Classic good looks, contemporary safety and tech: is Genesis’s G70 Shooting Brake wagon practical enough to become a chic alternative to the standard family car on Australian driveways – the mighty SUV.
- Luxurious finish – beautiful quality materials inside and out
- Front row is spacious and driver-orientated
- Ownership costs are low – Genesis’s servicing offer is second to none
- The second row is tight and lacks amenities
- Genesis badge doesn’t yet have the cachet of its rivals
- A big price jump from the previous entry-level G70
2024 Genesis G70 Shooting Brake
When the keys to the 2024 Genesis G70 Shooting Brake were pressed into my hand in the Drive office, I was perplexed. I’m a mum. To a toddler. I drive vanilla cars. SUVs. Anything with storage and wipe-clean surfaces and big boots. Anything reassuringly sensible.
But the powers-that-be decided that for one week, I was going to go off-piste and send shockwaves through the daycare car park by rocking up in a wagon. A Shooting Brake, no less, which I learned is posh-speak for wagon.
It took me approximately one spin in the car to discover that the lovely thing about this wagon is that, for the most part, it actually can handle the banality of everyday suburban life – all the while having a fair bit more street cred than an SUV. Even when you’ve got The Wiggles blasting from the 15-speaker stereo.
Is a week in this sleek luxury wagon enough to convince me that the SUV is totally passé? Is the wagon about to become the next suburban staple?
How much does the Genesis G70 cost in Australia?
This is the second update of the G70 line-up since it was launched in 2021. Now, just two models make up the range: the sedan, which starts at $88,000 plus on-road-costs, and the Shooting Brake, the car that I’m testing, which has a little bit more space than its sedan sibling and starts at $81,000.
The wagon is now $2000 more expensive than its 2023 predecessor and comes with Sport Line and Luxury packages included as standard.
The entry-level G70 sedan (with 2.0-litre turbocharged engine) used to be $63,000, but now you’ll pay $88,000 to get into a sedan, and it only comes with the 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 engine.
For this review I’m focusing on the wagon.
The G70 is more sporty than your traditional family wagon, with a double exhaust and quad LED headlights making a bold statement. My test model came in Makalu Grey with an eye-catching matte finish. This paint job is an extra $2000 on the final bill.
The Shooting Brake design is niche enough that there are really very few competitors. The BMW 330i, the Audi A4 and the Volvo V60 are about it.
Of these, the Volvo is the most affordable at $74,990 for the SUV-styled Cross Country. Then it’s the Genesis at $81K, followed by the Audi from $84,300 (again in SUV-style Allroad guise) or $85,700 for a roadgoing wagon form. The BMW is far and away the most expensive at $98,900. All these prices are before on-road costs and correct at the time of writing.
Key details | 2024 Genesis G70 Sport Line Luxury Shooting Brake |
Price | $81,000 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Makalu Grey |
Options | Matte paint – $2000 |
Price as tested | $83,000 plus on-road costs |
Drive-away price | $96,834 (Sydney) |
Rivals | BMW 330i | Audi A4 Avant | Volvo V60 Cross Country |
How much space does the Genesis G70 have inside?
The interior of the G70 is certainly a talking point. I’ll admit that the Sevilla Red upholstery isn’t my cup of tea, but Sport Black or Fog Grey are more subtle colourways available if you’d prefer when building your own.
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The seats and surrounds come in soft nappa leather and aluminium inserts. The seats have some additional luxury finishing touches: a plush quilted stitching and heating or ventilation to warm or cool your tush.
Genesis describes the layout of the car as being “driver-focused” and having an “intuitive configuration”. Everything from the wide central console to the infotainment system is within easy reach and sight.
The steering wheel looks good in black with subtle red stitching that ties in with the red upholstery. In front of the driver, there’s a 3D-effect digital instrument cluster and a head-up display, which is useful when trying to concentrate on the road.
Storage space is surprisingly generous up front. The door bins leave much to be desired in both rows, but the centre console has two large drink holders and a fairly big storage bin. The central console also houses a good old-fashioned gear stick and the drive mode buttons.
There is a wireless charging dock and 12V and USB-A ports. Above that, a series of physical buttons and dials access everything from climate control to media and navigation shortcuts. It’s a traditional-looking interior, which I personally favour, but if you’re into touchscreens and mod-cons, this might not be contemporary enough for you.
As for space in the car, I really pushed the G70 to its limit. During my week as custodian, my parents arrived from England to visit. This meant that at any one time, the car was ferrying a combination of four adults, a toddler, two suitcases and a pram.
