How do you know which suspension is installed?

[JPW]

I've seen a lot of posts reflecting upgrades that Hyundai made to the Genesis suspension, but I can't seem to find anything that would tell me how to know whether this has been done or not for a specific used Genesis you might be looking at. Can someone shed some light on this?

 

[Mark_888]

Find the model year and date of manufacture on the drivers side door jam.

This is a rough idea of the changes for V6 suspension made by Hyundai. There maybe be minor differences for V8 changes:

• Minor changes made in the Spring of 2009 (manufacture date) for 2009 model year. The exact date and exact change made was posted somewhere on this forum a few years ago.
• More significant changes starting for 2010 model year to all 4 springs, 4 shocks struts, and rear stabilizer. Basically softened the springs, and beefed up the shock/struts and beefed up rear stabilizer bar.
• Changes again in 2012 model year similar in concept to changes made in 2010.

The above may not be 100% complete, but is close enough if you are purchasing a used Genesis to know what you are getting. As you may have noticed, I upgraded my early 2009 suspension to 2010/2011 specs, but it is fairly rare that an owner would have done that, and there is no way to easily know just by looking at the car (even by looking at the suspension parts).

 

[JPW]

Find the model year and date of manufacture on the drivers side door jam.

This is a rough idea of the changes for V6 suspension made by Hyundai. There maybe be minor differences for V8 changes:

• Minor changes made in the Spring of 2009 (manufacture date) for 2009 model year. The exact date and exact change made was posted somewhere on this forum a few years ago.
• More significant changes starting for 2010 model year to all 4 springs, 4 shocks struts, and rear stabilizer. Basically softened the springs, and beefed up the shock/struts and beefed up rear stabilizer bar.
• Changes again in 2012 model year similar in concept to changes made in 2010.

The above may not be 100% complete, but is close enough if you are purchasing a used Genesis to know what you are getting. As you may have noticed, I upgraded my early 2009 suspension to 2010/2011 specs, but it is fairly rare that an owner would have done that, and there is no way to easily know just by looking at the car (even by looking at the suspension parts).

Thanks for that. So if I understand it correctly there has been more than one advancement made in the suspension and if you really want what is considered the most advanced you should go with a 2012.

 

[Mark_888]

Thanks for that. So if I understand it correctly there has been more than one advancement made in the suspension and if you really want what is considered the most advanced you should go with a 2012.

If you define "advanced" as the most comfortable and compliant suspension which would be worthy of a luxury sedan, then definitely yes. Hyundai claims that they were able to make the 2012 ride more comfortable without giving up anything in terms of handling/steering, and I would generally agree with that.

One thing that allowed Hyundai to make the 2012 suspension more compliant (IMO) is the introduction of the R-Spec Genesis sedan (with its advertised sport suspension), which still has enough firmness to satisfy those who are not concerned about comfort and compliance in their suspension.

 

[JPW]

Thanks again Mark. Just to be safe I went and test drove a 2012 Genesis yesterday. I do not mean to take anything away from those that really like this car. This is just my own personal preference and if you really like the ride then you have all the rest of us beat who continue to search.

For me the ride was far from where it needs to be. I see many claiming this car is a sports sedan as a way of somehow excusing the undulating ride it has on the road. It corners well, but I would not consider it sporty on the turns. For me where it really falls apart is just driving straight on the interestate. Again, it easily seems to undulate up and down, and you feel every part of the road resulting in a fatiguing ride.

As a comparison I took an Equus on the same strip of road and it exhibited none of these issues. So in a way this all helps me since I cleary fall in to the Equus camp more than the Genesis. It is really too bad because I've been a huge fan of the Genesis even before it came to the states. I think it delivers so much at such a great price, but unfortunately, I know myself well enough that I could not live with that suspension.

I'll continue to be interested in seeing how the Genesis develops over time.

 

[Mark_888]

Thanks again Mark. Just to be safe I went and test drove a 2012 Genesis yesterday. I do not mean to take anything away from those that really like this car. This is just my own personal preference and if you really like the ride then you have all the rest of us beat who continue to search.

For me the ride was far from where it needs to be. I see many claiming this car is a sports sedan as a way of somehow excusing the undulating ride it has on the road. It corners well, but I would not consider it sporty on the turns. For me where it really falls apart is just driving straight on the interestate. Again, it easily seems to undulate up and down, and you feel every part of the road resulting in a fatiguing ride.

As a comparison I took an Equus on the same strip of road and it exhibited none of these issues. So in a way this all helps me since I cleary fall in to the Equus camp more than the Genesis. It is really too bad because I've been a huge fan of the Genesis even before it came to the states. I think it delivers so much at such a great price, but unfortunately, I know myself well enough that I could not live with that suspension.

I'll continue to be interested in seeing how the Genesis develops over time.

I agree that the Genesis suspension could be better, and it clearly is not aimed at Lexus ES or LS drivers. My only point is that it is improved over the previous Genesis model years (which may not be saying that much). If you live in area with some questionable road surfaces, it definitely could be tiresome to mature drivers.

The Equus has an adjustable air suspension that is also an option on the KDM Genesis, but the Genesis KDM version with air suspension costs about the same as a US Equus (for reasons other than just the cost of the suspension upgrade).