how does the car drive?

[Ted Weintraub]

First off, at my age I have earned the right to be fiesty and critical. I have noted how many of your submitters have made comments about clocks, air conditioned seats and other trivial matters. What I would like to know is, has anyone driven the car and if so how does it perform? Secondly, I also have a suspicious nature ( retired police official ) . I wouldn't be a bit surprised if one or more of the critics are in fact employees of competing make of automobiles. Let's hear from you.

 

[rweintraub]

At your age, you should not even be driving.

OK, Ted is my dad. Who is driving me crazy with his Genesis obsession. I hope someone out there has driven the car overseas and can give him some feedback.

Have a great day!

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Welcome, guys. Thank you for signing up! Unless I'm mistaken, the overseas model is sprung a bit softer than ours will be. There will be some minor differences. I think your best bet will be to wait and see what the car drives like here in the U.S. I know it's hard to wait - but we'll start reading hands-on reviews very soon.. In about two months...

 

[GrandPrix08]

Probably a bit sooner, since the magazines and medias seems to get their hands on the new cars a bit early most of the times. Sometimes, the pre-production model, but most of the times, they get their samples earlier to test drive.

As for the Korean and US market, in Korea, most people puts the luxury as the first thing, performance and ride the second, and we know that North America is pretty much the other way around, so we will see.

 

[Duaine]

To Ted Weintraub,
You should also know by now at your age that when you pay $30,000- $40,000 for a vehicle, any question that any member has is important to them. By saying things like, seats, air conditioning, and clocks are trivial is your opinion. It would seem that you don't care about the other members questions on such a new vehicle. I would assume that if you had no air conditioning, or a clock your fine with that. As for cooled seats have you ever sat in a leather seat with shorts on when its hot and have your legs stick to the seat? The cooled seat question is a good one as all are. This is the very reason for a place like this so as to share information and hopefully answer questions. I wish that you would keep that in mind please.
As for how the car drives...........from what I have read there are very few of the Genesis Sedan's even in this country. Most of us have only seen them and then only at one of the auto shows let alone drive or ride in one. The dealers are saying they may see a few start coming in around June. All I can tell you is I have an Azera now and it rides and handles wonderfully. Since the Genesis is slotted above the Azera I have no doubt that it will be a great all around car!
And of course the competition could be putting anything up for everyone to read. But most the questions are about features, price, and when they may be arriving at dealers. So at this stage yet I don't think that is a problem.

 

[EdVoylesHyundai]

To Ted Weintraub,
You should also know by now at your age that when you pay $30,000- $40,000 for a vehicle, any question that any member has is important to them. By saying things like, seats, air conditioning, and clocks are trivial is your opinion. It would seem that you don't care about the other members questions on such a new vehicle. I would assume that if you had no air conditioning, or a clock your fine with that. As for cooled seats have you ever sat in a leather seat with shorts on when its hot and have your legs stick to the seat? The cooled seat question is a good one as all are. This is the very reason for a place like this so as to share information and hopefully answer questions. I wish that you would keep that in mind please.
As for how the car drives...........from what I have read there are very few of the Genesis Sedan's even in this country. Most of us have only seen them and then only at one of the auto shows let alone drive or ride in one. The dealers are saying they may see a few start coming in around June. All I can tell you is I have an Azera now and it rides and handles wonderfully. Since the Genesis is slotted above the Azera I have no doubt that it will be a great all around car!
And of course the competition could be putting anything up for everyone to read. But most the questions are about features, price, and when they may be arriving at dealers. So at this stage yet I don't think that is a problem.

Easy, Duaine. I think he was just making light of the fact that many people seem to be more concerned with the bells and whistles than the car. As an enthusiast, I would have to agree with Ted, at least in part. I don't care if the navigation system can play music or the seats can massage my back if the car drives terribly. I do not expect that it will be, but if the platform is tuned terribly, all the extras in the world can't fix it.

The flipside is that if I am a young executive and I want a "nice" car, those little bells and whistles might appeal to me, if for no other reason that to impress clients or friends.

And I am working on getting some seat time in the Genesis. I am not at liberty to discuss my source but I will let everyone know if (and as soon as) it pans out.

 

[Ted Weintraub]

Thank you edvoiles for understanding the gist of what I was saying when I down played a few glitzy options. This is not to say I would not be interested in those options but I, and I believe most people would make them secondary to the operability of the vehicle. In so far as my critic is concerned I will quote Wm. Skakepeare and say, " me thinks thou protesth to much." I have no intention of getting into a urination battle with you or any one else regarding a commodity , ( the Genesis ) that I do not control. I have been interested in this car since first reading Hyundai's hype in the Wall Street Journal back in January or February of this year. The innuendo at that time was that the Genesis was going to compete with the German and Japenese luxury cars. Now I read that the vehicle is being compared to the Pontiac and/or the Chrysler 300. Which is it? At my age I am looking for luxury , comfort and serviceability. Oh yes I have worn short pants on leathers seats. I quickly solved that problem by laying a towel on the seat until the air conditioning took effect. A little injenuity goes a long way. But Duaine has a right to his opinion, the same as I have a right to mine . It will be interesting to see who buys first if at all. As the adage goes, " money talks and BS walks.""

