Considering Genesis Sedan, would like input

[Vitamin_J]

Hello all. I've been lurking as a guest for a bit and doing the requisite research.

For background, I'm a recovering sports car guy. Owned and raced German, Italian among others and retired as a track day instructor. Then, got a girl pregnant (my wife, thankfully) and been rocking a commuter ('11 Elantra Limited) while the family rolls in an SUV.

Five year later, its time to get a proper car for myself and I'm narrowed between the Genesis 3.6 Ultimate and Q50S Hybrid. They discount out to the same money so its no factor.

A couple of things that are holding me back on the Genesis:

* We bought a new Murano a few weeks ago (love it so far) and it has an 'around view' camera. Wow, what a feature. The Q has the same and I'm smitten.
* There is a LOT of wood in the Genesis. Maybe it is my sports car beginnings but I had an allergic reaction to it during the test drive.
* Red line - where is it? The computer wouldn't let me near it in Sport Mode. Is this a break-in thing or am I out of practice?

Otherwise, I'm a big fan. Anyone else have similar considerations and still moved forward?

And, nice to meet all of you.

 

[Alwaysforward]

aboard. I have zero regrets for buying my 5.0 Ultimate. It improves with age. After around 1500 miles or so the motor sounds more throaty and runs better. I recommend you jump in with both feet and never look back.

 

[shoelessj]

Hello all. I've been lurking as a guest for a bit and doing the requisite research.

For background, I'm a recovering sports car guy. Owned and raced German, Italian among others and retired as a track day instructor. Then, got a girl pregnant (my wife, thankfully) and been rocking a commuter ('11 Elantra Limited) while the family rolls in an SUV.

Five year later, its time to get a proper car for myself and I'm narrowed between the Genesis 3.6 Ultimate and Q50S Hybrid. They discount out to the same money so its no factor.

A couple of things that are holding me back on the Genesis:

* We bought a new Murano a few weeks ago (love it so far) and it has an 'around view' camera. Wow, what a feature. The Q has the same and I'm smitten.
* There is a LOT of wood in the Genesis. Maybe it is my sports car beginnings but I had an allergic reaction to it during the test drive.
* Red line - where is it? The computer wouldn't let me near it in Sport Mode. Is this a break-in thing or am I out of practice?

Otherwise, I'm a big fan. Anyone else have similar considerations and still moved forward?

And, nice to meet all of you.

I have had my 3.8 ultimate for three months now and love the vehicle. IMHO you cannot find a better value in a mid-full size luxury car and the price/technology is not matched elsewhere. I shopped Cad CTS, GS350, and looked at Q70 which I saw as a competitive vehicle as far as price and size. The Infiniti styling turned me off as did the tepid reviews of the car. I know the Q50 has been better reviewed.
The power with 8A is also more than adequate.
That said the Genesis is solid, quiet, handles well but it does not have sports car qualities. My car has the Michelin grand touring tire which no doubt softens things up a bit more.
As far as wood, certainly a matter of taste but I find the matte finish wood more sporty and it is growing on me for sure (Beige with walnut interior).
Good luck.

 

[wasnt]

I was looking at the Q50S as well. My biggest issue with the Q50, was the interior glossy surfaces. Sounds crazy but the cars I drove in , you could NOT keep clean.

I loved the seats in the Q50, best I had ever sat in... until I sat in the Genesis seats (the upgraded seats). I think they are on par with the superb seating in the Q50.

The Genesis has much more interior room IMO. It didn't feel as closed in. The Q50s is faster than the 3.8 Genesis, but the ride in the Genesis was much more refined, again IMO.

I went Genesis, because I got a lot more car for my money... more features, more car, more room and lots of comfort. No regrets, other than I wish I would've went to the Ultimate over the Tech.

 

[Aquineas]

This might be the only time you'll ever see me recommend another vehicle instead of a Genesis (I absolutely love my Genesis), but in all honesty, I'm basing it on what you say in your post. If you want sporty with minimal "nanny" interference, you'd be better off with the Q50s (at least until the sportier versions of the Genesis come out). I view the Genesis (in its current form, anyway) as an extremely competent luxury car. It is not a sports sedan which does luxury, which the Q50s is. The Genesis Nannies don't even try to get out of your way completely.

