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:

• 

  1st Hyundai Genesis - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By shadowplayer51 - February 16 - 3:56 pm

  Today I got the new Genesis, the first one sold in the U.S according to the factory the dealership got them from. The interior is as awesome as promised. I am 63" and my 62" son fits behind me with plenty of room. I got the premium plus package and everything is awesome. Black on Black with Metallic Paint, and I am happy to say that it will be possible to debadge the car. Like I said the interior is spacious and comfortable with plush leather. XM and Bluetooth and 6-disc changer, the 14 speaker Lexicon system is AWESOME.

• 

  Genesis AMAZING - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
  By G Wydro - February 7 - 12:57 am

  Excellent car. 3.8 provides great acceleration. Transmission is smooth. Very quiet ride. Interior amazing and safety tech is excellent. Nit picking only real issues are the lack of a remote start on key fob (can pay for Bluelink service and use smartphone for remote start function) and the auto high beams need to be reset with each start up.

• 

  A Lot of Bang for the Buck - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By LonMan - February 2 - 5:23 am

  My wife and I have owned a lot of vehicles before we purchased the Genesis; some very good and some bad. As we age and not into status or snob appeal any longer value,reliability, warranty coverage, and styling are important. Brand cachet was certainly not a consideration when we bought a 2006 Sonata LX (loaded V6). It is a great car for the money. Superb gas mileage for a 235 hp V6 and plenty of good features.So when the Genesis made its debut in the lux arena we bought a White Satin Pearl 3.8 w/tech package as it came off of the truck. A year of due diligence in the form of technical research, auto magazine and critical reviews sold me on another Hyundai. What an awesome vehicle!

• 

  Love This Car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By jhendri - January 26 - 5:23 pm

  Love the Genesis,I had the car for one week the car is a good value for the money. I had an Lexus GS, which was an better ride but the sound system was not as good as Genesis.On rough roads the ride is not stable I have Black/Black wtih Tech package,had the window tinted and the car came with the Wing package.Several people asked what it was. With only 240 miles the fuel economy is unknown.

• 

  Best Kept Secret - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Best Kept Secret - January 11 - 1:20 pm

  The Genesis 3.8 V6 is the Best Kept Secret in the luxury car lane ... but undoubtedly not for long! Leased my new black, premium-plus pkg Genesis about 3 weeks ago after my usual exhaustive, but comprehensive research. Every aspect of the cars looks and performance has met or exceeded my expectations; in short, this is honestly not another car on the road I would covet over my Genesis! The power train is silky smooth, tons of acceleration power on demand, smooth transmission with super-powerful, turbo- level boost in manual shift mode when entering onto highway ramp or pulling out into fast oncoming traffic. Lines of the car are the envy of every co-worker and valet whos seen it

• 

  great car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By silverado - January 7 - 5:30 pm

  This car is everything I hoped it would be and more. It is designed to maximize the aspect of pleasure behind the wheel without going overboard. It is super quiet, has a magnificent stereo, air conditioned drivers seat, good visibility, comfortable seats, etc. Mechanically the car is totally satisfactory.

• 

  in love this car - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
  By sd - October 27 - 9:17 pm

  This is the best car Ive ever owned.

• 

  I CANT BELIEVE ITS A HYUNDAI - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By johnnyb - October 12 - 11:16 pm

  I can tell you from owning a BMW, that the Hyundai Genesis is a very comparable and as high a quality as you can believe.It has great extras with the navigation and bluetooth. You cant ask for much more in a beautiful car. Great style and luxury.

• 

  11K - First Report - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Habu71 - October 11 - 8:26 pm

  This car is simply a stunning thing to behold. It looks good, drives well and is very comfortable for my 6,2 frame. On a recent round trip from Florida to Cleveland the car averaged around 30.4 mpg at highway (some mountain driving) speeds. I deem that outstanding considering the cars size and weight. I have two complaints; 1.The suspension seems to hit the bump stops quite often on choppy roads. 2.Sometimes the rear doors wont automatically unlock. This situation happened after a software update to the car. The dealer will check it out at the next service. Other than that I am a "happy camper."

• 

  Impressed every time I drive my Genesis! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Miles - October 6 - 3:44 pm

  The Hyundai Genesis Sedan is a wonderful used car. In the past Ive owned big heavy V8, rear-wheel drive cars- but the Genesis is unbelievably refined. There is little to no cabin noise whatsoever, this is really noticeable on the highway. Nice quiet drive, smooth shifting transmission, and plenty of power for a luxury sedan. Its not a wolf in sheeps clothing like BMWs and Mercedes can be when optioned properly, but if youre looking for a luxury car like the Genesis, you probably dont concern yourself with such juvenile attributes. This car is a comfortable, quiet, smooth car that has been extremely reliable. My Genesis sedan now has 130,000 miles on it and it stills looks and feels like I just drove out of the showroom. If youre spending a lot of time on the road, youll want to spring for the optional Technology Package, Premium Package, and Premium Plus Package. This includes a wonderful navigation system with the same type of I-Drive out of BMW and Lexus, a seriously stellar sound system made by Lexicon- only found in Rolls Royce, and a slew of creature comforts like heated/cooled seats, perforated leather, etc.. If you dont feel the need to blend in with the wannabe BMW and Lexus drivers who finance ridiculously expensive cars that dont have half of the options, give the Genesis a try.