Sorry for hijacking your post, but I *FINALLY* test drove my first Genesis today!
Miguel over at Danbury Hyundai was good enough to bring me a Titanium 2011 V6 (black interior). Beautiful color, but just as the 2010 V8 I saw on the lot the previous day, the grille is DEFINITELY a lighter shade of gray than the rest of the car. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the grill piece is plastic, versus the sheet metal and bumper materials? Not sure there. Regardless, not a huge deal, really - still looked amazing.
INTERIOR: I got inside, and noticed the seats were a bit stiffer than the V8 I sat in the day before. Not really much of a difference, to be honest - though BOTH were very soft and comfy as compared to my current car. The all-leather-no-faux-wood steering
wheel was actually really nice. I may hold off on an
aftermarket solution if I choose the R spec, though I should be ordering the winged airbag at some point (would like to have it installed by the dealer when I buy the car). The rest of the car really wasn't any different than the V8 - very very nice.
THE RIDE: WOW. Impressed. That's the best way to describe the 2011 V6's ride. I took the car on my daily commute route, and really let her have it in the WORST POTHOLE/UNEVEN PATCH OF ROAD in my town (which I unfortunately ride on every weekday). The suspension took the brunt of the potholes, and the car felt solid and smooth through it. Cornering on the V6 was really good also, though I didn't want to push it because it was raining out. Overall, this is definitely the nicest-riding car I've ever driven, and I test-drove a 528 about 10 years ago. Yep... that good. Pick-up was also pretty good - not sure it felt like 290 HP, but it was more powerful than my 190 HP VW, that's for sure. Good throttle response, and excelent brakes were also apparent to me. A definite step-up from my aging German ride.
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Once I got back to the dealership, I asked Miguel to bring over the V8. He brought out the previous car's older, more experienced, more refined sister. Also Titanium/Black.
INTERIOR: Inside, it was the same exact thing as the Saddle V8 I sat in for 20 minutes the day before - but I definitely like the "black" better (I say it quotes, 'cause it truly looks like a charcoal gray interior to me, especially outside and during the day). The steering
wheel wood trim didn't add much (in my opinion) as compared to the V6's
wheel. The seats were definitely more buttery though. VERY VERY SOFT, very comfortable... definitely improved from the V6.
THE RIDE: Miguel came for the ride, and I noticed right away that the center LCD display looked "older" than the V6's. He confessed that this particular V8 was indeed a "leftover 2010 model". Caught. Regardless, the ride was very nice indeed. The power of the V8 was definitely more noticeable, and the hum of the exhaust was much prettier than the V6's. I'm not sure I could "feel" 95 extra ponies, but the difference is pretty apparent if you pay attention. Which I did. I also noticed the stiffer, sportier handling on the V8 - I pointed it out to Miguel, who had only taken out the Genny on one other occasion - I clearly knew more about the car than he did (stop selling all those Elantras, Miguel!) Same circuit used - very similar results - A BIG OL' SMILE ON MY FACE.
Halfway through the test drive, I pulled over and asked if he could drive us back. I then sat in the right rear seat - I had to feel the alleged "stiffness/harshness" for myself. I made sure the return leg was through the worst of the roads I use daily. I know every single bump on that road, so the comparison couldn't have been more accurate.
The V8 performed admirably. I don't find the suspension on the V8, even in the backseat, hard at all! If anything, it's way more forgiving than my Passat's. That car FEELS like a sports suspension car, but not a sports sedan (not sure if that makes sense). Compared to the 3rd row of my wife's Odyssey van (which I love and drive on the weekends), this back seat was heavenly. Not harsh. Myth busted (for me).
Pulled back into the dealership, sat at Miguel's desk long enough to tell him that a) I wasn't buying anything this day, b) definitely wouldn't buy a thing without the boss present (right? right???) and c) I was interested in what he knew on the availability of the 2012's.
He told me he didn't know. I wasn't surprised. Then he asked his manager, who looked at me, and gave him an answer, the sound obscured by the manager's office glass wall. He came back and told me, "my boss said sometime this fall".
I laughed and assumed his "estimate" was just a ploy to get me to buy his leftover 2010 V8. For the right price, I actually would consider it, but not before I get a look at the 2012's for myself.
Key takeaway - I went into this leaning HEAVILY into the V8; after this test drive, I can honestly say that the two cars are REALLY REALLY similar for 95% of normal daily driving. If you want to save a bunch of cash, you are not really missing a lot for the added mattress cushioning you get in return. I was actually very surprised by how good the V6 is. And with the GDI making 43 extra horsies this summer/fall/whenever... it's gonna make that choice even harder for folks - I think the 4.6 is gonna take a hit in sales, as folks will likely choose one of the other two instead.
Long story short, the Hyundai Genesis is my next automobile. The year and number on the rear tailgate are the only variables left for me to fill in.