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Ted. The Hyundai Genesis is intended on competing with the likes of Lexus, Mercedes and BMW. It's the media who cannot swallow that - and compares it to the Chrysler 300 and Pontiac G8. Power for power - and price for price - yes, it does compete directly with those vehicles. However, option to option - it competes with a higher class.

Who in America wants to admit that Hyundai leaped over competition with companies like Buick and Cadillac - straight to Lexus and Mercedes? No one...

 

[rweintraub]

Thanks Mr. Administrator for your reply to my Genesis-obsessed dad. He'll probably drive me even more crazy once the car arrives into the showrooms.

 

[Duaine]

To EdVoylesHyundai,
I’m sorry and maybe I did take Ted wrong. I guess I took offense to the word “trivial”. To me it meant that other members questions about the car don’t matter and therefore isn’t important. I understand and agree completely with how important handling and performance is. We are talking about a luxury class car are we not? Most luxury cars are going to come with quite an extensive list of available options. Since Hyundai has made it hard to learn anything in detail about the car its nice that we can come here to all share information no matter what it is.
I simply see it in this way. If anyone has drove the car or even rode in it and they access this site you can bet your life that information would be all over this site! It is not hard to figure that out. Even if you could get a South Korean owner on this site their car suspension is totally set up different. If you look all over the internet researching the Genesis through Motor Trend or who ever what are they talking about? They are trying to inform people of available specs. and optional equipment. Why no road test with handling and performance information? Well if you don’t have the car available you can’t do it. All they can do is share what they know. I think its fair to say that is what is going on with this site. So I don’t think the current discussions are trivial by any means.
Anyway back to the car, my dealer has been told to select option’s (trivial) for his first V-6 models. His preference comes from a pool of Genesis cars when they get here. Sometime after that the same thing happens with the V-8 models. I’m a good friend with the Hyundai Sales Manager at my dealership. We in fact negotiate price over the internet. That is how I have bought the last 5 cars from him. The only agreement we have is I get to drive and inspect the new car as he gets to do with mine. Since we have done it a number of times now we have much trust in one another. Anyway he knows that I have picked out the V-8 with the tech pkg. I want the Dark Blue Pearl with the Beige interior. So since he has to put a request in from a car pool he will try and get one of them like I want. Of course the wait is the killer part. I will send some information that I don’t know if I am suppose to or not. But I take it you’re in sales so you no doubt know all of the following. It is a letter to dealers about colors and option’s (again trivial). You know I hope some of the members can find it useful and interesting.

Dear Hyundai Dealers:
The time has come to think about ordering your first V6 Genesis vehicles. All ordering for the exciting, new, Genesis will be done on a dealership level. We will have more details about that in the very near future. Attached is a preliminary package and color list for your ordering information. By the way, the colors listed on the color sheet will not change, but the names of the colors may change for marketing purposes.
I would ask that each dealer consider your first V6 – equipped vehicles. Early next week, we will review the ordering procedure to aid the process. In ordering the vehicles, you will be asked to go to a website, spec out your specific Genesis vehicles and request a quantity. This, by the way, is how you will order all future stock and sold units on Genesis. Again, these first vehicles are V6 only. The difficulty will most certainly stem from the fact that many of these ordering parameters will be unknown, such as specific pricing and what models/colors/options will sell best. The DSM’s and myself will help you with this process as we go.
Please take a look at the attached and be prepared to order this exciting new car for your lineup early next week.
Sincerely,
Rich La Marre
Distribution Manager - Central Region
# (630) 907 - 4704 Office
" 907 - 4607 Fax
Genesis Packaging 3.8L
01) Standard Equipment
02) Premium Package
+ Leather-wrapped dash
+ Power sunroof with tilt and slide
+ Integrated memory system
+ Power tilt & telescopic steering column
+ Power rear sunshade
+ Lexicon 15 speaker surround sound, 6-disc CD Changer
+ Rain-sensing wipers with auto defogger windshield
03) Premium Package Plus
Includes premium package
+ 18” Hyper Silver alloy wheels with 235/50R18 tires
04) Technology Package
Includes Premium Plus Package
+ Lexicon Discrete audio system
+ 6-disc in-dash DVD Changer Navigation System
+ Rear backup warning camera
+ Driver Information System (DIS)
+ Multimedia controller
+ HID & Auto-leveling headlights
+ Adaptive (auto-cornering) headlights
+ Front/rear parking assistance sensors
+ Cooled driver’s seat
Key Standard Equipment:
• 3.8L DOHC V6 with 290HP
• 6-Speed automatic with Shiftronic
• 4-Wheel disc brakes with ABS
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control
System (TCS) and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Advanced front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted
side airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags
• Electronic active front head restraints
• Fog lights
• Automatic headlights
• 17” Alloy wheels with P225/55R17 tires
• Acoustic laminated windshield and front side glass
• Dual power heated body-colored side mirrors with turn signal
indicators
• Leather seating surfaces with heated front seat
• Power front seats
• Cruise control
• Electroluminescent cluster (Supervision)
• Proximity Entry with electric push button start
• Leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with audio controls
• Dual front fully automatic HVAC
• Interior EC Mirror with Homelink + compass
• AM/FM/CD/MP3/XM with iPod / USB & Aux input jacks
• Bluetooth (PIO)
• Floor mats (PIO)
Color Name /
Code
Light Blue Metallic Metallic
(PM)
Beige Metallic (ZT) Metallic
Red Pearl (TZ) Mica
Silver Metallic Metallic
(AU)
Gray Hyper Metallic
Metallic (NY)
Dark BluePearl Mica
(TB)
Black Pearl (AF) Mica
White Pearl (AT) Mica


