How does the price of the Hyundai Genesis really compare? Find out here...

[mkaresh]

I operate TrueDelta.com, which provides a unique price comparison tool that compares different models feature by feature to offer price comparisons before and after adjusting for feature differences.

With an assist from Ed Voyles Hyundai's post here, I believe TrueDelta is the first site where you can configure the new Genesis. And get a thorough price/features comparison in the process.

I just ran a few comparisons myself, using the "max" mode to add all shared features to both cars.

The results?

Compared to a similarly loaded BMW 550i, the Genesis is $24,630 less before adjusting for feature differences, and about $25,900 less afterwards. And this is before an upcoming price increase at BMW.

Doing the same with a Lexus LS 460, we get differences of $28,200 (before adjusting for feature differences) and $28,600 (after).


Doing the same with an Infiniti M45, probably the least expensive direct compatitor, we get differences of $11,400 (before adjusting for feature differences) and $14,100 (after).

I am not sure I have a complete list of Genesis features, as I only have the list Hyundai has released. If someone notices an omission, please contact me. For example, I'm assuming that the wood in the Genesis is not real.

Perform your own comparisons here:

Car price comparisons

 

[gopack504]

Re: How does the price of the Genesis really compare? Find out here...

Those are some significant differences in prices. I know everyone was hoping for the base prices on the new Genesis to be lower, but in reality it's probably a great value when compared to comparably size sedans.

 

[GenFan]

Re: How does the price of the Genesis really compare? Find out here...

mkaresh: This is in no way meant to put down your comparison. You can compare/contrast the Genesis to anything you feel it competes with, but, in my opinion, comparing/contrasting the Genesis with/against the Lexus LS460 is crazy! I have seen the Genesis (seen, not touched, driven, rode in, fondled) and it doesn't hold a candle to the LS. I believe these are completely different markets. I can't afford a new LS. If I could, I would certainly drive one. I am waiting for the current LS to age 2-4 years and then I will own one! In the mean time it is Avalon Limited and F-150.

Back to my point: I think you can certainly compare/contrast the Genesis with the Infiniti M's (35 & 45). I'm not even positive I would compare/contrast the Genesis with the BMW 5's.

Again, in my opinion, I think everyone took Hyundai's words from the original press release out of context. Hyundai simply mentioned that they used Lexus and BMW's as benchmarks. I don't believe they ever said that they intended to compete with them directly.

I think comparing/contrasting Genesis pricing with/against Lexus LS is a stretch.

I am, in no way, defending or promoting Hyundai's pricing of the Genesis. Truth is I don't really know how I feel. I like the idea of a loaded Genesis V6 for $35-$36K. $40K gives me pause. Do I really want to drop $40K for a car that I have to have serviced at the Hyundai dealership? Sounds risky to me. Though I have never owned a Hyundai or been to a Hyundai dealer for service.

Anyway, I'm just excited about this car and couldn't help but post a comment.

 

[mkaresh]

Re: How does the price of the Genesis really compare? Find out here...

The size, sheetmetal, power output, etc. are all very similar to the Lexus.

Is the quality of the interior up to that of the Lexus? No. But this is one of those things that is hard to quantify.

Here's how I like to think about such results: we've adjusted for everything that can be readily priced. Are the remaining differences, in things like materials quality, worth $28,000?

I do not mean to implly that any difference over zero indicates that the Hyundai is a better value. I only intend to provide a feature-adjusted price difference. It's up to each individual to decide whether the bits that cannot be priced justify the price difference.

 

[GenFan]

Re: How does the price of the Genesis really compare? Find out here...

I see what you're saying. I went to your website and I must say that it is very well done.

I get that when you look at it feature for feature (i.e. 18" wheel to 18" wheels, 12 speakers to 12 speakers) the Genesis looks very impressive.

There are things, and I know you get this, that you can't directly compare on a table. For example, two cars have Five Link suspension, one rides like a dream and the other, not so much.

 

[mkaresh]

Re: How does the price of the Genesis really compare? Find out here...

Yep, ride quality would fall under the list of things that can't be priced.

 

[Genesis X]

Re: How does the price of the Genesis really compare? Find out here...

I think you would have a better real world comparison the the ES350 rather than the LS 450. Just my opinion. I have yet to visit your site but as I have said before and will say again...resale is just as improtant as the initial price. Does your site compare resale or use resale as part of the equation or is it just initial pricing.

On another note. MSRP does not really mean much. Invoice price is a better inidicator. Who actually pays MSRP for a new car?

 

[mkaresh]

Re: How does the price of the Genesis really compare? Find out here...

People can compare the Genesis to any other car they care to. I'll show invoice prices once these become known. This will make a difference compared to Lexus, as Lexus has much larger margins.

I'd love to include depreciation, but have no data to do this with. All such data is proprietary, and has problems with accuracy.

