Consumer Reports bashes 2016 Genesis

[BobbyC777]

Gang -

The old ladies at Consumer Reports put the 2016 Genesis on their Worst Used Car list in their April 2017 issue. Harsh, eh? But the 2015 fared OK coming in at 'average' reliability rather than 'much worse than average' for the 2016. It's hard to believe there is that much difference between the 2 years and one would think that the 2nd year of production would be better. To me it's just a symptom of a failed publication.

The areas that came in worse for 2016 (vs. 2015) were Climate System, Brakes, Noises/Leaks. Better grades for 2016 for Suspension, Paint/Trim, Power Equipment. In-Car electronics were rated poor for both years.

Every time I see car reports in that mag I wonder why I even bother to look.

Let's pile on!

Bob

 

[Mark_888]

Is that for the sedan or the coupe? Do they distinguish the two (unfortunately Hyundai does not distinguish them when reporting sales until 2017)?

In 2015 the Genesis sedan was a brand new design, and they could only go by the reliability of the previous 1G design. It is possible that by 2016, they had enough real data on 2015 G2 reliability to make a different assessment.

The Consumer Reports ratings you are talking about are not subjective, and are based on problems reported by owners. Consumer Reports is not commenting on anything but reliability. They get their information from extensive surveys that are sent out to current and former subscribers to the Consumer Reports magazine or website, and they have the largest sample size of any rating agency. They survey members on all kinds of things, such as cars, appliances, computers, internet service, mobile phone service, insurance, restaurant chains, etc. The surveys are numerical based (number of problems in each category, etc), not free form text or opinions.

 

[allan]

Atta boy - bash the publication if they say something you don't like or agree with. Now where have I heard that before

 

[AustinTX]

My 2015 is the worst car I have ever owned - my most regretted car purchase ever, and I was initially very excited about getting the Genesis and did tons of research. The reactions from Hyundai corporate to my issues are not "America's Best Warranty" worthy - most issues I report are "normal" according to Hyundai personnel - that is to sya, these are "normal" on the Genesis sedan, not on any other car I have ever owned.

That "Worst" rating has been earned in my experience. I would not recommend this vehicle, or any other Hyundai for that mater. The gap between Hyundai's claims about the vehicle and my real-world experience is just too big.

 

[MadCat]

My 2015 is the worst car I have ever owned - my most regretted car purchase ever, and I was initially very excited about getting the Genesis and did tons of research. The reactions from Hyundai corporate to my issues are not "America's Best Warranty" worthy - most issues I report are "normal" according to Hyundai personnel - that is to sya, these are "normal" on the Genesis sedan, not on any other car I have ever owned.

That "Worst" rating has been earned in my experience. I would not recommend this vehicle, or any other Hyundai for that mater. The gap between Hyundai's claims about the vehicle and my real-world experience is just too big.

Blah-blah-blah

You can't say something about the brand based on one car. Period. I had 8 Hyundais since 2004 and NONE of them had issues. Like really NONE. The best car brand I've ever had!

 

[Midnightsun]

I am a subscriber to CR. Just went online and I cannot see any difference between the 2015 and 2016 when it comes to ratings. They both are actually the same.

 

[BobbyC777]

I am a subscriber to CR. Just went online and I cannot see any difference between the 2015 and 2016 when it comes to ratings. They both are actually the same.

Well, the paper version of the mag. (April 2017) certainly shows big differences. Not sure why that would be. There is no distinction called out for sedan or coupe - just says Hyundai Genesis.

 

[Mark_888]

I am a subscriber to CR. Just went online and I cannot see any difference between the 2015 and 2016 when it comes to ratings. They both are actually the same.

CR rates cars based on features, comfort, handling, braking, etc based on the subjective views of the reviewer (just like most other reviewers).

CR also publishes info on reliability (especially the used car ratings mentioned in the first post of this thread). The reliability ratings are statistically generated based on member surveys where respondents mention how many problems have occurred, and what major system had the problem (engine, transmission, HVAC, entertainment systems, etc).

