Hyundai Genesis vs Lexus GS

[1985Hyundai]

I thought I would start this because it hasnt been done yet.

The Genesis V6 I test drove was very impressive. The car felt very smooth and road noise was very minimal. It was suprisingly quiet and it didnt lack any power IMO. I got a chance to push it a bit and it didnt dissapoint me at all. I didnt get a chance to test the handling as much as I wouldve liked but during the duration of my test drive I thought the handling was good if not better than some of the competition. I dont think its better or worse than the GS. Im not knocking the Genesis but it does have its shortcomings in a few areas but for the price is a GREAT deal! Just my two cents.

This is coming from a 08 Lexus GS owner.

 

[Simonwpb]

It's great to get feedback from a current Lexus owner.

How do you compare the interior fit and finish to your GS? Also, what led you to test drive a Genesis when I assume your current car is less than 12 months old?

 

[GenFan]

I thought I would start this because it hasnt been done yet.

The Genesis V6 I test drove was very impressive. The car felt very smooth and road noise was very minimal. It was suprisingly quiet and it didnt lack any power IMO. I got a chance to push it a bit and it didnt dissapoint me at all. I didnt get a chance to test the handling as much as I wouldve liked but during the duration of my test drive I thought the handling was good if not better some of the competition. I dont think its better or worse than the GS. Im not knocking the Genesis but it does have its shortcomings in a few areas but for the price is a GREAT deal! Just my two cents.

This is coming from a 08 Lexus GS owner.

I'm curious to know the shortcomings the Genesis has. I am currently looking at the Genesis, Infiniti M35 and the GS.

 

[1985Hyundai]

Im Korean and I dont know anyone who criticizes South Korean cars more than I do. I love what Hyundai has done with this new Genesis. I wasnt impressed by the Azera or even the older XG. Ive(my family) has owned our share of Korean cars and most of them were pretty crappy. The newer Sonata changed that but I wasnt a fan of the Azera.

Comparing the interior, I think the Genesis falls short on a few things. The ceiling liner looks cheap in my opinion, the door handles feel cheap like plastic. I do like the interior dash though, The leather stitching feels cheaper than other leather stitched dashes like some of the Benz's but atleast it has a leather stitched dash right? I like the layout of the controls, I think itll take some getting used to like most new cars but its user friendly. Everything is where you can find it, not HIDDEN like some features in the GS. The trunk space kicks the GS's trunk space right in the arse, ITS HUGE! The back seat is nice and roomy very spacious. The front seats were ok, but then again the GS seats arent the greatest either. Take it up another level the lexus LS seats are way better but look at the price difference. Hyundai is only going to get better and this Genesis is a PERFECT start for that.

Im looking into getting a new car for my mom as a bday gift. I was thinking a Lexus ES350 but am REALLY thinkin twice. We'll see.

 

[GenFan]

I agree that the door handles feel terribly cheap. I wish they used a heavier plastic or metal. The door handles are a real disappointment. My wife has a 2005 Lincoln Navigator and they feel the same as the Genesis.

 

[1985Hyundai]

I'm curious to know the shortcomings the Genesis has. I am currently looking at the Genesis, Infiniti M35 and the GS.

If you drive both Genesis V6 and GS 350. You can see the subtle differences in the interior. The exterior I love the Genesis's looks. I also do love my GS but interior wise its a different story. The Genesis is Hyundai's real first luxo-car competing with the big boys(mb.lexus.bmw). I dont think it bests a GS or a 5 series or a E class or even a M35 overall, but it def gives them a run for their money. Literally! I would def pick the Genesis over a Acura TL in a heartbeat. We have a thread going on in the Lexus forum about the Genesis vs the GS and its over 11 pages. haha good stuff. The shortcomings of the Genesis I list are just my opinions. Please dont get me wrong, and think im knocking it because thats far from it. As long as your happy with the car thats all that matters.

 

[jwaters943]

Well, here's my take as the former owner of a 2006 GS430.

What I like better about the GS430:

-Paint quality/fit and finish (just a tad nicer overall than the Genesis)

-Wood trim (much richer looking)

-Finishing of the trunk (no exposed speaker/nicer carpeting)

-Adjustable suspension settings

-Dealership

-Bluetooth integration (keep in mind, I don't have the Tech Package which shows the phone number of the incoming call on the NAV screen)


What I like better about the Genesis:

-Price (duh!)

-Overall refinement (it IS noticeably quieter/smoother than my GS ever was, even once I ditched the crappy runfat tires)

-Drivers seat comfort

-Size of back seat & trunk

-Lack of snob appeal (this is important to me....I've never been 100% comfortable behind the wheel of an expensive luxury car)

-Amount of headroom (at 6' 2" I'm fairly tall. I don't have to duck down at stoplights to see the light like I did w/ my GS)

-Stance (there seems to be a tad bit less wheel gap compared to my GS, especially on the front wheels)

-Interior lighting at night (the blue-white L.E.D.'s in the Genesis are twice as bright as those in my GS)

-iPod integration/interface

-Steering feel (a bit numb, but not as overboosted as the GS)


....honestly, dollar for dollar the Genesis is a better car than the GS. I don't regret buying the Lexus, but I don't really miss it either.