 

[TheKingInYellow]

Very different cars, and those were my final two choices as well before I made my purchasing decision. The Q50s is more of a sports sedan, the Genesis is a luxury sedan. They drive and feel different enough, but no one would say either is a poor choice.

For me, I decided based on several things:

1 - Price and financing. The Genesis was way more affordable, both up front and long term. Look into the cost of an oil change at your Infiniti dealer. Yikes.

2 - Space in the back seat. I have two kids, and while this is *my* car, there are still soccer games, dance lessons and other things that will involve putting the kids back there.

3 - Uniqueness. Infiniti, for a luxury brand, is very common here. The Genesis turned heads when I drove it because it's such a unique car.

4 - Comfort. Yes the Q50 is faster and is a better handling car, but I'm looking for a DD not a track day car. The seats are better, the stereo is better, the ride is more comfortable, more legroom up front, the list goes on. The Genesis is a DAMN comfortable car.

5 - Reliability. Nissan/Infiniti reliability is trending down in a big way, while Hyundai has been trending up for years. Old Nissan products were pretty reliable but they were never near the top of the Japanese makers, and now they down quite a bit. Their CVTs are very problematic and the Infortainment issues on the Q50 are still pretty bad even in the 2nd model year.

So, pretty simply that's why I'm a Genesis owner.

 

[markpoisson]

I came from a 2007 G35S into a 3.8 Ultimate. I haven't driven the Q50S but I suspect it is similar to the G. As others have said, the Genesis is NOT a sports sedan. It is a luxury sedan that is not overly soft and can be sporty at times. The ride, especially on the highway, is fantastic. Every now and again, I miss the explosiveness of the G but overall, I am very happy with the Genesis.

As far as the wood is concerned, it is REAL and in the Ultimate a matte finish. Very striking. If you don't like the brown shades, you can get the black interior with the black wood. Very unique.

As others have pointed out in other threads, it is a car that has a unique ability to have people stare at it and take pictures. Just this week, twice people walked around it, peering into it. I suspect some know it is a Hyundai (although I have the rear winged emblem so no visual cues of the 'H') and others mistake it for an Aston or Bentley (yes, it's true).

Lastly, the size is great. Rear seat legroom is phenomenal which is the biggest gripe my kids had with the G...

Best of luck!

 

[jarred52]

Hello, Vitamin.

From your post, sound like you are a sports car guy; not a recovering one. If you still think sports cars but just get a little self nagging of guilt that pulls you slightly towards more luxury than sport, you will likely have buyers remorse with the Genny. I love my Genny but my sports car days are long gone and have no desire in that line any more. Buy what you really want.

 

[awm]

A friend of ours has a Q50S Hybrid and I had a number of opportunities to ride in it as a passenger. It certainly is fast and feels more like a sports limousine along the lines of a BMW with sport suspension. I also test drove the Q50S and the Hybrid and liked both but felt that it is not nearly as light footed as a BMW 335i. And it does not have as serene of a cabin as the Genesis.

So, if you want a commuter or long distance car for relaxed driving with up to 4 people feeling at home for hours, the Genesis would be the better pick IMHO. If hard driving and tossing around corners is the way you usually drive and do not plan to use the car for long drives with passengers in the back, the Q50S Hybrid is probably your better option but in that case you might also want to have a closer look at the 335i (I know a lot of people are saying that it has lost the true sports feel of earlier 3 series but I disagree with that assessment).

 

[Vitamin_J]

Thanks all for these great and thoughtful replies. I really appreciated the community and agree with previous posters. The Q is probably the better car for my taste.

You all have certainly picked a great car and I wish you well. Drive safe.

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[YEH]

As others have noted, the Genesis and Q50 are quite a bit different size/interior room-wise - the Q50 being on the larger end of the compact sedan segment and the Genesis being on the larger end of the midsize sedan segment - so indeed a whole size segment larger.

The Q50S hybrid might be the best choice out of the Q50 lineup.

Only caveats are that the steer-by-wire system has been largely panned (tho Infiniti made some quick adjustments, albeit while better, not getting a ton of praise for steering feel; not sure if the Q50S hybrid is available w/o the steer-by-wire system) and the ride is a bit stiff due to the suspension tuning and the rubber (run-flats), but shouldn't really be an issue for you coming from sports cars.

The Q50S hybrid is a fine choice.