2012 Genesis Test Drive - 3.8 vs. 4.6

[YEH]

OK. just please tell me that Kia is NOT using that name lol....

I actually don't mind that moniker (what's wrong w/ dogs?), but Kia will go end up naming the K9 w/ some music/Italian-related name like they have for much of their lineup (K5 - Optima, K7 - Cadenza, Sorento, etc.).

I would love it if they used K9!, Maserati styling and all

Thus far (based on the spy shots), I think it will looks better than the Maserati; a much more aggressive/masculine front than the droopy/sad Maserati (it will blow away the new GS in sheetmetal).

The one thing the K9 will have over the Genesis and Equus is a more luxurious, refined interior; a good indication that the next gen Genesis and Equus will much improved interiors.

 

[mphamd]

You realize that the K9 aka Cadenza here is fwd right? So evenassuming if it has a better interior, exterior I would not consider it. I would wait for next gen genesis.

 

[YEH]

The Cadenza is the K7; this is the K9.

 

[Aquineas]

Hmmm... Buickesque portholes...

 

[gray devil]

Of course the V8 is going have more power and acceleration and be more fun to drive, but it was out of my price range.

I have the 2012 V6 Premium and am very impressed with the highway mileage. I'm not sure what the V8 is actually getting, but I have made a few interstate/highway trips traveling between 70 and 80 MPH and have gotten 31 - 32.1 MPG. I was very impressed with this mileage considering the size of the car and the available power. That is very close to what my girlfriend’s 08 Sonata 4 cyl. gets.

 

[nextcar]

Of course the V8 is going have more power and acceleration and be more fun to drive, but it was out of my price range.

I have the 2012 V6 Premium and am very impressed with the highway mileage. I'm not sure what the V8 is actually getting, but I have made a few interstate/highway trips traveling between 70 and 80 MPH and have gotten 31 - 32.1 MPG. I was very impressed with this mileage considering the size of the car and the available power. That is very close to what my girlfriend’s 08 Sonata 4 cyl. gets.

on longer trips (15+ miles) on the freeway, i get 28-30 mpg with my brand new 4.6.
i calculated that the v6 would save about $200/yr if i drive about 12k miles/yr. i can live with that.

 

[tonygxp]

on longer trips (15+ miles) on the freeway, i get 28-30 mpg with my brand new 4.6.
i calculated that the v6 would save about $200/yr if i drive about 12k miles/yr. i can live with that.

not sure about the 8spd trans in the '12's but if i cruise at 81mph (cruise on, which is not as forgiving as ye ol' foot as when you encounter a hill the cruise will kick a gear down if need be to keep you at speed which does kill mpg's) i was getting 27.2 over 300 miles on I95 when the car had about 1k miles on it. i have since switched to mobil1 so it could only get better. i'll have to try to lower the speed to 72-74mph on a long drive and check it out.

getting over 31mpg at 70-80 is awesome.

 

[gray devil]

on longer trips (15+ miles) on the freeway, i get 28-30 mpg with my brand new 4.6.
i calculated that the v6 would save about $200/yr if i drive about 12k miles/yr. i can live with that.

Wow that is great mileage with the V8!

 

[Genesiswannabee]

I picked up my 2012 4.6 Titanium w Saddle interior 6 days ago in Clearwater at FitzMall and I now have 385 miles on the car. This was one of the easiest car transactions I ever experienced.

Although I had driven the 2012 3.8 previously this was my first experience with the 2012 4.6. The 4.6 definitely feels heavier and more planted on the road. Also much to my surprise there are no road imperfections being transmitted into the cabin. Although the 3.8 is vastly improved and very satisfactory there still is some feel of road imperfections although entirely acceptable. On the 4.6 I do not feel them at all and this has to be the quietest car I have ever owned. The quality of the vehicle is excellent and far superior to Jaguars and MBs that I have owned in the past. For me I am glad that I purchased the 4.6. Hyundai did an excellent job of fine tuning the ride on this vehicle. I was determined that if I was not satisfied with the ride that I was going to purchase a MB E350. After driving the 3.8 I was satisfied with the ride and after purchasing the 4.6 I am more than satisfied.

