Why is the Genesis a "premium" or a "luxury" car?

[LincolntoHyundai]

First, I did purchase a 2016 3.8 AWD Ultimate and after putting 25,000 miles on it in 9 months I generally like the car. However, to me a "luxury" car is luxury because of its engineering and manufacture. A mediocre car for which they add leather seats, a little extra soundproofing and a bunch of electronic wizardry does not make a luxury car. So, if you don't consider the HUD, LKAS, BSD, LCA, RCTA, AEB, HAC, EPB, or any other acronym Hyundai can create for an electronic gizmo, what makes this car a "luxury" car? Or in another way, in 7 or 8 years when all these current electronic systems are old technology and commonplace in all but the very basic of cars, will the Genesis still be considered a luxury car or will it be just another mediocre car on the used car lot?

 

[Mark_888]

One could argue that there "may" be a difference between a luxury vehicle and a luxury brand. It's really hard for me to say that a Mercedes C class is in any way a luxury car in the same manner that the S class is. That includes an evaluation of the car, and the price of the car.

But other than that, the designation of a car as a luxury model is usually based on price and/or prestige (depending on who you ask), and what vehicles are cross-shopped together, or are compared against each other by professional auto reviewers. If someone is cross-shopping a MB E class with a Genesis G80 Ultimate Package in terms of features, quality, and performance, then I think it is fair to say that the Genesis G80 is at least an entry-level luxury car, even if it costs less than the E class. But some also consider the dealer experience to be part of the equation.

 

[LincolntoHyundai]

I agree - purchasing a luxury brand is not necessarily purchasing a luxury car. I also agree that the dealer experience is part of the equation. For almost 20 years I drove Lincolns. Early on I purchased them from a Lincoln/Mercury dealership. However, after about 10 years with the dealership they dropped the Mercury line (Ford discontinued the line) and the dealer acquired a Ford franchise. As soon as the Ford line was added the dealer experience (both sales and service departments) declined greatly. Unfortunately, as far as I know at least as of today, the Genesis lineup is still purchased mostly through existing Hyundai dealerships. Although I believe this either is or will be changing, Hyundai must realize that luxury car owners are a different clientele and expect (and pay for) more.

 

[Mark_888]

Unfortunately, as far as I know at least as of today, the Genesis lineup is still purchased mostly through existing Hyundai dealerships. Although I believe this either is or will be changing, Hyundai must realize that luxury car owners are a different clientele and expect (and pay for) more.

Yes it will be changing, and over time there will be independent Genesis dealers. But they need to deliver some more Genesis branded vehicles, such as a small sedan and a couple of SUV/CUV's (which Genesis Motors has commited to over the next 2-3 years). It would be very difficult for a separate dealership to survive on just the G80 and G90.

Also, Genesis Motors will have to find a bunch of entrepreneurs that are willing to invest several million of their own money to open a new dealership. By law in almost all states, dealers cannot be owned by the manufacturer.

When the new dealerships roll out, and Genesis is no longer sold at Hyundai dealers, the selling price is going to increase because:

• There will be far fewer dealerships in any given area, and in some areas only one. This lack of competition will lead to less discounts from MSRP.
• The cost of running a luxury brand dealership is higher due to lower volume, higher paid employees, etc.

I wonder how many current owners of a Genesis are going to be willing to pay for luxury car experience and extra cost of buying from a dedicated Genesis dealer?

 

[jrhodes87]

I've been driving a 2006 Hyundai Sonata for the past 10 years, my genesis feels luxurious as fuuuuck

 

[linmk2]

The OP asks an interesting question. I spent more than 22 years working for auto dealerships as an office manager/comptroller. Cars have always been my favorite thing. Luxury vehicles especially. For many years I worked in Lincoln/Mercury dealerships as well as Audi, Porsche, M/B and Acura. I have owned Cadillacs, Lincolns, Acuras, and even a Rolls Royce once. No, it was not new, it was a 1957 Silver Cloud. I have owned for more than 30 years a Continental Mark II. To me a luxury car has special high end touches. In my Genesis, the things that impress me the most are the massive genuine wood dash appliqué, the real aluminum dash trim. The plastics used does not look or feel cheap. Many current vehicles, regardless of price, have cheap looking plastic interior components. All the door storage areas are upholstered. The carpeting seems a higher grade. The Genesis does not share it's platform with other vehicles in the Hyundai line (Kia's not withstanding) which adds to the fact the car is slightly special. However, the current buying and servicing experience certainly does not live up to the other luxury cars I've owned. For instance, the Acura TL I owned before getting the Genesis, each time I brought it in for an oil change, I was furnished a loaner car. When I asked about a loaner at the Hyundai dealership, their reply was "we don't do that". My TL was always washed, full tank of gas, and inside vacuumed. My Genesis is usually dirtier inside than it was before I brought it in for it's oil change. Back to the question. To paraphrase a Supreme Court Justice, I can't define what a luxury car is, but I know it when I see it. The Genesis looks like a luxury car to me.

