I have the 5.0 but have had both 3.8 and 3.8 HTRAC as loaners for 5+ days and thought I'd share some of my personal opinions.
Dynamically, V6 is far superior than V8. V6 turns in much better, is much more balanced throughout the corner, and is in general more athletic. V8 air suspension has some weird traits - jiggles during quick load transfers, thuds over potholes or sharp pavement breaks (from low profile tires?), and its floatiness in normal setting is almost reminiscent of Lincoln Continental. V8 feels like a boat in low speed, but interestingly the weight isn't as bothersome during spirited driving and the car is surprisingly well balanced. Steering effort on the V6 feels like it's too light since the car turns in better so I often found wanting a heavier feel but sporty setting was too tight. On the V8 steering effort feels more accurate since the car turns in slower and the weight is probably making you want to drive it gentler too. Steering weight in sport setting is also more suitable in the V8. However additional weight in the V8, in a way, makes you feel like you're driving a very safe and stable tank, which could be an interesting trait to some people.
With my spirited driving and excessive body roll from the combination of additional weight and softer suspension the front tires on my car are feathering pretty bad at only 9k miles. Weight is simply dealt with tire grip rather than through suspension geometry and that doesn't sound like good engineering to me.
However, if V6 is well-rounded, pleasant, and fun then the V8 feels more "special". V8 is a more serious (ie less fun) car that makes me want to drive in a more relaxed manner (esp. with the additional torque), which I think suites the Genesis more. V6 is daily driving. V8 is an occasion. The two are surprisingly different.
Aesthetically, I think the V8 with LED fogs, larger wheels, and quad tips really improve the overall design. The wheels in particular have this fantastic finish that makes the car standout and look premium. V6's front end feels top heavy, as in not enough detail on the lower grill, and feels somewhat unfinished. But this is a very subjective matter. Would you pay more for little details like that?
Engine wise I don't feel V6 lacks any power. It just has to be revved out higher. I guess whether you think this suits the car or your driving style is up to you, but I do love the silky smooth operation of the V8 even though it's torque curve could be broader in the low RPMs. Since V6 needs to be rung out more than the V8 I didn't see any difference in MPG. V6 engine note isn't appealing especially as its RPMs climb, but the engines in Genesis are very muted anyway. However when it comes to noise there's no competition between V6 and V8 and if you listen closely V8 also has an interesting induction-like noise which I appreciate.
Transmission - V6 programming is bang on. Gear selection is much more intuitive, and down shifts are quick and seamless compared to the V8. I really have no complaints. But V8 transmission feels like something from the past era and it really is the biggest disappointment. Downshifts are sluggish and very abrupt. Especially during cornering it really unsettles the car and shouldn't be trusted (although the rear wider tires add some confidence). During braking downshifts are felt and slightly rocks the car forward in each gear which is very very annoying and just unacceptable for a car in its price range. Fortunately mapping in Eco setting is somewhat better. Upshifts during hard acceleration in both cars have a weird laggy-ness in between shifts where it feels like ECU is slightly cutting down the power. However it's much more apparent in the V8. FIX THIS HYUNDAI!
Quirks - V6 turn signal stalk has a very cheap sound when it unclicks like a Hyundai from previous generation. Wiper stalk does not make that sound. V8 stalk with foglight switch sounds exactly like the wiper stalk when it unclicks. Very werid, but I noticed it from both V6 and V6 AWD so I don't think it was a coincidence. Did anyone else notice this?
Conclusion
If I were to do it again, I'd still go for the V8 but I really appreciate the nimbleness of the V6. Perhaps the upcoming twin turbo V6 is the holy grail.
If I were making a recommendation I would recommend V6 to those who aren't as picky about their cars and V8 for those who want more of an occasion - however with a major caveat. V8 feels more "special" but if you're such a car guy and you care so much about how your car drives, then the Catch 22 is that the traits of V8 (heavier, clunkier, less nimble) go against what you might want from your car.
Dynamically, V6 is far superior than V8. V6 turns in much better, is much more balanced throughout the corner, and is in general more athletic. V8 air suspension has some weird traits - jiggles during quick load transfers, thuds over potholes or sharp pavement breaks (from low profile tires?), and its floatiness in normal setting is almost reminiscent of Lincoln Continental. V8 feels like a boat in low speed, but interestingly the weight isn't as bothersome during spirited driving and the car is surprisingly well balanced. Steering effort on the V6 feels like it's too light since the car turns in better so I often found wanting a heavier feel but sporty setting was too tight. On the V8 steering effort feels more accurate since the car turns in slower and the weight is probably making you want to drive it gentler too. Steering weight in sport setting is also more suitable in the V8. However additional weight in the V8, in a way, makes you feel like you're driving a very safe and stable tank, which could be an interesting trait to some people.
With my spirited driving and excessive body roll from the combination of additional weight and softer suspension the front tires on my car are feathering pretty bad at only 9k miles. Weight is simply dealt with tire grip rather than through suspension geometry and that doesn't sound like good engineering to me.
However, if V6 is well-rounded, pleasant, and fun then the V8 feels more "special". V8 is a more serious (ie less fun) car that makes me want to drive in a more relaxed manner (esp. with the additional torque), which I think suites the Genesis more. V6 is daily driving. V8 is an occasion. The two are surprisingly different.
Aesthetically, I think the V8 with LED fogs, larger wheels, and quad tips really improve the overall design. The wheels in particular have this fantastic finish that makes the car standout and look premium. V6's front end feels top heavy, as in not enough detail on the lower grill, and feels somewhat unfinished. But this is a very subjective matter. Would you pay more for little details like that?
Engine wise I don't feel V6 lacks any power. It just has to be revved out higher. I guess whether you think this suits the car or your driving style is up to you, but I do love the silky smooth operation of the V8 even though it's torque curve could be broader in the low RPMs. Since V6 needs to be rung out more than the V8 I didn't see any difference in MPG. V6 engine note isn't appealing especially as its RPMs climb, but the engines in Genesis are very muted anyway. However when it comes to noise there's no competition between V6 and V8 and if you listen closely V8 also has an interesting induction-like noise which I appreciate.
Transmission - V6 programming is bang on. Gear selection is much more intuitive, and down shifts are quick and seamless compared to the V8. I really have no complaints. But V8 transmission feels like something from the past era and it really is the biggest disappointment. Downshifts are sluggish and very abrupt. Especially during cornering it really unsettles the car and shouldn't be trusted (although the rear wider tires add some confidence). During braking downshifts are felt and slightly rocks the car forward in each gear which is very very annoying and just unacceptable for a car in its price range. Fortunately mapping in Eco setting is somewhat better. Upshifts during hard acceleration in both cars have a weird laggy-ness in between shifts where it feels like ECU is slightly cutting down the power. However it's much more apparent in the V8. FIX THIS HYUNDAI!
Quirks - V6 turn signal stalk has a very cheap sound when it unclicks like a Hyundai from previous generation. Wiper stalk does not make that sound. V8 stalk with foglight switch sounds exactly like the wiper stalk when it unclicks. Very werid, but I noticed it from both V6 and V6 AWD so I don't think it was a coincidence. Did anyone else notice this?
Conclusion
If I were to do it again, I'd still go for the V8 but I really appreciate the nimbleness of the V6. Perhaps the upcoming twin turbo V6 is the holy grail.
If I were making a recommendation I would recommend V6 to those who aren't as picky about their cars and V8 for those who want more of an occasion - however with a major caveat. V8 feels more "special" but if you're such a car guy and you care so much about how your car drives, then the Catch 22 is that the traits of V8 (heavier, clunkier, less nimble) go against what you might want from your car.
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