Genesis as primary (young) family transportation? Experiences?

[eggnog]

My wife (2008 Honda Civic Si) and I (2012 Ford Mustang GT) enjoy driving. We're not sure about giving up good driving dynamics by going with an SUV. We've considered wagons, but unless you consider mid-size players (5-Series, 9-5, E-Class...all too expensive to equip with powerful engines), the utility benefits aren't that significant.

We like the Mazda CX-9, even the Rav4 (V6 is no slouch), and Infiniti FX (quite sporty, though cargo area is small). We think SUV's look better on paper then in reality-if you're not going to stack stuff all the way to the ceiling, you'll never use all the cubic feet of cargo space they suposedly provide.

We're thinking the Genesis would offer a spirited driving experience, plus a wide & deep back seat and very large trunk-plenty of room for a couple and (at most!) two kids & their stuff.

We live in Wisconsin, but have plenty of experience driving in the winter with dedicated snow tires. Could the Genesis be our family-hauling rocket of choice?

Any owners living this situation themselves? I'd love to hear any and all comments-thanks in advance!

 

[bobshine]

We think SUV's look better on paper then in reality-if you're not going to stack stuff all the way to the ceiling, you'll never use all the cubic feet of cargo space they suposedly provide.

I'm sure the Genesis would perform fine for family road trips. Plenty of room and very high results in crash tests. My wife drives a Mazda 5 and loves it. I enjoy having a vehicle that we can load a file cabinet into, or a 50" Flat screen TV to avoid those delivery charges. The Mazda 5 has worked great for that and drives more like a car than any station wagon/van that I have ever driven. Don't knock stacking stuff as we have gone on week long trips with her parents in the Mazda 5 with luggage stacked to the ceiling behind that back row captain chairs. That same amount of luggage would not have fit into the Genesis. That said, if I can fit everything into the Genesis it is by far my first choice for road trips.

 

[RODDGENNY]

I have a 2009 Genesis 4.6 and my wife has a 2008 Veracruz. We love both of them.

 

[Tin]

I have a 2007 civic si, I've been looking for a new car to replace it. the only 2 I really narrow it down to is the G35 or another Genesis. My wife has the 4.6 and love it. No matter what I do she won't let me steal her car.

 

[jmo51]

I too have an 07 Civic SI and sold my C6 6sp Vette to move to an R-Spec. I'm extremely happy with the move. The R-Spec handles well and has a good amount of power. Also has some of the traits of Lux sedan.

Probably will sell the SI Sedan fairly soon.

 

[eggnog]

Thanks for the replies!

Lots of nice garages around here! I sold my 2003 Evo to get the GT this past summer, and while I feel like it was mostly an upgrade, I miss the utility of a sedan.

My wife and I might enjoy the additional ground clearance of an SUV, or those times when hauling something large, but other than a handful of situations, the Genesis seems to make the most sense.

Any pics of a Genesis with car seats or loaded up for a family trip?

Again, thanks for the comments-it's nice to hear intelligent responses. It's somewhat different on the mustang forums I visit.

 

[seeya]

no real issues hauling my 3 year old around.

only minor issue: like in our Lexus RX350 SUV, I wanted to install our Britax car seat in the middle seat, but just could not keep the seat from sliding around. gave this up; installed the seat in the rear right with the headrest removed. works like a champ.

 

[crhbobby]

Hi..

I sold my Accord Coupe when we were expecting our first child in 2009. I wanted a Cadillac CTS...until I tried to put an infant seat in the back...wouldn't fit.

So I ended up with the Genie. The Chicco infant rear facing seat worked great. Later, we put in a Britax car seat - with no problem at all. I would say it is easier to get our child in and out of my wife's CRV... The Genie is no small car...but it is still a car - and requires some contorting to get your child in and out. Our 2 year old will soon be getting in and out of the car themselves.

The only thing that worried me was perforated leather in the backseat.. I have always had a fear of our child getting sick in the back seat....I have been very lucky. I was ridiculed at work for getting a nice car..when having our first baby.. You do have to keep after it to keep the car clean. You will ALWAYS be toting extra things around with a child.

I also will say that a full sized stroller will take up most of the usable space in the trunk... This hasn't been a huge issue as I rarely take the stroller with us.... They also make smaller strollers.. An SUV or van is always easiest with a child...but if you are willing to handle a couple of small inconveniences...get the Genie..

Hope this helps..

Bob

 

[eggnog]

Cool.

Again, thanks for the replies.

I love the Genesis! I'm a big Hyundai fan in general. I love how they're willing to take risks and enter a new market (Genesis/Equus) or go ahead with a polarizing design (Veloster) or develop their own tech (8-speed).

