Consumer Reports Reviews the Genesis

[cviz]

Hyundai Genesis: First Drive
An ambitious, bargain-priced luxury liner that impresses
Last reviewed: December 2008

Overview

In some ways the Hyundai Genesis is reminiscent of the Lexus LS400, which sent a shockwave through its class in 1989. Like that pioneering premium car, the Genesis is a big, rear-wheel-drive luxury liner that takes aim at established, upscale, $50,000 sedans, but for many thousands of dollars less. The Genesis offers a host of luxury and convenience features, along with a full complement of safety equipment, including eight air bags and standard electronic stability control.

The top versions of the Genesis are powered by Hyundai's first V8, a 4.6-liter, 32-valve engine that produces 375 horsepower. Most Genesis sedans will use the 3.8-liter V6.

We bought a typically equipped V6 version. Its total price came to $36,000.

Initial impression

The Genesis is a roomy, quiet car with a punchy, refined powertrain. Though it handles soundly and rides well, it lacks the final polish that sets true luxury cars apart.

The 290-hp V6 is torquey and refined. The engine comes mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provides plenty of get up and go, and it averaged a respectable 22 mpg overall. A heavily advertised V8 is available, but the V6 delivers enough performance and it's clearly the better value.

Handling is sound but not sporty. The steering is quick but slightly lacking in feedback. While the ride is quiet and generally well isolated, rough pavement can provoke sharp nervous pitches that are out of place in a car of this class.

The vast cabin provides lots of room to stretch out, front and rear. The steering column rises and retracts automatically when the driver leaves—a feature normally restricted to high-end cars. The controls are blessedly uncomplicated and straightforward. Fit and finish are first class.

CR's take

The Genesis is an impressive car for the price, even if it doesn't quite match the excitement or refinement of the far costlier, similarly sized BMW, Infiniti, and Mercedes-Benz sedans. What you get is essentially the driving experience of a $50,000 to $60,000 car for a lot less than $40,000. Read how it ranks among its peers and other alternatives in the February issue of Consumer Reports, and online in January 2009.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/first-drives/hyundai-genesis-first-drive/overview/hyundai-genesis-first-drive.htm

 

[thomaspf]

Strange review. Particularly the comment about the V8.

A heavily advertised V8 is available, but the V6 delivers enough performance and it's clearly the better value.

Just to recap. The V8 gets you

• Auto dimming outside mirrors
• Larger front rotors and four piston brakes
• Stronger anti-roll bars
• Independent electric hydrolics pump for the steering
• Limited slip rear differential
• ZF transmission
• Smooth V8 power at small mpg penalty

• Premium leather
• Illuminated door sills
• Wood insert steering wheel
• Chrome accents on the doors
• Fully covered trunk

Maybe it is just me, but looking at a fully loaded V6 vs the V8 is $2000 difference. Looking at the list of features you get with the V8 I think that is a heck of a deal. Hyundai is not very crisp about this long list of additonal features exclusive to the V8 so I assume the Consumer Report reviewer just missed this.

I got the V8 ...

Cheers

Thomas

 

[ultra63]

I vote V8 as well. Consumer Reports is not a driving enthusiast magazine so you expect them to choose a V6 over a V8. I agree with the poor ride on some rough surfaces. I would have preferred to have spent a $1000 more on a Gen and have had better seating esp for passenger to more truely match a LS460

 

[jwaters943]

thomaspf:

Since when does the V8 get a Limited Slip Diff?

Conversely, the V6 weighs less and is more balanced (thanks to less weight over the front wheels), and only feels slightly less powerful. With that said, if I were to buy another Genesis it would be the V8. I'm perfectly happy w/ my V6, but the V8 leather is soooooooo soft.

 

[Gimli]

Since when does the V8 get a Limited Slip Diff?

It always has.

 

[VaiFan]

V6 vs. V8

Seems that Edmunds.com prefers the V6 over the V8 too.
here is their quote;

"There is a 368-hp V8 available for the Genesis but we don't see why you would need it. The V8 offers more power, but it doesn't really deliver more performance. The Genesis V8 manages 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and the 0.4-second improvement doesn't exactly spin your head around. Save yourself some headache at the gas pump and stick with the more fuel-efficient V6 that delivers 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway. We never found a situation where we felt we needed more oomph.

Skid pad and slalom testing numbers were also impressive for a 3,862-pound car that carries 52.2 percent of its weight up front. It pulls 0.83g on the skid pad, a good number limited by the intervention of the stability control. It navigated our 600-foot slalom course at 62.8 mph. The steering could offer a little more feedback, yet the Genesis V6 is well-behaved and actually performs slightly better in our handling tests than the V8 and feels better doing it.

With a well-tuned suspension both front and rear, the Genesis V6 offers a good balance between comfort and agility, offering good damping over the bumps and not much wobble or body roll in the corners."

I think the thicker rear sway bar and the slightly beefier front brakes are a wash due to the V8's heavier weight.
Now that limited slip rear di...that's another story.
I'd like to have that on my V6.

 

[jwaters943]

They aren't the only ones!

From Autoblog
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/13/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-hyundai-genesis-sedan/

"Third, the Genesis 3.8 is the model of choice. Although the enthusiast in us subconsciously gravitated towards the V8, we actually found the smaller V6 more suited to our needs. The lighter six made the Genesis feel less resistant to directional changes resulting in a more enjoyable driving experience. Behind the wheel of a luxury sedan, we never found ourselves in a situation that warranted additional power, and the V6 was much more frugal at the gasoline pump when compared to its bigger and thirstier brother. If you must have a V8, go for it. However, Hyundai is betting most will opt for the 3.8 model – it's the right selection in our eyes."

Even car enthusiasts like (prefer?) the V6:
http://forums.motivemag.com/zerothread?id=4102634

 

[Simonwpb]

The full CR article in February should be interesting.

The Genesis is an impressive car for the price, even if it doesn't quite match the excitement or refinement of the far costlier, similarly sized BMW, Infiniti, and Mercedes-Benz sedans.

How do you put a price on "excitement or refinement"? Is it worth a 50% or $20,000 premium?

 

[DanTheMan]

How do you put a price on "excitement or refinement"? Is it worth a 50% or $20,000 premium?

Well-spoken. However, if you review some of the (older) threads on this site, you'll find there are some that have complained (loosely speaking) of some of these so-called refinements that aren't a part of the Genesis line. For someone to make the argument, but not address the $10K-$20K difference in price is ludicrous! For whatever is missing, my bank account says a big "Thank You", and I'm still enjoying the heck out of this car!

Dan :>)

 

[PINGGOLF]

JWATERS:

Yes, it is a limited slip diff.

If you watch my video of the burnouts yo will see that I get sideways in one of them.

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[jwaters943]

Cool. Thanks.