Genesis vs CTS coming from MB

[gaggan82]

Hi guys,
This is my first post in this forum. I thought I could contribute and give an insight, especially for future buyers(like me).
I currently lease a 2013 Mercedes E550 cabriolet.
My lease is ending in November and I was looking for my next car options.
I have had my share of performance oriented cars(had a BMW 335i Dinan Stage 1 before MB). So, I have been looking for some luxurious cars with lots of tech but still drive decent.And, also a sedan with good amount of space.

I short-listed 2015 Genesis 5.0 Ultimate and CTS Vsport Premium. Here's my take on both of them.

CTS Vsport Premium:
1. I did not get to drive it as unfortunately there were none available in my city.Reading various reviews, I've heard that it drives really good.
2. I did check out a CTS V6. Interiors in my opinion were decent but not as good as Genesis. Also, it does not seem as spacious as the Genesis.
The deal breaker for me was that the drive shaft tunnel in the back is so high that it virtually makes the middle seat useless. Also, there's a small extension under the rear seats which makes it very uncomfortable.
3. Although I wasn't thinking of buying brand new, $72K for a cadillac is not justified(maybe if it were for a CTS-V)

Genesis:
1. I was pleasantly surprised by the naturally aspirated V8.Both my previous cars have been turbocharged, so I love the rush of low-end torque. But, this engine, although does not have that but it has a very uniform linear torque.
2. The interiors are at par with the german brands. Excellent technology features.And I think Hyundai did a great job with the exterior design.
3. Finally, great value for your money.

In the coming months, I may very well be an owner of a Hyundai Genesis !

 

[homeofstone]

So from your post you will be buying the Genesis after leasing a MB. I buy my cars(never lease) due to number of miles per year put on them and then keep them to about 200k miles.

 

[gaggan82]

So from your post you will be buying the Genesis after leasing a MB. I buy my cars(never lease) due to number of miles per year put on them and then keep them to about 200k miles.

I will probably buy a pre owned one.

 

[Mithridates]

I love the Genesis but you should probably drive a CTS V-sport before dismissing it. The TT V6 is a beastly engine and the magnetic adaptive dampers are remarkable. Additionally, you can get a new 2014 V-sport for around 45k (some have been sitting on dealer lots for ~ 1 year). Once you drive both, you can decide how much you would be willing to give up for "corner carving". CUE is horrendous and the Genesis is more dynamically competent than many would suggest. A thoughtful comparison of the two cars can be found on TrueDelta.

 

[gaggan82]

I love the Genesis but you should probably drive a CTS V-sport before dismissing it. The TT V6 is a beastly engine and the magnetic adaptive dampers are remarkable. Additionally, you can get a new 2014 V-sport for around 45k (some have been sitting on dealer lots for ~ 1 year). Once you drive both, you can decide how much you would be willing to give up for "corner carving". CUE is horrendous and the Genesis is more dynamically competent than many would suggest. A thoughtful comparison of the two cars can be found on TrueDelta.

I have read great reviews about Cts's handling but I was very disappointed by the interiors and the space,especially for the price (even for a pre owned).

 

[Aquineas]

Welcome to the forum! Good luck with your evaluation. I second the motion about driving a CTS-V; it never hurts to do your homework.

 

[DRS]

I love the Genesis but you should probably drive a CTS V-sport before dismissing it. The TT V6 is a beastly engine and the magnetic adaptive dampers are remarkable. Additionally, you can get a new 2014 V-sport for around 45k (some have been sitting on dealer lots for ~ 1 year). Once you drive both, you can decide how much you would be willing to give up for "corner carving". CUE is horrendous and the Genesis is more dynamically competent than many would suggest. A thoughtful comparison of the two cars can be found on TrueDelta.

So there you have it, any fans of the UPS truck engine sounding TT V6. If Hyundai insists on going TT and ending the TAU reign, they will be make what used to be a slower selling V8 look like they are flying out the door. Look at Caddy. TT wheezing sales debacle. Get Cylinder deactivation on the TAU, add dealer or outfitter installed performance add on, including supercharger, goes around the corporate MPG and CO2 quotas that the slime balls at .gov use to force us into TT small displacement high stressed motors.

