Does anyone actually use the paddle shifters ?

[goochylittlepig]

unrelated, but why is the battery in the trunk? that was so random when i noticed that.

 

[Mark_888]

unrelated, but why is the battery in the trunk? that was so random when i noticed that.

Better front/rear weight distribution is the main reason. Notice that it is on the opposite side of the driver, for better left/right weight distribution.

 

[Nikgen]

Better front/rear weight distribution is the main reason. Notice that it is on the opposite side of the driver, for better left/right weight distribution.

That and space in the engine compartment - the battery is HUGE!

 

[geetee]

i use the paddle shifter mainly to upshift. This car really likes to downshift to 6 at slightest incline at highway speeds.

 

[5 Timer]

unrelated, but why is the battery in the trunk? that was so random when i noticed that.

A few other mfg's have been doing this for years

Better front/rear weight distribution is the main reason. Notice that it is on the opposite side of the driver, for better left/right weight distribution.

^^ This

That and space in the engine compartment - the battery is HUGE!

^^ and this..... plus modern day engines operate at higher temps and underhood heat is a killer for batteries

 

[Analog]

I use the paddles quite frequently.

For instance there's a roundabout near here that intersects a 45 and 35. Approaching I'll be doing 50 in the 45 and must brake down to a safe speed to respond to traffic, pedestrians, bikes, etc. So pretty slow. But if all is clear I like to be able to instantly join the flow of traffic so I flip it over to manual and steadily downshift to second while approaching. (I must use manual mode, if I just use the paddles it will shift back to automatic.) At the times I normally hit this it's usually quite clear, so I can keep a safe speed through the roundabout and if there's still nothing around I can floor it through most of second gear - feels great, I love this car's power. After which I throw it back into automatic mode.

I also use paddles to stay in 7th for a little more responsiveness than 8th in 55 zones, while still keeping rpms down.

Oh and around certain on and off ramps, again to avoid any sort of shifting time and take full advantage of the engine so I can get up to merging speed asap

tl;dr Paddles let me have more control which let me both have more fun and be a tiny bit safer.

 

[markpoisson]

I used them more in my previous car, the Q50S because it was more functional and easier to use since they the paddle shifters were mounted on the steering column, instead of the actual steering wheel so you wouldn't ever lose track of where your paddle shifters were.

I still use my paddle shifters when I'm going downhill and just want to control my speed without using the brakes.

Same here. I had a G35S and not only were the shifters better positioned (on the column versus wheel), they were bigger, solid (aluminum) AND the transmission was very responsive to the shifts. So much fun. I miss it.

 

[XBOHDPuKC]

Am I living under a rock or does hardly anyone ever use the paddle shifters for these sedans ?

If you are living under the rock, it's pretty tight there, cause lots of peeps are under the same damn rock!

 

[MikeyTG]

I think paddle shifters are popular with manufacturers because they are really cheap to implement and add a touch of "boy racer bling" and another line on the "standard features" list.

 

[UmALum1990]

NO!

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[kn5owa]

I think paddle shifters are popular with manufacturers because they are really cheap to implement and add a touch of "boy racer bling" and another line on the "standard features" list.

No doubt that manufacturers are copy-catting each other on features. I am seeing a lot of the genesis gadgets (excuse me, "technology") advertised now on relatively low end cars.

Question is: Where is it going to end? Will we need two jumbo agm batteries in the trunk to run all the cute stuff? And, a lot of the gadgets that are promoted in the name of safety, I consider to be actually unsafe and distracting.

That said: I find the paddle shifters useful in the mountains.

 

[balfor]

Used them once in traffic to hold gears and prevent a lot of shifting. Not really needed and I actually prefer to use the console shifter in the manual gate-must be my brain still programmed by all the stick shift cars I used to have.

As others have said they are likely there so Hyundai can list them on the spec sheet like many "sporty" cars these days.

 

[quanva]

being fixed to the wheel is a major drawback, add to that the slow transmission and it's useless

 

[ahearn]

In three years in my previous car, I used the paddle shifters maybe a dozen times, and in my new 2G Genesis, a couple of times. However, over my last four cars, I've come to use the manual mode on the shift console fairly often, more out of enjoyment than necessity, but I feel it really allows full use of the car's capability. I much prefer this method than the paddle shifters, where I have to sometimes think about which side does what.

 

[Koolhaas]

I used my paddle shifters a lot on my is350c. The transmission was very responsive when i needed to downshift really quickly. I then had an ES350 without paddle shifters and i missed them a lot.

Now that i'm in the Genesis, i don't use them very much. I don't think the shift is as snappy as the IS350C. I use them sometimes, but not when i need a quick downshift. The transmission reacts quicker if i just punch the gas peddle down really hard. (I drive mostly in ECO-mode so that might have something to do with the laggy shifting)

 

[TEF]

While I recognize that one can shift an auto transmission manually, I don't consider this relevant. I have a manual 6-speed sports car that can be quite fun to drive, but somehow I don't see how one can improve on the shifting of an auto transmission with or without paddles. In fact, I seen various track tests on "Motorweek" where their acceleration times are better, if shifting is left to the transmission. I would have sooner saved the cost (and added weight) of the paddles.

 

[dirtyoldman]

'Manual' mode -- either by using the paddles or gearshift lever -- really only comes into play for me when I need/want to hold a gear because I know I'm going to have to put the hammer down soon. ie: on-ramps to the highway when i'm not the lead car, etc.

For the most part I rarely used the sport-shifters or paddles on any of my slushbox vehicles.

 

[DFWGenny]

My last manual car was a 5 speed. Manually shifting through 8 gears is a pain and you will not usually get the shift points correct if you want economy. I have not had the opportunity to really do any canyon carving. The car is really too big and heavy. While it doesn't embarrass itself, it's not really made for it either.

I really dislike that they are plastic. That would be a great after market item: Billet Aluminum Paddles.

 

[Focusin]

 

[DFWGenny]

Not quite totally true. DCT are different beasties. Although the Genesis has an automatic transmission.