Gas mileage so far is 22 mpg. Hopefully this will go up somewhat over time. My only gripe so far is with the GPS system, in that it seems to calculate significantly longer routes than I can come up with on my own. I am presently in The Villages in FL and it takes twice as long using the route that the GPS selects. This does not seem to be the case on interstate highways.

So far no problems other than the center console lock is a hair loose and needs to be adjusted. I am monitoring to see if there is an issue with the cooling in the seat.

I will report back at 1000 miles.

Larry



Larry

 

[nextcar]

I picked up my 2012 4.6 Titanium w Saddle interior 6 days ago in Clearwater at FitzMall and I now have 385 miles on the car. This was one of the easiest car transactions I ever experienced.

Although I had driven the 2012 3.8 previously this was my first experience with the 2012 4.6. The 4.6 definitely feels heavier and more planted on the road. Also much to my surprise there are no road imperfections being transmitted into the cabin.

Larry

I agree that the 2012 V6 felt lighter and had a more nervous ride, compared to the 2011 and 2012 4.6.
one thing i liked about the V6 was the growl the engine makes when you accelerate hard. the v8 is always more sedate and quiet.
the 2 cars are like 2 different experiences. if you want a more serene and quiet ride, go with the 4.6.

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[Ricosofia01]

A number of us have posted comments regarding our test drive of the 2012 3.8 Genesis?
Has anyone actually driven a 2012 4.6 yet? Could they kindly post their comments here. Also does any have any impressions comparing the 3.8 and the 4,6 after having driven both?

I had a 4.6 2012 Genesis it had great pick up the power eased into higher passing gears. Proud to say I blew by a couple mustangs no problem. Have not drive a 3.8 yet but I hear it's a 40 horsepower difference.

 

[Ricosofia01]

I had a 4.6 2012 Genesis it had great pick up the power eased into higher passing gears. Proud to say I blew by a couple mustangs no problem. Have not drive a 3.8 yet but I hear it's a 40 horsepower difference.

I had a 4.6 great pick up power!! Be ready to pay a ton on gas. I now have a 3.8 V6 great on gas and still blowing by mustangs and Audi's

 

[GENNY429]

Surprising no one here mentioned the 2012 5.0 non R-spec. Which is what I have. 429 hp and no harsh ride. This was the pick of the litter in 2012 IMHO.

 

[Gunkk]

Surprising no one here mentioned the 2012 5.0 non R-spec. Which is what I have. 429 hp and no harsh ride. This was the pick of the litter in 2012 IMHO.

If your car does not have oil burn issues, then yeah you won the lottery on best combination of power and ride.

 

[GENNY429]

If your car does not have oil burn issues, then yeah you won the lottery on best combination of power and ride.

I do not have the oil burn. After dong my homework before buying, I knew that later 2012 engines had this problem fixed. First thing I did at the dealer was look for the build date (salesman thought I was nuts), Aug 5, 2012. Probably one of the last 12’s built. Have never lost a drop change to change.

 

[Gunkk]

Nice!

 

[SaabthenGenesis]

Don't forget that the V8 is dragging around 200 extra lbs on the front end.

Exactly. I drove the V8 and found it likely to understeer when pushed in corners. The V6 rotates more easily without the heavy nose. Just choose what you value and go with it.

 

[Charlie1982]

I do not have the oil burn. After dong my homework before buying, I knew that later 2012 engines had this problem fixed. First thing I did at the dealer was look for the build date (salesman thought I was nuts), Aug 5, 2012. Probably one of the last 12’s built. Have never lost a drop change to change.

What build date range should one look for in a case like this? Can you define "later 2012 engines"?

 

[domo962002]

A number of us have posted comments regarding our test drive of the 2012 3.8 Genesis?
Has anyone actually driven a 2012 4.6 yet? Could they kindly post their comments here. Also does any have any impressions comparing the 3.8 and the 4,6 after having driven both

A number of us have posted comments regarding our test drive of the 2012 3.8 Genesis?
Has anyone actually driven a 2012 4.6 yet? Could they kindly post their comments here. Also does any have any impressions comparing the 3.8 and the 4,6 after having driven both?

I have the 2012 4.6 & I love it. Never drove the V6 & I never will lol