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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Wat to go Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By MIKLO - June 30 - 2:05 amWhat a great car,although I dont think its perfect it sure is nice.Although price did enter into my decision on buying it wasnt the only item. My last car was a Cady CTS and was nice car but way overpriced IMO.I got the 6cyl Genesis after testing both I went with the 6cyl and its got plenty of power 4me.I got the package that has everything except backup cam and GPS,4me it wasnt worth the extra money.I find this car so much fun to drive and am amazed at how many ppl stop me and ask questions,I could be a salesman due to my high praise for this car.After buying cars for 40 years this is the first car I have been so fired up about.Cant say enough good things and only have very minor dislikes.
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The car is junk. - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By Joe S - June 28 - 8:48 amAfter 9,000 miles, Im embarrassed to take people in the car. Theres a new rattle every day - the doors, the dash, you name it. Its worse than the 1980s GM cars. The car restarts itself - people really laugh at me when that happens. The nav sends me into lakes. The transmission clunks. The engine stalls pulling out into traffic, which is terrifying. You cant stand to sit in it for more than 30 minutes. It vibrates. In cold weather, it clears one side of the wind shield and freezes the other. The rear defroster does nothing. The list is endless. Im a real customer and not a shill thats why youre getting the real truth from me.
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It is a pleasure to drive this car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By Gurmeet - June 27 - 4:24 pmWe bought this as a second car to our first one being MB GL550 and I have to tell you from interior and performance perspective it is comparable but from technology perspective this car is years ahead of MB. Ride is great, acceleration is awesome - mixed freeway, in-town driving is giving us 18.5-19.5 mpg with only 450 miles on it so far
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Absolutely outstanding - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By Humphrey - June 25 - 11:32 pmI have bought this car two weeks ago as my substitute for my old BMW 525. Genesis is really excellent car. It is really smooth and luxurious.As long as I know, there are no comparable cars in this segment in terms of cost- benefit analysis.
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Car of The Year For A Reason - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By David George - June 25 - 1:23 amI bought the Genesis new in 2009 (the year it was selected as the Motor Trend "Car of the Year"). I was amazed at the features and quality. No other car at the time came close to the quality and refinement for the price. The Lexicon sound system is the highest end system ever installed in a production car. The ride quality was good and improved to excellent when I replaced the touring tires with all season tires. I live in an area that gets snow, so the all season tires were a must. The car is rear wheel drive and is difficult to drive in the snow with touring tires. The luxury features go on and on. The navigation system is one of the better systems. Updates require a dealer visit and are not free. I have not had significant repair issues as of this review. It is by far the best car I have ever owned.
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Love, Love My Genesis - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By Happy Granny - June 24 - 10:04 amI love driving this car! We purchased the 3.8 with the tech package & tinted windows. It got great mileage on a recent trip. Enjoy the quiet ride. Definitely a luxury vehicle.
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Impressed with Genesis - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By mike g - April 16 - 7:06 pmFinished 2007 m45 lease and was interested in new G37 sedan. G37 is not available. Heard about Genesis and checked them out. V8s were just showing up and I was blown away. Car is great!!! Best automotive bargain around. Drives like an $80k LS460 for $42K. My kids want to disown me but they are away at school and havent seen this car.
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UNBELIEVABLE - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By kwiss - March 23 - 8:43 amThis car is truly unreal. I did all my research, drove all the cars on my list and hands down the Genesis blew the competition away. I am extremely happy with my brand new Hyundai!
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Brand new Genesis - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
By Jim Roosevelt - February 21 - 3:28 pmI took delivery of my new 2016 Genesis just three days ago so this is more about first impressions rather than a full review. Mine is the 3.8 with the Ultimate package, all the toys. The Genesis is a wonderful package of technology, safety, and quality wrapped in an easy to adjust package. The car drives and handles perfectly. The technology and safety features are what drew me to consider a Genesis. I came from a hybrid Toyota Avalon Limited that got great gas mileage, but was well behind the curve as far as technology and safety. Toyota does hybrid well, but I wanted features such as the dynamic cruise control, automatic emergency breaking, lane keeping assist, and so on. The Genesis delivers these, they work exactly as advertised and exude confidence when driving. The 9.2 inch screen for the nav system is as good as any I have seen on any car. I love the heads up display. The Lexicon sound system is far better than any I have heard. The only suggestion I could offer is to add a little more up-down range to the front power seats to make my wife a little happier.
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tracking - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By JaimeX - January 22 - 8:00 amI like the car overall well enough. Quality is good. The only problem I have noticed so far is the tracking at highway speeds is a bit loose - that is, it wanders off desired track easily and steering is a little twitchy, especially in even a slight cross wind. I havent driven it enough to develop an opinion about the gas mileage, reliability or other operation aspects.
