2015 Genesis Disappointment

[bufub]

I currently have a 2011 Genesis 4.6 that I love and I promised myself that I would move up in 2015 when I saw the early body photos. Having looked the car over thoroughly I came away disappointed with the sunroof design. The entire roof is glass and black trim front to back and side to side. The result is you get a two-tone car whether you wanted one or not (I don't), unless you buy black. Inside the sunroof shade is just flimsy roller shade material with no foam backing like prior years so there's no insulation from noise and temperature. You can watch the material "belly" up and down while driving so I wonder how long before these shades start to sag our ears. It may sound trivial but this really influences my feeling for the car and I'm starting to consider a 2014 when the clearances start.

 

[Mark_888]

I'm starting to consider a 2014 when the clearances start.

Are you kidding me? The 2014's are going for $8K-$10K off MSRP right now. If you wait much longer they may be gone. Don't pay any attention to the "asking price," just start negotiating at $10K off MSRP ($12K if a demo).

 

[vega]

At least you have 2014 model options, there were no 2014's in Canada, and the 2013 RSPEC's are pretty much gone.

 

[wlk12]

I've been reading EVERYTHING about this car and this is the first I've heard of this. Could we please have some comments from those who have the 2015?

Thanks

 

[Pileits]

Just having gotten the July issues of Road & Track as well as Car and Drive magazines neither of these car oriented spreads seem to like the 2015 Genesis sedan either. They both seem to call the car a marshmallow mobile.

I guess I will just keep my 2010 Genesis 4.6 at least it has very low mileage so I can wait many years before I look at the next Genesis version.

When Hyundai comes out with the 6.0 spec with 550 hp all wheel drive then I might look again.

 

[FJRmann]

I do not like the way the sunroof shade operates in our '15 Genesis. Split opening from the middle rolling to the front and back of the car makes no sense to me.

My '11 X3 has a panoramic sunroof which is just as large and opens from the front to the rear. if I want to vent the sunroof the shade moves back 4 or so inches and the glass opens for vent. in the Genesis the entire shade must open then you can put the glass in vent position. if someone else has a workaround please share!

I am not bothered by the lack of sunshade insulating material as the car is very quiet and the roof glass is super tinted.

the black roof on our white car we feel looks very nice, don't feel the two-tone vibe at all the OP does.

 

[FJRmann]

Just having gotten the July issues of Road & Track as well as Car and Drive magazines neither of these car oriented spreads seem to like the 2015 Genesis sedan either. They both seem to call the car a marshmallow mobile.

Until a person has gone down, kicked tires and driven the 2015 Genesis sedan, can they form an educated opinion as to the feel, but who really gives a smack what a car rag has to say? I do enjoy reading the publications, but until one takes time to checkout for him/herself. I boils down to opinions and you know how the saying goes about them.

The 2015 Genesis sedan does have a soft comfortable ride, nowhere near marshmallow, but much softer than the X1 we owned prior.

 

[pusaterkm]

Love the sun roof. Looks great on the Empire State Gray. Love the shade too, and I think that opening from the middle is very cool. No sound or climate issues either.

 

[Motegi]

Just having gotten the July issues of Road & Track as well as Car and Drive magazines neither of these car oriented spreads seem to like the 2015 Genesis sedan either. They both seem to call the car a marshmallow mobile.

I guess I will just keep my 2010 Genesis 4.6 at least it has very low mileage so I can wait many years before I look at the next Genesis version.

When Hyundai comes out with the 6.0 spec with 550 hp all wheel drive then I might look again.

I'm not sure what review you were reading in Car and Driver but they say in the July issue Volume 60, No 1 on page 102:

"What used to be the worst handling and riding car in middle luxury now features chassis tuning by Lotus, constructor of some of the best handling cars ever made"​

On page 104:

"A significantly stiffer structure helped lead to a better sorted suspension."

"...the end result is unlike any Hyundai we've driven. The Genesis' firm steering feels attentive on center and weights up progressively in corners. The wheel is neither heavy nor light, but perfectly matched to the character of the car and the speed of the variable ratio power steering rack. With graceful damping and convincing body control the Hyundai floated over cracked asphalt and swished through sweeping bends".

"The compliance and composure that have been late in coming to Korean cars finally arrive in this new Genesis sedan."

"This new Genesis should give the BMW 5-series, the Lexus GS, and the Mercedes Benz E-class a scare..."
​

Continuing on page 105:

"The Genesis' cabin isn't as high tech as an Audi or as classy as a Mercedes but its design is much more resolved than its predecessor's."

"The new Genesis is the first indication that Hyundai has completed a metamorphosis, from building disposable cars with 10 year warranties to focusing on total vehicle integration". That rare institutional skill is what made BMW so great in the 1990s and early 2000s. "

"And to ascend to the ranks of the great automakers, Hyundai must produce cars such as the new Genesis with its own talent."
​

Is this the same review that you read? If this isn't a glowing review, I don't know what is. Throughout the article they keep referencing how the new Genesis is a vast improvement over the prior generation.

Personally, as an owner of the current generation Audi flagship A8L sedan I can tell you that the new Genesis interior is just as high tech as my Audi. In fact the controls seem to work better on the Genesis than the Audi which suffers from the typical temperamental German electronics. I would say there are many more similarities between the two cars interior features than differences which is very impressive considering the A8L tops $100k.

