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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Perfect!! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By Little Nuke - July 27 - 1:23 amThis car is easily the nicest I have owned. I traded an Acura for this and before that I had a Mercedes. Frankly, neither of them can compare to this car. Its superior in every way. I love telling people I traded my Acura for a Hyundai.
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Good Car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By Jay - July 11 - 5:53 pmThis is our company car, and I drove about 5 times (total of about 100 miles) since last month, and this car is very good. The ride is really smooth and quiet. The car has Lexicon Nav, and the bluetooth handsfree sounded so good and clear. RWD feels really good. The seats are very comfy. It is really luxurious and good looking, but 2% lacking to be compared with BMW or MB.
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The Elvismobile - 2013 Hyundai Genesis
By Terry - June 17 - 4:16 pmThis car could pass as a high end Benz or Bentley.....Eye catching beauty. The comfort, quality and that Lexicon sound system makes this car an amazing highway cruiser.
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Excellent Car...!!! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By David S. - June 15 - 10:50 amExcellent ride, for normal driving (highway and city drive) it is fantastic. Very comfortable seats, lots of leg room. Fuel economy is decent for the car size. Very happy with my car...!!!
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Hyundai is the next Lexus - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By Scott Lepore - June 10 - 6:46 amWho would have thought that you could spend $40,000 and drive out of a dealership and own a world class automobile that rivals the 750-I BMW. The electronics alone are amazing but the car has good power with the V-8 and rides very smooth. It also is very roomy and handles great. I bought a Mercedes E-350 in 2006 for more money.This care is quality. Trust me.
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Awesome luxury car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By Radu - April 12 - 4:40 pmI tested more than 15 cars, including Lexus IS, BMW 530, Audi A6, Mercedes E350, Infinity M45, Jaguar XJ8. None are better than the Genesis! The quality is awesome, the car is solid & extremely quiet, the performance is great and the price is low for what the car offers! It has all the features of a twice as expensive car + 5 years full warranty. The interior is as big as Lexus LS and BMW 7 series and the quality is just as good! Ive been driving it for 1 month now and I cant find any flaws. The snobs might say: its a Hyundai, but this is how Lexus started as well. Unless youre willing to pay $20-30k more for the brand name to buy a similar car, youll be impressed with the Genesis!
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Nice car but do have some issues and 1 I will soon - 2013 Hyundai Genesis
By one1carfan - March 27 - 11:48 pmIf it is wet I have to be care full not to pen trunk all the way or water will run off trunk lid into car.I find my self wiping the bottom of lid if wet when I want to use trunk. I never had a car with this problem.I am finding a discoloration on the rubber below the trunk lid running above the trim like there was a problem when they painted the car.It is a Satin Pearl White that color they no longer make! Has anyone else had these problems ?
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2016 Genny 3.8 Tech RWD is a price performer - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
By acurat - March 11 - 1:16 amI leased my Genesis 6 weeks ago on a very attractive 36 month/15K mile program. With dealer discount, competitive coupon and $3K lease cash, I was able to knock $7K off the $47K sticker price. Compared with Lexus or the Germans, an incredible value. Most of my research was online and via a major consumer magazine. My main focus in evaluating cars is value for the price, with safety, fuel economy, driving experience and luxury as secondary goals. Though I could afford it, I cant justify Lexus price premium and dont dig the lack of driving dynamics. Ill never have another European car. So that leaves only a few choices. Coming from Acura, this is a real step up. Very impressive exterior styling, interior comfort, drivetrain, ride, handling and technology. For me, the 3.8 Tech is the sweet spot of price versus goodies. That last $3500 of MSRP for the Ultimate trim level did not make sense to me. My car had a serious fuel system issue at 225 miles that required 3 weeks to diagnose and fix. The dealer provided me with a brand new 2016 Genesis Tech as a loaner. Mine does seem fixed and it is hard to stay mad at this great car. I am glad its a lease though. If I still love it in 2019, I can buy it for $25.5K plus tax. Pros: --Drop dead gorgeous on the outside --Serene and very lux on the inside --Major oomph in the V6, on regular gas no less --Decent fuel economy, 22 in mixed driving, high 20s pure freeway --Love love love the smart cruise--it starts and stops by itself in heavy traffic --Auto Hold is a cool feature --Autonomous Emergency Braking (see below), blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert --Comfy and very adjustable drivers seat with ventilated leather --Great color flat screen display and pleasing instrument cluster with nice switches on the steering wheel --Composed ride and predictable steering --Real-time traffic on the nav, essential for SoCal driving --Very good (though not great) Lexicon sound system --Big trunk Cons: --Ugly front grille --Autonomous Emergency Braking alerts too late --Horrible voice recognition --Wimpy steering wheel, should be thicker --Confusing controls and odd layout --Hyundai service department--its not exactly a luxury experience --A new car should not have a fuel line/fuel pump failure at 225 miles! Overall, despite a bumpy start, the Genesis 3.8 RWD Tech sedan is the best and most refined car Ive enjoyed in 40 years of driving.
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Great car but.... - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By DomK - March 9 - 10:33 pmI have been a Hyundai owner for about 5 years and have always been impressed with the quality of the cars for the money you spend. The Genesis is absolutely no exception. I went in for an oil change on my old Elantra, test drove the Genesis, and got it that day. At least once a day I have someone comment on how much they love the look of the car. The solid performance rounds out a really great package. Be careful though if you live in colder climates, the car is a real wheel drive which is great when it is nice out, and even in the rain but when it snows, the car struggles for traction (I spent 35 minutes today stuck on the side of a slightly inclined road while other cars passed)
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Got Struck with this - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
By adam - March 7 - 3:30 pmTerrible Fuel Economy 15 in city .dash compartment fixed in one month springs gone bad. Head light assembly fixed due to mist /fog build up after 80 miles only.