 

[AustinTX]

I've been driving a 2006 Hyundai Sonata for the past 10 years, my genesis feels luxurious as fuuuuck

Compared to a 2006 Hyundai Sonata, a 2016 Hyundai Sonata would feel luxurious as fuuuuck or a Golf GTI for that matter

 

[jrhodes87]

Compared to a 2006 Hyundai Sonata, a 2016 Hyundai Sonata would feel luxurious as fuuuuck or a Golf GTI for that matter

Right, so imagine how I feel driving this damn genesis around?! I feel like I'm in the cockpit of a spaceship

 

[Seejay]

I think they are very close (to being a luxury mark) from a technical standpoint. It seems the forum is in agreement that the dealer experience is what needs the most work.

 

[kn5owa]

Compared to a 2006 Hyundai Sonata, a 2016 Hyundai Sonata would feel luxurious

I'm keeping my '06 - I rented a 2016 Sonata the other day - fit & finish was way inferior to the '06 and the four-banger rattled like a washing machine.

And, getting back on topic, I love my Genny V8 even more - because of the engine, brakes, fit & finish, etc.

Gadgets do not make a luxury car.

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[Comp1]

I think the car in its upper trim level is "near" luxury. But the current dealer network (sales and service) is bare bones Hyundai all the way. My local experience is so poor I wouldn't even buy a Hyundai from them. Perhaps when they break out the new Genesis stores that might change but as it stands now its not even close. After my lease is up I'm going back to Volvo.

 

[Seejay]

I think the car in its upper trim level is "near" luxury. But the current dealer network (sales and service) is bare bones Hyundai all the way. My local experience is so poor I wouldn't even buy a Hyundai from them. Perhaps when they break out the new Genesis stores that might change but as it stands now its not even close. After my lease is up I'm going back to Volvo.

The G80 or G90 will need to really impress me. My dealer is exceptional insofar as dealers are in the Houston area. My main gripes are engineering or manufacturing goofs that cannot be fixed. A sloppy brake pedal, right hand blind spot from hell, creaky sunroof, and engine vibration at low speeds all fail me. The ride is fantastic, the seats are fantastic (once broken in), no noise, all make the defects stand out even more.

 

[MikeyTG]

The design and construction of the suspension and structure of the Genesis is a step above the usual also. I saw a (youtube?) video review of the 2015 Genesis that started out on a lift and the reviewer checked out the underside of the car with a mechanic. They pointed out the suspension contains many premium forged and high strength bits and pieces that add up to a well-handling and quiet car. I wish I could find the video again but I can't seem to.

PS I seem to remember that they postulated that the lack of fold down rear seatbacks was done to add to the chassis stiffness and improve handling and safety.

 

[Kylo Ren]

The design and construction of the suspension and structure of the Genesis is a step above the usual also. I saw a (youtube?) video review of the 2015 Genesis that started out on a lift and the reviewer checked out the underside of the car with a mechanic. They pointed out the suspension contains many premium forged and high strength bits and pieces that add up to a well-handling and quiet car. I wish I could find the video again but I can't seem to.

.

I think you are referring to this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFU-tnQXVIA

 

[glennk]

Reminds me of the 2005 Acura RL.

 

[silberma]

Only issue is high depreciation. Not a car to trade often and an excellent buy in the resale market

 

[PinkFloyd]

Only issue is high depreciation. Not a car to trade often and an excellent buy in the resale market

Also an excellent buy if you bought new but paid nearly $15K under MSRP as many of us did.

When someone calls a vehicle "premium" or " luxury", it's a comparative term. Versus the highest-end (and priced) Mercedes or BMW, the Genesis may be a notch below, but looking at the overall selection of similar-sized sedans out there, it easily qualifies as a premium vehicle. If the only distinctions you're noticing are the electronic gizmos, you may not be looking that closely

 

[quanva]

No, not many.. Most of us premium members brought in 14-15 and as a result, we paid near invoice


My resale value is horrible since I actually thought the car would hold up in value..Lesson learned, will hold on to the car until I'm over 100k and issues start to form and i'll wipe my hands with hyundai