[Taboleo] Gym Car? The Transformation of a Native Wagon... 'G70 Shooting Brake'

Sporty G70 Dynamics Intact
Stable Noise and Vibration During Cruise
Gentle Roofline and Rear Side Windows
Spacious Cargo Suitable for Family Car

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Hyundai Motor Company has once again thrown down the gauntlet in the Korean market, known as the graveyard of wagons. This time, it's under the Genesis brand. Unlike traditional wagons that emphasized only practicality, this model adds a touch of luxury. Because of this, the industry is closely watching whether the ‘G70 Shooting Brake’ will succeed in the domestic market. Can wagons really succeed in Korea? We experienced Genesis's new challenge, the G70 Shooting Brake, by driving approximately 90 km from Hanam, Gyeonggi Province to Yangpyeong.

A Wagon with a Sleek Design "Well Crafted"

The term Shooting Brake is a combination of ‘Shooting,’ meaning hunting, and ‘Brake,’ referring to a large carriage. It originated from the carriages used in the hunting culture enjoyed by European aristocrats in the 19th century. It can be seen as a wagon vehicle based on a sports coupe.

Looking at the front, it boasts a sleek appearance based on the G70. The luxury remains intact. The Crest grille inspired by the shield of the Genesis logo, the long hood, short front overhang (from bumper to front wheel), and the dual quad lamps all unmistakably represent Genesis's luxury.

The side and rear, which attract attention, feel completely new. Due to the nature of wagons, the trunk space is secured by extending the sedan model backward. Because of this, the silhouette was awkward and was rejected by Korean consumers. Regardless of the car’s performance, it could easily be perceived as a ‘cargo vehicle.’ However, the G70 Shooting Brake is so well designed that it feels more like a hatchback than a wagon. Thanks to the gentle roofline and the rear side windows, the typical ‘unbalanced proportions’ of wagons were not felt at all.

As expected, the advantage of wagons is the interior space. The G70 Shooting Brake measures 4685 mm in length, 1850 mm in width, 1400 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2835 mm. The trunk is 40% larger than the existing G70, securing 465 liters, and can be expanded up to 1535 liters by folding the second-row seats. The cargo space has significantly increased. Although the second-row seats were not exactly ‘spacious,’ they did not feel lacking.

Sportiness Enjoyed in Daily Life

The G70 Shooting Brake operates with a single gasoline 2.0 turbo powertrain. The sports model used for the test drive delivers a maximum output of 255 horsepower (6200 rpm) and a maximum torque of 36.0 kgf·m (1400~4000 rpm).

Inheriting the dynamic driving performance of the existing G70, the G70 Shooting Brake showed no shortcomings in driving feel. Even a slight press on the accelerator pedal quickly propels the car forward. Although it is a wagon in design, its driving performance is sporty. Additionally, noise and vibration were impressively stable during cruising.

Among the five driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, Custom), selecting Sport Plus mode makes the car’s behavior more lively. However, true to its wagon nature, it doesn’t dash lightly but pushes forward with a solid force.

Acceleration aside, braking and cornering performance on winding roads were excellent. Even during sharp cornering, there was no feeling of body sway or twisting. The strong braking allowed for stable driving. However, there was a slight feeling of lacking power on uphill roads, but it was not significantly bothersome.

The combined fuel efficiency of the G70 Shooting Brake is 10.4 km/L. On a 65 km stretch to the destination in normal mode, it recorded 9.7 km/L, and on a 25 km stretch driven in Sport Plus mode, it showed 7.2 km/L. Considering city driving, curved sections, and repeated rapid acceleration and braking during the test drive, this is sufficient fuel efficiency for daily driving.

The G70 Shooting Brake seems suitable as a family car for those with children and lots of cargo. It provides comfort during cruising and sporty driving feel allows for adequate response in sudden situations. Additionally, the wagon style offers the advantage of more cargo space. It also appears to be a good choice for men in their 30s and 40s who chose the G70 for its athletic performance, as it offers ample space for leisure activities and excellent driving performance.

The price starts at 43.1 million KRW for the base model and 47.03 million KRW for the sports model. It is positioned between the 40 million KRW G70 and the 49 million KRW sports utility vehicle (SUV) GV70.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.