Ferrari Will Be Offering Models With Smaller...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2010 Hyundai Genesis Review

November 10, 2009

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

real road presence
Automobile

massive and curved without being bulbous
Autoblog

elegant and forward-thinking
Winding Road

Center console flows smoothly, almost spaceship-like, into the dash
Popular Mechanics

The Hyundai Genesis is a sporty rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan that takes the top position in Hyundai's lineup, above the front-wheel-drive Azera. In its second year of production, the Genesis returns with an updated navigation system, a new adaptive cruise control option, and other minor trim adjustments. With a base price of about $33,000 for V-6 versions and $38,000 for the V-8 edition, the Genesis claims larger luxury sedans like the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5-Series as its competition-though it naturally lines up against such sedans as the Chrysler 300, Lexus GS, and Infiniti M as well.

With the Genesis, Hyundai approaches design from a new perspective. There's real sophistication in the sedan's flowing roofline and wide grille that's been missing from the company's cars. Edmunds notes, "This Hyundai looks and feels very much like a top-line Lexus." It's proportioned as smartly as most European and Japanese sport sedans from Europe or Japan. Car and Driver best sums up all the cues, pointing to "a bit of S-Class in the headlights, a hint of Lexus GS in the hood, some 5-series in the taillights, and a BMW- or Nissan-like kink in the C-pillars." Car and Driver says, "In contrast to the advanced engineering in the Genesis, the styling is more cautious,"
Automobile assesses the Genesis's overall effect as "at worst benign, the car assuming a kind of generic upscale visage." And though its styling cues seem more familiar than fresh, it does have it share of distinct pieces, like its bright, wide grille. Also distinct: a lack of "Hyundai" badges.

Inside, there's more experimentation-and it's successful. It's not as derivative, with gentle curves and a dashboard that lifts controls high, to leave a slimmer center console and more interior space. "The soft curves of the sweeping dashboard architecture are complemented by an elegantly adorned center stack," Edmunds reports; they add, "the instrument panel's white-on-black electroluminescent gauges look like they came straight out of a Lexus." Some trim levels offer leather-wrapped dash and door panels, and they're quite striking, though Motor Trend takes issue with the "unconvincing fake wood appliqués" on base versions. Most reviewers agree with Car and Driver, which asserts, "if the exterior sets modest expectations, the interior exceeds them."

Conclusion

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis blends into the luxury crowd-a good thing-and strikes new ground with mostly well-conceived interior styling.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:real road presenceAutomobilemassive and curved without being bulbousAutoblogelegant and forward-thinkingWinding RoadCenter console flows smoothly, almost spaceship-like, into the dashPopular Mechanics The Hyundai Genesis is a sporty rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan that takes the top position in Hyundai's lineup, above the front-wheel-drive Azera. In its second year of production, the Genesis returns with an updated navigation system, a new adaptive cruise control option, and other minor trim adjustments. With a base price of about $33,000 for V-6 versions and $38,000 for the V-8 edition, the Genesis claims larger luxury sedans like the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5-Series as its competition-though it naturally lines up against such sedans as the Chrysler 300, Lexus GS, and Infiniti M as well. With the Genesis, Hyundai approaches design from a new perspective. There's real sophistication in the sedan's flowing roofline and wide grille that's been missing from the company's cars. Edmunds notes, "This Hyundai looks and feels very much like a top-line Lexus." It's proportioned as smartly as most European and Japanese sport sedans from Europe or Japan. Car and Driver best sums up all the cues, pointing to "a bit of S-Class in the headlights, a hint of Lexus GS in the hood, some 5-series in the taillights, and a BMW- or Nissan-like kink in the C-pillars." Car and Driver says, "In contrast to the advanced engineering in the Genesis, the styling is more cautious," Automobile assesses the Genesis's overall effect as "at worst benign, the car assuming a kind of generic upscale visage." And though its styling cues seem more familiar than fresh, it does have it share of distinct pieces, like its bright, wide grille. Also distinct: a lack of "Hyundai" badges. Inside, there's more experimentation-and it's successful. It's not as derivative, with gentle curves and a dashboard that lifts controls high, to leave a slimmer center console and more interior space. "The soft curves of the sweeping dashboard architecture are complemented by an elegantly adorned center stack," Edmunds reports; they add, "the instrument panel's white-on-black electroluminescent gauges look like they came straight out of a Lexus." Some trim levels offer leather-wrapped dash and door panels, and they're quite striking, though Motor Trend takes issue with the "unconvincing fake wood appliqués" on base versions. Most reviewers agree with Car and Driver, which asserts, "if the exterior sets modest expectations, the interior exceeds them." ConclusionThe 2010 Hyundai Genesis blends into the luxury crowd-a good thing-and strikes new ground with mostly well-conceived interior styling. 2010 HYUNDAI GENESIS STYLING | [8 out of 10] Automobile: "real road presence" Autoblog: "massive and curved without being bulbous" Winding Road: "elegant and forward-thinking" Popular Mechanics: "Center console flows smoothly, almost spaceship-like, into the dash" The Hyundai ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Hyundai says the Genesis has the power and interior space of a BMW 7-Series or Benz S-Class, but the real targets here are Japanese luxury sedans like the Infiniti M four-doors and the Lexus GS range. The Infiniti sedans have snappy handling and quick, responsive steering, as well as a leather-wrapped dash that's a dead ringer for that in the Genesis. The Lexus GS sports a hybrid option, but significantly less interior room than the Hyundai, albeit with flawless execution. The Chrysler 300 is a viable alternative, since it offers V-8 power and all-wheel drive, which the Genesis does not-but the 300 has a plainer cabin and less luxury credibility than any of these other sedans.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2010 Hyundai Genesis from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2010 Hyundai Genesis

Check Financing Rates

for the 2010 Hyundai Genesis

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2010 Hyundai Genesis near you

See the Hyundai Genesis in Other Years:

2010 | 2009

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy