Hyundai Genesis Sedan History
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The Hyundai Genesis occupies the top slot in the South Korean automaker's sedan strategy. A sporty rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan, the Genesis slots in above the new full-size Sonata and large Azera four-doors, but below the lineup-leading Equus luxury four-door.
The Genesis went on sale as a 2009 model. Hyundai's intent: to give shoppers an alternative to luxury sedans with a lower pricetag, and with a more softly sprung feel than most brands offer. The Genesis claims larger luxury sedans like the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5-Series as its competition, and it does offer a passenger cabin, acceleration and features to match those cars. Some natural competitors would also include the Chrysler 300, Lexus GS, and the Infiniti M as well.
The Genesis blends into the luxury crowd fairly easily, with its sophisticated shape and its mostly well-conceived interior styling. Hyundai's adopted lines that would fit in easily at Lexus or Infiniti--but the grille is quite Korean in its influences, and was the subject of last-minute tweaks before the launch of the car, though it's been updated this year along with new headlamps and taillights. The interior can wear leather trim on its dash, and in general it's quite handsome with only a touch or two that seem less than top-notch.
Performance comes from a choice of a 3.8-liter V-6, a 4.6-liter V-8, or a new 5.0-liter V-8 in the R-Spec sport edition. The six-cylinder now makes 333 horsepower thanks to direct injection; the smaller V-8, 385 hp. Both come with a new eight-speed automatic transmission that lifts fuel economy and performs quite well. The V-8 edition is capable of 0-60 mph sprints of less than 6 seconds, putting it on par with cars like the Audi A6 V-8 and the Mercedes-Benz E550. Handling is soft compared to the German competition, but Lexus owners won't find anything objectionable. The new R-Spec edition is distinctive for its styling touches, but more for its 429-hp V-8. The handling can feel a bit stiff for the luxurious Genesis, but acceleration improves even more, and fuel economy still is rated at 16/25 mpg.
The Genesis' interior is very roomy, though the seating could use more support, particularly in the R-Spec model. Safety is exceptional: in its first year, the Genesis won a Top Safety Pick honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
With a base price of about $33,000 for V-6 versions and $38,000 for the V-8 edition, running up to almost $50,000 or more on the R-Spec, the Genesis offers quite a bargain to luxury-car shoppers with German sedans on the brain.
The Genesis isn't alone in its rear-drive architectural family. There's a two-door Hyundai Genesis Coupe that made its debut in 2010; it's loosely based on the same platform, but the V-8 gets replaced by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It's covered separately, as is the Equus, the biggest, most luxurious Hyundai ever sold in the U.S.