 

[kn5owa]

My Genesis has had zero defects in two years

My Sonata, after ten years, just had the heater door actuator motor fail

These cars are no good

 

[AustinTX]

Blah-blah-blah

You can't say something about the brand based on one car. Period. I had 8 Hyundais since 2004 and NONE of them had issues. Like really NONE. The best car brand I've ever had!

My Genesis has had zero defects in two years

My Sonata, after ten years, just had the heater door actuator motor fail

These cars are no good

I am happy to swap my car with yours whenever you are ready. Maybe you'd like to drive a 2015 Chevy Cruze base model rental car for a month while Hyundai is taking their time fixing known issues widely reported on this forum. Maybe you'd like to take the 7th trip to the dealership to get the same issues fixed (or not) over and over. Like the vibration from the Michelin tires. Bad enough to where my hands get numb after a while from the steering wheel shaking all over the place. Or the idle vibration when stopped at a light, stop sign etc. Feels like a Magic Wand is stuck under my seat - and the passenger seat - and the rear seats. Known issues that Hyundai considers "normal" behavior. All covered by "Americas Best Warranty".

Worst car I have ever owned - I hate getting into it every time I have to drive it, and things will only get worse as it gets warmer here in TX and the A/C kicks in and makes the vibration issues even worse. All "normal" in the Hyundai world!

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[kn5owa]

I am happy to swap my car with yours whenever you are ready. Maybe you'd like to drive a 2015 Chevy Cruze base model rental car for a month while Hyundai is taking their time fixing known issues widely reported on this forum. Maybe you'd like to take the 7th trip to the dealership to get the same issues fixed (or not) over and over. Like the vibration from the Michelin tires. Bad enough to where my hands get numb after a while from the steering wheel shaking all over the place. Or the idle vibration when stopped at a light, stop sign etc. Feels like a Magic Wand is stuck under my seat - and the passenger seat - and the rear seats. Known issues that Hyundai considers "normal" behavior. All covered by "Americas Best Warranty".

Worst car I have ever owned - I hate getting into it every time I have to drive it, and things will only get worse as it gets warmer here in TX and the A/C kicks in and makes the vibration issues even worse. All "normal" in the Hyundai world!

We had different tire experiences vis-a-vis the engine types. Mine were originally Hankooks - swapped out for custom made Continentals pursuant to an early recall for very vaguely stated reasons.

I forgot the tire history for the V6 auto - but that IS one difference between our cars. And, of course the engine.

It's really a shame though. I love driving mine - the big V8 is smooth as silk and goes as expected - biggest problem there is the local cops are posting really nasty speed traps all over the area.

 

[Ziggy2]

I'm a CR subscriber and I answered their survey after my first 6 months of ownership. When I took possession of the Genesis, it had been on the lot for many months and the brakes pulsed and the front end had a vibration. One trip to the dealer a couple of weeks later and they trued my rotors and did a road force balance on the tires. Problem solved. They were caused by the dealership not moving the cars around regularly that had sat on the lot. This was not the only Genesis I drove while shopping with the same issues. That being said, I have had one year of an otherwise perfect vehicle with no complaints. However, I did note both issues during my CR survey as I felt it was important to bring the issue up as I had heard other owners with similar experiences. Along the lines of Hyundai reliability overall, my parents owned 3 trouble free Santa Fe's and I have owned two previous Sonatas that had none, zero issues. If it had not been for the dealership creating the issues with delivery of my Genesis, my family would be 6 for 6 perfect Hyundai's instead of 5 out of 6. I highly recommend any of them!

 

[Mark_888]

I'm a CR subscriber and I answered their survey after my first 6 months of ownership. When I took possession of the Genesis, it had been on the lot for many months and the brakes pulsed and the front end had a vibration. One trip to the dealer a couple of weeks later and they trued my rotors and did a road force balance on the tires. Problem solved. They were caused by the dealership not moving the cars around regularly that had sat on the lot. This was not the only Genesis I drove while shopping with the same issues. That being said, I have had one year of an otherwise perfect vehicle with no complaints. However, I did note both issues during my CR survey as I felt it was important to bring the issue up as I had heard other owners with similar experiences. Along the lines of Hyundai reliability overall, my parents owned 3 trouble free Santa Fe's and I have owned two previous Sonatas that had none, zero issues. If it had not been for the dealership creating the issues with delivery of my Genesis, my family would be 6 for 6 perfect Hyundai's instead of 5 out of 6. I highly recommend any of them!

