Hyundai Genesis vs Infiniti G35

[hyundaiorbust]

msrp: $32,250-34,750

G35
$32,250*
(no options/packages available)

G35 Journey
$32,700*
(options/packages available and it adds up)

What is the Genesis base model 3.8L v6 comparable to?

I'm starting to wane on the Genesis also, as another poster/thread. My friend has a G35 Sport RWD and man I love the ride, interior, exterior, that's a bad boy.

And so I looked up the price, wow, lower msrp then the Genesis? I thought it'd be higher, Infiniti brand name, push button start, ...

Today, I visited a Hyundai dealership that has three Genesis, just so I could see it in person. The back reminds me of the Azera rear end, which I don't like. I thought it'd be more of a BMW 5 series or 09 Sonata like tail, but not so, beautiful car none the less, I actually like the 17 inch spoke-like rims better than the 18 inch style.

Yes, the dash in photos does make it look more bigger/wider than it really is, it's actually a lot more compact, if you will. I'm not really a fan of these type of dashes. I like the Sonata interior, G35 styles, that slope from the console up, with the silver trimmings.

One sales guy actually said I could go on a test drive, but I couldn't drive it, he would. What? Grant it I didn't actually schedule for one, but still ... come on. Then he continues to say you have to go on a test drive to truly know what a car is like, and so I told him, until I can test drive it I ain't going to buy it.

I told another sales guy I'm waiting for the price to go down. He says it's already low, then I told him Hyundai's reputation on rebates and normally their prices go down relatively quickly, based on Hyundai's history, and he quit after that.

You know what made my day however? Finally seeing a 09 Sonata cocoa metallic exterior in person, it's a thing of beauty.

 

[TML2]

Re: vs Infiniti G35

I also looked at the G35 (& I love the exterior as well), but it's just too small in the back seat.

In my mind that's the key difference between the Genesis and all of the cars in this price range. If you want something sportier and a little smaller, then the g35/CTS/3-series are all great options.

The room in the back makes the Genesis a completely different car in my mind. It makes it seem more like an executive luxury sedan as opposed to a sportier small sedan.


I'm also not huge fan of the infiniti interiors -- the leather just doesn't seem as nice (including the M). Just a personal preference. For me the interior in the 5-series is nicer than just about any of the cars we discuss on this board, but a fully loaded Gensis is still cheaper than a base 528i (44k) and the base 528i doesn't come with any of the tech features, has MUCH less hp, etc. -- It's also about impossible to find a base model on a dealer lot.

 

[jwaters943]

Re: vs Infiniti G35

Well, the Genesis also has push button start like Infiniti (did you even sit in it?), and the base price of the G35 and Genesis including destination is nearly identical, with the Genesis being a measely $15 cheaper. Why isn't the Genesis cheaper than the G35? Because it's a bigger, much more refined vehicle than the G. In terms of size and refinement, the Genesis is closer to the M than the G, and even then the Genesis is still a bit bigger and more refined based on my experience with the M. The Genesis has exactly the same interior passenger volume as a regular wheelbase Mercedes Benz S-Class. Styling is preferential, and you're certainly entitled to your opinion.

If you're looking for a relatively compact, fun-to-drive sport sedan that rivals the best from Japan & Germany, look no further than the G35. It really is a great car. Just don't expect a ton of refinement, because that's one attribute the Infiniti comes up a little short.

If you're looking for a comfy, roomy and refined luxury sedan with a decent amount of sportiness, look no further than the Genesis. It's overall combination of refinement, size, feature content, and price is hard to beat.

Once the newness wears off and dealers are actually willing to budge on the price, I fully expect it to sell well. Too bad they seem to be pissing off so many potential buyers with their BS. Then again, Infiniti is not immune to the BS. The only time I was ever refused a test drive was at an Infiniti dealership and after asking to speak to the General Manager they tried to kick me off the lot. So much for their "great customer service". The next day I got a GS430 instead. I thought about driving it through their parking lot and honking/waving. I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman trying to shop on Rodeo Drive. LOL.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Re: vs Infiniti G35

I felt the G35 was small inside. The Genesis is bigger than the Azera - right? The Azera feels much more roomy than the G35...

 

[jwaters943]

Re: vs Infiniti G35

Yes, the Genesis is slightly larger than the Azera and significantly larger than the G35. The G35 is actually similar in size to the Elantra. The G35 has 99 cu. ft. of interior space.

For comparison:

(Cubic Feet)

Elantra 97.9
Sonata 105.4
Azera 106.9
Genesis 109.4

 

[hyundaiorbust]

Re: vs Infiniti G35

Yes, the Genesis also has push button start. Nex time I'll sit in it (even if I can't drive it). I'll wait however for more Genesis to show up in dealer lots and schedule a test drive. Right now in my opinioin there will be a bit of snobby-ness with the sales people, cause it's a luxury car and rare still.

I've sat in the front passsenger and back seat of the G35. Yes, sitting in the back seat I'd have to say felt odd (and this before I read any reviews on it, so I formed my own unbiase opinion, if you will). I'm not a tall person, but I stuck my feet underneath the front seat, and they got crushed as the passenger decided to power lower the seat. It wasn't like my toes got crushed, it was the top part of my foot, cause I wanted to get the most leg room so I stuck it all underneath. Then realiziing I shouldn't do that, now I had less leg room, and my knees were bent more than I cared for.

Which brings a good point, I'll have to test the back seat of the Genesis also, with the front seats all the way back, so I'll have comparison.

 

[gipp]

Re: vs Infiniti G35

Compact car (G35)vs full size car with the biggest rear seats you have ever sat in and the most elbow room you probably ever had in a car in the front.(old caddies) G35 gets great ratings from everybody, but at 225lbs it seems way to cramped for me. Also, I think it is marketed more towards the 25-40 crowd than the Genesis which I beleive is targeted at the over 40 crowd. Much more refined.

 

[hyundaiorbust]

"Refined" = ?

Having sat in my friend's G35, I thought it was pretty clean cut, he got the sports trim and it had stitching in the leather, which was pretty nice, not much seemed plasticy. Grant it I don't know what the checklist for refinement would be.

After looking at more pics of Infiniti cars I guess in my opinion the awkwardly placed clock in the middle of the console is a niche. That was kind of not refined to me, it seemed like they didn't know where to put that and so they just slap it on there, and decided to slap it on there in all there cars to make it theirs. I think they could have left it out and put the time in the radio/nav screen.