500 mile review

[nextcar]

i've already put 500 miles on my new 2011 genesis 4.6, and i'd like to comment on a few things:

1. Lexicon audio
this is the best car audio system i've owned, beating the other luxury brands that i have owned including Lexus, audi, and BMW, which cost the same or more than the genesis. the sound is so clear and detailed and the bass is authoritative. however, the choice to have 17 speakers is probably a marketing gimmick. i'm sure the sound would be just as good or maybe even better with less speakers (but higher quality).

2. Quiet ride
this ties with our Lexus ES350 as the most quiet car we've owned.

3. powertrain
the V8 is so quiet and effortless in its power delivery that it feels more luxurious than any 6 cylinder engine. i haven't floored the gas pedal yet so can't comment on its full potential.

4. ride quality
this is the only area i'm not 100% happy with (i'm 90% happy). the suspension is firmer than other competing sedans such as the new BMW 5 series (non sport suspension), MB E series, and the Lexus ES. With the genesis, i do feel every little bump on the road. it's not harsh by any means, and it is significantly better than the V6 genesis (which is quite nervous and bouncy IMO), but i think a significant number of people may find it too firm. i did a back to back drive with the 2012 4.6 and did not find any difference in this regard.

overall, i'm very happy with the genesis and feel that it's the nicest car i have owned.

 

[tonygxp]

i've already put 500 miles on my new 2011 genesis 4.6, and i'd like to comment on a few things:

1. Lexicon audio
this is the best car audio system i've owned, beating the other luxury brands that i have owned including Lexus, audi, and BMW, which cost the same or more than the genesis. the sound is so clear and detailed and the bass is authoritative. however, the choice to have 17 speakers is probably a marketing gimmick. i'm sure the sound would be just as good or maybe even better with less speakers (but higher quality).

2. Quiet ride
this ties with our Lexus ES350 as the most quiet car we've owned.

3. powertrain
the V8 is so quiet and effortless in its power delivery that it feels more luxurious than any 6 cylinder engine. i haven't floored the gas pedal yet so can't comment on its full potential.

4. ride quality
this is the only area i'm not 100% happy with (i'm 90% happy). the suspension is firmer than other competing sedans such as the new BMW 5 series (non sport suspension), MB E series, and the Lexus ES. With the genesis, i do feel every little bump on the road. it's not harsh by any means, and it is significantly better than the V6 genesis (which is quite nervous and bouncy IMO), but i think a significant number of people may find it too firm. i did a back to back drive with the 2012 4.6 and did not find any difference in this regard.

overall, i'm very happy with the genesis and feel that it's the nicest car i have owned.

good review. i had an experience recently with an '11 E350 a friend of mine owns and after an hour drive in it i found it to:
around the same level of quiet/comfort as the genesis
road noise to be greater inside on smooth roads and around the same as the genesis over expansion joints and elevated imperfections.
in that last part i thought his MB would've bested the Genesis' ride (due to all the attention the "harsh" suspension gets) but was amazed to feel the same imperfections in his car i feel in my own. now i did not compare it to a washboard type road, maybe his would feel better, but on the road i travel mulitple times daily i know i my car feels and his MB was no better, funny that on the smooth road the Genesis rides better.

the powertrain is better (compared to the MB 6cyl) in the genesis, more luxurious, you would need to step up to the $$$$$$ E550 to better it. If hyundai would just change the color of the center stack buttons, switched the whole ting to black with white outlined lettering maybe? it would complete the interior. my only real gripe about the inside.

 

[homeofstone]

i've already put 500 miles on my new 2011 genesis 4.6, and i'd like to comment on a few things:

1. Lexicon audio
this is the best car audio system i've owned, beating the other luxury brands that i have owned including Lexus, audi, and BMW, which cost the same or more than the genesis. the sound is so clear and detailed and the bass is authoritative. however, the choice to have 17 speakers is probably a marketing gimmick. i'm sure the sound would be just as good or maybe even better with less speakers (but higher quality).

2. Quiet ride
this ties with our Lexus ES350 as the most quiet car we've owned.

3. powertrain
the V8 is so quiet and effortless in its power delivery that it feels more luxurious than any 6 cylinder engine. i haven't floored the gas pedal yet so can't comment on its full potential.

