The lack of an EV or plug-in version of the G70 Shooting Brake will limit this Genesis’s appeal to the mass fleet market, but will more traditionally-minded fleet managers and user choosers still be interested in this new estate? 

We’ve already driven the saloon version of the G70, and found it good to drive, with decent handling and a well-finished, high-quality interior. With the Shooting Brake, it’s more of the same but with welcome extra practicality. 

It gets off to a good start with the styling. Like the saloon it is attractive but distinctive enough to stand out against the German opposition, with its ‘crest’ grille and quad LED lamps at the front. Plus, the pronounced shoulder line at the side. The transformation from saloon to estate has been well executed, the highlights at the rear being the glass, which extends into the roof and the floating rear spoiler. 

It’s more of a five-door coupe than an estate, but there’s a useful uplift in boot space to 465 litres, plus there’s a 40:20:40 split/fold rear seat that when fully folded equals a 1,535-litre load area. 

Space in the front of the G70 Shooting Brake is fine and the driving position excellent. There’s a premium, Germanic feel to the leather, plastic, and metal trims too. We particularly liked the turned metal trim in the Sport Line trim that we drove, which reminded us of luxury UK saloons, and the clever 3D instruments, which are clear and easy to read. Other interior highlights include the 10.25in central touchscreen, the physical controls for ventilation and the impressive, optional Lexicon 15-speaker sound system. 

The 3D instruments work via cameras mounted in the cluster, which monitors the driver’s eye movements and uses the information to enhance the areas directly in their line of sight. It’s a segment first that works well – these instruments help improve safety by reducing the time your eyes are taken off the road.  

A new ‘User Profile Transfer’ feature enables users to back-up their in-vehicle Genesis preferences via the cloud and transfer settings from one vehicle to the next. This is designed for customers who often switch between different Genesis Connect-equipped cars, such as fleet drivers who use pool cars, or families with more than one Genesis Connect-equipped vehicle in their household.

Like with the saloon, space in the back of the G70 Shooting Brake is average, and taller passengers’ heads will be brushing the headlining. 

On the road, the G70’s impressive level of refinement is what you notice first. The 2.2-litre diesel is hushed until you work it, and even then, the noise is still pleasingly subdued. Tuned for European roads, in Sport Line trim, the ride is best described as firm. Fine on the motorway, but you do feel road imperfections around town and at A-road speeds. On the upside, its rear-wheel drive layout means that when the roads allow, it feels poised and nicely balanced – with little body roll in corners – although the steering could do with being a touch more precise. Comfort mode is where the G70 Shooting Brake is most at home, showing off its refinement best. Eco mode retards the throttle but seems out of place in this car, while Sport and Sport + modes spice up the drive further with crisper throttle response and sharper gears, but both harden up the already stiff ride more. The Brembo-supplied brakes are strong performers too, with plenty of feel.

We had the 200hp diesel, but there’s also the choice of 197hp or 245hp petrols, with all of them falling into the top 37% BIK tax bracket. The diesel is a perky performer, but its boomy engine note lacks the sophistication of the petrol engines – although it’s well-mated to the slick eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Like the G70 saloon, the residual values of the Shooting Brake disappoint when compared with the BMW 3-Series Touring or the new Mercedes C-Class Estate. Both the BMW and Mercedes offer fuel-saving hybrid models, too. 

However, Genesis models are sold on their personal service to customers and unique selling model with no dealers. Logically, the BMW and Mercedes are the better cars, but we can certainly see some buyers who are perhaps looking for a stylish, well-equipped alternative to the German opposition, gravitating towards this Genesis and we wouldn’t blame them for doing so. 

The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake does plenty of things well, but like the saloon, it remains more of a niche choice for now. 

Genesis G70 Shooting Brake 2.2D 200 Sport Line Auto

P11D: £40,480

Residual value: £13,094

Depreciation: £27,386

Fuel: £8,934

Service, maintenance and repair: £3,538

Cost per mile: 66.43p

Fuel consumption: 41.8 mpg

CO2 (BIK %): 180g/km (37%) 

BIK 20/40% a month: £250/£499

Luggage capacity: 465 litres

Engine size/power: 2,199cc/200hp