What is the most reliable 1st generation Genesis?

[nazadian]

Hello,

I'm currently looking into possibly purchasing a used certified pre-owned 1st generation Genesis and was wondering which year is considered the most reliable?

I'm leaning towards the 2014 V6 Genesis for the two following reasons:

1. It's the last 1st generation Genesis (which likely means that it includes the fewest enhancements - which should equate to a more stable model).

2. It seems to have the fewest complaints among Genesis owners (though this could be because fewer people purchased the 2014 model).

See: http://www.carcomplaints.com/Hyundai/Genesis/

I was also wondering which 1st generation Genesis is the cheapest to maintain and repair?

I only ask as I could've sworn reading that the 2009 Genesis used a more exotic transmission (ZF) which was more expensive to repair / replace.

Lastly, which Genesis is considered the most comfortable / smoothest ride (as I'm not looking for an aggressive / sporty suspension)?

Thank you,
Nelson

 

[Mark_888]

In the first generation of the Genesis, the following drivetrains were used:

2009-2011

• V6 - Lambda 3.8 V6, same as used on many other Hyundai or Kia vehicles. Aisin transmission. Aisin was created as a joint venture of Toyota and Borg Warner to create RWD transmissions, and the same transmission was used in a Lexus and many other brands. Any of the 2009-2011 years are reliable.
• V8 - Tau 4.6 V8, a brand new engine design. Had some problems early on. 2011 is most reliable. Used ZF transmission that is also used in BMW and other cars, as is quite robust. Some members abuse their cars, especially the V8's, so I would not worry about the reliability of the ZF transmission per se, but you never know how it was treated in a used car.

2012 - 2014

• Engine- For both the V6 and V8, Hyundai modified both engines adding GDI (gasoline direct injection) and increased the V8 from 4.6 to 5.0. Early 2012 5.0 engines had a lot of serious problems, but was later fixed later in the 2012 production run.
• Transmission - Both the V6 and V8 switched to a brand new Hyundai 8-speed transmission. Some problems with the early 2012 Hyundai transmission, but 2013 and 2014 should be OK.

So a 2014 Genesis V6 should be the most reliable among the newer ones, and the 2011 Genesis V6 among the older ones. Same for V8, but I always worry about what kind of driver buys a V8 and how they treated the car.


Transmission maintenance

All of transmissions listed above use synthetic fluid that only requires changing at 100K miles. It is not really easy to do for a DIY'er (doesn't have the normal kind of drain plug) and should be done by a dealer and is fairly expensive for the fluid and the labor. But will probably only need to be done once in the life of the car.

 

[dmitriylm]

I can't imagine that V8 would get any more abuse than V6. If anything, the V6 would need to work harder to achieve the same level of performance. I maintain my cars well and believe that ringing them out every now and then doesn't hurt a bit so you'll see me running to redline whether its a 4, 6, or 8.

 

[Mark_888]

I can't imagine that V8 would get any more abuse than V6. If anything, the V6 would need to work harder to achieve the same level of performance. I maintain my cars well and believe that ringing them out every now and then doesn't hurt a bit so you'll see me running to redline whether its a 4, 6, or 8.

I certainly did not mean to suggest that the majority of people with a V8 are going drive it harder than they would a Genesis V6, but there are some people like that and those people are more likely to purchase a Genesis V8.

I guess my comment was in response to the concern from OP about problems some have had with the 2009-2011 ZF transmission on the V8. The ZF is a very robust and reliable transmission, used in several different brands including BMW, and any problems with it are likely to be from very hard use.

 

[landtuna]

Early 2012 5.0 engines had a lot of serious problems, but was later fixed later in the 2012 production run.

What other problems did the early 2012 5.0's have other than the excessive oil usage (bad German rings)?

 

[Mark_888]

What other problems did the early 2012 5.0's have other than the excessive oil usage (bad German rings)?

None. I should have said that a lot of early 2012 V8's had a serious problem.

 

[nazadian]

@Everyone: Once again, I can't thank you enough for all the information.

@Everyone: One last question, would you consider the Azera a non-luxury vehicle?

In other words, the Azera seems close to a Genesis but isn't known as a luxury Hyundai. I'm sort of thinking that I could buy something similar to a Genesis by buying the Azera without any of the luxury trappings that pertain to most luxury vehicles (specifically higher repair and maintenance costs).

That being said, can I assume that the Azera and Genesis use similar, if not the same trannies and engines (sort of how the Lexus ES and Avalon or based off of the same platform and thus share many of the exact same parts)?

If both did use similar engines and trannies, it's likely that they'll both have similar repair and maintenance costs, which negates buying an Azera over a Genesis given that a new Azera is only $2,000.00 less than a new Genesis.

