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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  Too much road noise - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By DC - September 15 - 2:00 am

  This car looks good, has very good road performance and is very nice except for the excessive road noise. We thought it was the Dunlop tires, but we put Michelin Pilot tires on and the car and it is so noisy you have to turn up the radio to cover up the sound. Be sure to drive on the interstate and not just the smooth roads the sales person directs you to or you might be unhappy with this car!

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  Outstanding Automobile! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By BJD - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Its been 6 weeks since we bought our 4.6 w/Tech in Titanium/Black and it is still amazing! Drove many cars - 2011 BMW 535/550/335, Merc E350/550, 2011 Infiniti M37 and 2010 G37, 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, Genesis V6, and a few others - but kept coming back to the Genesis V8. Beautifully executed exterior, superior attention to detail everywhere, flawless drive train, and uncompromising power. Like some others, I too have gone over this car and cannot find any flaws in its assembly. It is not perfect but it is a beautifully made automobile and very rewarding to own. An astonishing value for the 38K I paid for it - well worth the money. I would buy it again if I had the choice.

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  Great but - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By vjk - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Some items have been overlooked in an otherwise great car. No mute button. No pedal adjustment. No outside temperature view. No power folding mirrors. Surround sound is not permanent selection. No 6 disc with navigation a few of the shortfalls

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  What an excellent surprise! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By SeistaKeyGolfer - September 4 - 2:00 am

  One of our children had just totaled my 2001 GS430 Lexus L-Tuned. I loved that car. Distraught and needing a car, a friend encouraged me to look at the Genesis. After owning nothing but Lexus, BMW, Saab Turbos,Mazda 929, I was very skeptical.I drove the Genesis demo 8 cylinder for two days. I was amazed. My wife was amazed, and that takes a lot of "doing". I thought about it for two days and drove another V8 demo for a day. I was hooked. We have just finished a 3000 mile trip to New England and on IS-95 the V8 averaged 27.5 mpg--- unbelievable and comfort was great. This car is as good as any I have owned. Keep making Genesis this good and youll see the competition through the rear view mirror.

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  Good car for your money - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By sami - August 31 - 2:34 am

  I like the ride and handling of this car. The leather finishing is fantastic. Adaptive lights are great and the sound system is great also.

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  Traded 2009 3.8 to 2011 4.6 - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By Mike - August 30 - 9:24 am

  I traded my 2009 3.8 Tech package for a 2011 4.6. I was very happy with the 2009 3.8, so Im a repeat buyer. I even got the same color - Titanium metallic. Beyond the beefier motor, the things that are pleasant enhancements in the new car are: - Adaptive Cruise control - Navigation and EIS seem snappier - Bluetooth - I was never able to download my address book in the 2009 3.8 - but it worked the first time in the 2011. (Windows Mobile 6.5 phone)

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  Love it! - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By jrpath - August 22 - 12:44 pm

  So glad we chose this wonderful car. We traded in a 2008 BMW 328I for this and are so happy with the space, XM stereo, price and smoother ride.

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  My Hyundai Genesis - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By triple c parker - August 19 - 2:11 pm

  The car is a real beauty, with lots of nice features, the sound system is great, the gas mileage on the highway is exactly what is on the sticker. My only complaint so far is with the leather seats. I have had the car for 1 month, and have put on 1700 miles, and the drivers seating surface is stretched, and appears puffy, not tightly stretched like when i bought it. I took it back to a dealer, and the service manager showed other vehicles with the same leather seats doing the same thing. I would think for the price of the vehicle, the leather seating would not look sloppy and loose in such a short time. The dealer I bought the vehicle from was great to deal with.

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  Very Impressive - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By Old Fogey - August 13 - 8:59 pm

  In less than a week this car has knocked my socks off. This is our first foray into the upscale market, we had been Honda devotees. This car has the best brakes, acceleration, quietness, space, and safety ratings, Ive ever experienced. The "driver information system" has more features than I can count and the sound system is Superior.

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  Not quite what a luxury car should be - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By ddmoore - August 13 - 6:05 pm

  I leased the Genesis when it first arrived at the dealers. I will be turning the car in soon and finding a replacement due to some issues I have with the car. The stereo has terrible sound quality. They claim this car has the same stereo as a Roll Royce. Well I guess the stereo sound is bad in a Rolls too. The car has plenty of power but has a problem putting the power to the road. The six-speed transmission has a shift point from 1st to 2nd right in the middle of a turn from a stop that makes the car "jump" and engage the traction control. The stereo only supports 1st and 2nd generation iPods. Ive never been able to use my iPod. If they fix some of these issues, maybe Ill buy one.