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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  Better than most - 2013 Hyundai Genesis
  By Roger - November 7 - 7:26 am

  It is a great car for the price-

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  Saved my life - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Zapataro - October 25 - 8:04 am

  A car company is at its best when it has something to prove. Mercedes with the w126, VW with the Phaeton and Hyundai with its Genesis. Hyundai wanted to show the world that it could make a car every bit as good as the Germans and mostly they succeeded. I looked at comparable 5 series and E class automobiles, their quality, options and reliability records and could not see the value in the Germans higher prices, besides the badge. A friend, who is a BMW diehard, had to admit that my Genny was every bit as fast as his 5 series, had a nicer interior and a stereo that blew his out of the water. Its not perfect by any means though. Not as polished as the Germans. The ride wasnt quite sorted, and the traction control was absolutely terrible. Even when the traction control was "turned off" it was still far to intrusive, cutting in at very inopportune times. In the year I owned it I had no troubles with it. I would have kept it for much longer had I not been T-boned by a full size van running a red light at 50mph! What I can say about that is I was able to walk away from the accident with only bumps and bruises.

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  THAT is a Hyundai? - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Native Texan - September 23 - 8:00 pm

  Great looking, fun to drive and dripping with technology. I am 67" and fit comfortably in this vehicle. My vehicle is pearl back with tan leather interior and is a head turner. I cant tell you how many times I get asked "what is that?" - of course once they are told it is the standard response - THAT is a Hyundai. If you are in the market for luxury sedan, you owe it to yourself to test drive the Genesis.

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  First week of owning new Genesis - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By jw - August 26 - 5:16 pm

  Having owned virtually every German and Japanese make on the market, I decided in todays economy, practicality should win out over creature comforts and German engineering. After owning a Genesis 3.8 for just one week, I am convinced that while my decision was certainly practical, I will not lose out on creature comforts, performance or quality. This car is an absolute winner and every time I get into it, I smile knowing that it will cost me less than half the cost of my E320 over the life of the car and I can honestly say that it has better features, comfort, style and performance. This car is a winner and if Hyundai can get the suspension right, they will really be on to something big.

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  Impressive - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Mattman - July 5 - 1:30 am

  Coming out of a Toyota with 176K miles my expectations were huge. My old car never had so much as a squeak or rattle. After test driving BMW, Acura, Lexus and others, Hyundai earned my business because the Genesis is every bit the car it is represented to be. As far as I can see, they didnt cut any corners. I work in an industry where image is very important and this car gets tremendous compliments from clients, valet workers and strangers.

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  Giant Killer - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By jay - April 23 - 10:33 am

  What a great car!! Makes you totally rethink the brand. The interior is a lot lot better than what the pics show in the web or in magazines. The fit and finish is very good and the Lexicon really is AMAZING!! I thought the steering would feel too light as a lot of bigger luxury cars tend to be, but i was pleasantly surprised...its no sports sedan in feel but it has a good amount of resistance and good on center feel. Only gripe is the bluetooth, no wheel mounted controls and does not come through the cars existing speakers. Go test drive one with an open mind and you will soon forget all that you thought was a Hyundai. I give it an A.

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  Watch out for Hyundia! - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
  By Nick - April 5 - 5:35 pm

  If you like Hyundia cars, beware of their practice of not pointing out how some of the features work. If you want remote start, understand that the only way to get it is through their Bluelink System". When you buy the car they give you 90 days of Bluelink for free. After that it cost over $300.00 a year to keep all of the functions active. There is the basic Bluelink connection, which reports on car status and tells Hyundia if the car is in an accident. Next there is your remote start capabilities and a couple of other functions you can do. Last there is the voice active navigation system. If you want the remote capabilities you pay $99.00 plus tax per year and if you want it to work then you have to pay another $99.00 plus tax per year for the basic package. The turn by turn voice activated navigation adds another $81.00 plus tax per year. I bought my Genesis in October and in November I was notified that there is an update to the on-board navigation system for $219.00 plus tax. I highly recommend that you read all of the fine print before you purchase any Hyundia.

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  5000 miles with a wonderful car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By walt - March 28 - 5:56 am

  Compared to M45 and 535i. The Genesis won before considering the 18-26k savings. quiet reserved car until 5k rpm at which point this becomes a drivers car. I still dont know the corner limits of this car. After 5k sometimes hard miles no rattles or other issues have come up. If your looking for high end content without the high end badge this is the car for you!

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  Best Car - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
  By Inhwa - March 25 - 5:14 am

  I only got 150miles on my new Genesis I have been driving 4days I had MB BMW LEXUS LINCOLN I still have a BMW Genesis the best car

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  best car yet - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
  By salvatore gglia - March 20 - 12:10 pm

  had a lot of cars over the years, this by far is one of the best. more people should get over the standard brands and try these cars they are amazing in every way