4.6 2011 or 2012

[Rysher8]

Hi Everyone,

First let me say that I have been reading this forum for a few weeks, and it is absolutely outstanding. The advice and insights here are second to none, and I am thrilled to be joining the Genesis owners ranks shortly.

My situation is that I currently own a 2007 V6 Hyundai Sonata Limited. I have almost 220,000 miles on it, and it still drives beautifully. Highway driving is smooth and powerful, and the interior still looks surprisingly good. That being said, I feel like I'm driving on borrowed time at this point, and I've decided to treat myself to an upgrade... a 4.6 V8 Hyundai Genesis.

After doing a ton of research, I decided that the best of all worlds would be a 2012 4.6 V8, preferably in Titanium w/ black interior. The 2012 has the updated suspension and transmission, heated rear seats (I often have passengers back there) and the high powered headlights for nighttime driving.

However, after spending a lot of time reading this forum, I'm starting to have some minor doubts. A completely unscientific sampling of dozens of threads is that the 2012+ models seem to have more repair issues than the 2010 and 2011 models. I'm not counting the '09 models because I don't think the first model year is as relevant, and I'm assuming many of the unexpected bugs were worked out by the second or third year in production. The transmission is the issue that worries me the most, as I've seen countless posts about "gear hunting" with the 8 speed, and virtually no complaints about the 6 speed. However, I realize I could have just overlooked complaints about the 6. I've also noticed that there are a significant number of low mile 2012 Genesis's for sale in the 4.6 trim, and very very few for the 2011, which also has me concerned.

The above is a way too long way of asking this:

Am I way off base in my interpretation that the 2012+ models (and specifically the 2012 model in particular) have had a bit more than their fair share of issues compared to the two previous models? What has been your experience with the two generations, and what would you recommend for someone who strongly values reliability?

Thank you so much for any help, and I look forward to being a productive member of this forum!

 

[Mark_888]

In 2012 they started out with a 4.6 V8, but later came out with a 5.0 GDI V8 in the same model year. The one with the most problems seems to be the 5.0 V8. The major problems with the 5.0 V8 engine were apparently fixed late in the 2012 model year.

 

[homeofstone]

I have a 2011 4.6 which I purchased new. It now has 166,000 miles on it and is still a great car, very reliable. The engine and transmission still run like new. The ZF transmission in the 2011 is buttery smooth and quiet. A good set of touring all season tires gives the car a good ride quality. However, Its not what you want if you drive a lot in a city with pot hole roads everywhere.

 

[Dawg]

I considered both, but I settled for 2011 for a few reasons:

1. I prefer 6 speed vs 8 speed. You would think the 8 speed would be quicker, but I think they are the same. The 6speed I believe is a proven transmission based on some of the reading/research and I also do not like a "busy" transmission...not saying the 8speed would be, but I imagine it would??

2. I do not like the looks of the wheels on the 2012 nor the way the rear rectangular exhaust tips look.

3. There is a poster on here I believe Homeofstone who has a 2011 with 165K miles and he has been a very positive on his experience with his model, so part of my decision was from him sharing his experience with this model...not to mention he uses the vehicle in the same climate as me (Georgia)

A drawback I hear on 2011 is the firm suspension on potholes...yes it is firm and sometimes harsh for a vehicle IMO, but tolerable after getting used to it...not going to lie but I thought about getting rid of the vehicle in the first 6 months because of this...my test drive was on smooth pavement. Also, 2012 may have a better Navigation system.

The 4.6 is also a proven engine...I believe modeled after the Lincoln towncars and taxi cabs/cop vehicles???...a lot of these have hit 400K miles

Buy the extended warranty...I did this for peace of mind and would have done it any used vehicle

 

[Dawg]

You may want to drive one with tan interior...I thought I wanted black until I sat in a tan one...no regrets does not show as much dirt/dust!

 

[Rysher8]

Thanks guys. Dawg, that's a good call on the tan interior. I think my color preference with the '11 would be black w/cashmere interior. I really like the look of the black accents in that interior vs. the wood grain in the '12.

Incidentally, for some reason I like the overall exterior look of the 2009-2011 slightly better than the 2012-2014. That must sound crazy given that part of the refresh was to provide more distinctive styling, but the original version looks so classy and timeless.

Man, now I'm slightly leaning towards an '11. For anyone else who has driven either one, how big of a difference did the updated suspension make for you, and what are your thoughts about the 8 speed vs. the 6 speed transmission with the 4.6? Thanks!

 

[AgentSmith007]

Incidentally, for some reason I like the overall exterior look of the 2009-2011 slightly better than the 2012-2014. That must sound crazy given that part of the refresh was to provide more distinctive styling, but the original version looks so classy and timeless.

Absolutely agree with you.

