Let down: The suspension of the 2012 Genesis isn't much improved

[cmartin]

I'm a new member with no axe to grind against Hyundai, but after driving the latest generation Genesis 3.8 (2012), as a possible replacement for my existing car, and after being previously disappointed by the 2010 generation Genesis, I honestly do not understand what it is that prevents Hyundai from resolving what is clearly a flawed suspension set up in the Genesis, as well as odd behavior from the chassis when traveling over specific types of road imperfections/surfaces.

My experience jives perfectly with TTAC's latest review of the R-Spec, though my drive was in a non R-Spec Sedan:

From the review:

The 5.0 R-Spec wafts along some roads, especially blacktop Interstate, with impressive smoothness, silence, and solidity, feeling every bit a premium sedan. But on other roads it bobbles about and even quivers to an annoying degree, refusing to settle down and relax. The Acura TL-S I drove the previous week had a considerably more composed chassis, while the cheaper-by-half Ford Focus SE handled bad roads better than either of them.

Not only do I not have an axe to grind with Hyundai, I was impressed with the Sonata when comparing it with the Accord, Altima & Camry (though I'm still not convinced that long term reliability may be above and beyond, even though it's at least probably average now).

I haven't driven the Equus, but I've driven a new Tucson (2011), a rental Azera (2008), a new Sonata GLS (2011), and a 2010 and 2012 Genesis (just 5 days ago), and I can honestly say that while the Tucson & Sonata were fine (though the Tucson was very firm), the Genesis and Azera suffered from what, in my opinion, are design flaws of some type (every Genesis I have driven hasn't felt right, but I've only driven one Azera, which was an insanely porpoising vehicle at highway speeds - I don't know how else to describe it; there was excessive up and down and also crazy lateral motions - the first I've ever experienced in a vehicle, even though it was a rental with over 20,000 miles).

With the economy the way it is, I have adjusted my budget, and I am now planning on ultimately (not immediately) replacing my car with a used BMW (5 Series), Lexus (LS430) or maybe even Cadillac (CTS) or Chrysler (300).

I really had hoped Hyundai would have been able to figure out and resolve the chassis and suspension issues that really were, and this is my opinion but one formed having owned many, many cars, major flaws in the chassis and the suspension of the Genesis, because if they had, consumers would have had a credible alternative to more expensive offerings from other manufacturers.

Finally, it's hard for me to adequately describe the suspension and chassis quirks I found while driving both the 2010 and 2012 Genesis Sedans, because they were of a nature that I've not experienced in any other passenger car I've ever driven or rode in. There was also kickback in the steering column of the Genesis when traveling over very rough road surfaces, though I had experienced that in other cars, too.

I do not feel like spending what they're asking for the Equus, but for those who have driven it, is its suspension significantly smoother and more stable than the Genesis?

 

[nextcar]

you'll be happier with the Lexus ES or LS if your main concern is the ride quality over bumps. i used to have the ES 350 and can attest to this. however, the genesis is equal or better than the ES in all other aspects.

i know you drove the 3.8, but did you try the 4.6?

 

[hwks1]

Drive the 4.6 - literally two different cars.

In the end the car is what it is. The ride is perfect for me but I lean towards quiet more than performance. I'm very satisfied with the balance achieved

 

[Glashub]

I passed on a 2011 4.6 because of the suspension and bought a 2012 4.6 because I found the ride that much more improved. Confused by the reference to a TL Type S as that car has been out of production since 2008. I did own a 2010 TL SH-AWD and can tell you that although it is one of the finest handling 4 door sedans around, you pay an excruciating price....a nervous breakdown from every little crease in the road creating havoc and unsurpassed road noise in the cabin.

Pick your poison. The TL is like its on magnets but you will feel and hear everything. (Test drove FWD TL...better but not by much).

 

[cmartin]

you'll be happier with the Lexus ES or LS if your main concern is the ride quality over bumps. i used to have the ES 350 and can attest to this. however, the genesis is equal or better than the ES in all other aspects.

i know you drove the 3.8, but did you try the 4.6?

I drove the 3.8 only, and not the 4.6. Is the suspension tuned differently in the 4.6?

I refuse to pay what Lexus asks for the ES350, which really is a V6 Camry with a better interior with more sound deadening materials and a better dealership experience.

I felt that the LS460 was cheapened up significantly over the LS430.

 

[nextcar]

I drove the 3.8 only, and not the 4.6. Is the suspension tuned differently in the 4.6?

I refuse to pay what Lexus asks for the ES350, which really is a V6 Camry with a better interior with more sound deadening materials and a better dealership experience.