Those fast talkers that say they will buy TT stuff faster than a V8, will have to put up and buy a bunch of them, or the Genny will end up at a turbo 4 as the premium engine.

Let the above example of Cadillac problems selling these be a lesson. Also, others in Europe selling here are also reported seeing slow down of TT whatever's sales over V8s. Look, TT are fine.. But being forced down upon us instead of choice of V8, is the brainwashing of the environmental machine of tyrant buttercups.. I heard that the stock Corvette engine is within 15lbs of the V-Sport plumbing nightmare TT. So much for saving weight. Same for the Tau verses the 3.0 TT Hyundai CEO claims saves weight (within 45lbs). Rumored from a buddy of mine at GM, said the Corvette engine gets better mileage in town and highway in CTS than TT.. But, corporate will pigeon hole GM V8 in cars to limited production (comparatively) model only, meaning Corvette only. Impala SS is almost dead. All for politics and bowing to the bully environmental message, that a V8 is like white males over 45... Something to hate and bury with the trash.

Well, V8 cannot revolt, red blooded men can.

 

[lobsenza]

One of Caddy's biggest issues is price. The cars are priced too high for what they are. I seriously looked at the CTS V6 (not the V sport) when i bought my Genesis. The CTS definitely handled better and i liked the suspension better. But, the rear seat was awful. The user interface with the CUE system and other user controls was not good. It did not get as good a safety rating as the Genesis. It was MUCH more expensive. The V8 in the Genesis felt much better. I did not want to to to the performance extreme of the V sport (short tire life, premium gas required, more potential reliability problems)

A CTS V Sport was only available in 2015. The 2014 is an old design and should be stayed away from. You will never find a V Sport Premium for $45K, you might find one in the $60s.

The CTS Premium V6 Sedan (not the more expensive V sport) I was looking at was $17K more than the Genesis Ultimate V8 and that was with $5000 worth of rebates and a tightly negotiated price. Even if Caddy gave you an extra $5k because of slow sales, it is still WAY more expensive than the Genesis.

I doubt there are many used 2015 Genesis out there right now. It is too noew a model.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Well, there's the forced-induction hating DRS we've all become familiar with - saying the same thing over and over and over again... I'm finally starting to get used to see the same thing repeated daily... Maybe I'll even start believing it if he keeps at it. Who knows?

In any event, I feel your pain about the CTS. The interior IS small. I do like the CTS V-Sport but it's extremely expensive when you get all the features you want. BUT - as mentioned - nobody is buying them! So you could probably get one HELL of a deal! And do a Cadillac salesman a favor - and buy one.

I've driven the CTS V-Sport and it doesn't feel nearly as fast as they say it is. In fact, I'm not even quite sure the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times are that accurate. It's not SLOW by ANY means - but it just doesn't feel as quick as competitors...

My personal opinion?! Go for the Genesis. HOWEVER... If you're considering a pre-2015 Genesis - then MAYBE I'd go for the CTS V-Sport. Why? Because I'm a techno-nut and I like all the various technology in newer cars... If you're looking to buy a used 2015 - hands down I'd go with the Genesis over the CTS V-Sport...

 

[amartz]

Well, there's the forced-induction hating DRS we've all become familiar with

Don't get me wrong, I owned a Fox body 5.0 Mustang with dual Flowmaster exhaust, and I enjoyed the car a lot! But.... my son lives in Okinawa, and he had a 90s Skyline with a *slightly* built motor. The 3.0 inline six had been retrofitted with a decidedly non-stock turbo system which included a Cummings turbo programmed to 21 lbs boost. He went thru a triple-plate racing clutch about every 6 months (had something to do with how he drove it!). It was dynoed at just under 700 hp. There weren't many V8s that could keep up with it, the acceleration was *Brutal*! Anybody that ever rode with him when he punched it, or drove it, would *never* compare it to a wheezing UPS delivery truck, no matter *how* much you love V8s!

