2011 Chrysler 300 Limited vs. 2012 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 vs. 2011 Toyota Avalon Limited

[TJPark01]

REVIEWS:
Comparison: 2011 Chrysler 300 Limited vs. 2012 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 vs. 2011 Toyota Avalon Limited
You've got the big house, the rewarding job, and a growing family, so the time has come to buy a new car. Maturity means you can no longer buy the sports cars and hot hatches of your youth. No, the new car must be a sedan luxurious enough to transport several people, attractive enough to grab the neighbors' attention, and more affordable than fancy German rides.

The best bet to encompass all of those attributes is a full-size, V-6-powered sedan like the three we've gathered here. They can keep passengers comfortable, entertain the driver, and look sharp at the golf club -- all for price tags around $40,000.

The Hyundai Genesis arrived on American shores for model-year 2009, and just three years later has undergone a hefty refresh. The 2012 Genesis benefits from new fascias, restyled headlights, new wheels, larger brakes, and revised suspension. Its base 3.8-liter V-6 gains 15 percent more power, for a total of 333 hp and 291 lb-ft of torque, thanks to the addition of direct injection. The new model year also brings Hyundai's new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Genesis 3.8 starts at $35,050, on top of which our car had the $4000 Technology package, which adds a 17-speaker sound system, navigation, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, parking sensors, heated rear seats, and a cooled driver's seat; and the $4800 Premium package, which includes a sunroof, power rear sunshade, power folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, a backup camera, and 18-inch wheels. Our tester's final sticker price was thus $43,050.

Chrysler launched the second-generation 300 for 2011, and its basic recipe remains the same as when the 300 first launched in 2004: a luxurious, all-American rear-wheel-drive sedan with a choice of thrifty V-6 and brawny V-8 engines. The new base engine is Chrysler's 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, offering 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Our tester was a Chrysler 300 Limited V-6, which stickered for $31,195 before options, which included the $2795 SafetyTec package consisting of power folding mirrors, adaptive HID headlights, parking sensors, collision- and blind-spot warning systems, and adaptive cruise control; a $1295 panoramic sunroof; and the $795 UConnect touch-screen navigation and entertainment interface. Our 300 also had the $3250 Luxury group with niceties like leather bucket seats, LED interior lighting, a power sunshade, heated and cooled front seats, and heated and cooled cup holders. With all its options, our tester's sticker price climbed to $42,770.

The Toyota Avalon is the only front-wheel-drive sedan in this collection. This iteration of Avalon was introduced in model-year 2005 was refreshed for 2011. The update brought a new grille, rear bumper, revised interior trimmings, and restyled wheels. A 3.5-liter V-6 provides 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque, which is routed through a six-speed automatic transmission.

We opted for the $36,445 Avalon Limited with the $1450 Navigation and Premium Audio package, which includes a touch-screen navigation system, backup camera, 12-speaker sound system, plus iPod and Bluetooth connectivity; and the $393 Preferred Accessory package, which nets carpeted floor mats, a first-aid kit, and a glass-breakage sensor for the alarm. The as-tested price was $38,884 -- the cheapest of the bunch.

Which of these full-size V-6 sedans deserves your hard-earned paycheck? Read on to find out how the three cars stack up.

REVIEWS:
Comparison: 2011 Chrysler 300 Limited vs. 2012 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 vs. 2011 Toyota Avalon Limited

 

[Ruissimo]

Thanks for posting, TJ. Not sure what deals the other two companies are offering, but considering you can knock off a few grand from the price posted in that article, the Genesis is even MORE attractive at this price point & feature set.

 

[trotti]

That's the key, I really think that Hyundai, rather than offering "competitive coupons" that any car can qualify for, should knock off a few $k from the MSRP so that its true price is used in these articles.

Hyundai is only hurting itself (as it does by offering a car of its caliber at dealerships that are more accustomed to dealing with 16 year olds coming in with their parents).

 

[StarkyLuv]

Genny wins again. I feel the 300 is trying to be too macho in its styling in a "hey look at me in this big car" kind of way. It makes whoever's driving it look like an insecure douchebag.

 

[TJPark01]

As some people already know. Chrysler has teamed up with ZF to supply a lot of their RWD cars and trucks with the new 8 speed automatic. If you read reviews of many Mopar products you will find commentary about how clumsy and antiquated the 5 speed gearbox performs. This is on track for next year, so buying this MY 300 would be a big fail
The Avalon is FWD and the styling and interior are trapped in the 90's. Not only is the Genesis the best car in this group, it's by a country mile.

