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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  Excellent Value! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By KJM - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my tan 3.8 Genesis Sedan for 8 months now and over 9000 miles in every kind of road condition. I am extremely pleased I bought this car. The ride is extremely smooth, quiet and comfortable. The V6 is very responsive and has more than enough power for the majority of drivers. The interior layout accommodates the drivers needs well, and the sound system is terrific. Reliability so far has been outstanding with not a single problem. And even better - my wife loves the car! All together an excellent value and great choice for those entering the luxury car market.

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  Pros and cons - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By npg - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Unless you own a tire shop, dont buy. Although maintained properly, the rear (drive) tires were junk in 15,000 miles! Dont buy the optional GPS/Camera System---Pitiful! Rides like a tank!

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  2 for 1 - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By SSSmythe - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Budgeted $70-$80k. Looked @ Benz CLS550/Es/Cs, BMW 5s/3s & a few domestics. Hands down, for the money, this ones a "no brainer"! Fit, finish, performance and my family fits. Oh, & the bank acct is $30k better off - Ops - Priced so good in comparison, bought wife a loaded Nissan Murano with the difference!

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  Affordable luxury sedan - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By ojotigre - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Its gentle ride and smooth engines cocoon the driver from the road. cabin of the Hyundai Genesis feels more luxurious than many similarly- priced cars from more traditional luxury brands. Inside, the Genesis seems more like a $50,000 competitor to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class than a $30,000 competitor to its less- luxurious C-Class cousin.

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  I just bought it - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By zoodoo11 - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I saw the commercial for the Genesis, had to check it out. The car looks good, inside and out. Both the driver and passenger have power seats. Plenty of pick up, 290 horse. When the windows rolled up nothing but quiet.

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  Good compromise but not quite perfect - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Larry - October 12 - 2:00 am

  In a depressed economy, Genesis 4.6 is good compromise to upscale German/ Japanese sedan. It has Lexus leather,a quality sounding stereo,decent acceleration,a good warranty. However, it suffers most with aggressive handling. It severely understeers when aggressively cornering and fights the driver to straighten out rather than staying in the curve ala BMW. Automatic transmission is smooth but sport mode (pseudo manual) shifting is lethargic.There is glare over the seven inch display and no touch mode operation. Better bluetooth than my BMW M5.Cooled seat setting (driver only) defaults off each time car is turned off. Stereo spontaneously switches to IPOD mode (same song) when car starts up cold.

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  Good, but not Excellent - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Jeff - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Genesis, in part, based on my experience with the Sonata. Unfortunately, the quality did not repeat itself. In the first year, the drivers seat mechanism, collision detection sensors and steering wheel adjustment motor failed. The dealership did a great job of making it right, but the Hyundai Motor America customer service response was lacking. However, for the price, the car is loaded with features, drivers great, is quiet and good looking. The A/C programming algorithms could use some work. I got the smaller engine and still have problems keeping it under 80 mph. My only disappointment is that the quality of this car doesnt match my previous Hyundai experience.

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  Best Buy out There - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By Genesis Supporter - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Drove 2000 miles immediately upon picking the car up at the dealer. Most of the miles were on interstate highways. On the last leg of our trip in 8 hours and a few minutes we averaged 66 mph and 28.5 mpg covering 530 miles! Different pavement surfaces did make different noises but nothing disturbing. We are enjoying the whole experience and were not surprised at all upon returning to find the October issue of Consumer Reports rates the car we bought as the Best of the Big Sedans. Buy one and youll be glad you did. We certainly are!!

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  Love My Genesis - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Sharon - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It is unmistakably the most beautiful car I have ever owned. It turns heads every day and the color (Cabernet) is gorgeous. Most of the complements I get are on the color. The paint is flawless even after 7 months of 95 degree, blazing sunlight. The performance is impressive and the interior, quiet and comfortable. I love the sound system and the tech package works great. I had to have the console control replaced under warranty and there was a problem with an emission control part that was also covered under the warranty. Other than those minor inconveniences, I really am happy with my car. My only complaint with the car, is the ride. It rattles my teeth.

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  Outstanding! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Qbjd - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my 2010 Titanium/Black 4.6 Tech for 6 weeks and it no less than impressive in just about every area. Looked at 2011 BMW 535/550, BMW 335, Infiniti G37, 2011 Infiniti M37, 2010 Mercedes E350/550, Genesis V6, Ford Taurus SHO, and others. Kept coming back to the Genesis V8 for the power, execution, features, and overall value. This is an outstanding automobile. Fit and finish is impressive, the drivetrain is awesome, and the Tech pack goodies cannot be beat. In my opinion, the 4.6 was much more car and a better value than the V6 (3.8). Buying experience was totally painless ($38K). I am extremely pleased with my Genesis and would purchase the same vehicle over again.