My suspicion about the warped rotors (pulsating brakes) is that it was caused by some HMA goons at the port of entry putting on accessories such as wheel locks or mud flaps (where they have to remove the wheels). They probably over-torqued the lug nuts, and/or did not tighten them in the correct order. There have been an abnormal number of complaints about warped rotors for the Genesis on this forum. I have never heard of that problem being caused by a car just sitting on a lot too long.

 

[celltech]

And here is the consumer reports rating in question...I wonder if it includes the coupe as well...

 

[Mark_888]

And here is the consumer reports rating in question...I wonder if it includes the coupe as well...

The ratings look accurate to me. The 2016 Genesis got dinged in the following areas based on CR customer surveys:

• Much Worse than average - Climate system (lots of complaints on this forum about mildew and mold, and a few about weak A/C).
• Worse than average - Brakes (an unusual number of complaints on this forum about warped rotors, probably caused by HMA goons at Port of Entry incorrectly remounting wheels)
• Worse than average - Noises/Leaks (lots of complaints on this forum about the moon roof noise)
• Much worse than average - In car electronics (complaints on this forum about losing all power, head unit problems, lack of Apple CarPlay vs. Android Auto on some trim levels, etc)

The following items were rated as much better than average in terms of reliability:

• Engine, Major
• Engine, Minor
• Engine, Cooling
• Trans, Major
• Trans, Minor
• Drive System
• Fuel System
• Electrical
• Suspension
• Exhaust
• Body Hardware
• Electrical Equipment

Note that ratings are based on number of complaints per category, and not necessarily the severity. Obviously, if a car has much better than average rating for engine and transmission, that is more important than a squeaky moon roof to most people.

 

[Midnightsun]

The ratings look accurate to me. The 2016 Genesis got dinged in the following areas based on CR customer surveys:

• Much Worse than average - Climate system (lots of complaints on this forum about mildew and mold, and a few about weak A/C).
• Worse than average - Brakes (an unusual number of complaints on this forum about warped rotors, probably caused by HMA goons at Port of Entry incorrectly remounting wheels)
• Worse than average - Noises/Leaks (lots of complaints on this forum about the moon roof noise)
• Much worse than average - In car electronics (complaints on this forum about losing all power, head unit problems, lack of Apple CarPlay vs. Android Auto on some trim levels, etc)

The following items were rated as much better than average in terms of reliability:

• Engine, Major
• Engine, Minor
• Engine, Cooling
• Trans, Major
• Trans, Minor
• Drive System
• Fuel System
• Electrical
• Suspension
• Exhaust
• Body Hardware
• Electrical Equipment

Note that ratings are based on number of complaints per category, and not necessarily the severity. Obviously, if a car has much better than average rating for engine and transmission, that is more important than a squeaky moon roof to most people.

Problem here is the 2016 which is identical to the 2015 went from brakes being much better than average to worse then average, same thing for the climate control which makes no sense at all. They base their ratings on input from customers however all this really means is more people complained about brakes and climate control with 2016 models than 2015 models which is not a determining factor since nothing is changed between the 2 model years except for the tires and the way the DRL functions in the USA.

Consumer reports shows a picture of the Gen1 under the Gen2 description. Great work guys!

They say the stock tires on the 2016 Gen2 are the Hankooks which is not the case at all.

Their braking tests show an increase in stopping from 60-0 of 4' on dry and 9' on wet comparing 2015 to 2016 which is not possible with the same tires, same car, same brakes. Obviously this is due the poorer grip of the Michelins (V6) but again they say they both have Hankooks. Take note, the Hankooks were obviously better at adherence.