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[gaggan82]

Like I said, the best part about forced induction is the low rev torque(which is not the case in all turbocharged engines). The 335i was 300 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm and my MB is 442 lb-ft@1600 rpm.A naturally aspirated engine cannot beat that but I still liked(not loved) the way Genesis' NA engine drives. The CTS Vsport engine(although I haven't tried it) still does not sound as impressive in lower RPMs although it makes similar numbers.

 

[DRS]

Don't get me wrong, I owned a Fox body 5.0 Mustang with dual Flowmaster exhaust, and I enjoyed the car a lot! But.... my son lives in Okinawa, and he had a 90s Skyline with a *slightly* built motor. The 3.0 inline six had been retrofitted with a decidedly non-stock turbo system which included a Cummings turbo programmed to 21 lbs boost. He went thru a triple-plate racing clutch about every 6 months (had something to do with how he drove it!). It was dynoed at just under 700 hp. There weren't many V8s that could keep up with it, the acceleration was *Brutal*! Anybody that ever rode with him when he punched it, or drove it, would *never* compare it to a wheezing UPS delivery truck, no matter *how* much you love V8s!

Ah, inline 6. Sounds less like a UPS truck or old Buick Pushrod V6 without a muffler. Inlines have a different/better tone. Like the Supra in the old days. And what you said above, is beauty of turbos where owners can modify. In the end, except for holdout like BMW (good for them), most inline six makers followed the lemmings into the "trendy" V6 realm.

Turbos are great in many ways... I Have late F series 6.0s with Bully Dog.. Amazing what one can do with some caution. 6.7 King Ranch is great. I have owned couple turbo cars.. Served a purpose. But, the V8 versions were much better IMO. Today I was at the Ecoboost challenge. Drove them all. Loved the combination of the Mustang convertible and the 2.3 turbo. Handled the autocross course amazing. Very balanced with light front end. And sounds seemed to match its personality. Did several runs. I would own one of them as a sporty fun convertible. The new platform Edge with the 2.7TT is a perfect match for that size. Could not fit a V8 if they wanted. It was the most popular vehicle there. The F150 chassis and design blew away the Chevy they had for comparison. Except, for the sound... Just not there. The 2015 Expedition 3.5Tt was not any faster (like all other Ecoboost were running on regular and had CPU pull power back), it felt slower especially off the line than our 5.4 V8 version. And it sounded like a muted UPS truck in a race. Not at all like the muted V8 growl of ours. Not as smooth or smooth power delivery. Drove the 2.0 AWD Fusion, transit, Focus ST, Focus 3 cylinder turbo, Explorer. Most of the configurations worked very well with compact turbo power.

Anyway, I get cranked off on buttercup nuts in .gov, and other places, attempt to bury the V8. Choice is good. Ford is trying lots of choice with the Mustang. Turbo, natural V6, and blockbuster V8. At some point soon The federal freaks will want to force them out of the V8 business. If Hyundai wants to save weight, and like some around, here seek social follower status, stick a turbo 4 in the Genny and drop the El natural V6. If that would happen, let's see how all these V6 folks in here who want a TT will like it when their non turbo V6 is dead.

So, the admin like to poke at the messenger, not the message. So be it.. 5-10-15 years from now when ones grandkids are sitting on the lap, and one who supported the V8 in the tyrant wars, won't have to say one shoveled poop in Louisiana. As they ask what it was like to check off the option sheet a everymans price, a auto or truck a V8. You can say, "come on out to the garage and let me show you". And not excuse away involvement in the folly of the "race wars" against the V8 for the common man.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

It looks like we have some real automobile enthusiasts over here. I loved the Fox body 5.0s but never owned one. I had a bunch of F-Bodies, though. I also had a 600hp 2000 Audi S4 - which wasn't as fast as that 700hp Skyline but I bet it felt similar... No, that engine did not wheeze.