I only ask as I'm incredibly hesitant to purchase a "luxury vehicle" even though a used 2014 Genesis is right in my price range (similar to the cost of a used fully loaded Camry XLE or used Avalon mid-trim - both vehicles which seem far less loaded and comfortable than a Genesis).

Thank you,
Nelson

 

[Mark_888]

@Everyone: Once again, I can't thank you enough for all the information.

@Everyone: One last question, would you consider the Azera a non-luxury vehicle?

In other words, the Azera seems close to a Genesis but isn't known as a luxury Hyundai. I'm sort of thinking that I could buy something similar to a Genesis by buying the Azera without any of the luxury trappings that pertain to most luxury vehicles (specifically higher repair and maintenance costs).

That being said, can I assume that the Azera and Genesis use similar, if not the same trannies and engines (sort of how the Lexus ES and Avalon or based off of the same platform and thus share many of the exact same parts)?

If both did use similar engines and trannies, it's likely that they'll both have similar repair and maintenance costs, which negates buying an Azera over a Genesis given that a new Azera is only $2,000.00 less than a new Genesis.

I only ask as I'm incredibly hesitant to purchase a "luxury vehicle" even though a used 2014 Genesis is right in my price range (similar to the cost of a used fully loaded Camry XLE or used Avalon mid-trim - both vehicles which seem far less loaded and comfortable than a Genesis).

Thank you,
Nelson

I doubt that the routine maintenance costs of a Genesis are higher than an Azera.

 

[qstarweb]

I just got my first Genesis today and it's easily the best car I've even driven or owned. Fast and extremely comfortable, very smooth, etc. The most notable cars I've owned in the past include a 2007 and a 2009 Nissan Maxima SE (with almost all the options including leather seats, Bose stereo, etc.) that both had the 3.5 liter V6 and the CVT transmission, a 2006 Infiniti M35x with technology package, and a 2002 Toyota Avalon XLS with all the options offered on the model.

My Genesis is better than all of them. I got a 2012 5.0 black exterior and cashmere interior, exactly what a wanted in both. It's fast, smooth, and the 8 speed automatic shifts as smoothly as the CVT in my two Maximas did. My Genesis was previously leased for three years by a doctor, who turned it in to lease another Genesis 5.0.

I drove my old car 5+ hours to trade in and buy the Genesis and will be driving it home tomorrow.

Dean

 

[homeofstone]

@Everyone: Once again, I can't thank you enough for all the information.

@Everyone: One last question, would you consider the Azera a non-luxury vehicle?

In other words, the Azera seems close to a Genesis but isn't known as a luxury Hyundai. I'm sort of thinking that I could buy something similar to a Genesis by buying the Azera without any of the luxury trappings that pertain to most luxury vehicles (specifically higher repair and maintenance costs).

That being said, can I assume that the Azera and Genesis use similar, if not the same trannies and engines (sort of how the Lexus ES and Avalon or based off of the same platform and thus share many of the exact same parts)?

If both did use similar engines and trannies, it's likely that they'll both have similar repair and maintenance costs, which negates buying an Azera over a Genesis given that a new Azera is only $2,000.00 less than a new Genesis.

I only ask as I'm incredibly hesitant to purchase a "luxury vehicle" even though a used 2014 Genesis is right in my price range (similar to the cost of a used fully loaded Camry XLE or used Avalon mid-trim - both vehicles which seem far less loaded and comfortable than a Genesis).

Thank you,
Nelson

The Azera and Genesis do not share engines or transmissions or platform.. The Azera is FWD and the Genesis 2009-2014 is rear wheel drive.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[G-889452]

@Everyone: Once again, I can't thank you enough for all the information.

@Everyone: One last question, would you consider the Azera a non-luxury vehicle?

In other words, the Azera seems close to a Genesis but isn't known as a luxury Hyundai. I'm sort of thinking that I could buy something similar to a Genesis by buying the Azera without any of the luxury trappings that pertain to most luxury vehicles (specifically higher repair and maintenance costs).

That being said, can I assume that the Azera and Genesis use similar, if not the same trannies and engines (sort of how the Lexus ES and Avalon or based off of the same platform and thus share many of the exact same parts)?

If both did use similar engines and trannies, it's likely that they'll both have similar repair and maintenance costs, which negates buying an Azera over a Genesis given that a new Azera is only $2,000.00 less than a new Genesis.

I only ask as I'm incredibly hesitant to purchase a "luxury vehicle" even though a used 2014 Genesis is right in my price range (similar to the cost of a used fully loaded Camry XLE or used Avalon mid-trim - both vehicles which seem far less loaded and comfortable than a Genesis).

Thank you,
Nelson

The Azera was the flagship car before Genesis came into play!

 

[homeofstone]

Old thread