2015 Genesis-First Drive

[tompass]

+1

 

[YEH]

Hyundai added AWD to the 2G Genesis simply b/c for better or for worse that's what the market (well, the market in the snow belt states) demands.

One would be hard pressed to find many non-AWD equipped Mercedes, BMW, etc. luxury sedans on the lots of dealers in NY, PA, IL, MI, New England, etc.

Nearly 50% of CTS sales were for those equipped w/ AWD.

If you don't want or need AWD, just get the RWD model - it's as simple as that.

Now, the torque-vectoring AWD system that Hyundai added (instead of a more basic AWD system supposedly offers some improvements over RWD w/ regard to handling/performance - but it remains to be seen how much so and whether it is worth the added cost, but I suspect most buyers who opt for the AWD version are looking at it primarily for when it snows.

 

[dillpa]

Snow zone: traction devices required.

Living near the mountains, skiing/snowboarding, commuting over the pass - putting on and taking off chains gets old fast. I'm looking forward to the AWD that are exempt from chains.

 

[InTheLou]

Saw a few articles on the new 2015 Genesis, one in Motor Trend, that I got to say was so poorly written. First, their comparison cars are the BMW 5 series and Benz. They state the engine is not as smooth as the BMW twin turbo.
Funny how they don't mention one thing about pricing in the BMW or Benz, who both come with 4 cylinder engines now. I priced out the BMW 5 series, because that was the car I was going to buy, and an all wheel drive, that has comparable options is near 60K. The Benz, is near 70K. I could pay that for a car, but after having my Genesis for 18 months, I think the extra 25-30K plus the extra depreciation, insurance, and taxes just does not warrant it. It's about another $400-$500 a month over a 3 or 4 year ownership. Plus, the warranty is a year less. A V8 BMW 5 series or Benz is going to cost serious cash, prices for a good stereo, heated seats, or even leather (remember, BMW comes standard with vinyl) is just a joke. Sorry, money, options plus performance specs all come into the picture with a purchase, these articles always fail to compare a cost analysis over ownership. After 5 years, these cars won't have nearly the percentage of cost difference.

 

[Mark_888]

Saw a few articles on the new 2015 Genesis, one in Motor Trend, that I got to say was so poorly written. First, their comparison cars are the BMW 5 series and Benz. They state the engine is not as smooth as the BMW twin turbo.
Funny how they don't mention one thing about pricing in the BMW or Benz, who both come with 4 cylinder engines now. I priced out the BMW 5 series, because that was the car I was going to buy, and an all wheel drive, that has comparable options is near 60K. The Benz, is near 70K. I could pay that for a car, but after having my Genesis for 18 months, I think the extra 25-30K plus the extra depreciation, insurance, and taxes just does not warrant it. It's about another $400-$500 a month over a 3 or 4 year ownership. Plus, the warranty is a year less. A V8 BMW 5 series or Benz is going to cost serious cash, prices for a good stereo, heated seats, or even leather (remember, BMW comes standard with vinyl) is just a joke. Sorry, money, options plus performance specs all come into the picture with a purchase, these articles always fail to compare a cost analysis over ownership. After 5 years, these cars won't have nearly the percentage of cost difference.

Here is a quote from the Motor Trend article:

Judging from a very brief proving-ground spin in pilot-built examples (a rear-drive 3.8 and an all-wheel 5.0) driven back-to-back with a first-gen Genesis, a 535i, and an E350 4Matic
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/1311_2015_hyundai_genesis_first_drive/#ixzz2mkAQdioE​

1. Hyundai had a BMW and MB on hand at the same track and encouraged them to compare both of them with the Genesis.
2. They only had a very brief (10 minutes) time with the cars on a closed track.
3. US pricing has not been determined, but Korean pricing (about 66K for top Genesis model including VAT) is not much lower than the BMW and MB.
4. It was not a complete review. I think you are over-reacting.

 

[acoga]

Saw a few articles on the new 2015 Genesis, one in Motor Trend, that I got to say was so poorly written.

They were poorly written because it wasn't a typical test. They invited a huge herd of auto journalists, did long presentations by talking heads, let them look at static displays of the cars, and gave them around 10 minutes behind the wheel on a test track. No one got seat time on regular roads.

And the cars were all hand-built pre-production cars. At least one reviewer noted very obvious quality control issues, but they've seen enough of this type of car to realize that there's a good chance that'll be remedied in production.

We'll need to wait quite a while for real reviews.

 

[italiabrain]

Here is a quote from the Motor Trend article:

Judging from a very brief proving-ground spin in pilot-built examples (a rear-drive 3.8 and an all-wheel 5.0) driven back-to-back with a first-gen Genesis, a 535i, and an E350 4Matic
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/1311_2015_hyundai_genesis_first_drive/#ixzz2mkAQdioE​

1. Hyundai had a BMW and MB on hand at the same track and encouraged them to compare both of them with the Genesis.
2. They only had a very brief (10 minutes) time with the cars on a closed track.
3. US pricing has not been determined, but Korean pricing (about 66K for top Genesis model including VAT) is not much lower than the BMW and MB.
4. It was not a complete review. I think you are over-reacting.

Nailed it. For the KDM market the pricing disparity is almost a non-issue and those vehicles were specifically on hand -- which is why they were mentioned.

The thing I can't figure out is that they said the V8 didn't feel as fast as the 535. The combination of presumably being faster and having more squat (I'm assuming based on other parts of the preview) should make a pretty big butt-dyno difference.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

Nailed it. For the KDM market the pricing disparity is almost a non-issue and those vehicles were specifically on hand -- which is why they were mentioned.

The thing I can't figure out is that they said the V8 didn't feel as fast as the 535. The combination of presumably being faster and having more squat (I'm assuming based on other parts of the preview) should make a pretty big butt-dyno difference.

Agreed! Their butt-sensors are seriously miscalibrated.

 

[037]

not sure why everyone keeps saying that AWD is only a benefit for acceleration and snowy environments.

I'm coming from a 2009 Acura RL and I find my self constantly reminded I'm driving an RWD car with traction limits. Tires chirp off the line (unless I got my summer Conti DW's on), making a turn, those damn all season tires (grippy conti dws's at that, size 245mm), chirp, squeal, and not hold the road like a proper awd car would.

Rain? Forget it! I can spin tires in 3rd gear and this is V6 we're talking about.

Yes, AWD does not give you traction once the car starts rolling, but a proper awd car won't lose traction with more throttle application unlike an rwd car.

There is absolutely nothing more important than proper season tires on the car, but all seasons in the rain can 100% benefit from AWD as far as basic turning and even just knowing that if you need to move quick you won't be stuck in place spinning your tires.

For the record, the Acura SH-AWD is far superior

there...that's my rant.

P.S. Acura SH-AWD did require regular differential fluid changes, but there wasn't a single time I was thinking that I won't have traction and I've driven over 200 miles in snow at a time passing countless SUVs parked where road isn't. AWD wins, like it or not, it now improves handling not just provides traction.