4. ride quality
this is the only area i'm not 100% happy with (i'm 90% happy). the suspension is firmer than other competing sedans such as the new BMW 5 series (non sport suspension), MB E series, and the Lexus ES. With the genesis, i do feel every little bump on the road. it's not harsh by any means, and it is significantly better than the V6 genesis (which is quite nervous and bouncy IMO), but i think a significant number of people may find it too firm. i did a back to back drive with the 2012 4.6 and did not find any difference in this regard.

overall, i'm very happy with the genesis and feel that it's the nicest car i have owned.

Get rid of the Duflop tires and you will notice an improvement in handling and ride. The Dunlops rate dead last on the Tire Rack site. Try getting the Cont. DWS, the Michellin energy saver, the Bridgestone Turanza Serinity, The Goodyear Comfort Tread or Cont. DW.

 

[tompass]

I think the change to black buttons on stack with white letter would be a huge improvement. I am often struggling to see controls particularly during the day. I have also stated previously that the perceived, and certainly may be real, improvement in the ride quality of '12 can be attributed in great part to not having the Dunlops as much as to any tweaking of the suspension.

 

[nextcar]

Get rid of the Duflop tires and you will notice an improvement in handling and ride. The Dunlops rate dead last on the Tire Rack site. Try getting the Cont. DWS, the Michellin energy saver, the Bridgestone Turanza Serinity, The Goodyear Comfort Tread or Cont. DW.

i did drive the 2012 genesis 3.8 and 4.6 with the Michelin tires.
i did not notice any improvement in ride or noise level compared to the Dunlops. maybe when my dunlops have more miles on them, i might notice a difference, i don't know.

i have a feeling the Dunlop's performance is unfairly maligned.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Re #1:
the extra speakers are what makes it a 7.1 system instead of 5.1.
Crappy sources do indeed exacerbate crappy sound.
Try a DVD-A for the true capabilities. There are threads on this topic.

 

[Supersax]

i did drive the 2012 genesis 3.8 and 4.6 with the Michelin tires.
i did not notice any improvement in ride or noise level compared to the Dunlops. maybe when my dunlops have more miles on them, i might notice a difference, i don't know.

i have a feeling the Dunlop's performance is unfairly maligned.

nextcar - on your test drives, did you have the opportunity to drive on "less than perfect" roads? I'm still trying to decide between a 2011 4.6L and 2012 4.6L and I'm leaning toward a 2011 and then add Conti DWS's.

 

[nextcar]

nextcar - on your test drives, did you have the opportunity to drive on "less than perfect" roads? I'm still trying to decide between a 2011 4.6L and 2012 4.6L and I'm leaning toward a 2011 and then add Conti DWS's.

oh yes, all roads in SoCal are less than perfect. i really couldn't tell the difference between dunlops and michelins.
btw, i checked tirerack.com, and the new michelin energy saver tires only had 44 reviews from all different cars. i wouldn't trust such a small sample.

on the other hand, the conti DWS has over a thousand surveys, so i would trust that more.

my advice to you is get the 2011 if you can save about $3000 on it over the 2012, as the resale value of the 2012 could be at least $2000 better. if you do get the 2011 and, in the unlikely event, you are unhappy with the dunlops , then get the Contis.

 

[nextcar]

Re #1:
the extra speakers are what makes it a 7.1 system instead of 5.1.
Crappy sources do indeed exacerbate crappy sound.
Try a DVD-A for the true capabilities. There are threads on this topic.

7.1 surround is also gimmicky.
i would prefer a higher quality 2 channel stereo over a lesser quality surround format.

