Consumer Reports TOP RATED Upscale Sedan

[C-Russ]

If you get Consumer Reports, you will want to see page 53 of the Feb 2009 issue of Consumer Reports.
It ranks the Hyundai Genesis 3.8 as #1 beating out Lexus ES350, Toyota Avalon XLS, Acura TL and Nisaan Maxima 3.5 SV. They really like the car.


http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...rive/overview/hyundai-genesis-first-drive.htm

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.

 

[jwaters943]

Good review. It seems the Genesis is tied w/ the G35 as their top rated upscale sedan. Both received a score of 92 out of 100.

Good job Hyundai!

 

[ultra63]

Re: Consumer Reports TOP RATED Upscale Sedan details

Road Tests
The Hyundai Genesis rivals high-end luxury sedans but costs considerably less. Its luxurious and spacious interior and quietness far transcend its relatively modest price. We were also impressed with its smooth, punchy powertrain and excellent brakes. Handling is sound, but this is no sports sedan. The only real drawback is its ride, which can be unsettled at times and doesn't live up to the standards set by other luxury cars. THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
This car's forte is swaddling passengers in silence. The engine sounds polished, and road noise is strikingly absent. The ride is comfortable enough but sometimes has quick motions over small bumps, making the car feel less relaxed than other luxury models. Handling is secure, though not sporty. The steering is responsive but has little feedback. Body lean is well controlled. Good grip and well-tuned stability control helped it post a good speed in our avoidance maneuver. The 290-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 engine feels quick and smooth. Its 21 mpg overall is respectable for the car's size and performance. A more powerful 368-hp, 4.6-liter V8 model is also available. The six-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth, quick shifts, though its gated shifter can be awkward to use. Braking is excellent, with a firm pedal and impressively short stops in all conditions. The headlights have very good high- and low-beam distance.
INSIDE THE CABIN
The interior of the Genesis rivals those of the very best luxury cars, with its optional stitched-leather dashboard facing and consistently high-quality materials. Everything fits together well except for the loose overhead Bluetooth control panel. There is plenty of room inside, easily accommodating even tall drivers. The optional power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helps everyone get comfortable. The front seats are decent but don't have quite as much support as those in other luxury cars. Large windows all around aid visibility and help make up for wide windshield pillars and large rear head restraints. The rear is as spacious as in luxury cars costing tens of thousands more. Seat contours cradle occupants, armrests are perfectly placed, and the cushion offers plenty of support. Access is very good; wide doors and tall roof make it easy. Controls in our test car were very straightforward to use. Radio and climate controls are large and mounted high on the dashboard. But opting for the navigation system forces you to use a multifunctional controller to navigate through frustrating onscreen menus for many simple tasks, such as tuning the radio. Some climate-control buttons are difficult to tell apart, and the blue control lighting lacks contrast in some conditions. The radio display was way too bright at night, but at least it was easy to turn off. Cabin storage is modest, with little open storage. A pass-through behind the center armrest opens to allow long items to fit in the trunk. But it doesn't lock, and the rear seats don't fold down.
SAFETY NOTES
Seatback-mounted side-impact air bags for the front- and rear-seat, and curtain head-protection air bags -- extending to protect both front- and rear-outboard occupants -- are standard. They supplement the required dual front air bags and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions. Front seatbelts have adjustable upper anchors for providing a more comfortable and safe fit, and are equipped with pretensioners to reduce belt slack in the event of a crash. The passenger sensing system is designed to detect if the occupant is too small or not sitting in the seat properly, and will disable the front- and side-air bags for that seating position. Even when they're fully lowered, the adjustable and locking head restraints in the front- and second-row outboard seats are tall enough to provide sufficient protection from rearward head travel for post passengers. The Genesis comes with active front restraints, which move forward in response to the occupant's pressure on the seatback; this further reduces head travel and whiplash injury. The rear center seat head rest may need to be raised to protect taller passengers. Daytime running lights are not offered. Driving with kids: The belt spacing and seat hump in the rear center seat can make it a difficult position for getting child seats secure. Front-facing seats must be firmly pushed into the firm cushion; rear-facing seats may have too much movement. Some rear-facing infant seat bases may also be difficult to secure in the rear outboard seats as the seatbelts are anchored too far forward of the seatback, preventing the seat from being tightened enough. LATCH, fortunately, offers a more secure fit; there are lower-LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats but they are recessed between the cushion and seatback. This can make reaching them and attaching LATCH straps awkward. Front-facing seats are secure in the outboard seats using either the belts or LATCH. There are three top-tether anchors on the rear parcel shelf. Childproof rear door locks are standard.