Overall both 2015 & 2016 are the same car however did poorer according to consumer reports. Knowing what I know, I would not hesitate between either model year however this does put an undeserved blemish on the 2016s

 

[Mark_888]

Problem here is the 2016 which is identical to the 2015 went from brakes being much better than average to worse then average, same thing for the climate control which makes no sense at all. They base their ratings on input from customers however all this really means is more people complained about brakes and climate control with 2016 models than 2015 models which is not a determining factor since nothing is changed between the 2 model years except for the tires and the way the DRL functions in the USA.

Consumer reports shows a picture of the Gen1 under the Gen2 description. Great work guys!

They say the stock tires on the 2016 Gen2 are the Hankooks which is not the case at all.

Their braking tests show an increase in stopping from 60-0 of 4' on dry and 9' on wet comparing 2015 to 2016 which is not possible with the same tires, same car, same brakes. Obviously this is due the poorer grip of the Michelins (V6) but again they say they both have Hankooks. Take note, the Hankooks were obviously better at adherence.

Overall both 2015 & 2016 are the same car however did poorer according to consumer reports. Knowing what I know, I would not hesitate between either model year however this does put an undeserved blemish on the 2016s

You are talking about tests that CR performs on each car and subjective evaluations of CR employees, and mixing that with the reliability ratings. The reliability ratings are based 100% on consumer feedback, with no input whatsoever from CR reviews, and are based on statistical surveys from CR members (current and former).

As I mentioned, the problems with the brakes seem to be warped rotors reported in an above average number of cases (I am basing this on comments in this forum). IMO, this was likely due to goons hired at one of the Ports of Entry that improperly torqued the lug nuts when adding accessories like wheel locks or mud flaps. So it could have easily occurred more for one year than the other based on when the incompetent goons were hired by HMA. I have never heard of warped rotors on a brand new car being caused by any other reason.

All the other inconsistencies in the specs you mentioned after that have nothing to do with consumer ratings of reliability. CR typically receives ratings feedback on more than 1 million vehicles each year, which is many orders of magnitude more than companies such as JD Power, etc.
http://www.consumerreports.org/car-reliability/car-reliability-survey-2016/

- - - Updated - - -

Overall, out of 29 car brands, CR surveys rate Hyundai 7th, which is in the "more reliable" grouping on average. Kia ranks 5th.
http://www.consumerreports.org/car-reliability/car-brands-reliability-how-they-stack-up/

 

[BillZ]

The initial comment seems to be a rather misleading representation of what CR has to say about the Genesis. It does note some problem areas where reliability has been "worse than average", but as noted in another comment, this is what readers who own Genesis sedans have reported. There is no reason to doubt them. I was able to report no problems on my 2015 awd with the tech package. The real punch line is that CR not only recommends the G80, but awards it the best value in the large luxury vehicle category. What CR repeatedly has said about the Genesis is that it offers the luxury experience and amenities at $10 - 15,000 less than the Germans and lacks only some of the sharpness in handling. They consider that a good tradeoff. So do I.

 

[cane2025]

i love driving my Genny. Can't wait to drive it every day. There are some issues with the car but nothing that would make me run away from it. I have had no issues(Yet) with the engine and transmitting so i'll give to CR on the other issues that made it worst then average.There will always be a bad bunch of cars in any category. I'm just glad i didn't end up with Austin TX Genesis.

 

[greekgeek]

My suspicion about the warped rotors (pulsating brakes) is that it was caused by some HMA goons at the port of entry putting on accessories such as wheel locks or mud flaps (where they have to remove the wheels). They probably over-torqued the lug nuts, and/or did not tighten them in the correct order. There have been an abnormal number of complaints about warped rotors for the Genesis on this forum. I have never heard of that problem being caused by a car just sitting on a lot too long.

I did not know this was widespread. Not sure if I ever reported this to the forum but on my test drive I loved everything but the vibration when braking. They did a "very slight" turning of the front rotors to remove rust build up and then I took it on an extensive test drive, no issue whatsoever with the brakes, same since buying. Car sat on the lot for almost 1 year so explanation seemed reasonable.