Also I drove the BMW 5-series back to back with the new Genesis and the Audi when I was making my purchasing decisions (we purchased the Genesis and Audi 3 days apart). Honestly, I was not impressed at all with the "vaunted" BMW. The interior seemed spartan and the ride was a bit stiff. Even the world famous handling was not enough to overcome its other deficiencies in my opinion. We also drove the Lexus GS which seemed lacking in comparison as well.

 

[Motegi]

Pileits,

I will acknowledge that the Road & Track review of the 2015 was tepid but clearly the reviewer didn't hold the prior generation in very high regard either...

She wrote that the prior Genesis "was never the dynamic equal of the rear wheel drive Germans"

First I suggest that you go and drive one yourself rather than trust a single lukewarm review.

If you are still concerned what the "experts" think about it I would look at the dozens of other positive reviews that consistently declare the second gerneration to be an improvement over the first in pretty much all aspects of vehicle dynamics, handling, and interior ergonomics.

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[CLASSYRSPEC]

At least you have 2014 model options, there were no 2014's in Canada, and the 2013 RSPEC's are pretty much gone.

Mine is sitting at the dealer waiting to be picked up mid month

 

[ksoze]

If you are still concerned what the "experts" think about it I would look at the dozens of other positive reviews that consistently declare the second gerneration to be an improvement over the first in pretty much all aspects of vehicle dynamics, handling, and interior ergonomics.

I think there is little debate on the fact the 2015 car is better in most ways than its predecessor. How that is evaluated likely depends on what you thought of the earlier model - is better enough when one then considers price, current competition and perceived prestige. As one inches towards and over $50K, nameplate becomes a factor and on a car where the first modification is removing the name, that can raise questions.

 

[FJRmann]

As one inches towards and over $50K, nameplate becomes a factor and on a car where the first modification is removing the name, that can raise questions.

IF Hyundia had a decent looking emblem on the '15 Genesis, we would have left the rear badging alone. But when SHMBO decides she wants a wing like the one on the front of HER car. $50k matters not!

 

[Midnightsun]

As one inches towards and over $50K, nameplate becomes a factor and on a car where the first modification is removing the name, that can raise questions.

Who is removing the nameplate? We are actually improving the look of the car and only because someone at Hyundai decided in North America we should have the flying H and not the wings like they have in Korea. My point of view is they were wrong and I prefer the wings so wings it is. It does say Genesis on the wings and it is an official Genesis part actually made for the Genesis. It's not like I stuck an Aston Martin emblem on it is it?

 

[Motegi]

I currently have a 2011 Genesis 4.6 that I love and I promised myself that I would move up in 2015 when I saw the early body photos. Having looked the car over thoroughly I came away disappointed with the sunroof design. The entire roof is glass and black trim front to back and side to side. The result is you get a two-tone car whether you wanted one or not (I don't), unless you buy black. Inside the sunroof shade is just flimsy roller shade material with no foam backing like prior years so there's no insulation from noise and temperature. You can watch the material "belly" up and down while driving so I wonder how long before these shades start to sag our ears. It may sound trivial but this really influences my feeling for the car and I'm starting to consider a 2014 when the clearances start.

Actually I have not noticed any "belly up" movement of the sunroof shade in my wife's car when it is closed. It appears quite taut when closed. In addition, thanks to the panoramic glass tinting she tends to keep the shade open most of the time when driving.

If you are concerned about the longevity of the panoramic sunroof shade you could always opt for the 3.8 base model without the sunroof...

 

[wlk12]

Actually I have not noticed any "belly up" movement of the sunroof shade in my wife's car when it is closed. It appears quite taut when closed. In addition, thanks to the panoramic glass tinting she tends to keep the shade open most of the time when driving.

Thanks for getting us back on topic!

 

[Phillig]

I now own a 2015 Genesis and have owned a few other 50K+ cars (Lexus, Porsche). My Genesis exceeds all expectations I had and I believe it is a great value. I'm certain everyone can rationalize any view they have on the car and it all boils down to do you like it or not.

 

[bufub]

I appreciate the comments from everyone. My concern about the shade is just that, a concern based on first impression. I drove Saabs for 24 years (the Genny was my first non-Saab) and all Saab drivers were used to headliners that fell down around our ears! The commenters seem satisfied with the noise and heat transfer so I'll just have to figure out how negative I feel about a roof that is all glass and black trim.

 

[Motegi]

I appreciate the comments from everyone. My concern about the shade is just that, a concern based on first impression. I drove Saabs for 24 years (the Genny was my first non-Saab) and all Saab drivers were used to headliners that fell down around our ears! The commenters seem satisfied with the noise and heat transfer so I'll just have to figure out how negative I feel about a roof that is all glass and black trim.

Isn't all glass and black trim the way that all Panoramic sunroofs are designed? Is there any other way?

And accordingly, once you have such a huge expanse of glass to deal with you can't really make a rigid shade like a conventional sunroof because there isn't enough room inside the roof to accommodate it.

Perhaps they should've considered a conventional sunroof for those who would prefer that. I think that they just wanted to simplify and streamline their pricing and assortment for the US.

My wife loves her panoramic sunroof as it really allows for a more airy and light feel inside the cabin.