G35/37

Road Test The G is now top-rated in this class. Quick, agile, and sporty, it's a driver's car that is pleasantly refined and rides comfortably. But both the cockpit and rear seat are snug and the trunk is small. The all-wheel-drive version (which we also tested) is just as good with a slight loss of fuel economy and a few thousand more on the sticker. A more powerful 3.7-liter V6 and seven-speed automatic are new for 2009. Hence, this car is now called G37.
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The ride is firm, but nicely controlled with bumps absorbed reasonably well. There is no discernable ride difference between rear-wheel- and all-wheel-drive versions. The cabin is quiet, with muted road and wind noise and an engine that sounds invigorating. The G35 is nimble in routine handling, with responsive steering and little body lean. On the track, the car handled like a sports car with high cornering limits. With well-tuned stability control, both versions posted a high speed in our avoidance maneuver. The 306-hp, 3.5-liter V6 is smooth and refined, with stronger performance than some V8s. Expect 19 mpg overall on premium fuel, and 1 mpg less for AWD models. The G's engine is upgraded to 3.7-liters and 328 hp for 2009. The five-speed automatic transmission is responsive, downshifts quickly, and allows for manual overrides. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard for 2009. A six-speed manual is available on rear-wheel drive Sport models. Brake performance was excellent, with short, controlled stops in both wet and dry tests. The standard HID headlights reach a good distance with excellent intensity.
INSIDE THE CABIN
Leather, wood, and plastics are of a high quality and fit together well. The cabin is cozy, but there is adequate room for taller drivers. The telescoping steering wheel tilts and the instrument cluster moves with it. Visibility is mostly good but restricted to the rear. A backup camera is optional. The front seats are firmly padded and supportive, with a generous range of adjustment and power lumbar support. The rear seats are comfortable for two adults, although foot room is tight. The steering wheel can be programmed to rise out of the way to ease entry and exit for the driver. The multifunction knob and an array of switches can be intimidating, but hard keys can directly control most audio and climate functions. Gauges are clear and well lighted. You don't have to take your hand far from the wheel to access onboard computer information, such as fuel economy and miles to empty. A hard drive can store about 200 hours of music. Destinations can be entered into the optional navigation system through voice recognition. Interior storage is limited, and the glove compartment is small. Trunk room is just adequate and the rear seats do not fold. There is a lockable pass-through for longer items.
SAFETY NOTES
Curtain head-protection air bags, extending to protect outboard occupants in both rows, and seatback-mounted side-impact air bags are both standard. They supplement required front air bags and three-point seatbelts in all seats. Front seatbelts have adjustable upper anchors for getting a safe and comfortable fit and are equipped with pretensioning and force-limiting devices to control belt slack and forces during a crash. An occupant classification system for the front passenger seat is designed to turn off the front air bag for that seat if it detects that a child is seated there. The front air bag will also not deploy if the seat is unoccupied. Front seat head restraints are tall enough for most even when fully lowered to reduce rearward head travel and whiplash injury; they also lock in a raised position. Front restraints are active: they move forward in response to the force from the occupant against the seatback to reduce head movement still further. Integral restraints in the rear outboard seats are tall enough to provide protection, but the center rear seat lacks a head restraint and is too low. Driving with kids: It may prove difficult to secure rear-facing seats in the center rear of the G as they easily tilt and can move within the wide belt spacing and narrow seat hump. Some rear-facing infant seat bases may also be difficult to secure in the rear outboard seats when installed using the seatbelts, as they also can tilt. Front-facing seats should prove secure and there are three top-tether strap anchors on the rear parcel shelf. LATCH installations should also provide a secure fit; there are lower LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats. The LATCH anchors are difficult to access, however, as they are recessed and nestled against the firm seatback cushion.
RELIABILITY
We expect reliability to be much better than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.

