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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  2010 Genesis Sedan - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Jeff in Texas - July 13 - 9:06 am

  You cant buy a better luxury car for the money. I owned a Sonata which was one of the most trouble free cars Ive ever owned, and the Genesis is following suite. The quietness, luxury interior, looks, features, well, just about anything I care about is outstanding. I routinely get compliments from the people who see it and the ones who ride in it. If your emphasis is on value, get a Genesis. If your ego demands recognition, get a BMW, Lexus or Mercedes.

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  Great Bargain for High Luxury - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By McGruff71 - July 6 - 3:10 pm

  Just brought my 4.6 w/ Technology package home last week. I have to say, my wife and I are giddy with our choice. Had a hard time finding a performance sedan at a reasonable price. Drove a lot of cars, this one was the hands down winner. I LOVE to drive it! I will say the road test reviews that describe poor ride/handling on broken pavement are 100% correct. You definitely feel some unwelcome lateral movement, verging on loss of control when you come across some broken roadway. But so far, that is the only drawback. She is a wonderful highway cruiser, and the sense of refined power from the purr of that V-8 is amazing. For the price, you cannot beat this sedan. (Coming from a Pontiac GXP!)

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  Very Pleased - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By droopy - July 5 - 11:42 am

  Have owned the Genesis for about two weeks and thus far have been very pleased. One of my co-workers stopped by my office the other day and asked, "How do you like the new Lexus?" When I replied that it was a Hyundai he had an expression of disbelief, as if I were making a joke. One of my wifes friends told her that she had driven by our house, had seen the car in the driveway, and asked if we had bought a BMW. She too was surprised upon being told it was a Hyundai. Our other car is a Lexus and I will admit that the Lexus has a slightly smoother ride however, the Hyundai Genesis has more comfortable seats. We feel that we have gotten a lot of bang for the buck with this purchase.

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  Excellent Value - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By ChipA - June 28 - 4:59 pm

  Was looking to buy a new MB E350 but after test driving both the E350 & Genesis several times, doing alot of research, and for exactly $16k less, traded my 07 MB E350 w/65k miles (our 7th MB) for the 4.6/V-8. Every single aspect of the Genesis, except for the cruise control, exceeds the E350-new or old. The comfort of the seats, cabin noise level, ride, and navi/audio system are standout improvements & were factors that swayed me. My wife has a 10 MB SUV but we prefer the comfort of the Genesis. I drive a lot and hope the integrity, performance, & depreciation of the Genesis stands up to the wear/tear of the miles. Get past the brand issue-appears to be great value in a nice car!

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  Taking it Back - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By JRJ - June 27 - 8:29 pm

  I just bought my Genesis today. I was not able to test drive the car I bought since it was in the showroom. On the way home the glare and reflections from the panel above the glove box actually gave me vertigo. When I went online to view the interior pictures, the car pictured does not have the shiny panel. I am taking the car back tomorrow. I dont know if they can swap out the panel for one without the glare or not. I like the car otherwise. Has anyone experienced this problem? I am very disappointed because I love the car otherwise.

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  Pure luxury without the extreme price! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By gameday22 - June 27 - 4:04 pm

  Only had my vehicle for a few days now and so far in comparison to my 2009 Azera Limited the two cars are night and day to each other in every way. I thought my Azera was a great car overall, besides the suspension being very bad on it and chewing up tires every 12k miles (2 sets in 4 months) with proper maintenance. The Genesis feels rock solid over all types of road conditions and soaks up the imperfections gracefully. Mine has the Tech package (04) and the Premium package (02) with a price of $41k less discounts. This car is in a class of cars costing $20-25k more with the impressive list of features on-board. So far a very happy owner, hopefully for many more years! :)

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  Better than E500 - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By rmkdj - June 24 - 10:24 pm

  This car beats the 2005 MB E500 I previously had, hands down. Simplicity of controls, power, navigation, stereo, seat comfort, gas mileage without premium gas. Absolutely no problems whatsoever. Dealer is great when I take it in for service, oil change and rotation of tires. You cannot buy a better car. Buy this car, you wont go wrong.

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  Luxury & Performance at This Price? - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Thomas - June 14 - 3:02 pm

  My last 2 cars were an Infiniti and previously, an Acura. I go through cars every 3 years by choice so Im pretty discriminating. After replacing my wifes SUV last year with a Hyundai Veracruz, we really fell in love with Hyundai. So when it came time to give up my G35, I was excited about the new Genesis. I looked at BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus, but like the Veracruz, I am shocked and overwhelmed by the level of luxury appointments, features, and performance that you get for the money in the Genesis. Family and friends that know how much I like cars were shocked when I came home with a Hyundai. But after one ride, I have many of them asking me for the salesmans name at the dealership!

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  Long-term Update - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By TNCPA - June 13 - 8:34 am

  Ride quality appears to be the most negative comment by owners. Replacing the Dunlop OEM tires with Pirelli Pzero Neros ) at (13,000 miles) essentially solved any harsh ride issues that I had with car. The change in the handling and ride quality has been simply amazing.

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  The First 6000 mi - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Steve W - June 2 - 5:15 pm

  Traded my 2006 Infiniti for the 2010 Genesis 4.6 Sedan. The Genesis has exceeded my expectations and requirements in every way. The fit and finish, the comfort, the level of equipment. The vehicle is not lacking in any area. Although the EPA rating is 17/25, my experience has been 20/29. This car absolutely provides the most bang for the buck. You must drive this car before purchasing a Lexus, Infiniti, or Acura! It will very pleasantly surprise you.