FEW cars have attracted so much favourable attention as the five-seater family estate I've just been driving.

With a price tag little more than a mid-range SUV from Ford or VW, the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake has the sort of sculptured, graceful lines that set it apart from most rivals.

The big trademark grille, the split headlights and its squat, purposeful stance make it a real head-turner. Its looks certainly justify its position as the halo product of the giant Hyundai-Kia empire.

It's available with a choice of petrol engines and a turbo diesel. We opted for the 2.2litre diesel for its greater economy and its all-round usability. In every-day running you can expect up to 10mpg more with the oil-burner rather than the petrol version. And its greater torque makes it a particularly relaxing long distance companion.

The Shooting Brake was engineered with the European driver in mind rather than for customers in the Middle East and the States where roads are long, straight and smooth. So it feels quite composed and at home of Britain's twisty, country lanes littered with potholes and rippled surfaces.

In fact, it rides better than many esteemed, prestige German rivals. Beneath the elegantly curved bonnet, there's a 2.2-litre, four cylinder diesel that delivers 197bhp - sufficient to propel it to 62mph in marginally under eight seconds.

Steering wheel paddles are fitted as standard but we felt little need to use them as the judgment of the automatic transmission's electronic brain generally proved more than adequate.

Its rear drive format plays a part in emphasising the car's sporty nature and makes it rewardingly neutral when cornering briskly.

It comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the marriage is a particularly convivial one allowing smooth, well judged changes with little mechanical noise. In keeping with its sporty name and nature, the Shooting Brake corners flatly and confidently with nicely weighted steering that helps disguise its power assistance.

Finish and fit of the South Korean built Genesis is exemplary and lends the car a genuine prestige feel. Plenty of soft-touch, tasteful plastic mouldings, a large centrally placed touchscreen and wide supportive seating.

Space, though plentiful in the front, is more restricted in the rear. Legroom there can be tight if the front seat occupants choose to have their seats well back. Luggage room in the rear is about average for the class at 456 litres. This expands to more 1,500 litres when the rear seats are folded down.

Ample standard quit onboard the Sport Line version we drove, including electric front seat controls, heated steering wheel and front seats, electric tailgate lift and alloy wheels.

Drive the G70 diesel gently and it's easily possible to squeeze more than 50 miles from a gallon of diesel. Even in traffic or when travelling quickly the mid 30s is quite within reach.