0 to 60 mph, sec. 6.3 vs G35 5.4
Braking
Braking from 60 mph dry, ft. 125 126
Braking from 60 mph wet, ft. 137 132 for G35

Headlights Gen wins

Driving position tie
Front seat comfort Gen loses

Trunk/Cargo Area Gen wins
Gov't front-crash test, front pass. Gen wins -all top marks for safety.
Length, in. Gen 196 G35 187
Width, in. 74 70
Height, in. 58 57
Wheelbase, in. 116 112
Curb weight, lb. 3,860 3,635
Percent weight, front/rear 52 / 48 54 / 46

http://www.consumerreports.org/

Gen has lower list price but bigger discounts on G35/7 which is a smaller car than the Gen. The V8 is not available on the G35/7

 

[C-Russ]

Re: Consumer Reports TOP RATED Upscale Sedan details

BUT......Would you pay $10K - $15K MORE to get those things???

Road Tests
The Hyundai Genesis rivals high-end luxury sedans but costs considerably less. Its luxurious and spacious interior and quietness far transcend its relatively modest price. We were also impressed with its smooth, punchy powertrain and excellent brakes. Handling is sound, but this is no sports sedan. The only real drawback is its ride, which can be unsettled at times and doesn't live up to the standards set by other luxury cars. THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
This car's forte is swaddling passengers in silence. The engine sounds polished, and road noise is strikingly absent. The ride is comfortable enough but sometimes has quick motions over small bumps, making the car feel less relaxed than other luxury models. Handling is secure, though not sporty. The steering is responsive but has little feedback. Body lean is well controlled. Good grip and well-tuned stability control helped it post a good speed in our avoidance maneuver. The 290-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 engine feels quick and smooth. Its 21 mpg overall is respectable for the car's size and performance. A more powerful 368-hp, 4.6-liter V8 model is also available. The six-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth, quick shifts, though its gated shifter can be awkward to use. Braking is excellent, with a firm pedal and impressively short stops in all conditions. The headlights have very good high- and low-beam distance.
INSIDE THE CABIN
The interior of the Genesis rivals those of the very best luxury cars, with its optional stitched-leather dashboard facing and consistently high-quality materials. Everything fits together well except for the loose overhead Bluetooth control panel. There is plenty of room inside, easily accommodating even tall drivers. The optional power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helps everyone get comfortable. The front seats are decent but don't have quite as much support as those in other luxury cars. Large windows all around aid visibility and help make up for wide windshield pillars and large rear head restraints. The rear is as spacious as in luxury cars costing tens of thousands more. Seat contours cradle occupants, armrests are perfectly placed, and the cushion offers plenty of support. Access is very good; wide doors and tall roof make it easy. Controls in our test car were very straightforward to use. Radio and climate controls are large and mounted high on the dashboard. But opting for the navigation system forces you to use a multifunctional controller to navigate through frustrating onscreen menus for many simple tasks, such as tuning the radio. Some climate-control buttons are difficult to tell apart, and the blue control lighting lacks contrast in some conditions. The radio display was way too bright at night, but at least it was easy to turn off. Cabin storage is modest, with little open storage. A pass-through behind the center armrest opens to allow long items to fit in the trunk. But it doesn't lock, and the rear seats don't fold down.
SAFETY NOTES
Seatback-mounted side-impact air bags for the front- and rear-seat, and curtain head-protection air bags -- extending to protect both front- and rear-outboard occupants -- are standard. They supplement the required dual front air bags and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions. Front seatbelts have adjustable upper anchors for providing a more comfortable and safe fit, and are equipped with pretensioners to reduce belt slack in the event of a crash. The passenger sensing system is designed to detect if the occupant is too small or not sitting in the seat properly, and will disable the front- and side-air bags for that seating position. Even when they're fully lowered, the adjustable and locking head restraints in the front- and second-row outboard seats are tall enough to provide sufficient protection from rearward head travel for post passengers. The Genesis comes with active front restraints, which move forward in response to the occupant's pressure on the seatback; this further reduces head travel and whiplash injury. The rear center seat head rest may need to be raised to protect taller passengers. Daytime running lights are not offered. Driving with kids: The belt spacing and seat hump in the rear center seat can make it a difficult position for getting child seats secure. Front-facing seats must be firmly pushed into the firm cushion; rear-facing seats may have too much movement. Some rear-facing infant seat bases may also be difficult to secure in the rear outboard seats as the seatbelts are anchored too far forward of the seatback, preventing the seat from being tightened enough. LATCH, fortunately, offers a more secure fit; there are lower-LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats but they are recessed between the cushion and seatback. This can make reaching them and attaching LATCH straps awkward. Front-facing seats are secure in the outboard seats using either the belts or LATCH. There are three top-tether anchors on the rear parcel shelf. Childproof rear door locks are standard.