I felt that the LS460 was cheapened up significantly over the LS430.

oh yes, the 4.6 feels much more relaxed compared to the 3.8, as other 4.6 owner on this forum will tell you. i think it's a combination of the heavier engine and the fact that a V8 configuration is inherently better balanced than a V6, which makes the 4.6 feel very different.

i had an Accord coupe (not known to be a soft riding car like the Camry) and felt that the 2012 Genesis 3.8 felt more firm and nervous riding than the Accord, so i understand where you're coming from. before ruling out the genesis, i suggest you give the 4.6 a try.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

To answer your Equus question, the difference is night and day. Air suspension.
But I loved the ride of my '09 4.6 Genesis. You couldn't have paid me to drive the Sonata/Azera mush mobiles, had both as loaners during oil changes. If the other features of the Genesis at this price point, available in only $10-$15K option packages on others, aren't enough to overcome YOUR perceptions of the ride, just move on. Nothing to see here.

 

[cmartin]

The best riding full sized sedan I've ever ridden in was a BMW E39 540i.

It had a firm suspension, but never produced harsh shocks to the interior, even over very bad roads. The steering was linear, well weighted and precise, while never allowing negative feedback from pot holes, etc.

I suppose much of that had to do with body rigidity and shocks and damping.

I did not care for the maintenance & repair costs of BMWs, however.

 

[Mark_888]

My experience jives perfectly with TTAC's latest review of the R-Spec, though my drive was in a non R-Spec Sedan:

From the review:

The 5.0 R-Spec wafts along some roads, especially blacktop Interstate, with impressive smoothness, silence, and solidity, feeling every bit a premium sedan. But on other roads it bobbles about and even quivers to an annoying degree, refusing to settle down and relax. The Acura TL-S I drove the previous week had a considerably more composed chassis, while the cheaper-by-half Ford Focus SE handled bad roads better than either of them.

You are complaining about the 2012 3.8 suspension, but quote a review from the R-Spec? That does not seem very useful to me, since not a single reviewer commented negatively on the 3.8 suspension, and most recommended the 3.8 over the 4.6 (taking into consideration all factors). Quite a few reviewers commented negatively on the R-Spec suspension. I have not heard any members of this forum comment negatively about the 2012 3.8 or 4.6 suspension.

The Genesis is shipped (literally, on a boat) with tires way over-inflated (as is the practice on all cars imported from Asia), and it is very common for the dealer-prep to forget to lower tire pressure to 33 PSI. So I would recommend you do one more test drive and check the tire pressure before you start. Also, understand that the base model Genesis comes with the crappy Dunlop tires, but the Premium and Tech Package come with much better tires.

 

[cmartin]

You are complaining about the 2012 3.8 suspension, but quote a review from the R-Spec? That does not seem very useful to me, since not a single reviewer commented negatively on the 3.8 suspension, and most recommended the 3.8 over the 4.6 (taking into consideration all factors). Quite a few reviewers commented negatively on the R-Spec suspension. I have not heard any members of this forum comment negatively about the 2012 3.8 or 4.6 suspension.

The Genesis is shipped (literally, on a boat) with tires way over-inflated (as is the practice on all cars imported from Asia), and it is very common for the dealer-prep to forget to lower tire pressure to 33 PSI. So I would recommend you do one more test drive and check the tire pressure before you start. Also, understand that the base model Genesis comes with the crappy Dunlop tires, but the Premium and Tech Package come with much better tires.

Well, I just drove a 2012 3.6 Genesis and didn't notice a material improvement in the ride over the 2010 that I had test drove in late 2009.

Whether that's because my memory faded, or because of tires or something else, I do not know.

I understand the R-Spec suspension has a sport tuned suspension with stiffer shocks and tighter damping (and thicker sway bars, etc.), but I do not believe the issues regarding ride quality that have affected the Genesis model have to do with shocks or springs. I think it has to do with the design of other components and how they work together with the chassis. Just my .02

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[hwks1]

I drove the 3.8 only, and not the 4.6. Is the suspension tuned differently ....

go drive one, then report back to base.

On the Lexus front, there is a GS in between the cheap front wheel drive ES and the bigger (see much more expensive) LS...just a thought. There is however a new GS on the way so you might want to hold on that thought for awhile.

 

[NOLa]

What Mark said about the tire pressure^^^

Most Hyundai models are made here, but Genesis and Equus are shipped. The tires are way over inflated for shipment and they forget to check 'em.

 

[samiam]

I don't mind the suspension in my 2011 4.6 at all. My fear is that Hyundai will read all the suspension complaints and eventually put a Toyota or Buick suspension on the Genesis. I don't want to float around the corners.

Maybe what they need is a sport suspension and then a normal suspension like Infiniti and other vendors have.

I would rather have Hyundai spend dollars upgrading their electronics rather than the suspension. Give me a Ford Sync for cryin' out loud.