I might add a way to compare leases. That at least bakes in someone's estimate of depreciation.

 

[jacksonhunter31]

I drive an 08 BMW 535 and sat in a Genesis last night..my lease is up in six months and I'm trying figure out what's next. The 535 is the best car I have ever driven--fast, luxurious, striking in both form and function. I was blown away by the interior of the Genesis. IMHO the interior of the Genesis is superior to my $60K 5 series. The exterior design is a little bit uninspired, kind of a Lexus, BMW--hybrid. I love the bangle designed BMWs and hate, loathe, and despise the Lexus (un)design. I work in the Design business so I wasn't thrilled that Hyundai took the conservative route but from a risk perspective, I get it. My wife drives an 02 Elantra GT that has never had a single issue. It is the most reliable car I have ever owned, beating out the multiple Audis. Acuras (worst reliability i have ever experienced) and now BMW. So my experience with Hundai as a car has been good. And after looking at the Genesis I will come back to drive one--I have to say the fit and finish of the interior is truly terrific. If this car drives as well as it is purported too, I will seriously consider replacing my 535 with this car. The value is almost ridiculous.

 

[musher51]

Welcome, Jackson. I, too, was a long-time BMW owner (the last six years with a 530i w/ sport pkg and 5-speed), and it's been five weeks since I waved 'bye' to the Bimmer and bought a Genesis.

Nearly 2500 miles later, I have absolutely no regrets. The Genesis drives/handles much differently than the 5er (much more on the "lux" end of the continuum vs sporty), but I knew that going in. The more time I spend with this car, the more impressed I am with how much value it provides for the price. It's almost unbelievable, really. Either Hyundai is content with smaller gross margins than the other guys, or else their cost structure is significantly lower than everybody else. In any case, we Hyundai customers reap the benefits!

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[jwaters943]

Re: How does the price of the Genesis really compare? Find out here...

mkaresh: This is in no way meant to put down your comparison. You can compare/contrast the Genesis to anything you feel it competes with, but, in my opinion, comparing/contrasting the Genesis with/against the Lexus LS460 is crazy! I have seen the Genesis (seen, not touched, driven, rode in, fondled) and it doesn't hold a candle to the LS. I believe these are completely different markets. I can't afford a new LS. If I could, I would certainly drive one. I am waiting for the current LS to age 2-4 years and then I will own one! In the mean time it is Avalon Limited and F-150.

I respectfully disagree. The LS460 is a superior overall vehicle.....and it should be given the price. With that said, the Lexus is NOT vastly superior in any way, shape or form. It has worse braking, similar acceleration (maybe even a bit slower), worse skidpad numbers, and a slightly softer ride (but worse skidpad numbers). The interior of the Lexus has an extra degree of polish and plushness, but the Genesis is no penalty box. If the LS interior is a 9 on a scale of 1-10, the Genesis is an 8.

Either way, the Genesis seems to be faring well in comparison tests, even when compared to the mighty LS460 (e.g. Car & Driver, Motor Trend). In the real world, price is always an issue, even for the "working rich". Any small advantages you get w/ the LS is at least partially offset by the not so small difference in price IMO.

*EDIT: I just noticed you posted this back in May. Holy post bump batman!

 

[mkaresh]

Posted in May, but the comparisons are still valid

jacksonhunter and musher: did/do your 5ers have the Sport Package, or not?

When talking handling and ride, that package makes a substantial difference.

 

[musher51]

jacksonhunter and musher: did/do your 5ers have the Sport Package, or not? When talking handling and ride, that package makes a substantial difference.

Yes, I had the sport pkg, which essentially gets you the "M" suspension. And yes, the addition of a sport pkg alters the ride significantly versus a non-sport Bimmer.

Perhaps it's a function of age (I was 45 when I bought that BMW and 51 when I bought the Genesis), but I don't miss the sporty drive/ride as much as I thought I would. Frankly, it's kinda nice to no longer get challenged at red lights by teenagers in their dad's Mustang...I pay for my own tires and gas, and getting to 60 mph in a few seconds has lost it's appeal (although hugging the curves on twisty roads in the 5er was a LOT of fun). While the Genesis and I are still in "honeymoon" mode, I'm very content with how it handles/drives/rides, as are my passengers.

 

[mkaresh]

Thanks, Musher. This was my suspicion since you felt the difference is so dramatic. IMO the difference is much less than I expected between the Genesis and a non-Sport 5.

 

[jacksonhunter31]

Posted in May, but the comparisons are still valid

jacksonhunter and musher: did/do your 5ers have the Sport Package, or not?

When talking handling and ride, that package makes a substantial difference.

No sport package--hate the run flat tires BMW forces you into with the Sport package.

