Truth About Cars R-Spec Review

[Aquineas]

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/09/hammer-time-growing-up-growing-fast/

...
The Hyundai Genesis has been available with a 4.6-liter V8 since it was introduced as a 2009 model. Reviewers found faults with the car, but I don’t recall the engine’s mere 385 horsepower being among them. Nevertheless, for 2012 Hyundai has a new 429-horsepower (at 6,400 rpm), 376 foot-pound (at 5,000) 5.0-liter V8. In addition to its larger displacement, the 5.0 benefits from direct injection, which permits a bump in the compression ratio from 10.4 to 11.5:1. These specs are impressive. The Hyundai mill outputs more horses than the Porsche Panamera’s 4.8-liter V8, the 5.0-liter V8s in the Lexus IS-F and Mustang GT (unless you pony up for the BOSS), the 5.5-liter V8 being retired from various Mercedes, and the M56’s 5.6-liter V8. The 6.2-liter V8 in the Corvette kicks out a single additional horsepower.
...

 

[cmartin]

I'm a new member with no axe to grind against Hyundai, but after driving the latest generation Genesis 3.8 (2012, not an R-Spec, though), as a possible replacement for my existing car, and after being previously disappointed by the 2010 generation Genesis, I honestly do not understand what it is that prevents Hyundai from resolving what is clearly a flawed suspension set up in the Genesis, as well as odd behavior from the chassis when traveling over specific types of road imperfections/surfaces.

From the review:

The 5.0 R-Spec wafts along some roads, especially blacktop Interstate, with impressive smoothness, silence, and solidity, feeling every bit a premium sedan. But on other roads it bobbles about and even quivers to an annoying degree, refusing to settle down and relax. The Acura TL-S I drove the previous week had a considerably more composed chassis, while the cheaper-by-half Ford Focus SE handled bad roads better than either of them.

Not only do I not have an axe to grind with Hyundai, I was impressed with the Sonata when comparing it with the Accord, Altima & Camry (though I'm still not convinced that long term reliability may be above and beyond, even though it's at least probably average now).

I haven't driven the Equus, but I've driven a new Tucson (2011), a rental Azera (2008), a new Sonata GLS (2011), and a 2010 and 2012 Genesis (just 5 days ago), and I can honestly say that while the Tucson & Sonata were fine (though the Tucson was very firm), the Genesis and Azera suffered from what, in my opinion, are design flaws of some type (every Genesis I have driven hasn't felt right, but I've only driven one Azera, which was an insanely porpoising vehicle at highway speeds - I don't know how else to describe it; there was excessive up and down and also crazy lateral motions - the first I've ever experienced in a vehicle, even though it was a rental with over 20,000 miles).

With the economy the way it is, I have adjusted my budget, and I am now planning on ultimately (not immediately) replacing my car with a used BMW (5 Series), Lexus (LS430) or maybe even Cadillac (CTS) or Chrysler (300).

I really had hoped Hyundai would have been able to figure out and resolve the chassis and suspension issues that really were, and this is my opinion but one formed having owned many, many cars, major flaws in the chassis and the suspension of the Genesis, because if they had, consumers would have had a credible alternative to more expensive offerings from other manufacturers.

Finally, it's hard for me to adequately describe the suspension and chassis quirks I found while driving both the 2010 and 2012 Genesis Sedans, because they were of a nature that I've not experienced in any other passenger car I've ever driven or rode in. There was also kickback in the steering column of the Genesis when traveling over very rough road surfaces, though I had experienced that in other cars, too.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Hey cmartin!
In how many threads are you going to cut and paste your horrible experience of test driving the 3.8 Genesis?

 

[cmartin]

Hey cmartin!
In how many threads are you going to cut and paste your horrible experience of test driving the 3.8 Genesis?

Just the two I have so far.

I've been told the 4.6 has a smoother and more refined suspension feel, so I'm planning on taking that for a spin soon, even though I prefer a V6 at this point in time.

 

[Mark_888]

Just the two I have so far.

I've been told the 4.6 has a smoother and more refined suspension feel, so I'm planning on taking that for a spin soon, even though I prefer a V6 at this point in time.

The 4.6 is only more refined in the sense that it accllerates more easily and less engine noise for a given speed, since obviously the engine is less taxed.

As I suggested in the other thread, I suspect the tires on the 2012 V6 3.8 you test drove were way over-inflated, as is the case during the ship transport from Korea (and dealer forgot to lower to 33 PSI). Also, the base model 3.8 has crappy Dunlop tires, so test drive a Premium Package at least.

 

[BBQ Bandit]

With the economy the way it is, I have adjusted my budget, and I am now planning on ultimately (not immediately) replacing my car with a used BMW (5 Series), Lexus (LS430) or maybe even Cadillac (CTS) or Chrysler (300).

Good luck with BMW warranty issues... sorry that the Genesis does not meet your expectations.

 

[cmartin]

Good luck with BMW warranty issues... sorry that the Genesis does not meet your expectations.

The only BMW I'll be buying is a CPO with a significant portion of the warranty remaining (factory warranty, extended preferably).

I'll never, ever own a BMW, Audi or Mercedes any other way (there's just way too much downside risk).

 

[cmartin]

The 4.6 is only more refined in the sense that it accllerates more easily and less engine noise for a given speed, since obviously the engine is less taxed.

As I suggested in the other thread, I suspect the tires on the 2012 V6 3.8 you test drove were way over-inflated, as is the case during the ship transport from Korea (and dealer forgot to lower to 33 PSI). Also, the base model 3.8 has crappy Dunlop tires, so test drive a Premium Package at least.

Mark, that's the first thing I plan on doing (checking the tires) before my next test drive.

 

[Johnboy2k10]

I am, for one, not sure why the genesis takes so much heat for
it's suspension. I have a 2011 and everyone (literally EVERYONE) that has gotten into my car first comments on how smooth the ride is. I don't disagree with them. I had a 300m previously and it was like going to a rodeo in comparison. I just don't get it... 


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.560686,-113.880130

 

[Mark_888]

I am, for one, not sure why the genesis takes so much heat for
it's suspension. I have a 2011 and everyone (literally EVERYONE) that has gotten into my car first comments on how smooth the ride is. I don't disagree with them. I had a 300m previously and it was like going to a rodeo in comparison. I just don't get it...

It started with the early 2009 models, which definitely did have problems IMO. Hyundai made some minor changes mid-year 2009, and then more significant changes in 2010, and again in the 2012 model year. It is hard to say there have been no suspension problems when Hyundai Motor America has made so many suspension changes to the US version of the Genesis sedan.

Based on what I have seen recently, I am not even sure the Canadian suspension (like yours) has been the same as the US versions. The 2011 Canadian model may be more like the 2012 suspension in the US (or the 2011 suspension in Korea which has always from day one been much softer than the US version, even for the Korean model without the air suspension).

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