2015 Genesis Sedan Reviews

[Sal Collaziano]

It was evidently limited to a range of 2015 C class cars with the MB Tex made in Alabama - the replacement covers were from Mexico. Oh, boy.

Interesting... Well, at least it doesn't sound to have been too widespread...

 

[greekgeek]

Like just about anything - new stuff has issues. I'm sure they'll get it worked out - if they haven't already. That's the tough part of being an innovator. While you're the first - you're also the first to deal with issues...

Vinyl and PU sheet has been around for a loooooong time. Sounds like plasticizers migrating to the surface due to solubility changing with temperature, pretty basic thing to for so called innovators to check. Sorry if that sounds overly negative, just not a fan of fake leather!

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Vinyl and PU sheet has been around for a loooooong time. Sounds like plasticizers migrating to the surface due to solubility changing with temperature, pretty basic thing to for so called innovators to check. Sorry if that sounds overly negative, just not a fan of fake leather!

I'm not a fan of fake leather either but if it's good enough, I can deal with it. Good enough is different for every person...

 

[greekgeek]

I'm not a fan of fake leather either but if it's good enough, I can deal with it. Good enough is different for every person...

If you like history and business, read up on Corfam, an interesting fake leather product and one off the biggest financial flops of all time.

 

[roblaw]

Recently had a 2015 C-Class with MB tex as a loaner and my wife's 2014 ML350 has it. Really feels no worse than then base leather on my 2012 Genny. And it is durable and comfortable. However, you cannot get the heated and vented leather seats without upgrading to leather on an MB and that is a bummer. I could easily live with the vinyl if I could get the vented seats.

It is not just what comes standard or reasonably packaged on the Asian cars compared to the German ones, it is that to get some features we consider mandatory on our cars you will only get them on loaded cars that really increase the price.

But, you get a lot more flexibility on the German cars if you want to wait and order. The Genesis 3.8 comes in 3 or 4 flavors, like it or not. Arguably I can order a C-Class with almost exactly the options I want (if I am willing to forgo certain discounts that I may get for cars on the lot). For instance I am not a big fan of panoramic sunroofs and some of the electronic safety aids that are more annoying. Most c-classes on the lots have them. But I can order one without. With the Genny, to get the great seats, I am going to get some equipment I do not want (some that seems to work as intended and some not so much). So it comes down to which is more important. For me, since 1/2 of Accords (fine cars) comes with leather today, I am not sure leather is the luxury item it used to be.

 

[Aquineas]

<snip>

But, you get a lot more flexibility on the German cars if you want to wait and order. The Genesis 3.8 comes in 3 or 4 flavors, like it or not. Arguably I can order a C-Class with almost exactly the options I want (if I am willing to forgo certain discounts that I may get for cars on the lot). For instance I am not a big fan of panoramic sunroofs and some of the electronic safety aids that are more annoying. Most c-classes on the lots have them. But I can order one without. With the Genny, to get the great seats, I am going to get some equipment I do not want (some that seems to work as intended and some not so much).</snip>

This is definitely true. Undoubtedly this is to keep manufacturing costs down by reducing the assembly-line variations as much as possible. On a somewhat related anecdote, at the Sonata factory I visited, when you entered the factory, you were hard-pressed to even see a human until the interior-installation portion of the assembly-line. It was a sight to behold: robots delivering rolled-up steel to a press machine, body-panels coming out of the press-machines and then being transported via robots to body assembly (probably not the right term, but you get the idea), robots welding it all together.

So it comes down to which is more important. For me, since 1/2 of Accords (fine cars) comes with leather today, I am not sure leather is the luxury item it used to be.

While I agree with this statement, I also would add that leather is a little more friendly to cleaning than cloth.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

If you like history and business, read up on Corfam, an interesting fake leather product and one off the biggest financial flops of all time.

I did a little reading. That's what Leatherette is... And it doesn't breathe well. I guess I'd rather have MB-Tex since it breathes well.

Recently had a 2015 C-Class with MB tex as a loaner and my wife's 2014 ML350 has it. Really feels no worse than then base leather on my 2012 Genny. And it is durable and comfortable. However, you cannot get the heated and vented leather seats without upgrading to leather on an MB and that is a bummer. I could easily live with the vinyl if I could get the vented seats.

1/2 of Accords (fine cars) comes with leather today, I am not sure leather is the luxury item it used to be.

You really can't get heated/ventilated seats with MB-Tex? That's not good... And you're right about leather not being such a luxurious option anymore. Even Camrys have nice leather these days. Me? I want to see crushed velour as an option again...

