Hyundai Genesis vs Pontiac G8

[[NOBODY]]

I own a G8 GT - the hood scoops, you get used to them - I wouldn't go so far as to say they are garish, just unnecessary. Lots of people like them, that you wouldn't think would. I cannot count the number of times that I have been stopped in parking lots, on the street, etc., so that someone could give me a compliment on the looks of the G8.

I will say one thing about the G8 - it's hard to imagine getting a better mix between road feel/handling and a comfortable ride. Such an excellent suspension. And the drive train makes the car ridiculously fast - I have an ECU/TCU tune and the car does 4.8-4.9 0-60's no problem, and my wheels chirp on the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. Silldiculously fun. It's a four-door, near-luxury muscle sedan that handles similar to a 5-series.

I've also test driven a Genesis V-6 - the interior of the G8 is not even in the same ballpark as the Genesis. I was really, really impressed with that interior on a car of a very similar price (MSRP on mine was 33700). With the upgrades, the stereo is so much better as well, and there is a lot more tech available at just a little more money. Tremendous value in the inside.

However, I was not that fond of the Genesis' ride - it seemed very floaty and disconnected from the road but yet almost harsh over some surfaces. Weird. I understand that the G8 and the Gen skidpads are actually close (.85g vs. .83-82g) but in driving the Gen, it doesn't feel that way. I would have to say that while the Gen's ride is smooth and very quite (mostly), the G8 rides just fine for most 'luxury' fans while handling is world-class. I had read so many good things about the Gen's basic handling specs and I was really dissapointed after the test drive.

However, the acceleration of the v-6 was very surprising - it pulled very well (I thought) for such medium torque numbers. Very nice pickup, and the shifting seemed okay as well - smooth, but with quick upshifts. The G8 has had it's AT issues as well, and these were solved by going to an aftermarket tune, so maybe that's an option in the Gen if you wanted more ooomph, I'm not sure.

I am thinking of trading the G8 in on the Gen due to Pontiac and GM issues, and parts problems (already hard to get). I don't need to be a boy racer all the time so the lack of speed and an LSD I could handle, but I'm not sure I can get used to the suspension issues.

 

[BigElm]

Agreed, until you get to those garish hood scoops. I just don't get why Pontiac/GM thought they were necessary. Lose the scoops and the "golly-gee-whiz-boy-racer" look, add the interior from the CTS and this would be an awesome car, at least in my book. The handling is simply amazing and shows that GM can in fact get it right when they try. But then they drop the ball on the details and interior.

Of course... and then people will complain because a GT is in the high $30k's, which in turn, few will buy because it's an American vehicle. Sorry but I bit on temptation and ended up getting the G8 GXP for $38k (before tax)- fully loaded with sunroof and 6MT. I will have it for business so the Genesis will wait till next year when the clear out the bugs.

Oh... btw, those vents can be functional. A simple DIY mod can take care of that. To each their own but I am very happy with the beast I purchased.

 

[[NOBODY]]

Hey congrats!! Another G8ter in the world - number 1 muscle car in US News and World Reports Rankings...

Like USNWR says, the "Pontiac G8 is a badass four-door back-road burner.....indeed, it's hard to find fault with the G8's fierce combination of power, agility, comfort and style. And though some buyers may divert their attention to the Ford Mustang for its retro muscle car style and convertible top option, the G8 trumps it in terms of power, backseat comfort, and quality of materials."

See, now if I could just find that with ubuer-luxury, oh, well, I'd guess I'd own an AMG product I suppose...

Oh, and the driver -side fender vent IS functional as it feeds air to the CAI...

 

[ImInPA]

Of course... and then people will complain because a GT is in the high $30k's, which in turn, few will buy because it's an American vehicle. Sorry but I bit on temptation and ended up getting the G8 GXP for $38k (before tax)- fully loaded with sunroof and 6MT. I will have it for business so the Genesis will wait till next year when the clear out the bugs.

Oh... btw, those vents can be functional. A simple DIY mod can take care of that. To each their own but I am very happy with the beast I purchased.

I really like the G8. As I said it is personal taste on my part with regards to the hood scoops. The interior of the G8 left me cold. lol....you are dead on that people would likely complain if the car price went up due to a nicer interior. I was making more of a statement on GM. The G8 proves they can built a damn fine handling vehicle. The CTS proves they can build a world class interior. If they had gotten both of them together on the G8, that is the car I would be driving right now. I love the G8 from the Side and Rear views. (damn hood scoops).

 

[sherrod]

I can't believe anyone is seriously comparing a Genesis with a G8. I got a G8 as a rental car from Hertz and could hardly wait to take it back. The phrase that kept going through my mind (and ocasionally lips) every time I drove the G8 was "piece of junk". It had 15k miles on it, and the engine wouldn't idle smoothly at a red light. The seats were uncomfortable and had poor adjustments. I thought the handling was imprecise -- not even in the same ballpark as a Genesis. The tech features were minimal and the overall feeling was CHEAP from the look, sounds, comfort, and interior.

I'm insulted to have my Genesis compared with a G8.