The natural aspirated Genesis engine seems like a really great motor but I'm having a hard time considering 15 miles per gallon with city driving - and 23 on the highway? Man, thats really depressing. At least the V6 gets 29 there. That's 6 miles per gallon on a long drive...

 

[Sal Collaziano]

So, the admin like to poke at the messenger, not the message.

There's nothing wrong with your message but to see it over and over and over gets tiring. I'm sure many others feel the same way. Notice how I haven't asked you to stop. You're entitled to speak your mind as long as you're not getting personally offensive with anyone.

 

[DRS]

There's nothing wrong with your message but to see it over and over and over gets tiring. I'm sure many others feel the same way. Notice how I haven't asked you to stop. You're entitled to speak your mind as long as you're not getting personally offensive with anyone.

No different than others getting tired of all the TT promotion as the savior.

And I have points that attempt to get to the point of the chaos. Not just promoting a certain type of design because the CEO says it is good. Being forced by overlord buttercups to reduce CO2 volume through advanced turbo tech. Skewing the dyno run mandated "real world" tests in favor of smaller and smaller boosted motors.

Since you are looking for appreciation.. I do appreciate your libertarian bent on letting the speech flow. That is classy and in many cases not the norm in forums.

 

[gaggan82]

The natural aspirated Genesis engine seems like a really great motor but I'm having a hard time considering 15 miles per gallon with city driving - and 23 on the highway? Man, thats really depressing. At least the V6 gets 29 there. That's 6 miles per gallon on a long drive...[/QUOTE]

My e550 is rated at 16/25. My everyday driving does not included freeway driving but I still average 21 mpg(and I do like to use the 8 cylinders to their fullest) . So, this gives me hope that even though they say 15/23, I am looking fwd to more than that.

 

[DRS]

Yep. Current V6 does better for mpg. But hey, most of us with V8, when driving like the EPA suggests, get way better than the published mileage. I never have seen 23 mpg on the highway as a average in a tank. Much higher. Up to 31mpg on the 2015, higher on 2012. If not at that rate, in high 20s. In town, never had a tank average 15... Normally 20 or better.

V6, for the weight of the car is amazing.

 

[Alwaysforward]

The natural aspirated Genesis engine seems like a really great motor but I'm having a hard time considering 15 miles per gallon with city driving - and 23 on the highway? Man, thats really depressing. At least the V6 gets 29 there. That's 6 miles per gallon on a long drive...

I have a 5.0 Ultimate and my combined City/Highway average is right around 20 mpg burning Super Unleaded. I monitor it (calculated, not the onboard computer) at each fill up and it is very consistent. I drive 20 miles to work each day. I take US1 (city) to work and take the Turnpike (highway) home each day.

I am very happy with the mileage of my 5.0 with 400+HP.

to the forum and looking forward to future posts. This is a great forum for all things Genesis. Enjoy!

 

[DRS]

^ +1

 

[StarPower]

A CTS V Sport was only available in 2015. The 2014 is an old design and should be stayed away from. You will never find a V Sport Premium for $45K, you might find one in the $60s.

The V Sport was available in 2014. They also sold the 2nd gen V alongside the 3rd gen V Sport, which makes things confusing. IIRC, the only differences between the 2014 and 2015 3rd V Sport were the badge (2014s had the old wreath and crest, 2015s get the new Transformers-looking crest), and the 2015s get a WiFi hotspot. There may be a couple of other minor changes that I'm forgetting.

I seriously considered a 2014 V Sport before I bought the Genesis in January. Back then, they were discounting 2014s about 8,000 off MSRP, and you could find slightly used 2014s (CPO, so longer warranty than new) for a lot less. I think the thing that drove me away was the interior. Everything is very high quality, but I think I'd get sick of the high tech in-your-face design after about a year (and I'd probably punch the CUE controls within the first month).

My advice to the OP would be to take both on a long test-drive, then wait for about a week or two. Whichever car you're still thinking about is the one you should buy.