I can speak on this topic too!!! The Maxima and the Genesis are my top choices to replace my 2007 Acura TL (leased) in about six months.
I spent the last three days with a Maxima. I rented it from Enterprise in Houston, Texas. One evening while I was out I test drove the Genesis as well.
The comparison isn't entirely fair, because the Maxima I drove was a base model without any leather! But here were my observations....
The 2009 Maxima is a fantastic car. GREAT fun to drive, plenty of torque with absolutely NO torque steer. I've driven prior Maximas and had the torque steer rip the
wheel out of my hands. Very comfortable seats (note I sat in some leather-equipped versions after I test drove the Genesis), especially with the extendable thigh supports. Very nimble and tossable. Got 22 mpg when I abused it.... 25 when I was more kind. I think the exterior styling is STUNNING... the interior is as well, especially when equipped with tan leather. I do not like some things about the premium package, especially the rear a/c and audio controls (don't want teens pawing at them, can they be disabled?). That said, I do wish the wood trim was available with the SV. The base stereo was just OK, haven't heard the Bose upgrade. The car had a great ride, not too firm, not too squishy. Ride was as quiet as any near-luxury car. For the price, the Maxima was the best car I've ever driven.
And then I drove the Genesis.
The first thing I noticed was how well the thing was put together. Just couldn't believe this was a $36K sedan (I'd want the tech package too). The Hyundai is a more overt luxury car so I didn't expect it to be as tossable as the Maxima... but I was very pleasantly surprised. The ride is a little firmer than I expected but it still handled road imperfections very well... uncannily, in fact. The ride was quieter than the Maxima, but not by a wide margin. I liked the seating position in the Genesis, I could tip the driving position back like I could with the Maxima, but obviously it does not have the lateral or under thigh support (cooled seat option is a plus). The stereo was phenomenal... the Acura TL's is very highly regarded, but the Genesis blew it away. And the tech package stereo is supposedly better yet, that's scary!!! Plenty roomy all around, love the tan interior (saw the black and saddle as well, and didn't care for either).
I want the Genesis in a BAD way.... equipped the way I'd want, it's $4,000 more than the Maxima, but it's worth it. Hope I can lease one for about the same price I'm paying now ($450/mo 15,000 miles per year). Guess it just depends upon how much I can afford to put down.....
