3.8 AWD or 5.0

[pittdave]

Hello.. I am a noob here and want to get a Genesis. I have been partial to Hyundai and have owned two Tiburons in the past and a Santa Fe. I am looking at a classy sedan and I didnt think any of the original Genesis had AWD.. Knowing now that they do, I really think that is the route I want to go.. However..that 5.0 does have over 100 extra horses. I live in Arkansas and while we don't get regular snow, it does happen, but of course we have do deal with rain year round.
I would like to hear from owners or those that have driven both. Is the 5.0 enough to give up on AWD??

 

[Suburbazine]

The 3.8 is very anemic compared to the 5.0.

One is a sports car, one is a grandpa car

 

[pittdave]

That's as maybe..but the 3.8 will still be more HP than any car I have ever owned..but 420hp is hard to pass up

 

[TinsleyC]

The G80 5.0 will smoke the rear tires, the AWD will offer better grip. The 3.8 isn't smoking anything.

 

[daviderle]

Today I own both the 3.8 RWD Ultimate and a 5.0, when I got then exactly 2 years ago, I also drove three 3.8 AWD vehicles at that time
Even with the occasional black ice here in ATL, today I would make exactly the same choice as what you gain AWD grib you lose in get up and go...
Now if at the time I had the option to get 3.3T Sport, it would have been AWD all the way, but alas, I had to buy two for the price of one, due a spot of bad luck, where I had to replace two vehicles all at once.

 

[Markymark]

I live adjacent to arkansas. I have the 5.0. You want the 5.0. Effortless smooth power. The only complaint I have is that the tires are staggered.

 

[Alfer]

I have the 2015 3.8 AWD and glad I do. We get our share of snow now and then (we have some now) and I'll NEVER go back to RWD like I had in previous cars, including 2009 RWD Genesis. I don't race, never plan to race, it's all city driving so having the extra traction for bad weather (rain/snow/ice) is hands down best way to go.

 

[EdP]

That's as maybe..but the 3.8 will still be more HP than any car I have ever owned..but 420hp is hard to pass up

It is very adequate. I've had faster cars and yes, they can be fun but how often do you really get to use it? I was not willing to sped the extra money for it when new. May be better on the used market.

 

[millemk]

I have the 3.8 AWD which is more than adequate for my reasoning. The AWD is very impressive for better tracking around curves and corners with no sway or spin out. It is very responsive and fast (at least for me) as I have no intention of getting a speeding ticket. Why would I want a 5.0 engine with poor gas mileage just because I wanted that "extra power" that is not needed in everyday life. Plus, why would I want to replace tires every 25000 miles that would happen with the 5.0 which has non-rotatable tires!

 

[pittdave]

I am definitely looking used..most likely a 13-16 model...i would like to get the g80 but its out of my price range

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[skipgen]

The 3.8 is very anemic compared to the 5.0.

One is a sports car, one is a grandpa car

I drove both while looking to purchase... While the 3.8 is no stone but you have to rev it out. I think that the 5.0 makes the car the complete package with effortless, smooth power.

Here's C and D's tests of all 3 -

2015 Hyundai Genesis 5.0

Genesis, chapter two.

www.caranddriver.com

2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan V-6 RWD

The invisible touch.

www.caranddriver.com

2015 Hyundai Genesis V-6 AWD

Delivering a winning value proposition to snowy places.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[carguy75]

Hello.. I am a noob here and want to get a Genesis. I have been partial to Hyundai and have owned two Tiburons in the past and a Santa Fe. I am looking at a classy sedan and I didnt think any of the original Genesis had AWD.. Knowing now that they do, I really think that is the route I want to go.. However..that 5.0 does have over 100 extra horses. I live in Arkansas and while we don't get regular snow, it does happen, but of course we have do deal with rain year round.
I would like to hear from owners or those that have driven both. Is the 5.0 enough to give up on AWD??

The choice is all about what you want in a car. Raw power or more control. I like quick cars, however I also like the better sense of control of AWD cars as well. If I had to own only one than I would buy a AWD model, even if I have to buy a slower model.

I have an AWD full sized SUV for bad weather days, so the RWD 5.0 is a perfect match in my garage. But if you have to only have one car, then get the AWD 3.8 for year round reliable transportation in all weather conditions.

 

[chrysler300]

Us Canadians got to have both the 5.0 and AWD for the 2015 model year

 

[Markymark]

The choice is all about what you want in a car. Raw power or more control. I like quick cars, however I also like the better sense of control of AWD cars as well. If I had to own only one than I would buy a AWD model, even if I have to buy a slower model.

I have an AWD full sized SUV for bad weather days, so the RWD 5.0 is a perfect match in my garage. But if you have to only have one car, then get the AWD 3.8 for year round reliable transportation in all weather conditions.

I totally agree. If I was up north I would get the 3.8 with AWD. As it is, the OP in in Arkansas and Arkansas usually does not get snow. The 5.0 with RWD in snow is terrible. Like an old-school 70's Malaise era car.

The 3.8 has plenty of power. In my case, I came from multiple decades of low powered four-bangers, and it's just fun to have a luxury muscle car.

 

[skipgen]

Us Canadians got to have both the 5.0 and AWD for the 2015 model year

Yeah... Your 5.0s got heated steering wheels and heated rear seats too. Weird that they didn't include it with the US 5.0 Ultimates...

 

[Kraig Wilkinson]

The choice is all about what you want in a car. Raw power or more control. I like quick cars, however I also like the better sense of control of AWD cars as well. If I had to own only one than I would buy a AWD model, even if I have to buy a slower model.

I have an AWD full sized SUV for bad weather days, so the RWD 5.0 is a perfect match in my garage. But if you have to only have one car, then get the AWD 3.8 for year round reliable transportation in all weather conditions.

Well Said carguy75..

 

[SuperKing]

Yeah... Your 5.0s got heated steering wheels and heated rear seats too. Weird that they didn't include it with the US 5.0 Ultimates...

That stuff came at the expense of the rear window shade... lol... that's the only thing missing from the car from the US model... and bluelink but who cares about that..

 

[skipgen]

That stuff came at the expense of the rear window shade... lol... that's the only thing missing from the car from the US model... and bluelink but who cares about that..

My wife's 2014 Soul! even has a heated steering wheel... Use that once in cold weather and you'll definitely feel cheated.

 

[Nikhil Malhotra]

5.0 any day ? If i can go back in time , i will get a 5.0 .
Also the V8 engines are entering the legendary stage ... they are super rare comodity . Get it while you can and enjoy , otherwise our next cars are going to be electric.

 

[skipgen]

5.0 any day ? If i can go back in time , i will get a 5.0 .
Also the V8 engines are entering the legendary stage ... they are super rare comodity . Get it while you can and enjoy , otherwise our next cars are going to be electric.

Yeah... That's one of the reasons I got the 5.0. I wanted a big rear drive V8 sedan before they go away.