Up front, there is plenty of leg room and head room for the driver and passenger, even with a child seat plugged in behind the passenger seat. Helpfully, the passenger seat can be electrically adjusted by buttons on the lower left side, or controls high up on the right of the passenger seat, making for quick and easy adjustment by the driver or back seat passengers if needed.
In the second row, leg room is a little tight but head room isn’t a problem for the two outside seats. The middle seat isn’t designed for an adult passenger so apologies to my mum, who found herself in the middle seat every single time. A large hump between the footwells means that if you’re anything bigger than a child, you’re either going to have to awkwardly have your knees up by your chest, or share some foot space with a passenger either side of you.
Finally, there is a pair of USB-C charge outlets for rear seat passengers, along with air vents (but no temperature controls) through the centre console. The old family favourite, rear window sunshades, aren’t available on the G70 either.
The boot is 465 litres, which I can confirm is substantial enough to fit two suitcases or a pram — not all three. The G70 Shooting Brake’s boot size sits at the lower end of the pack here compared with key rivals. Close to the Audi A4 Avant’s 460L, but behind the 500L BMW 330i Touring and 529L Volvo V60 Touring.
The tailgate opens electrically, and the boot floor doesn’t have a lip, meaning there are no obstacles in your way if you’re lugging big-ticket items in and out.
2024 Genesis G70 Sport Line Luxury Shooting Brake | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 465L seats up |
Length | 4685mm |
Width | 1850mm |
Height | 1400mm |
Wheelbase | 2835mm |
Does the Genesis G70 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
The G70 has a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. When I’m not relying on a Bluetooth connection, I can access satellite navigation, voice memo function and an AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio via the car’s own media. The infotainment system mirrors those found in Hyundais with clear and uncomplicated graphics, an intuitive layout and easy-to-use shortcut buttons.
The G70 comes with a digital instrument cluster that includes a 3D effect, adding depth to the gauges and on-screen info. Rather than mix-and-match customisation, display themes are grouped in either Eco, Sport, and Comfort modes. The instrument cluster also displays the camera feed for the blind-spot view monitors, which show the blind-spot info when the indicator is turned on, showing areas close to the car that might be missed from a glance in the mirror.
For Genesis owners, the Genesis Intelligent Assistant app makes life a little bit easier by anticipating your needs. For example, you can lock or unlock the car remotely, activate the horn or lights from afar, and preheat or cool the cabin.
It also allows you to book a service appointment, check fuel status and find fuel stations without leaving the couch. The vehicle is also compatible with over-the-air (OTA) software updates.
Is the Genesis G70 a safe car?
The G70 was awarded a safety rating of five stars by governing body ANCAP back in 2018. This rating expires in December 2024.
Adult occupant protection scored 81 per cent, child occupant protection scored 86 per cent, vulnerable road users 69 per cent, and safety assist 81 per cent.
As standard, the car is fitted with dual front, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags and a driver’s knee airbag.
2024 Genesis G70 Sport Line Luxury Shooting Brake | |
ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2018) |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Genesis G70 have?
This iteration of the G70 is stacked with safety features.
I’ve already waxed lyrical about the safety camera in the digital display dash, which gives the driver a view of any blind spots. The 360-degree reverse camera makes light work of parking, aided further by the reversing light guidelines projected onto the ground behind the car, and 11m turning circle.
Other everyday safety features that came into play are the forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist and departure warning, traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitor, adaptive cruise control and more, making it class competitive in this regard.
How much does the Genesis G70 cost to maintain?
Genesis’s ace up its sleeve is its unique servicing and warranty proposition: the Genesis Service Concierge program. Under this offering, an owner’s first five services are free.
Better still, on the day of service, one of the brand’s service valets will collect your car and later return it. They also provide you with a courtesy vehicle. This level of customer care is second to none.
Perhaps given the relative rarity of the Genesis wagon, our usual insurer didn’t have quote details available for the G70 Shooting Brake – but based on the data available for last year’s 2.0-litre turbo model, we got a quote for $2278. Consider this a starting reference point based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
Its rivals vary greatly by comparison, with the BMW 330i costing much more ($2918) than the Volvo V60 ($1983). The 2024 Audi A4 Avant is $2793 yearly.
Note that if you’re considering a wagon over an SUV, you won’t find a massive difference here. I compared the insurance cost of the G70 with the entry-level two-wheel-drive GV70, Genesis’s mid-size SUV, and it is $2270 annually.
At a glance | 2024 Genesis G70 Sport Line Luxury Shooting Brake |
Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km |
Servicing costs | Complimentary (5 years) |
Is the Genesis G70 fuel-efficient?
