driving position is low and snug, with supportive, comfortable seats and plenty of available adjustment, even for those with a fuller figure. Headroom is pretty good up front, but space is a little tighter in the rear, though similar in size to its class peers. There’s a large tray ahead of the gear lever to store items and a compact area underneath the armrest. Narrow door pockets provide more space, along with a generously proportioned glovebox. Boot space is identical to that of the Audi A5 Sportback, but 5 litres down on the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, but importantly offers around 40% more carrying capacity than the G70 saloon. Fold the rear chairs down and there’s the ability to carry 1,535 litres of cargo, which pleasingly comfortably trumps both of its German rivals.