Considering a 2013+ Genesis or Avalon, what would you recommend after owning one?

[Goodsteward]

hello there,
I'm actually a Toyota guy, but I have always liked Hyundai's cars. I recently learned my 07 Toyota Avalon with 184k miles needs some AC work, so I'm considering a trade in. I have heard that the newer model Avalons were not as floaty as the year I have, and then I remembered the Genesis I went googly eyed for years ago when I settled for the Avalon has the same reputation on ride. It seems there are plenty out there now (wasn't vefore several years back) and I wanted to get some of your impressions. I have never been able to drive a Genesis. I live in a smaller town, and it seems the closest one is an hour and thirty minets out. I am hoping to go there this weekend and test drive it. It's a 2013 3.8L.

Compared to the generation Avalon I have, how does the ride compare? How does the lower end audio system compare? I wanted the better system, but those are harder to find. How many miles should I expect out of this? Are there common problems with the 2013-2014 model? The 2013's seem to get better reliablity ratings than 2012 and previous. Is this true? Did the ride quality improve one year to next? Is the back seat big enough for 2 car seats and a child? It seems a bit smaller than the Avalon.

I'm looking for the bottom year to cut off my searching. 2013 appears to be the best of both worlds, good reviews and prices. JD Power goes from lower ratings to really good ratings from 2012 models to 2013 models. Can anybody explain this?

I have found a 2013 w/ 60k miles, 3.8L, and the tech package listed for 15,990. That's right in the ball park for what I was lookoing for. It's just about 150 miles away. I also found a 2013 Avalon with 36k miles just 45 min away, but seems to be a more basic model

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[YEH]

Keep in mind that Toyota, in an attempt to make the Avalon sportier, messed up the ride.

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/ford/taurus/2013/the-big-test-2013-2014-full-size-sedans/

Sad to say, a comfortable, composed ride is something the Avalon just doesn’t have, as we noted in our last full-size comparison. Associate editor Mike Febbo found “it crashes and bangs over the smaller bumps, then just floats away over the bigger ones.” Those crashes and bangs also transmitted a lot of noise through the cabin, leading to a “cheap and unrefined” feel, according to executive editor Ron Kiino. The Avalon’s steering seemed artificial, though the Toyota did feel fairly nimble on the twistier sections of our drive route, in part because of its low 3557-pound curb weight.

3rd place: Toyota Avalon

Extremely efficient and generous in interior room and features, the Avalon is let down by a bone-shaking ride and an uninspiring drive.

If you decide to opt for the Avalon, would recommend purchasing a later model (about a year or so ago, Toyota revised the suspension on the Avalon to make it more like the prior generation), but test out the '13MY Avalon and see if you can live with it.

 

[Mark_888]

The 2012 Genesis had a brand new Hyundai transmission, and GDI (gasoline direct injection) was added to both the 3.8L and 5.0 engines that year. So that explains why reliability improved in 2013. Suspension should be the same from 2012-2014.

I can't recommend any model used car unless an extended warranty is purchased. It is too difficult repair engines and transmissions these days, and if something goes wrong out of warranty, then replacement with a brand new one (or from a salvaged vehicle) is usually the only option (and that is very expensive). Hyundai dealers usually can only make very minor repairs to newer engines or transmissions.

I don't know anything about the 2013 Avalon, but I have heard the new ones are quite good.

 

[1FstYota]

The 2012 Genesis suspension sounds like the Avalon's. If the road wasn't smooth the suspension was jarring and crashy over just about everything. It floated when hitting some bigger bumps, and gave me a very twichy feeling like the rear end is going to break loose on me.

 

[Goodsteward]

What year would be the better starting point for a Genesis? Or am I better off going for a pre-2013 Avalon?

 

[Mark_888]

The 2012 Genesis suspension sounds like the Avalon's. If the road wasn't smooth the suspension was jarring and crashy over just about everything. It floated when hitting some bigger bumps, and gave me a very twichy feeling like the rear end is going to break loose on me.

The 2012-2014 Genesis sedans had the same suspension, unless one is talking about the 5.0L R-Spec, which was much stiffer as one would expect from an R-Spec. Prior to 2012, the 2009-2011 Genesis suspension had the issues you describe, although smooth riding tires helped a lot.

 

[TLRam1]

The 2012 suspension is not good either on the Genesis, go for the Avalon.

 

[Fgpalmer71]

I drove a 2013 Avalon limited before I purchased my 2010 3.8. I came from a Lexus ES330 and had also driven a 2013 ES350 before pulling the trigger on the Genesis. We all seem to have varying opinions on the suspension of these cars. I enjoy my car immensely and the suspension is one of the reasons.

I didn't really realize how soft and floaty the Lexus was until I drove the Genesis. The Avalon was nice, but had that same soft and cushy ride that the Lexus did. I enjoy the tighter suspension and don't find it to be overly harsh at all. But that is just me apparently.

I think the Genesis is much nicer then the Avalon. You should have no issue with 2 car seats and a child in the back. I found the Genesis to be much more spacious then the Avalon. As far as driving dynamics go I see no comparison between the 2. FWD vs RWD. I found the Genesis to be a superior car in every aspect and am still over the moon with my decision. I drove a base model Genesis as well. I found the stereo to be adequate but would advise to find the premium model with the 14 speaker system at a minimum. I find it to be WAY better in every way.

I would also 2nd what Mark888 said about the warranty. That's the only thing I wrestled with and am glad I purchased it. It has paid for itself already. If I would have known that I could have called Hyundai with the VIN and purchased the extended warranty through them I would have. The 3rd party warranty I purchased is good, but I would have preferred the factory backed warranty. The issues I've had have done little to affect my admiration of the car. I love my Genesis.

Good luck

 

[Mark_888]

If I would have known that I could have called Hyundai with the VIN and purchased the extended warranty through them I would have. The 3rd party warranty I purchased is good, but I would have preferred the factory backed warranty.

Just to clarify, the Hyundai Extended Warranty can be purchased from any Hyundai dealer who is willing to sell it, but not directly from Hyundai Motor America itself.

 

[Fgpalmer71]

☝️yep. I wouldn't have made the call to the Hyundai in Korea or to Hyundai America's HQ. I would have called my local Hyundai dealer. I thought that was implied, but additional clarification is never a bad thing!

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[veesix]

My second Genesis was a 2013. It was the only one that never had a problem. The car had a beautiful interior and was always fun to drive. I only traded it because I wanted the new gadgets that came out on the second generation Genesis. When I traded mine in, it had 9,000 miles on it!

 

[Mark_888]

☝️yep. I wouldn't have made the call to the Hyundai in Korea or to Hyundai America's HQ. I would have called my local Hyundai dealer. I thought that was implied, but additional clarification is never a bad thing!

I know that you are aware of this, but after being on this forum since 2009 it is obvious that some people don't understand the difference between the following:

• Hyundai Motor Korea - Manufacturer
• Hyundai Motor America - Importer and USA distributor, and the company that provides all warranties. HMA is owned by Hyundai Motor Korea.
• Hyundai Dealer - In the USA, large auto dealers are independent companies and not allowed to be owned by the manufacturer in most states.