BTW--a poster above wondered if Hyundai was willing to take a smaller margin on their cars, I have no idea, but I do know that the rise of the euro against the American peso (er, dollar) has wreaked havoc with the German companies business model in the US. BMW is raising lease rates and dropping residuals to try and recoupe some of their losses due to currency fluctuation.

 

[John M]

I drive this car a good bit:

Is the Genesis a 100% match? No. Is it close enough that a $30k savings makes it a good choice? You bet! Naturally I've driven only the v6 Genesis but it's already a close contender (the LS 430's v8 made the same 290hp). It's roomy, well optioned, and extremely quiet.

Like the commercial says, the Genesis won't park itself. Other than that, it's a very close comparison feature for feature. For buyers not stuck on snob appeal, the Genesis may be their ticket.

It's not that the Lexus is that bad -- it's that the Genesis is that good!

 

[GenFan]

I'll take the Lexus. Sorry guys, I'm among the biggest Genesis fans here, but the LS 460 is the car.

I'll be looking for a preowned V8 Genesis or a LS460L in a year or two. It will be interesting to see how I feel about them then.

 

[GenesisBlog]

Editing post, wrong section

 

[GenesisBlog]

I drive an 08 BMW 535 and sat in a Genesis last night..my lease is up in six months and I'm trying figure out what's next. The 535 is the best car I have ever driven--fast, luxurious, striking in both form and function. I was blown away by the interior of the Genesis. IMHO the interior of the Genesis is superior to my $60K 5 series. The exterior design is a little bit uninspired, kind of a Lexus, BMW--hybrid. I love the bangle designed BMWs and hate, loathe, and despise the Lexus (un)design. I work in the Design business so I wasn't thrilled that Hyundai took the conservative route but from a risk perspective, I get it. My wife drives an 02 Elantra GT that has never had a single issue. It is the most reliable car I have ever owned, beating out the multiple Audis. Acuras (worst reliability i have ever experienced) and now BMW. So my experience with Hundai as a car has been good. And after looking at the Genesis I will come back to drive one--I have to say the fit and finish of the interior is truly terrific. If this car drives as well as it is purported too, I will seriously consider replacing my 535 with this car. The value is almost ridiculous.

Totally on the money here. I had the 335i Sedan step sport and it was my favorite car of all time. I've had a gazillion S Classes, 5 Series, etc. I have also had the 07 Santa Fe and now the 08 Veracruz Limited AWD. In many ways, they are superior to the German cars in the price at what they offer refinement, sophistication, performance and value. The warranty? Hands down.

While I dearly love the 335 series BMWs (and I also loathe to the core of my being, Lexus-YAWN-Designs,) I am very, very seriously considering the V8 Tech Package Genesis. I had the 3 Series when it had basically just changed body styles. It was at the time the latest and greatest, and that's what I like to have. Now it's tired looking and there are 800,000 of them on every freeway.

Now that the economy is truly in the suck tank, I am looking very hard and my money. While the Genesis won't be categorized as latest and greatest, its the type of car when properly dressed with wheels and tint, that won't MAKE badge-whores stare and belittle. A normal person will see a Genesis and just say, “nice car.” Then they move on.

I'm not willing to pay for latest and greatest anymore. If I can get away with a fine, spacious luxury car that people just say "nice car," I'm fine with that. A similar 335i would not be very much higher than a loaded V8 Genesis. My payment would be the same. But the 3 Series gets small in the rear when you have clients, kids, laptops, etc., this is my reason for selecting a Hyundai over my favorite ride. (I hate the current 5 Series design and the backseat is only 1/2 difference bigger in leg room than the 335i... They feel the same when you're in them to me.)

I beg to differ with other people's assertions of the "Lexus" ride over the Genesis. It's pure BS. Most magazines have touted Hyundai's over competing Lexus models like the Veracruz/ RX350, as if not exactly the same, the Hyundai's were quieter. I have not driven an LS, so maybe it is superior. I hope so at $60k more than the Genesis.... But who the hell buys a $100,000 Toyota anyway? In Beverly Hills, Newport and other areas where "it matters" the Lexus is a giant YAWN to high end owners. Old men drive them; guys moving up from an ES after a CD matures. There's nothing hip about a Lexus. The average age of an ES owner? 65!

No you won't sway an S Class/ LS Class buyer with a Hyundai, but let me tell you from all of my clients who have money... The "cheapo" cars are starting to look very tantalizing.

Go to any SoCal auto auction (dealer only) and you'll see lines and lines of repo Bentleys, Ferraris and other high end cars. You're going to see a lot of badge-whores changing their tune pretty quick here before long. Even when we pull out of this hell of an economy? People are going to remember the days when they were near, or at bankruptcy, or were biting their nails every night staring at the ceiling.

"...The value is almost ridiculous." Yes it is!

Hyundai hit the future right on the head.