Overview & Reviews

In the case of the Hyundai brand, necessity has been the mother of reinvention. Ten years ago, Hyundai was little more than the punch line to jokes about low-quality cars with laughable reliability. If the brand was to survive in the increasingly competitive automotive marketplace, it needed a major-league makeover. Hyundai has accomplished exactly that in recent years, turning out vehicles that have been hailed as paragons of value-priced quality.

This reinvention scales new heights with the Hyundai Genesis, the manufacturer's first stab at the luxury car market. Quiet as a murmur and drenched in luxury, it offers genuine opulence at an unbelievably low price, and credibly competes with premium sedans by Acura, Cadillac, Infiniti and Lexus. If you're in the market for a luxury sedan and want to savor all the bells and whistles without cleaning out your kids' college funds, take a look at the impressive Hyundai Genesis.

Current Hyundai Genesis
The Hyundai Genesis is offered in two trims, 3.8 and 5.0 R-Spec, which take their names from their corresponding engines. The 3.8 model is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 good for 333 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque, while the 5.0 R-Spec model upgrades to a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 429 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. All models are rear-wheel drive and use an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.

Even in base 3.8 trim, the Genesis offers high-end features like dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, leather upholstery, heated front seats and a seven-speaker sound system with satellite radio and iPod compatibility. Options include 18-inch wheels, upgraded leather, adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, a 14-speaker audio system and a navigation system. The V8-powered Genesis 5.0 R-Spec includes everything that's optional on the 3.8 as well as 19-inch alloy wheels and sport-tuned suspension and steering.

On the outside, the Hyundai Genesis looks the part of a luxury sedan, with elegant sheet metal and superb build quality. This air of sophistication continues inside, where you'll find yourself swaddled in soft-touch surfaces and high-quality materials. Roominess is another of its strengths, as both front and rear passengers enjoy spacious accommodations and well-shaped seats.

In reviews, we've found that the Genesis is very quiet on the highway. It glides over practically any surface with unruffled composure, effortlessly dispensing with bumps and ruts. Power from the V6 is ample and refined, while the V8 provides effortless acceleration and sewing-machine smoothness with only a minimal penalty at the pump.

The 3.8 won't deliver the sport-sedanlike handling that some European rivals tout. For that, there is the 5.0 R-Spec, which provides sharper handling in the curves, though this comes at the expense of comfort. The sport-tuned suspension is significantly stiffer, adding considerable harshness over rough pavement.

If you frequently haul outsized loads, you may long for a folding rear seat, as the Genesis only offers a pass-through option. Drivers living in rougher climates may wish for all-wheel drive, which isn't offered on the Genesis either. Another missing perk, of course, is established premium brand prestige. But not all luxury-car buyers place a premium on snob appeal. Costing thousands less than its esteemed rivals, loaded with generous features and built impeccably, the Hyundai Genesis stands in a class of its own.

Used Hyundai Genesis Models
The Hyundai Genesis debuted for the 2009 model year and has seen progressive changes since. For the following year, adaptive cruise control, an electronic parking brake and touchscreen navigation joined the options list. The 2011 model year saw more power for the 4.6-liter V8, from 375 hp to 385 hp. The changes for 2012 included the addition of the 5.0 and R-Spec models to the Genesis lineup. That year also marked the debut of the eight-speed transmission (up from six speeds). After 2012, Hyundai discontinued the 4.6-liter V8 and the base 5.0 V8 trim level.

User Reviews:

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  VERY COMFORTABLE CAR - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By eugeneny - May 17 - 10:30 pm

  I purchased 3.8 with Premium package-navi on 9/1/10, now on 14,010 miles. Great Price and value, Best in Hwy, Great ESC system, Very Comfortable Seat(not tired). Great Exterior(Looks BMW+LEXUS+MERCEDES). No problems at ALL, Get this Car! You will be HAPPY!!!

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  Bad Tires O Genesis - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By jspong002 - May 11 - 12:47 pm

  After only 7500 miles my two rear tires were completely bald. The dealer replaced them commenting they had never seen anything like that before. After the next 8000 miles the remaing two tires were also bald, but the dealer and Hyundai refused to replace. Do not buy a Hyundai with Dunlop Sp Sport 5000 m tires. Insist the dealer change them or dont buy the car. These are junk tires and should never be put on a car, as they are unsafe.