I do hope they can reprogram the 8-speed transmission for more responsive/intuitive shifts. It seems odd to badge a car 'R-Spec' yet neuter the dynamics of the fantastic engine and improved suspension.

My wife loves her Si, but I think she'll enjoy the luxury, space, and power that the Genesis offers.

Thanks again!

 

[pusaterkm]

Look at the Toyota venza v6.

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[hwks1]

Make sure you understand Genesis rear seats do not fold down. There is a 'pass through' but not having a folding seat could be a negative.

The trunk is very roomy... on the other hand.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

My wife and I went through a similar situation. We need a bigger car due to our son. I have a corolla and she has a Solara. We used her car for a while but a two door with an infant is a hassle. We looked at alot of cars, vans and SUV's. The Genesis was by far one of the roomiest. The back seats not folding down has not been an issue for us and there is plenty of trunk space. We can fit a large stroller and still go grovery shopping. The car seat fits nicely behind the drivers seat and my wife or I can still change diapers in the back seat.

The genesis was actually my wifes second choice. She loved the GMC yukon but it was hard for her to get our son in and out of it. She is on the short side. No regrets in buying the genesis at all. I personally do not like vans but i can see the usefullness of one if you have young kids. The fact that the door slides open is a nice feature.

Just to compare here is a list of what else we looked at:

Subaru Outback
Subaru Tribecca
GMC acadia
Buick Lacrosse
Lexus ES350
Maxda CX9
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Avalon

Make sure you test drive the car with the family and bring some stuff along to see how it fits.

 

[Mark_888]

...The car seat fits nicely behind the drivers seat and my wife or I can still change diapers in the back seat.

Great information in your post, but I am not sure we need that level of detail.

 

[R-spec]

Just my .02 from a new member.
We have had a lot of different vehicles over the past 5 years. Everything from a Pilot, MDX, S-crew truck(s), accord, new style 4 runner, camry, and a turbo sonata, 3 mustangs (GT vert, GT500, GT).
We have 2 small boys (4 & 6) and need plenty of room for long trips. Recently we picked up a R-spec for my wife and it seems to have plenty of room for all of us, plus lots of trunk room, with heated rear seats!
She loves her new car and how quiet, smooth and powerful it is.
I think getting a Genesis for a family vehicle is a fine idea.

Now we have three, 5 liter vehicles in the family. F-150, R-Spec, and Mustang GT. Funny thing is, her car is the most powerful, just not the fastest.

 

[Mark_888]

Recently we picked up a R-spec for my wife and it seems to have plenty of room for all of us, plus lots of room in the trunk with heated rear seats!

I would have to agree with that. In my line of work I frequently have people in the trunk of my Genesis and there is plenty of room for that, and I have never heard any complaints (but to be fair, that may be for a different reason).

 

[R-spec]

I would have to agree with that. In my line of work I frequently have people in the trunk of my Genesis and there is plenty of room for that, and I have never heard any complaints (but to be fair, that may be for a different reason).

I suppose DCF will now be all over me for storing my small children in the trunk.

 

[jmo51]

I would have to agree with that. In my line of work I frequently have people in the trunk of my Genesis and there is plenty of room for that, and I have never heard any complaints (but to be fair, that may be for a different reason).

Mark,

Sarcasm or humor? It's difficult to interpret at times with you. Thanks

 

[dg_moore]

I would have to agree with that. In my line of work I frequently have people in the trunk of my Genesis and there is plenty of room for that, and I have never heard any complaints (but to be fair, that may be for a different reason).

Seems it must be true that while a friend will help you, a REAL friend will help you hide a body.

 

[eggnog]

Ok, how many bodies will fit in the trunk?

I know, when the time comes we'll have to test drive a lot & bring stuff along for more realistic senarios.

I understand the Genesis might be a compromise, but a compromise in the right direction for us. We love to drive, and for us, that's worth the occasional inconvenience in the name of utility.

This past weekend I drove home with our Christmas tree on the roof of my Mustang!

 

[Slowpoke]

I don't know if you've considered it, but the Taurus SHO is a good competitor to the R-Spec. It's about the same size as the Genesis, has about the same creature comforts, but is more of a drivers car. I went back and forth trying to make a choice, but the Genny won me over with it's quieter, more compliant ride.

On the Pro side, the SHO is a much more responsive car, shrinks as you drive it faster, has a larger trunk and 60/40 fold down rear seats. It is also AWD, although it sounds like that wouldn't matter much for you.

On the negative side, it rides rougher, is noisier, doesn't have as good a warranty, and is anonymous to the point of boredom.

Cliff notes: If you're looking for a large, smooth riding, powerful family sedan, the Genesis is a better choice. If you are looking for a large, sporty, responsive family sedan, the SHO is a better choice.