 

[newman]

Well, I just drove a 2012 3.6 Genesis and didn't notice a material improvement in the ride over the 2010 that I had test drove in late 2009.

Whether that's because my memory faded, or because of tires or something else, I do not know.

I understand the R-Spec suspension has a sport tuned suspension with stiffer shocks and tighter damping (and thicker sway bars, etc.), but I do not believe the issues regarding ride quality that have affected the Genesis model have to do with shocks or springs. I think it has to do with the design of other components and how they work together with the chassis. Just my .02

I don't mean to make this sound rude: buy a different car. This one is not for you. You are entitled to your opinion and many share it. Me personally - I LOVE the handling of my R Spec. I am tired to of those who refer to it as harsh - again, they are entitled to their opinion but to me it is not close to harsh. My wife and her friends took it for a ride and remarked on how comfortable it is.

Cheers,
Newman

 

[GripperDon]

Cheers back at you You might want to consider that some are equiallytired at those that don't refer to the ride as harsh.

 

[[NOBODY]]

I have been a lurker here for a long time, but this post has piqued my interest, for whatever reason - I too was really hoping to purchase a 2012 genesis 3.8, and I test drove a 2009 3.8 as well as a 2011 4.6 and a 2012 3.8 - I have owned a G37 sedan, a late great Pontiac G8 GT, and a few others (I ended up purchasing a 2011 Dodge Charger R/T, the Road and Track model with the super track pack).

But I too, had some misgivings about the suspension - my experience was that of an oddly diametrical pairing - rough but floaty - unusual rebound control mixed with an almost sport-model stiffness over some road quirks while being very disconnected and almost floaty at other times. I would agree that Hyundai has some more work to do before calling it a day on the Genesis' suspension, they really need to control the rebound, dial in the float and give the car a more progressive rate on the coilovers/dampers.

Look, I am an admirer of the car - it delivers a hell of a lot of bang for the buck and has many, many great features. But I was always struck by the fact that Infiniti, Holden (maker of the G8) and even the new Fiat/Dodge partnership can give their cars excellent, progressive handling and control while still providing for a relative and even supple ride. I suspect it is in the many years of suspension engineering experience available to the aforementioned companies which is likely not available in Hyundai/Kia at the moment. However, Hyundai is staffed by some unbelievably hard-working and responsive engineers, and I am sure they will get it right soon enough - when that happens, I will happily buy the car.

For the record, the G37s is a stiff-riding son of gun, the non-sports model seems to get it just right. At a certain point, I think you have to have magnetic shocks like the CTS-V or new Corvette, or driver-adjustable air dampers, which are becoming very common in the higher-level sports and luxury sedans

 

[dg_moore]

I don't mean to make this sound rude: buy a different car. This one is not for you. You are entitled to your opinion and many share it. Me personally - I LOVE the handling of my R Spec. I am tired to of those who refer to it as harsh - again, they are entitled to their opinion but to me it is not close to harsh. My wife and her friends took it for a ride and remarked on how comfortable it is.

Cheers,
Newman

Agree. I learned to drive in a 1946 Willys Jeep. Now, 50+ years later, I still remember that ride. I know harsh, and the Genesis is in no way harsh. If you don't like it get a Buick.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Agree. I learned to drive in a 1946 Willys Jeep. Now, 50+ years later, I still remember that ride. I know harsh, and the Genesis is in no way harsh. If you don't like it get a Buick.

Really.

And another thing...

I understand that this is a place to research the Gen (or Equus), share experiences good or bad, complain about things or praise them, etc. What I don't get is one guy taking a test drive, declaring to the world that the ride sucks, and we'll keep replying which keeps the thread headline front page for the rest of the world to see for days, if not weeks. I just did it myself!
I guess my point is that the vast majority of ACTUAL OWNERS who love the car/ride end up with their experiences/reviews taking second fiddle to a guy who drove ONE for 20 minutes.

I'm not casting aspersions on the OP, but a paid troll couldn't do it better if he tried.

 

[QuantumRift]

Well, I just drove a 2012 3.6 Genesis and didn't notice a material improvement in the ride over the 2010 that I had test drove in late 2009.

Whether that's because my memory faded, or because of tires or something else, I do not know.

Can you remember exactly what you had for lunch that day?

 

[cmartin]

I apologize to everyone for this thread.

I was hoping that Hyundai was going to retune the Genesis's suspension to ride better over the broken pavement and rough roads that are increasingly becoming part of the network of highways and byways where I live, as I like the vehicle and the warranty - so much so, that I have been waiting for this for 3 years.

I didn't realize posting experiences and impressions were so frowned upon here.

If I ever post here again, I'll make sure it's only praise of the highest order, on every aspect of the Genesis, whether it's really how I feel, or not.

Thank you.