 

[1985Hyundai]

Nicely put Jwaters!

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Im looking into getting a new car for my mom as a bday gift. I was thinking a Lexus ES350 but am REALLY thinkin twice. We'll see.

Welcome aboard! Thank you for signing up!

Hey, guys.. I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone.. Is this odd or what? We have 1985Hyundai, who's Korean and a big critic of Hyundai - and our Pontiac Grand Prix fanatic - who's the same.. And the kicker is - they're both seriously considering a Hyundai Genesis for one of their parents. Cool......

 

[jwaters943]

What's wrong with the headliner and door handles? I'm honestly wondering, because they feel nice to me. I guess it's personal preference? I prefer a woven fabric over the slightly fuzzy mousefur-type fabric used on the Lexus. The door handles feel no more like plastic than the GS to me. Their worlds better than some painted plack/silver door handles I've seen in other Asian luxury cars (e.g. 1st-gen Infiniti FX, Acura RL, etc.).

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[Sal Collaziano]

I thought the headliner felt a little cheap too.. I must be used to the Alcantara in luxury cars.. The door handles felt fine to me, however..

 

[jwaters943]

Hmmm, interesting. Either way, how much do you feel your headliner anyway? I just hope it holds up to cleaning in case some one (e.g. a mechanic) touches it w/ their greasy fingers. and doesn't droop like some cars *cough, Acura TL, cough*: http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83760

 

[1985Hyundai]

What's wrong with the headliner and door handles? I'm honestly wondering, because they feel nice to me. I guess it's personal preference? I prefer a woven fabric over the slightly fuzzy mousefur-type fabric used on the Lexus. The door handles feel no more like plastic than the GS to me. Their worlds better than some painted plack/silver door handles I've seen in other Asian luxury cars (e.g. 1st-gen Infiniti FX, Acura RL, etc.).

I was comparing the headliner and the door handles to the GS in particular. The headliner feels cheap because of the material they used. I think some of the elantras come like that? I think that is.... and the door handles feel very light compared to the GS. They feel a little more sturdy in the GS. Im not sure compared to Infinity,Benz,Bmw. I know the acura ones are cheap feeling too.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

how much do you feel your headliner anyway?

Never.

 

[Simonwpb]

I think Hyundai has something like 70% market share in S. Korea. Koreans appear pretty ticked that the car sells for a lot more back home.

Is it true that the Korean version already has air suspension along with the softer ride, and that they took it out for the US version?

 

[jwaters943]

Yes, it's true. The KDM version also has a cooled passenger seat, adaptive cruise, rear seat DVD, Ionizing HVAC system, etc.

Unfortunately, with the weak U.S. dollar, they had to cut some feature content from the U.S.-spec car. With that said, I'm glad they cut feature content and didn't cheap out on the details/materials (e.g. cheaper leather, uncovered plastic A, B & C pillars ala Pontiac G8, etc.)

 

[jwaters943]

Since we're on the topic of the GS versus the Genesis, I got my new issue of Motor Trend. Here is a brief summary of what they had to say about the Genesis & GS.

Hyundai Genesis
3.5 Stars
Sum Up: Lexus should be worried, truly.

Lexus GS
2.5 Stars
Sum Up: Tries to beat Mercedes E Class. Fails.

Ouch.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I think Hyundai has something like 70% market share in S. Korea. Koreans appear pretty ticked that the car sells for a lot more back home.

Is it true that the Korean version already has air suspension along with the softer ride, and that they took it out for the US version?

Yes, firmer suspension for the U.S. Because our "media" doesn't like soft suspensions...

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Since we're on the topic of the GS versus the Genesis, I got my new issue of Motor Trend. Here is a brief summary of what they had to say about the Genesis & GS.

Hyundai Genesis
3.5 Stars
Sum Up: Lexus should be worried, truly.

Lexus GS
2.5 Stars
Sum Up: Tries to beat Mercedes E Class. Fails.

Ouch.

Aaaahahahahahahahaahahahahaha!

 

[GrandPrix08]

Since we're on the topic of the GS versus the Genesis, I got my new issue of Motor Trend. Here is a brief summary of what they had to say about the Genesis & GS.

Hyundai Genesis
3.5 Stars
Sum Up: Lexus should be worried, truly.

Lexus GS
2.5 Stars
Sum Up: Tries to beat Mercedes E Class. Fails.

Ouch.

Yeah, I got that issue too. They also gave Sonata and 09 Kia Optima a 3.5 while giving the Azera, the more expensive model the 3.