 

[Aquineas]

Review vs CTS

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2015/0520/Cadillac-CTS-Smooth-ride-but-smaller-than-Hyundai-Genesis

 

[Tpr5.0]

Review vs CTS

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2015/0520/Cadillac-CTS-Smooth-ride-but-smaller-than-Hyundai-Genesis

I disagree with reviewer. I test drove both 3.8 Ultimate and 5.0 Ultimate prior to purchasing mine. I found with the sport mode enabled, 19's and with the continuous damping suspension, the 5.0 handled better than the 3.8 with sport mode enabled and the 18's IMO.

 

[salaburg]

Like just about anything - new stuff has issues. I'm sure they'll get it worked out - if they haven't already. That's the tough part of being an innovator. While you're the first - you're also the first to deal with issues...

"Innovation"??? ..... MB-tex was first introduced in 1970. What are you talking about. It's a disgrace a manufacturer like Mercedes Benz overlooked this "minor" issue.

Vinyl and PU sheet has been around for a loooooong time. Sounds like plasticizers migrating to the surface due to solubility changing with temperature, pretty basic thing to for so called innovators to check. Sorry if that sounds overly negative, just not a fan of fake leather!

You just can't beat natural leather in feel, comfort and looks. Vinyl? Seriously, who would buy a vinyl couch for the living room these days. Imagine a Rolls-Royce with vinyl seats!!!

If you like history and business, read up on Corfam, an interesting fake leather product and one off the biggest financial flops of all time.

Exactly..... Because it's fake. And to add to what someone mentioned previously; just because "most cars" now do offer leather doesn't mean it's not a luxurious material. On the contrary, it supports that more and more buyers want luxury in their cars so leather is used more. Fortunately, the cost of tanning leather has come down significantly in the last 20 years and so it is more affordable. But still, for hi quality leather and using it lavishly like in most top end cars (Bentley, Rolls-Royce, etc) it still is every bit a very luxurious feature.

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[Sal Collaziano]

"Innovation"??? ..... MB-tex was first introduced in 1970. What are you talking about. It's a disgrace a manufacturer like Mercedes Benz overlooked this "minor" issue.

They're being innovative by bringing the first non-leather seats to market that generally fool most people. Plus, a lot of people like this vinyl material - which feels close enough to leather, is easier to maintain and isn't part of a thing that was once living.

I love leather. I also love velour (I'd love to see crushed velour on luxury vehicles again).

 

[YEH]

^ Haven't heard of similar issues (or at least as wide spread) w/ earlier MB-Tex covered seats.

Apparently, the problem MB-Tex were those manufactured in Mexico and owners are getting replacement covers from Germany.

Have heard the pros about the newer pleather (but don't they still get blazing hot to the touch when parked in direct sunlight?) and the quality/feel of the base leather in the Germans isn't that good.

One major issue w/ pleather, however, are the chemicals that leach off (not to mention the fumes - a la the new car smell).

At the same time, leather gets chemically conditioned/treated and cloth usually gets a chemical protective coating, so can't really escape it but an all-synthetic material is probably worse (btw, alcantera is also a synthetic material).

 

[ksoze]

Apparently, the problem MB-Tex were those manufactured in Mexico and owners are getting replacement covers from Germany.

Actually heard as stated above the replacements were from Mexico.

 

[Tpr5.0]

https://youtu.be/eZx-yPgnvCg

 

[Tpr5.0]

https://youtu.be/Lyo9BWjrlOc

 

[Tpr5.0]

https://youtu.be/Kg4t3vYtKNY

 

[Genesis2015]

http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/la...-drive-2015-hyundai-genesis-article-1.2235657

 

[Ernie3647]

http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/la...-drive-2015-hyundai-genesis-article-1.2235657

Thanks that was a good review. To be honest the car might have been slightly abused beforehand. My car has 8,000 miles now and suffers no such quality issues.

 

[ksoze]

Thanks that was a good review. To be honest the car might have been slightly abused beforehand. My car has 8,000 miles now and suffers no such quality issues.

Agreed - good, honest review. The issues mentioned are a slight concern as it is likely no more abused than other reviewer cars. Real quality is determined not by how well it holds up under kid glove care, but how well it holds up under high use.

 

[awm]

"The other reason is the car&#8217;s relative rarity."

Besides the outstanding value and safety features, the relative rarity was just the topping that made my decision easier. Virtually every house in our neighborhood has at least one "premium" brand parked in the driveway - the Genesis stands out in that crowd like an exotic vehicle.

Hopefully, some of the quality concerns raised in the review are not an issue under normal use. And I hope that I will not have to see the dealership for more than oil changes in which case the "dealership experience" is unimportant although I must admit that our newly revamped local Audi, BMW and Lexus dealerships are much nicer places to hang around...