Lexus convert

[Mithridates]

Hi everyone,

I traded my IS350 for a Genesis 5.0 Ultimate last weekend (Montecito Blue/Ivory interior). At 6' 6" tall, I was starting to find the IS a bit too small and found the Genesis extremely impressive (and roomy). The Genesis' fit and finish is very nearly Lexus quality and the value proposition is unbeatable. Additionally, I find the car strikingly beautiful inside and out (rear wheel drive proportions are fantastic). The "ultimate" infotainment system is among the best I have used and the HUD almost makes the car's instrument cluster obsolete.

On the "con" side, the Genesis is a bit less dynamically sorted than the IS 350 (which you would expect from a 4500+ lb car compared to a 3500 lb one). That being said, the dynamics are miles better than those in the old Lincoln Town car to which the Genesis is sometimes likened. My dad drives one of those barges and it wallows through even mild corners.

In sum, with the 2015 Genesis Hyundai seems to have hit their stride as a maker of luxury automobiles. Hopefully the lack of a premium brand will not deter folks from testing out an objectively excellent car.

 

[Aquineas]

Welcome to the forum!! Lexus makes very good cars; I'll be honest and admit that I've seriously considered the IS350 more than once over the last few years.

In any case, I think you'll love your Genesis. Make sure you invest in some leather cleaner/conditioner!

 

[Mithridates]

Thanks for the welcome! I have some Meguiars and Lexol leather cleaner/conditioner that will hopefully work well to keep my seats clean. The ivory interior is beautiful but I am a bit fearful about the attention it will require to keep clean (though obviously not fearful enough to get a different color).

The IS350 is an amazing car and dynamically outshines the comparable BMW, Audi and Mercedes. The styling of the new models can be polarizing (I like it) but, if you find it appealing, there is little to knock on the car. The F-sport IS350 can only be had with pleather (nice pleather, but pleather nonetheless) and plastic fittings around the cabin. I find the Genesis' materials several notches more premium.

 

[Aquineas]

I was worried about my light-colored interior as well (and mine is not even as dark as yours). I elected to Opti-guard my interior for that reason. As for the IS350, once I was bitten by the Genesis bug, it would be very hard for me to get it out of my system. I'm not saying I'll always buy a Genesis or an Equus; Hyundai still has some areas they can improve on and I'd like to see continued improvement, but Hyundai would really have to let me down for my next car to not be one of the above.

 

[CtK]

Ive always liked the Lexus IS, but EVERYONE has one. I must see 100 of them a day, 90% are IS250 F sport. lol

Its also tiny.

 

[Tpr5.0]

6' 7", 271 lbs and I love the head/leg room in my Genesis.

 

[Alwaysforward]

...Lexol leather cleaner/conditioner that will hopefully work well to keep my seats clean. The ivory interior is beautiful but I am a bit fearful about the attention it will require to keep clean (though obviously not fearful enough to get a different color)...

First off to the Forum. This is an awesome place all things Genesis. As for the leather, I have kept mine (Beige interior) conditioned with Lexol since I bought my car last September and my seats are like brand new.

Congrats on your new ride and did you know that Montecito Blue is the fastest color too

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Welcome aboard! And thank you for signing up. It's nice to see a Lexus convert enjoying his new Genesis - which really isn't that hard to do. I see you got the V8 Ultimate. Another one doing that to me. I'm about ready to buy a new Genesis and I'm leaning toward the V6 Ultimate - but all you V8s guys are making me think twice...

Congratulations on your new Genesis Sedan!

 

[Mithridates]

Truth be told, I never drove the V6. Perhaps it is neanderthalic, but I believe big, rear wheel drive luxury cars should have big V8s (or at least turbo 6s). A naturally aspirated V6 was great in the Lexus IS350, but that was 1000lbs less car. Interestingly, I have thus far logged the same or better mpg with the Genesis as I got with the Lexus (20-22mpg on largely suburban roads). Someone must have thrashed the V8 to get the abysmal figures EPA reports. The 19" wheels are also better looking to my eye.

@CtK, I too noted that the VAST majority of IS sedans on the road are of the IS250 variety. I haven't a clue why as the 2.5L V6 is a horribly underpowered engine.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

The IS250 is just a cheap way of getting into a Lexus. I rarely see an IS350 as well...

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[kn5owa]

To all prospective buyers:

Think V8

The HP + the 8 speed transmission makes getting up to road speed from a dead stop very smooth, w/no flat spots in torque/acceleration.

The power is very useful in getting out of tight spots - like e.g., where you're being tailgated, crowded, or simply the target of aggressive driving.

MPG on first two full tanks of gas was 23.5 mpg - actual calculated mpg.

 

[DRS]

Welcome aboard! And thank you for signing up. It's nice to see a Lexus convert enjoying his new Genesis - which really isn't that hard to do. I see you got the V8 Ultimate. Another one doing that to me. I'm about ready to buy a new Genesis and I'm leaning toward the V6 Ultimate - but all you V8s guys are making me think twice...

Congratulations on your new Genesis Sedan!

Genny V6 is great. But.... Get the V8 while you still can and send a message to keep it alive. IMO heads and shoulders above the base engine. You will Never regret getting the V8. On the other hand, you might be wishing every day, looking over the fence at a V8 that slipped through your fingers. In this case, the grass is greener on this side (V8) of the fence.

And Lexus convert... Welcome, and congrats.

 

[YEH]

The IS250 is just a cheap way of getting into a Lexus. I rarely see an IS350 as well...

90% of IS sales is for the IS250.

The IS is on the smaller side of the compact segment and the Genesis is on the larger side of the midsize segment - so they are pretty much on opposite spectrums notwithstanding already being in diff. size segments.

I'm betting that the Hyundai's upcoming compact RWD sedan will be on the larger side, but probably smaller than the Q50.

 

[Alwaysforward]

Welcome aboard! And thank you for signing up. It's nice to see a Lexus convert enjoying his new Genesis - which really isn't that hard to do. I see you got the V8 Ultimate. Another one doing that to me. I'm about ready to buy a new Genesis and I'm leaning toward the V6 Ultimate - but all you V8s guys are making me think twice...

Congratulations on your new Genesis Sedan!

Buy the V8. You won't be disappointed. And if you want the fastest V8, get the Montecito Blue colored one

To the Converter - Congrats and aboard again.

 

[chronic]

The new IS350 is slower, uglier and cheaper than the beautiful previous genIS350

 

[Tpr5.0]

http://www.autotrader.com/research/...2015-hyundai-genesis-50-real-world-review.jsp

Definitely read this review of the 5.0 to help in your decision.

 

[greekgeek]

Car & Driver has a good review of the 5.0.

 

[kn5owa]

http://www.autotrader.com/research/...2015-hyundai-genesis-50-real-world-review.jsp

Definitely read this review of the 5.0 to help in your decision.

Nice to read a substantive review - there really is a first rate car under the veneer of electronics. I esp. like the part about the boss engine + ride.

The "boss" engine has already helped me on many occasions where I was being crowded by drivers who were half asleep - or talking on their phones.

And, I still can't get used to talking a sharp curve in a 4500 lb sedan without any swaying, tire squealing or the like.

And, thanks to AlwaysForward for letting me know that the Montecito Blue is the fastest V8 - I thought it was pretty peppy.

 

[Mithridates]

I am still amazing how dynamically competent the Genesis is. An IS350 is more composed but the Genesis is SO much better than the old Lincoln Town Car (which it is likened to so many reviews).

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I'm not quite sure I understand why people would compare the Genesis to the Town Car...