Over the week, the Genesis G70 covered a trip to and from the airport, a couple of tourist trips into Sydney’s CBD, and some pottering around the suburbs.
Genesis claims a combined fuel consumption of 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres, rated at 13.1L/100km around the city and 6.9L/100km if you’re on the highway. In reality, I returned a fuel reading of 10.0L/100km.
This is higher than its closest rivals.
Fuel efficiency | 2024 Genesis G70 Sport Line Luxury Shooting Brake |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 9.1L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 10.0L/100km |
Fuel type | 95-octane premium unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 60L |
What is the Genesis G70 like to drive?
At its core, the Genesis G70 is a premium sporty sedan designed to be a beautiful drive.
The G70 has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The engine produces 179kW and 353Nm, outputs that are greater than its rivals from Audi and Volvo but a touch less than the BMW 3 Series.
The G70 comes with five driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Custom. Each of these settings adjusts throttle response, gearshift patterns and steering weighting to deliver on their respective labels.
Sport Plus mode goes one further, disabling traction and stability control which gives a more intense drive, but without the safety net to catch you if you overstep. Genesis has said that Sport Plus mode is track-focused, and we reckon Sport mode is really where it should stop on public roads.
Finally, Custom mode allows the driver to dial in their own ideal configuration using a combination of the different settings.
I mostly flicked between Eco and Comfort through the suburbs, only calling on Sport out in the country.
Around the suburbs, the steering is light and easy, especially at carpark speeds. Putting my foot to the pedal and taking off down the highway is where the car comes into its own, though. The powertrain steps up a notch, and the car comes alive a bit more as you feel the feedback through the steering and the suspension.
As for the ride quality, I found no issues with that in commuting mode or sporty driving. The G70 rides well on its 19-inch wheels, and doesn’t react adversely over lumps and bumps. There’s minimal noise from the road too.
I’m also happy with the visibility out of the back despite the low-slung seats and sloped rear.
Parking and navigating smaller spaces are made easier thanks to an 11-metre turning circle and the camera displays in the driver’s instrument cluster.
In previous generations of the G70, my peers have called out the car for lacking the oomph they’d hoped for in a sports car, but I’d argue Genesis has given the car a truly ‘sporty’ feel without compromising its ability to mooch around the suburbs.
Key details | 2024 Genesis G70 Sport Line Luxury Shooting Brake |
Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol |
Power | 179kW @ 6200rpm |
Torque | 353Nm @ 1450–3500rpm |
Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
Transmission | 8-speed torque converter automatic |
Power-to-weight ratio | 105.4kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 1699kg |
Spare tyre type | Space-saver |
Tow rating | 1200kg braked 750kg unbraked |
Turning circle | 11.0m |
Should I buy a Genesis G70?
If the G70 is on your comparison list with other wagons, then your usual line-up of European stalwarts have some seriously stiff competition. The latest iteration of this car seems to have cleared up some of our irks from the earlier versions. It comes with a price hike, but is still competitively priced compared to its rivals.
This car boasts classic good looks both inside and out, dependable technology and safety features – and it’s a great drive, though I’d like to see more from the four driving modes. Yes, it’s a little thirsty, and yes, it’s expensive to insure – but in line with competitors, and I’d argue that Genesis’s fantastic service offering negates those costs.
If you’re debating whether to go for a wagon over an SUV, then that’s a different kettle of fish. Initially, it is a compelling alternative to the throng of SUVs you’ll see at school pick-up. But its practical shortcomings are quickly felt as the second row is tight in both space and amenities, and the boot space will fill up as soon as you’ve got one big-ticket item in there.
Once again, I can’t help but hark back to Genesis’s fantastic ownership costs by way of justifying its more expensive insurance and fuel costs, but given the sheer number of SUVs available in the market, you’re likely to find a luxury SUV within a similar price bracket to the G70 is significantly cheaper to insure than this car. So when it comes to long-term costs, you’d have to do the sums carefully between this and your SUV shortlist to work out what will be more affordable in the long term.
How do I buy a Genesis G70 – next steps?
I spent a week in the 2024 Genesis G70 Shooting Brake, which comes in just one highly specced variant, the Sport Line Luxury, although you can opt between a wagon shape or a more expensive sedan that replaces the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo with a more potent 3.3-litre turbo V6.
The car is ordered to spec, which the Genesis team have told me takes around three months to deliver. The Genesis is a little different from your typical new car showroom, presented more as a gallery space, and you can find your nearest by clicking here.
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