Inasmuch as luxury car buyers might turn their noses up when they hear the name Hyundai mentioned among BMW, Lexus and Mercedes, the fact remains that the Genesis holds its own against many of the top names in the business. And, with a price comparable to a Buick Lucerne or Toyota Avalon, the Hyundai Genesis is likely to attract customers looking to make their first luxury sedan purchase without busting the bank.
A Hyundai Surprise In The Form of the Genesis Sedan
Korean automaker brings high end luxury to the masses.
Say “Hyundai” and the image of an automotive brand producing the likes of the compact Elantra and the affordable Sonata comes to mind. But, in a bold and perhaps risky move, Hyundai has expanded its line to include a luxury model, one appropriately named Genesis.
Yes, this is a season of new beginnings for Hyundai (rhymes with Sunday) as the Korean automaker seeks to change the perception consumers have about its products while deciding against creating an all new luxury brand just as Toyota did with Lexus more than twenty years ago. With the Genesis, Hyundai has built a car that rivals the best German brands while pricing it closer to what people would pay for in a Buick Lucerne or a Toyota Avalon.
Taking Aim At German Luxury and Craftsmanship
The Genesis is actually two different cars, one a full sized sedan, the other a sport coupe. For this review I’ve covered the sedan, a vehicle Hyundai designed with Mercedes and BMW in mind. Indeed, the current Genesis has a strong resemblance to the Lexus GS, itself a European styled model just inches shorter than the Genesis but carrying a ten thousand dollar price premium over the similarly equipped Hyundai. That price differential is what Hyundai hopes will convince people to take a look at the Genesis when shopping for German or Japanese luxury.
Available in rear or all wheel drive, the two ton Genesis is powered by a base 3.8L V-6 engine or a 4.6L V-8. Both the rear wheel drive configuration and beefy V-8 engine are firsts for Hyundai, at least for the American market. Hyundai has been building larger cars for its home market of South Korea for many years; the Genesis represents the first of its kind for American export.
Should You Really Have A V-8?
My test model came equipped with the V-6 and not once did I feel that its 290 horsepower engine wasn’t enough to move the sedan. The V-8 produces 375 horsepower and runs on premium fuel; both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The center console mounted transmission shifted effortlessly responding to my demands to see how quick it could be brought up to highway speed. Handling is very good, not spectacular, but the cabin is quiet and the ride is very smooth.
For the record, the V-8 will get you from stop to 60 mph in just under six seconds while the V-6 motor is about a half second slower. You’ll choose the larger engine if matching Audi performance is important to you, but if you go with the V-6 you will get ample power, better fuel economy and be able to fill up with regular gasoline.
In a League of its Own
Inside, the Genesis is like no Hyundai before it. True, the Hyundai Azera Limited offered a first glimpse at what Hyundai could do by building a well optioned sedan, but the Genesis clearly is in another league.
Seating five passengers, the cavernous interior is well appointed and offers more leg and head room than any of its competitors. The front seats are very comfortable, with leather seating surfaces and heated seats standard while a cooling option is also available for the driver. Rear seats can neither be warmed nor cooled, but the support and legroom offered is quite good. Surprisingly, the rear seat doesn’t fold down, an attribute commonly found in similar sedans.
An electroluminescent instrument cluster is complemented by a well designed center stack, itself containing cabin comfort, navigation and audio controls, many of which are duplicated on the steering wheel or placed adjacently to the transmission shifter. Sound is out of this world as the Lexicon 7.1 Discrete audio system features an 11-channel, 528-watt digital amplifier and 17 speakers. The Rolls Royce Phantom is the only other car in the world to offer this amazing sound system, a point Hyundai notes when they market the Genesis.
Every Safety Feature Imaginable
In developing the Genesis, Hyundai made sure that all of the state-of-the-art safety features were included as standard equipment. Beyond dual front airbags, the sedan includes front and rear-seat mounted side-impact bags as well as roof-mounted curtain side-impact bags. Anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, brake assist as well as specially reinforced front and rear crumple zones underscore the importance of safety.
Choose the premium or premium plus packages and you’ll also get a rear back up camera with front and rear parking assistance sensors, power rear sunshade and auto-leveling headlights among other features.
Trunk space is a full sixteen cubic feet, clearly at the higher end of its class. The opening is wide and the floor is flat; despite the rear seat not folding down, there is a pass through area for skis and similar lengthy objects.
Priced Like a Chrysler, Engineered Like a Mercedes
Despite concerns by some that the Genesis is a knocked down Lexus or Mercedes, those fears are quickly allayed as the sedan easily beats expectations. Base sticker price is in the low 30s and remains below $40,000 when fully optioned; slightly higher for the V-8. That price advantage will work towards convincing current owners of cars such as the Chrysler 300C and Pontiac G8 to consider the Genesis while giving BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Infiniti, Cadillac and Audi drivers the message that the Genesis is a serious contender despite wearing the Hyundai name.
Photo Credit: Hyundai Motor America
Related Reading — First Drive: Hyundai Genesis Sedan
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