Hyundai Genesis vs Buick Lucerne

[Sal Collaziano]

Please use this discussion to state the advantages and disadvantages between the Hyundai Genesis and Buick Lucerne.

So what makes the Hyundai Genesis better than the Buick Lucerne? I think the Cadillac DTS is a better fight for the Genesis - because at least it has style and prestige.. The Buick Lucerne? Not so much.. And, it's even less powerful. If there's anything about the Buick Lucerne that can compete with the Hyundai Genesis, please state so here.

Thank you...

 

[Michael_S]

The Lucerne has several minor advantages with respect to the Genesis and one major advantage.

The major advantage is easy: price. You can get a Lucerne for $27,250 before discounts, and there are often reasonable discounts. From what I understand, the real street price of a fully optioned Lucerne (heated and cooled seats, lane departure warning, navigation, OnStar and satellite radio, remote start, power sunroof, etc...) is less than $38,000 and that includes a 2.9% APR

The minor advantages are:
- The Lucerne is front wheel drive, which makes snow driving easier.
- The Lucerne is an established model using an old platform and old engines. This is bad for a number of reasons, but good from the perspective that most of the reliability kinks have been worked out. ( I am not singling out Hyundai for criticism here. Every automaker is more likely to have problems with new models instead of older ones. ) Along the same lines, a small but not insignificant portion of the buying populace prefers to buy engines and transmissions they have used in the past.
- The Lucerne's crash ratings are good but not great. However, the statistical safety record of the Lucerne is superb (for 2004-2006 inexpensive large cars, only the Ford Five Hundred does better): http://www.iihs.org/research/hldi/composite_cls.aspx?cls=2&sort=name&sz=4
- The Lucerne is available in six passenger seating, which is convenient when you want it/need it.

I think the Genesis is a better car. But I may buy a Lucerne someday, especially a used one, as a "good enough" substitute that's substantially cheaper.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Thank you. Okay, so now that we have some plusses for the Buick Lucerne - I'll try to focus on a couple of plusses for the Genesis.. Now looks are subjective, but I give that to the Genesis - inside and out. Warranty goes to the Genesis.. Power, without a doubt.. Suspension - that's a good question.. Any ideas on that? Does the Lucerne get Cadillac's liquid magnetic suspension? If so, that's hard to beat...

 

[Ormond]

I think that only the Lucerne Super comes with the magnetic ride control as standard equipment. I am not sure if it is optional on the other trim levels.

 

[Michael_S]

I believe Ormond is right. I built a fully loaded non-Super Lucerne at the Buick website, and the magnetic adjustable suspension was not listed as a standard feature or option.

I believe Buick has a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty, so depending upon how much you drive per year the Hyundai warranty advantage may be negated.

The Genesis has a ton of advantages. In V6 trim, let alone V8, it easily outruns any Lucerne. Its V6 is more fuel efficient than any Lucerne. The Genesis V8 is dramatically quicker than the Lucerne and outdoes the Lucerne V8 for fuel economy. The Genesis offers effectively the same cabin and trunk space in a shorter and narrower vehicle, making for a better driving experience and easier parking. It's likely (but not guaranteed) the Genesis will fare better in crash tests. The Buick Lucerne was tuned to be quiet, but I'm pretty sure the Genesis is quieter. I don't believe anyone has done a comparison test yet, but I'm almost certain the handling of the Genesis is better. The Genesis has notably short distances for braking, and the Lucerne does not. Stability control is optional on a Lucerne but standard on the Genesis. Leather is optional on the Lucerne but standard on the Genesis.

And while I don't think either is a styling knockout, I much prefer the Genesis' appearance to the Lucerne.

Again, if I ever get the Buick instead, it will be almost entirely because of the lower price. That's especially true if I let someone else buy it new and suffer the higher depreciation of the first three years.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I feel bad for Buick if the Genesis is quieter.. They make a big deal out of their "Quiet Tuning"...

 

[Michael_S]

I believe Buick's Quiet Tuning is pretty good. Most reviews mention it in a positive or mostly positive way.

But I was pretty sure I read in one of the Genesis reviews that it's the quietest car in its price range at cruise, period. I could be remembering wrong, though.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I believe Buick's Quiet Tuning is pretty good. Most reviews mention it in a positive or mostly positive way.

But I was pretty sure I read in one of the Genesis reviews that it's the quietest car in its price range at cruise, period. I could be remembering wrong, though.

I don't doubt the Genesis is quieter. People mentioned "quietness" in articles about the Lucerne - but not in the same way they do when talking about the Genesis...