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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2011 Genesis - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
By informatics - February 12 - 7:43 pmI have now had my new 2011 Genesis for 1 week. I got it at Jim Hudson Hyundai in Columbia SC. I got the base 3.8 V6 with no options. I will not give the exact price but I was out the door for under $30,000. Price aside, it is truly a wonderful car. I am in my upper 30s and I feel like a teenager again when I drive this thing. Being excited about driving is something I had forgotten about until last week. I also love the attention this car affords. I have had so many compliments and typically the reaction is WOW, I did not know Hyundai made such a nice vehicle. I did research for weeks and the only thing people can say bad about this vehicle is that they dont get the prestige. Get this car!
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John of Columbus NC - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
By jaacolumbusnc - February 5 - 8:33 pmI purchased my 2011 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 from Dave Edwards Hyundai, Spartanburg, SC. The dealership is one of the best I have done business with. The car is truly outstanding in every respect. Color is Titanium Gray Metallic with Saddle leather interior. Traded in 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited purchased from same dealer. I really liked the Sonata but after driving the Genesis it was impossible to resist the purchase.
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Great value, Refined with class - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
By terpman - January 23 - 10:47 pmJust picked up a 2011,V8 today, Black with tan interior. First of all , got a super deal on a 3 yr lease. The warranty that is offered is tough to beat. The car has great looks and is surprisingly roomy inside. I shopped BMW, which I really like, but the cost savings on the Genesis were hard to ignore.
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Off the charts. - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
By pacoug - January 22 - 3:44 amMiracle. Needed a bigger car--love my Audis and my 3-series BMW but couldnt afford their big siblings. This car has great power and performance for its size, not as quiet or rock solid as an Audi but did you see the price? If you need absolute rock solid, get an Audi and be happy. If you need pretty rock solid and a stone cold bargain, heres your ride. Matches Audi on features, comfort. Almost there on driving dynamics. This is a quiet car, just not a Buick. If you need whisper silence you can either spend a crapload on Audis or get a stereo installer to Dynamat your Genesis. I just may do that. Itll probably be quiet as a tomb after that, for minimal cost.
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My first luxury sedan experience - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
By zumbri - January 11 - 9:54 pmThis is my first luxury car. Prior to this I had a 2002 Nissan Altima. It was a solid car but it cant compare with the Genesis. The Genesis has many luxury & tech amenities. The doors and seats have a solid & weighty feel to it. It also has a surprisingly smooth & quiet ride feel. I have ridden in Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Acura, Volvo, and Infiniti. Granted, the Genesis doesnt have the same stiff handling and agility as the European cars but the ride quality feels on par with the Japanese cars such as my friends Lexus LS430. I dont have extensive luxury car experience, but I do know that my 3.6L tech package has all the bells and whistles for less than $38K and this is hard to beat.
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Honeymoon is over and Still love this car - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
By troy26 - January 8 - 8:39 amI have just over 14000 miles on my Genesis 4.6 sedan and love this car. Its used everyday for a 100 mile commute, around town and long trips for business. Driving this car never tires me out.
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Best bank for the buck - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
By frank_pendle - January 5 - 4:20 pmThis car blows away the competition. Ive had my share of 5-series BMWs, an Inifiniti and a Lexus. None of these compares to the Genesis comfort, refinement, engine response, interior elegance, ride quality and - especially - price. If you can get over the fact that youre driving a Hyundai, youll find that no car this side of a Mercedes 5-series, BMW 7-series or a LS 460 can compare with it.
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Wouldnt Buy Another One - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By Anonymous - December 6 - 2:00 amThis car is not an entrance to the luxury class by a long shot. The transmission in my car is an abomination to the name of luxury car. It shifts with jerky motions, cant find the gear it needs to run in and has to catch up to the engine after braking. Two trips to the dealership and I have been assured that this transmission is within Hyundai specs. The cruise control loses 3MPH up any grade hill and gains up to 3MPH down the hill. I have a 2002 I-35 that keeps set speed dead-on. I think Hyundai needs to reverse engineer an Infinity transmission and cruise control. The ride is rough and the engine is noisy. Other than that the car is OK.
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Terrible Car / Forgettable experience - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By Sandy - December 2 - 2:00 amAfter almost decades of owning premium / luxury cars, I made the regrettable decision to buy a Hyundai. All my friends and family were skeptical. I have spent the past several months working with dealers and HMA Consumer Affairs to address the problems. Every time they tell me they DO NOT see the problems. Is anyone else having these problems? The whole experience has been extremely disappointing. 1. Rattling / grinding sound when driving at lower gears 2. Jerky transmission shifts 3. Squeaking / cranking sound from the rear seat when driving 4. Loud rumbling noise when starting the car 5. Vibrations while driving 6. Tires worn out at 25k miles 7. Cruise control does not work
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A lot of Car for the Money - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
By Mr T. - December 2 - 2:00 amIve had the car for 3 months(2200 miles) now and I am impressed. My wife has a 2005 BMW545i(6 speed manual) and she told me she likes my car so much , she wants to get rid of the beamer and get her a Genesis too.We have the logic 7 in the BMW and the Lexicon system sounds even better. I dont know what the people who said negative things about this car were talking about( perhaps they work for the competition).If you are in the market for a sport/luxury car,do yourself a favor and check this car out.