G35/37

Road Test The G is now top-rated in this class. Quick, agile, and sporty, it's a driver's car that is pleasantly refined and rides comfortably. But both the cockpit and rear seat are snug and the trunk is small. The all-wheel-drive version (which we also tested) is just as good with a slight loss of fuel economy and a few thousand more on the sticker. A more powerful 3.7-liter V6 and seven-speed automatic are new for 2009. Hence, this car is now called G37.
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The ride is firm, but nicely controlled with bumps absorbed reasonably well. There is no discernable ride difference between rear-wheel- and all-wheel-drive versions. The cabin is quiet, with muted road and wind noise and an engine that sounds invigorating. The G35 is nimble in routine handling, with responsive steering and little body lean. On the track, the car handled like a sports car with high cornering limits. With well-tuned stability control, both versions posted a high speed in our avoidance maneuver. The 306-hp, 3.5-liter V6 is smooth and refined, with stronger performance than some V8s. Expect 19 mpg overall on premium fuel, and 1 mpg less for AWD models. The G's engine is upgraded to 3.7-liters and 328 hp for 2009. The five-speed automatic transmission is responsive, downshifts quickly, and allows for manual overrides. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard for 2009. A six-speed manual is available on rear-wheel drive Sport models. Brake performance was excellent, with short, controlled stops in both wet and dry tests. The standard HID headlights reach a good distance with excellent intensity.
INSIDE THE CABIN
Leather, wood, and plastics are of a high quality and fit together well. The cabin is cozy, but there is adequate room for taller drivers. The telescoping steering wheel tilts and the instrument cluster moves with it. Visibility is mostly good but restricted to the rear. A backup camera is optional. The front seats are firmly padded and supportive, with a generous range of adjustment and power lumbar support. The rear seats are comfortable for two adults, although foot room is tight. The steering wheel can be programmed to rise out of the way to ease entry and exit for the driver. The multifunction knob and an array of switches can be intimidating, but hard keys can directly control most audio and climate functions. Gauges are clear and well lighted. You don't have to take your hand far from the wheel to access onboard computer information, such as fuel economy and miles to empty. A hard drive can store about 200 hours of music. Destinations can be entered into the optional navigation system through voice recognition. Interior storage is limited, and the glove compartment is small. Trunk room is just adequate and the rear seats do not fold. There is a lockable pass-through for longer items.
SAFETY NOTES
Curtain head-protection air bags, extending to protect outboard occupants in both rows, and seatback-mounted side-impact air bags are both standard. They supplement required front air bags and three-point seatbelts in all seats. Front seatbelts have adjustable upper anchors for getting a safe and comfortable fit and are equipped with pretensioning and force-limiting devices to control belt slack and forces during a crash. An occupant classification system for the front passenger seat is designed to turn off the front air bag for that seat if it detects that a child is seated there. The front air bag will also not deploy if the seat is unoccupied. Front seat head restraints are tall enough for most even when fully lowered to reduce rearward head travel and whiplash injury; they also lock in a raised position. Front restraints are active: they move forward in response to the force from the occupant against the seatback to reduce head movement still further. Integral restraints in the rear outboard seats are tall enough to provide protection, but the center rear seat lacks a head restraint and is too low. Driving with kids: It may prove difficult to secure rear-facing seats in the center rear of the G as they easily tilt and can move within the wide belt spacing and narrow seat hump. Some rear-facing infant seat bases may also be difficult to secure in the rear outboard seats when installed using the seatbelts, as they also can tilt. Front-facing seats should prove secure and there are three top-tether strap anchors on the rear parcel shelf. LATCH installations should also provide a secure fit; there are lower LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats. The LATCH anchors are difficult to access, however, as they are recessed and nestled against the firm seatback cushion.
RELIABILITY
We expect reliability to be much better than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.