Within last few months I received three flyers from three different dealerships offering to by my 2011 4.6 (and of course to sell me another new car). Also got few calls from other dealerships about buying my Genesis. No way. It is not for sale.

 

[Rysher8]

Any other opinions on the 2011 vs. the 2012? Am I right in assuming that the ZF 6 speed transmission is slightly better/smoother, or have there been issues with that one as well?

Lastly I would be very interested in any opinions on the suspension improvement, and the difference that you feel it makes in the 2012.

 

[homeofstone]

Any other opinions on the 2011 vs. the 2012? Am I right in assuming that the ZF 6 speed transmission is slightly better/smoother, or have there been issues with that one as well?

Lastly I would be very interested in any opinions on the suspension improvement, and the difference that you feel it makes in the 2012.

The ZF 6hp26 in the Genesis is a German made transmission and has been used in many luxury cars, ie Audi, BMW, Bentley (47 different Bentleys), Jaguar, and others. It is super smooth, much smoother than my Mercs.

 

[Mark_888]

Absolutely agree with you.

Within last few months I received three flyers from three different dealerships offering to by my 2011 4.6 (and of course to sell me another new car). Also got few calls from other dealerships about buying my Genesis. No way. It is not for sale.

I think those are just automated marketing campaigns to get Hyundai owners into the dealer to look at new cars. I get those all the time also, but I have a 2009 Genesis, and I doubt that they really want my car on their used car lot. I have "heard" that most dealers will auction-off cars taken in trade that are more than 5 years old, and sometimes even less than 5 years old.

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[MathWiz]

Rysher8,

I also did a lot of research before purchasing a Genesis, and decided I wanted a low mileage 2011. My patience and research was rewarded with a one owner car with under 32K miles. Platinum Silver with black interior for only 20K, and 1750 for the 5yr/60K Miles warranty.

Good luck with your search, advanced search on Cars.com works great.

Charles

 

[Rysher8]

That car looks gorgeous MathWiz!!! One question I had was about the black interior matched with the brown wood grain trim. How does that look up close in person? Are you happy with that interior color combo, or in a perfect world would you prefer the black interior matched with the darker wood grain of the '12?

 

[Rysher8]

Btw I've been researching these in depth, and you definitely got a good deal. I would expect to pay closer to 21k for that car.

 

[MathWiz]

Btw I've been researching these in depth, and you definitely got a good deal. I would expect to pay closer to 21k for that car.

Similar cars with more mileage are going in the 23K range in California, I was willing to go up to 500 miles for the right deal, this one was only 17 miles from my house and the first owner was a San Diego guy who had all the work done at the dealer.

I like the interior, just wish it had the updated NAV and stereo.

Charles

 

[amartz]

I considered both, but I settled for 2011 for a few reasons:

1. I prefer 6 speed vs 8 speed. You would think the 8 speed would be quicker, but I think they are the same. The 6speed I believe is a proven transmission based on some of the reading/research and I also do not like a "busy" transmission...not saying the 8speed would be, but I imagine it would??

I have the 8-speed, and yes I did have it replaced under warranty. But the new one has been absolutely perfect, and I can't imagine trading it for a 6-speed.

2. I do not like the looks of the wheels on the 2012 nor the way the rear rectangular exhaust tips look.

I prefer both.

A drawback I hear on 2011 is the firm suspension on potholes...yes it is firm and sometimes harsh for a vehicle IMO, but tolerable after getting used to it...not going to lie but I thought about getting rid of the vehicle in the first 6 months because of this...my test drive was on smooth pavement.

I'd have to say that Hyundai finally got it right with the 2012-2014 suspension. The R-spec suspension was one of the reasons I went with a V6 instead of a V8.

 

[amartz]

You been reading this thread?

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=6224

 

[craigt]

The R-spec suspension was one of the reasons I went with a V6 instead of a V8.

Same here. Living in the Northeast, and R-Spec suspension is a non-starter.

If only they brought back the V8 non R-Spec....

 

[Rysher8]

Amartz I had not read that thread, and it is very helpful. The one thing I noticed is that while there a lot of complaints about the '09, it doesn't seem like there's much consensus on real improvement between the '11 and '12 for those who have driven both. Basically if you think the suspension is harsh, it's going to feel harsh on any model '09-14. Am I reading into that correctly?

 

[craigt]

Hyundai made suspension improvements in all Genesis models in 2012.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-hyundai-genesis-r-spec-50-first-drive-review
http://www.scribd.com/doc/48601674/2012-Hyundai-Genesis-Sedan-Press-Release
http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=7062
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/2012-Hyundai-Genesis-Overview-c22915

Plus many more sites that mention it.

 

[Rysher8]

I get that Hyundai says they made improvements and I've seen it mentioned on these forums. However, it doesn't seem like the improvements made much of a real world difference based on what I've read here. However, I would be very interested in hearing for those who do (or don't) feel there a significant difference between the two.