Car & Driver Review (includes comparisons to the LS460, Avalon & 528i)

[jwaters943]

Another very solid review for the Genesis!

Cliffnotes:

-It's leagues better than the similarly-priced Avalon in nearly all respects
-It's not quite as sporty/involving as the BMW
-It's a tiny bit shy of the LS460 in terms of ultimate refinement

In other words, a very good compromise for most buyers, at a very reasonable price.

If there is one negative IMO, it's the somewhat underwhelming performance of the V8. I just can't figure out why the V8 isn't a full second quicker to 60 mph than the V6. It should be given the HUGE difference in horsepower/torque. I expected numbers similar to the G8 GT, but C&D only managed 6.0 seconds 0-60 and 14.2 in the 1/4 mile. The programing of the ZF transmission is likely at fault according to C&D.

Link:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...s/2009_hyundai_genesis_4_6_road_test/(page)/1

 

[zedbyers]

motor trend and road and track came up with 0-60 times of 5.5 and 5.6 seconds respectively. hyundai claims 5.6. they must have had a car that was off a bit....

 

[jwaters943]

They even stated in the review than Hyundai reflashed the transmsission which had no positive effect. Maybe their was something slightly off with this Tau V8 (or their test equipment).

FWIW, they also managed 6 seconds 0-60 for the regular wheelbase LS460, which is the slowest published time I've personally seen for that specific car. Conversely, the Avalon managed to reach 60 mph in 6.3 seconds which is damn impressive. Strange, just strange. I don't think I've never seen C&D publish anything but the lowest numbers compared to the other major automotive publications before.

 

[Jerrad]

I have saved a copy of Copy of C&D last test sheet (05/07/08) of the V8 and the numbers are much better then this current one.

I would not be supprised if they had got some kick back from another car company/companies to alter the test data. Would not be the first time the altered numbers.

I will compare the two test data's for side by side comparison.

Test Data 05/07/08...07/02/08
30 MPH......2.1.........2.2
40 MPH......3.1.........3.4
50 MPH......4.4.........4.7
60 MPH......5.6.........6.0
70 MPH......7.2.........7.8
80 MPH......9.1.........9.8
90 MPH......11.1.......12.0
100 MPH.....13.3.......14.2
110 MPH.....16.2.......17.3
120 MPH.....19.7.......21.0
130 MPH......xxx........25.3
140 MPH......xxx........32.2

ss5-60........6.0.......6.3
30-50.........3.0.......3.1
50-70.........3.8.......3.6
1/4 mile...14.1@103...14.5@101

Road Handling 0.86G......0.83G

 

[Jerrad]

Also why the hell would you test drive a car to high speeds if you know or feel the transmission is acting up or does not feel right?

That is just another way to say we fudged the numbers and incase people wat to write us and complain our scape goat would be the Transmission was not up to par that day as noted in the article.

 

[jwaters943]

It's obvious you didn't read the whole article. They clearly state that the transmission was shifting well short of redline and/or peak power. They never said the transmission was acting up in a way that would effect driveability/safety. They also clearly advertise the fact that they got better numbers on a pre-production Genesis V8 they tested in Korea. I don't think it's some conspiracy to make the Genesis look bad by fabricating a bogus story about the transmission. If they wanted to do that they could have just given it a bad review, which they did not IMO.

 

[Jerrad]

Maybe I should read the whole review I only read the first 1.5 pages and to me it seemed comletly out of wack from the last review.

As for redline shifting most cars hit peak power usually a bit before redline, just because you got a 6500 redline does not mean you shift shift there for best performance. I am not sure what the power band is on the V8 Tau but I would be interested to find out if it is at redline or in the 4-5k range.

I know as for my SRT-4 reline is at 6500 but shifting at 5600-5800 provides best results for its power curve.

So off topic I would like to know what the peak power curve is for the V6 and V8 model to know if the car is shifting to early or a bit to late in that matter. Maybe if and when I get mine I will take it to a dyno shop if one is not posted by then.

Also what is intersting he stated the test car came with the Tech Packge

Our test car had the only option group offered, the $4000 Technology package: 17-speaker audio with an in-dash six-DVD changer

But in the Test Spec sheet it noted a 14 speaker package. Did they test a different model then the one they wrote about. Noted in the 05/07/08 test was a 17 speaker one.

 

[ConceptVBS]

If there is one negative IMO, it's the somewhat underwhelming performance of the V8. I just can't figure out why the V8 isn't a full second quicker to 60 mph than the V6. It should be given the HUGE difference in horsepower/torque. I expected numbers similar to the G8 GT, but C&D only managed 6.0 seconds 0-60 and 14.2 in the 1/4 mile. The programing of the ZF transmission is likely at fault according to C&D.

IMO, I believe it is the gearing of the ZF transmission plus the shift before redline attribute that makes the V8 not as fast as it could be. If you look at the posted gear ratios, the V6 in first gear is 3. someting where as the V8 is 4. something. This means the V6 requires 3 full revolution of the crankshaft for every one revolution of the transmission. The V8 requires 4 revolutions. Hyundai may have changed the gear ratio to be more highway friendly sacrificing 0-60 times for top end speed and fuel economy.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Another great review! Thank you for posting it up! 0-60 in 6.0 seconds, huh? Avalon in 6.3? Hmm.. Odd... Oh well.. I'm sure many of us won't get the 5.5 that Motor Trend got.. Most people aren't race car drivers..

 

[GenFan]

The simple fact that the Genesis and the LS460 are mentioned in a review of the Genesis speaks volumes!

I've never seen or heard the Avalon being compared/contrasted to the LS460.

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[Sal Collaziano]

The simple fact that the Genesis and the LS460 are mentioned in a review of the Genesis speaks volumes!

I've never seen or heard the Avalon being compared/contrasted to the LS460.

Exactly.. The Genesis is no LS460 - but it's really not ALL that far behind.. The Lexus LS460 is the ultimate "do nothing" vehicle. It's not exciting at all - but it does what it's supposed to do absolutely perfectly. It's the most serene driving experience available.

 

[GenFan]

Exactly.. The Genesis is no LS460 - but it's really not ALL that far behind.. The Lexus LS460 is the ultimate "do nothing" vehicle. It's not exciting at all - but it does what it's supposed to do absolutely perfectly. It's the most serene driving experience available.

I will say that it is very exciting to look at. And I want one, real bad! I will get one in a year or two when I can find a great deal on a pre-owned one!

Somewhere, I will have to fit in a Genesis!

 

[Jerry Kim]

what i've learned from this review is that the only way to knock the Genesis is comparing it with +15K more expensive cars and nitpicking its performance.