0 to 60 mph, sec. 6.3 vs G35 5.4
Braking
Braking from 60 mph dry, ft. 125 126
Braking from 60 mph wet, ft. 137 132 for G35

Headlights Gen wins

Driving position tie
Front seat comfort Gen loses

Trunk/Cargo Area Gen wins
Gov't front-crash test, front pass. Gen wins -all top marks for safety.
Length, in. Gen 196 G35 187
Width, in. 74 70
Height, in. 58 57
Wheelbase, in. 116 112
Curb weight, lb. 3,860 3,635
Percent weight, front/rear 52 / 48 54 / 46

http://www.consumerreports.org/

Gen has lower list price but bigger discounts on G35/7 which is a smaller car than the Gen. The V8 is not available on the G35/7

 

[ConceptVBS]

Yeah, with the difference in price, you might as well buy ANOTHER small car with it. A Genesis and a fuel saving econo-box car vs an overpriced sedan.

 

[YEH]

Re: Consumer Reports TOP RATED Upscale Sedan details

Road Tests
The only real drawback is its ride, which can be unsettled at times and doesn't live up to the standards set by other luxury cars.

The ride is comfortable enough but sometimes has quick motions over small bumps, making the car feel less relaxed than other luxury models. Handling is secure, though not sporty.

While Hyundai needs to tweek the suspension (not to mention getting rid of the present OEM tires), CR had similar complaints about the suspension/ride for the MKS (plus a rough engine, too much engine noise, etc.).

If Hyundai makes these changes (tweek suspension, add direct-injection, add storage space, improve the front seats and a few others) for the refresh - the Genesis will go from very good to GREAT.

 

[Poopsicle]

I just bought the issue. GOOD JOB HYUNDAI!!!!!!!!

 

[gipp]

Good review. It seems the Genesis is tied w/ the G35 as their top rated upscale sedan. Both received a score of 92 out of 100.

Good job Hyundai!

The only other car reviewed by Consumer Reports to get over a 92 was the M35/M45 with 93 and 97 points repsectively. I would be interested in seeing what the 4.6 scores.
I thought the review was very accurate with the only oversight being the superior crash ratings of the Genesis. I think the braking prowess of the 4.6 coupled with the TAU should garner a few more points.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I should go buy this issue as well.. Great review. Thank you for posting it up! Hyundai is certainly getting a LOT of attention!

 

[Sonata2009]

QUOTE: But opting for the navigation system forces you to use a multifunctional controller to navigate through frustrating onscreen menus for many simple tasks, such as tuning the radio.

Sad that some reviewers don't take the time to really look at what they are reviewing. "Push FM Button" ""Tune Radio" Yup, two steps . . .

Frustrating?? OK, then just push the "Talk" button and say "FM . . 88.5"

I guess that must be too much to ask!!

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[PINGGOLF]

I HAVE THIS ISSUE!!

After that review I think it is safe to say that our depreciation value has slowed down a little!