 

[MHT]

I know I will probably get beat up for this but if it will help someone so be it. I do not think that some of you realize that changing the Dunlop's to a different tire may improve your ride over rough surfaces but it is not the answer to the issue. The answer to the issue can be found on the 2012 Genesis with a much improved suspension set up. I too have the Michelin OEM tires found on the 2012 Genesis with 18" wheels on my 2010 Genesis.
On my test drive of the 2012 Genesis I notice right off the bat a slightly improved ride over rough surfaces, I say slightly because I have the same Michelin tires but I also notice a nice improvement in the 2012 suspension, which gives better damping over rough surfaces ,which can not be accomplished with just a change of tires.
If it were not for the fact that my car is just a little over a year old and I am not so unhappy with the ride that I just have to trade I would trade for the 2012. I know some who have driven the 2012 our saying you feel no difference in the ride from the 2010-2011 Genesis but I do not know how that can be, may be you should check and make sure the tested car tire pressure is set a 33PSI.
IMO if I were buying I would take the 2012 hands down over a 2011. There is really not that big of difference in price. You may have to do some leg work but you can get just a good of a deal on the 2012 as a 2011.
IMO with the 2012, Hyundai has the Suspension just right and I would not make any further changes for as it is now it is just one step away from being a floater and I for one do not want the float.
This is just my point of view based on my experience with the 2010 Genesis 4.6 and many sets of different tires and my test drive of the 2012 genesis.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Aquineas]

7.1 surround is also gimmicky.
i would prefer a higher quality 2 channel stereo over a lesser quality surround format.

I would agree with this except in the case of DVD-Audio discs. It's a shame that DVD-A hasn't caught on as much as it could have; listening to Santana's "Supernatural" on DVD-Audio is a near religious experience.


Nice review on the ride, btw. Pretty much echoes my thoughts after the same period.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

7.1 surround is also gimmicky.
i would prefer a higher quality 2 channel stereo over a lesser quality surround format.

And I'd prefer silence to a lesser quality format.
To each his own...

 

[Vince2]

MHT I concur completely. If you have driven the pre '12 Genesis and you find little or no difference in the ride of the new car then lucky you. You get to save money. Keep or buy the previous version. I owned a 2010 for one year and I was so wrung out with the harsh ride of the '10 that I was selling the car period! The 2012 has the perfect ride for me. The new cas has the nice firm ride of the previous years without the harsh reactions to all the uneven surfaces. I could tell the difference immediately and every day with the new car confirms it.

 

[wamba2000]

I can share my experience after turning over 1000 miles in a 3.8 '12 w Premium package.
1. Audio- I would still like a bit more volume from the system, especially on CDs that had a low gain when recorded or in quiet passages in classical music. I have turned up the bass settings and lowered the highs as I think the setup is more bright than I prefer. Overall it is the best factory sound system I have ever had, and my complaints are minor.
2. Quiet ride- after mostly city with some out of town driving, the only thing I am hearing is the road noise from the Michelins. The body and interior has not squeaks or rattles. Will see how the tires do over time. Gas mileage so far: mostly city avg: 20.2 Mostly Highway at 75 mph: 26.8 mpg.
3. Powertrain. I like the V-6 power, and the 8 speed transmission is very smooth and I have not had any lack of kick down when needed. No situations yet where I needed the V-8's thrust.
4. Ride quality - I do not have the perspective of other Genesis owners here. We traded an '06 Azera, which had a floaty ride and bottomed out over bumps, so the Genesis is a huge improvement. I think the ride is softer than in my friend's 5 series BMW, but you definitely get some feel for what is going on while on rough or uneven pavement. No complaints from me.

I am disappointed in the amount of light on low beams. Have bought a pair of PIAAs to improve it a bit. The HIDs would be a help, but didn't buy that package.

Also, I put a KDM badge on the hood, yesterday saw a couple looking at the car from a distance, then walk up close to see what it was....priceless!

Best of luck to all....

 

[YEH]

i did not notice any improvement in ride or noise level compared to the Dunlops. maybe when my dunlops have more miles on them, i might notice a difference, i don't know.

i have a feeling the Dunlop's performance is unfairly maligned.

For what it's worth, the Dunlops pretty much get bad reviews across the board on Tirerack for various models of autos where it was the OEM tire.

 

[nextcar]

For what it's worth, the Dunlops pretty much get bad reviews across the board on Tirerack for various models of autos where it was the OEM tire.

that's true.
i guess i look forward to the day i need to replace the dunlops, maybe 30k miles later. right now, i am so happy with the car with the dunlops.