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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  horsepower to gas mileage ratio is unsurpassed - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By Ned White - March 16 - 12:06 pm

  I have 40,000 mi. on my 2012 4.6L 385hp v8 sedan. With(10% ethanol) premium gasoline 93 octane, I get 21mpg around town and 26mpg on the highway in cruise (65mph) I found a gas station in NH that sells pure 91 octane gasoline (no ethanol) I fill up there often. My gas mileage immediately goes up to 31mpg (in summer) in cruise control at 65mph. Try to find a car anywhere that has that much HP and still gets 31mpg. Incredible ! (shows what a scam ethanol is also)

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  3.8 Geneis - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By noelle polson - March 14 - 2:07 am

  Bought used for 16K, best money i"ve ever spent for a car, loaded with tech and premuim pacakage great radio, power, comfort etc. car has 51000 miles, feels and drives like new, couldnt be happier.

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  So far so good, but one aggravation - 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  By Jim Orr - March 7 - 5:21 pm

  After driving Buicks & Cadillacs for several years I looked at the Lincoln MK series, drove a Lexus and settled on the Genesis with the Signature package. Traded in a 2011 Buick Lucerne, which I loved. In hindsight I wish Id sprung for the Tech package with a few more features that I miss. The biggest aggravation is getting the nav system to take voice inputs. Manual inputs work fine or if I say something she recognizes like "Starbucks" or "Texaco" then it works like a charm. But a voice input street address comes up with some of the weirdest options Ive ever seen. Anyone else have the same issue?

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  Hyundai Customer Support - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By Peter Beddia - February 24 - 12:55 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with mine, I love the car but I have no confidence with it. The radio has been replaced 4 times, the ac repaired and still does not cool, the radar, rack and pinion replaced, the fuel pump replaced, a fuel purge valve replaced not fuel mileage is terrible. The car is still acting up. Trying to file lemon law with Hyundai, here is what they do. Hyundai draggggg you out till most people give up and trade the vehicle in. ItÂ’s been over a year and a half and I can wait another year and half if I have too. I will never give up, and I have told my story to as many people as I can. I have personally stopped two people so far from buying a Hyundai.

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  Excellent Highway Cruiser - 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  By averageman - February 15 - 10:30 am

  An excellent cruiser. I have a long commute and I set the adaptive cruise control and this car pretty much drives itself. The ride and seats are supremely comfortable. It is NOT, however, a "fun to drive" car. It is too big and heavy. The grill is the finest looking grill I have seen (Yes it looks like a cross between an Audi and Aston Martin to me). It is very well equipped and is 15k-20k cheaper than the German alternatives. One cant even get a C class (which is an inferior car strait up against this Genesis) equipped similarly for anything near this car.

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  Good but annoying.. - 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  By frustrated86 - February 12 - 8:35 am

  Wrote a review last year after driving my 3.8 Genesis for about 1000 miles. After about 4000 miles and the weather turning colder in Michigan, I noticed popping and cracking sounds coming from the sunroof, in the rear and front. I have an ultimate package. Because the car is so quiet it really stands out and is very annoying. Happens constantly when there is minor shifting of the cars weight, in addition to driving over bumps. Took it to the dealer who had no resolution to the problem. My next move is to contact Hyundai directly. Shame because it is a nice car but hard to positively compare it to the Germans luxury models.

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  My issues with the Genesis - 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  By londona9 - February 12 - 12:54 am

  I bought the 2015 AWD Genesis on Memorial day in 2014. Wonderful great looking extremely beautiful car. I was going to buy the 5 series and bought the Genesis instead because of its value for money and Hyundais superb warranty program. After having the car for 8 months, having driven it for just about 2k miles I have some concerns about the car. The leather in my car has been deteriorating with time, more than expected, more than I have ever noticed in my other vehicles. Also, the reading light LED inside the car have failed in the first week of buying the car. Hyundai helped me through it but it still upsets me when I think about the issues I had.

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  Keep it a Secret !!! - 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  By gladiator55 - February 11 - 8:59 pm

  Well balanced performance, excellent fit and finish and $10 to 15 000 cheaper than similar size sedans. This car is perfect for those customers that arent under the spell of premium brands.

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  Wow great priced awesome machine - 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  By miamicarguy305 - February 8 - 4:22 pm

  I can not believe the comfort, the sport mode speed around corners this sucker moves. I am a E350 mercedes guy no more high priced lease german auto makers are not going to be able to compare.

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  Lot of car for the money - 2013 Hyundai Genesis
  By sdunnin - February 6 - 2:43 pm

  For the money I dont think you can get a better luxury sedan with regards to price to feature ratio. I got the R-Spec version which comes with just about all available options PLUS 400 Horsepower. Other cars in the same class with similar features that I looked at cost at least $10,000 more. Aside from a few minor annoyances (no display of current climate settings, trunk lid design that lets water flow into trunk when opening) Ive been very pleased with the car.