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  Honestly.. Very Disappointed!! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By tigerbill61 - May 6 - 6:50 pm

  Sadly bought my 4.6 LOADED brand new after reading about All the Great reviews. Its now been 2 years since my regretable purchase. Please let me reassure you I am a REAL Person and not a rep from some other ripoff car company like BMW! Tires very cheap replaced at 12,000 miles! Key needs to be within 1 foot or placed in slot to operate the pushbutton start!. Terrible in the snow and wet roads with the rear drive! Backup camera works 50% of time! You need a Hyundai brand I-Pod cable to work you I-Pod connection (Extra 75.00) Hmm never mentioned! The Transmnission shifting is a Nightmare and very embarrasing! Frequent updates for stereo _ etc. Im outta words with alottt more to say!

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  22,000+miles and still a great car - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By troy26 - April 17 - 3:43 pm

  Fun to drive and wonderful on long freeway trips. average mpg is 24. The 4.6 V8 has very good acceleration, 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds, leaves BMWs in its dust. Very good seats and easy to get in and our of. The adaptive cruise is the one of the best features.

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  Best luxury car value - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By robcar1 - April 9 - 10:38 pm

  Looked at BMW, Mercedes, and Audi, then I drove the Hyundai Genesis. Found everything I wanted for $20,000 less in the Genesis! The Hyundai Genesis is truly amazing. For not much more than a fully loaded Accord or Camry, you get a luxurious car with the interior space of a BMW 7, the exterior size of a BMW 5, at less cost than a BMW 3. And you get a 17-speaker Lexicon sound system that is found on only one other car in the world: the Rolls Royce Phantom. The Hyundai Genesis is far and away your best luxury car value.

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  Huge value for your money... - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By techie1234 - March 30 - 11:07 am

  This car is simply amazing. I looked at 50 cars and test drove a dozen before buying this car. I had my list down to the A6 and Genesis. While the A6 is a great car, a comparably equipped Genesis was 20K less than the A6 (in fact the Genesis has a cooled drivers seat which is not even an option for on the highest trim A6). Ive had my Genesis for a month and no trouble at all: its fast and smooth. The only reason not the buy this car over BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Audi, Jaguar, Infiniti, Acura is brand name. Im not that vain, and dont care what my neighbors think. If the Hyundai logo on the tail bothers you, you can replace it with wings for $100, it makes the car look like a Bentley.

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  WONDERFUL CAR!!!!! - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By caraddiction1 - March 15 - 4:01 pm

  Have owned Volvo, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Mercedes and Infiniti over the years. This car is as good or better than any of them. Bought 3.8 with Premium package (no navi) for 31,343.00 (sticker at $36,500 including $1500 Hyundai incentive). For this price so much better than Maxima, LaCrosse, Taurus, C-Class, E-350. Drives as sommoth as my lexus but has more road feel. Driven over 2,000 miles and cannot say enough good..quiet, responsive, great handling. I am 63" and have headroom. BUY THIS CAR!!!

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  WORST Ride EVER - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By bob415 - February 25 - 11:29 am

  The 2011 Hyundai Genesis is the WORST riding car I have EVER owned. It even makes smooth roads feel rough! It is no luxury to feel like youre in an airplane during extreme turbulence.

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  Great car - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By 76mini - February 23 - 8:02 pm

  I have owned my Genesis for over three months and love this car. I have had four BMW 5 series and this car comparesfavorably in every way to the much more expensive 5 series. In addition, it has more interior room, features, better interior quality and so far reliability. The last BMW Iowned was a 2008 535I which was nothing but trouble with the twin turbo engine and electronics. The only thing this car does not have is a luxury badge but everything else about the car is on par with or better than the best in the luxury class.

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  Wouldnt Buy Another One - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By tombea75 - February 18 - 7:47 pm

  The drive train on this one is awful. The car has a difficult time finding the right gear. As a result it is always shifting. Shifts arent smooth and many times the transmission tries to catch up with the engine, resulting in a lurch forward. The cruise control cant keep a steady speed. The engine is extremely noisy. My 2002 Infinity I35 is twice the car this one is. Also the radio doesnt show the artist and title of songs played. This is ten year old technology folks. I would not buy another one.