 

[StarkyLuv]

I find it refreshing that these reviewers are not putting badge prestige into consideration and are just reviewing the car.

 

[nextcar]

I find it refreshing that these reviewers are not putting badge prestige into consideration and are just reviewing the car.

it's probably because none of the 3 cars have any badge prestige.
when i told my friends i got a genesis, some of them said, "you paid $40k for a Hyundai???"
i'm sure the others are thinking the same and not saying it out of politeness.

 

[StarkyLuv]

But when people do the whole "it's just a Hyundai" thing then they actually get IN the car, their tunes quickly change.

 

[scottdk]

Genny wins again. I feel the 300 is trying to be too macho in its styling in a "hey look at me in this big car" kind of way. It makes whoever's driving it look like an insecure douchebag.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha! +1

 

[nextcar]

But when people do the whole "it's just a Hyundai" thing then they actually get IN the car, their tunes quickly change.

true, and once they drive it, they might feel it's a bargain.

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[waveman]

Interesting review, thanks for posting. I agree that the 300 attracts attention, but to me it doesn't do so in a good way. I find it much too squared-off for my taste. Of course, I realize styling is purely subjective.

The reviewer also complains about the lack of a touch-screen + mechanical controls for the technology system. Touch screens tend to accumulate smudges, though it would have been nice to have both options. But the bigger problem is the overall design of the UI on the Genesis, which could be improved, especially the nav.

 

[Dr_jitsu]

The Avalon is the plastic pocket protector of cars, reliable and stunningly boring. It is purely transportation from point a to b. That is if you can stand fwd. I can't (and fortunately no longer live where there is snow).

While Chrysler's have now moved up half a step from junk (OK, the new Chargers and SRT8's are pretty acceptable) the 300 is the official car of the Hood.
The gen wins this in a walk.

A G37 is really a more worthy comparo for the Hyundai.

 

[waveman]

A G37 is really a more worthy comparo for the Hyundai.

Not sure about the G (I have a G35), maybe the M. But there seems to be a perception that the Genesis is for people who can't afford Infiniti, Mercedes, or BMW, which is why it gets compared to the 300 and Avalon. But the truth is that there are many Genesis owners who can afford "higher end" cars but don't think that the extra $$$ are worth it.

 

[Ernie3647]

Not sure about the G (I have a G35), maybe the M. But there seems to be a perception that the Genesis is for people who can't afford Infiniti, Mercedes, or BMW, which is why it gets compared to the 300 and Avalon. But the truth is that there are many Genesis owners who can afford "higher end" cars but don't think that the extra $$$ are worth it.

I also have a G35 and I don’t quite consider it to be a comparable competitor. I agree the M is more of a competitor even though it’s considerably more expensive. Hence the value the Genesis is apparent.

 

[Dr_jitsu]

Don't misunderstand, the G37 would lose (I have owned a G35) but it is the same class of car.

The Chrysler and Toyota are not.

 

[waveman]

Don't misunderstand, the G37 would lose (I have owned a G35) but it is the same class of car.

The Chrysler and Toyota are not.

I agree that the G3X is in the same "class," but not in terms of size/handling - it competes more with the BMW 3 series. The G is still more fun to drive than the Genesis, but it's a lot less roomier, especially in the back seat and trunk. Infiniti has sure done well with them, though - when I bought my G35 in '02 they were rare for a year or so, now I see them all over.

 

[cmartin]

I drove the new Chrysler 300 (not ground up new, but heavily revised), and I think it's a really nice car, with a vastly improved interior, and a nice ride that balances handling and ride comfort quite well. It also happens to be a lot quieter than before, also.

I am really torn on whether to keep my current car, though, because I work in the financial industry, and I see very bad things on the horizon regarding the economy (potentially worse than 2008-2009).

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

I drove the new Chrysler 300 (not ground up new, but heavily revised), and I think it's a really nice car, with a vastly improved interior, and a nice ride that balances handling and ride comfort quite well. It also happens to be a lot quieter than before, also.

I am really torn on whether to keep my current car, though, because I work in the financial industry, and I see very bad things on the horizon regarding the economy (potentially worse than 2008-2009).

The 5 speed Chrysler or the new one?
As for financial horizons, it's almost always cheaper to repair than buy new.
Do what you gotta do.

 

[cmartin]

The 5 speed Chrysler or the new one?
As for financial horizons, it's almost always cheaper to repair than buy new.
Do what you gotta do.

The new 300, but with the old 5 speed.

I agree with you on the repair vs new thing, and many, many MANY of my clients are walking the walk right now (I've never seen anything like it, from former spendthrifts).