Interior Colors
= Available
Beige (XX)
Black (YY)
Brown (XY)

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[rweintraub]

Hi, it's Ted's son here. Thanks Duaine for all that information. I agree.

I keep telling my Genesis-obsessed (hey, I will, invent a new affliction here - Genesession) dad, that I am sure there will be many reviews in the US car press once Hyundai provides them with cars to test.

Additionally, I know that my father does care about certain options which are not trivial to them. In fact, at least one of them seems to be a showstopper. His current Cadillac (OK, my Dad is a stereotype) has the usual memory seating. But it also automatically adjusts the steering column. That is, when he shuts off the ignition, the steering column shifts to its highest position so that my Dad can more easily slide out of the car and back in. As soon as he starts the car, the steering column shifts down to his preferred driving position.

This feature is a must have for him. In fact, he decided not to get a Buick Lucerne because it did not have this feature. To be clear, that meant that the car which was on the lot did not have it.

I happened to be visiting the curmudgeon (woops, I mean my venerated dad) back in the winter while the Auto Show was taking place in Baltimore. And, during a local news 30 minute show from the floor of the car show, they had a segment on the Genesis. So we went to the show, excited to finally see the Genesis.

Naturally, it turned out that there was no Genesis there. The segment on the local TV show was from the Detroit Car Show. Arrghh. But, we did meet with the Hyundai people who assured my Dad that his treasured memory steering column feature would be available on the V6.

Finally, I have a humble suggestion for our Hyundai hosts. They should let my Dad and you Duaine be the first ones to test drive a Genesis when it finally hits these shores. Perhaps the only quick cure for my Dad's Genession.

I wish you all a great day.

 

[Duaine]

Hi rweintraub,
Yes I like that steering wheel option as well! My Azera does that to. It is nice! Yes I wished we all had a Genesis to test drive. I sure hope that your dad gets to try one out very soon. Does anyone know when the first ship load will leave South Korea? Ships aren't to fast. Since some dealers have told me lately V-6 versions should be coming into their inventories possibly as soon as the first week of June they should soon be bound for the United States if production hasn't experianced delays. Wished somehow we could get information straight from the factory that is building them. I'm sure its all a big secret though....................oh well nice thought!

 

[GrandPrix08]

Since Genesis is slotted above the Azera, if Azera has it, it has to have it.

 

[rweintraub]

Thanks Duaine & GrandPrix08.

I just hope the bloody car gets here soon, so my dad can stop bugging me about it. By the way, he was going to get an Azera until he learned about the Genesis.

Have a great day!

 

[GrandPrix08]

Well, if I were you, I will rather wait, so they can test the car fully, and export them when they are really ready, you know, you don't want to spend 30K plus for the car that the company had no experience for and that may breaks down easy right? Not saying it will, but you never know. I just want Hyundai to release the V8 in Korea as well, so they can see how it does first on a long run, before bring them here, but since they are not going to that, oh well....

Well, gas price like today, I am not a fan of V8 engine anyway but....

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Well, if I were you, I will rather wait, so they can test the car fully, and export them when they are really ready, you know, you don't want to spend 30K plus for the car that the company had no experience for and that may breaks down easy right? Not saying it will, but you never know. I just want Hyundai to release the V8 in Korea as well, so they can see how it does first on a long run, before bring them here, but since they are not going to that, oh well....

Well, gas price like today, I am not a fan of V8 engine anyway but....

Honestly.. If everybody waited a year or two to buy the Genesis to see if it's okay - they'd never sell one. Some people don't mind dealing with a few bugs in exchange for having the "new hot car" before anyone/everyone else...

 

[GrandPrix08]

True, I respect that.

 

[gopack504]

Shouldn't they have all the bugs out if they have been selling them overseas for awhile now?

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Shouldn't they have all the bugs out if they have been selling them overseas for awhile now?

It could take awhile to find certain things. Especially in the v8 - which I'm not even sure if they're using in Korea. Are they?

 

[GrandPrix08]

I don't think they are using a V8 in Korea. Although I do think they did sell a model called 'Equus' that supposely had a V8 installed. I haven't heard anything about its record of it being good or bad. Equus used to be the largest car in Korea, and I have a doubt on this new engine developped by Hyundai themselves, since I believe the V8 in the Equus is the unit supplied by Hyundai's old time partner Mitsubishi.