Rear-View Camera Quality

[Sal Collaziano]

I don’t believe that a backup camera alone (as long as there is one) can define “luxury” or make or break a “luxury” vehicle for most buyers. However, as alluded to by Munch520, the price of admission to the luxury segment is getting steeper and steeper by the minute for the automakers, and us as purchasers are being bombarded with new, shiny things that make the car buying decision a lot more work than it used to be. A good friend of mine avoids all the drama, though, as he is the proud owner of his 6th (or is that 7th, I lost track) Camry, and I’m pretty certain that he does not belong to a forum for car enthusiasts!! But I digress, I suspect most car enthusiasts probably take a more holistic/all encompassing approach to their vehicle buying decision.

Case in point, I first and foremost decide what I’m prepared to fork out and then look at what is available within that segment (so, in addition to the G2 Genesis, I also checked out the Acura TL/RLX, the Cadillac CTS/XTS, and the Lexus GS 350 – the Germans didn’t make the list because BMW’s leave me cold in the looks department and Audi and Mercedes have, so I’m told, eye watering maintenance costs). Any vehicle that doesn’t have a nice sheet metal, good handling/ride and a satisfactory powertrain is automatically eliminated. A nicely appointed interior is a plus, but not necessarily a deal breaker for me. Satisfactory reliability and workmanship are simply expected.

I bought my 2015 Genesis in September 2014 and since my previous vehicle was a 1999 Mercury Cougar, I really didn’t give a hoot about all the relatively new safety and tech gizmos. I thought that spending an additional CAN $5,000 for the Tech package might in fact be a serious mistake.

Heated steering wheel, power operated trunk, blind spot detector – I thought all these features were actually for sissies, but you know what: I now just love that heated steering wheel on cold mornings, the blind spot detector which combined with the HUD means that I don’t have to turn my head around as often as before, the cross traffic alert which is just fantastic, especially at shopping malls, etc. The one feature that I am particularly fond of is the heads-up display; to me, that gadget alone is almost worth the additional $5,000. And as far as the backup camera is concerned, my wife absolutely loves it and so do I, warts and all.

Following this experience (or technological awakening), I can assure you that when I look at buying a new car in about 2 years’ time the overall “rolling" infotainment/tech package thing will be given equal weight with the design, powertrain and handling/ride components, and whichever manufacturer, in whatever segment I’m interested in, can give me the best overall package in these 4 categories will get my vote. (And I really don’t care if you can’t offer me a backup camera that has superb picture quality, but if it turns out that you can also only offer me a so so adaptive cruise control and a barely adequate heads–up display, etc. then you do so at your own peril because I will take notice and, as further alluded to by Genesis Motors, the competition will not be treading water.)

At that time, I will also be looking for more and better performing nanny aids and safety features such as: a heads-up display that remains highly visible when I wear my sunglasses, a 360 degree camera, a high def., high refresh rate screen, a high-res. rear-view camera mirror, an integrated dashcam, etc. If that makes me a “tech” buyer, then so be it – but the reality is that our streets are getting more congested by the minute and I’d like to enjoy my ride in relative comfort.

You, sir, have been bitten by the technology bug. I agree that all these new technologies help driver's in various ways - including avoid accidents. At some point in the future we're not even going to be DRIVING our cars anymore. In some ways, that's fine. In other ways, I hate the sounds of that. But as you mentioned - the streets are getting more and more congested AND by more and more people who are playing Pokemon Go rather than actually driving. These nannies and technologies will become necessary more and more as time goes on...

 

[kn5owa]

Exactly. I'd rather Hyundai devote their dollars to things that matter. Super ultra mega high def is not something I need or desire from a backup camera that is in use a couple times a day for a few seconds at a time. It's not like I can't see clearly what is behind me - which is rather the point. A gold plated gas cap would no doubt be celebrated as luxurious by some here, but is equally unnecessary.

And, staring down at that little screen when backing up can be very dangerous - could be watching out for little kiddies - and easily get broadsided.

 

[Nikgen]

Exactly. I'd rather Hyundai devote their dollars to things that matter.

But a higher resolution camera would really be negligible in terms of dollars - both in development and part costs... Again, no one is saying not to buy the car because of this - just that it is a missed opportunity (given they talk up he screen resolution) and an area for improvement.

 

[Nikgen]

And, staring down at that little screen when backing up can be very dangerous - could be watching out for little kiddies - and easily get broadsided.

Ah - but that is what the cross traffic alert system helps prevent - and WAY better than you can do if you are just looking back while backing out of a spot between 2 large SUV's or vans!

The combination of camera(s)/screen, cross traffic sensors AND looking back/around yourself is VASTLY superior than just looking over your shoulder!

 

[Jaeger]

Your definition of luxury does not set the standard. Neither does mine. If a gold plated gas cap is somebody's definition of luxury, I'm not going to criticize them for it. To each their own. If people want a high definition backup camera - so be it. If people don't want a high definition backup camera - so be it. But like I said - I guarantee you the next generation of Genesis automobiles will have high definition backup cameras. Why?

I never claimed to set any universal standard for luxury. I expressed what is significant to me. Clearly a super hi-res backup camera is important to some. Just as clearly, it is unimportant to others. On that point we seem to agree. Which is a point we arrived at somewhere around page two.

 

[kn5owa]

Ah - but that is what the cross traffic alert system helps prevent - and WAY better than you can do if you are just looking back while backing out of a spot between 2 large SUV's or vans!

The combination of camera(s)/screen, cross traffic sensors AND looking back/around yourself is VASTLY superior than just looking over your shoulder!

But only if all the little gadgets work --

The rear cross traffic alert is quite good.

 

[Nikgen]

But only if all the little gadgets work --

The rear cross traffic alert is quite good.

Yup - that's why you still need to look! These features should be used to augment your own situational awareness - not replace it!

I love the rear cross traffic alert, but wish the warning message/direction arrows would overlay on the Nav screen backup camera view instead of the instrument cluster LCD, as I'm never looking at that when in reverse!

 

[mky]

Just today i saw the blind spot camera and backup camera on the new honda pilot, blows Genny out of the waters and it is not even Acura!

 

[zat67]

Your definition of luxury does not set the standard. Neither does mine.

Luxury is indeed such a relative term – for you and me it might mean a nicely equipped Genesis, but for other folks it might mean making the “tough” decision on whether to buy a Bentley or a Rolls!

 

[kn5owa]

Luxury is indeed such a relative term – for you and me it might mean a nicely equipped Genesis, but for other folks it might mean making the “tough” decision on whether to buy a Bentley or a Rolls!

It's very clear from looking across the spectrum of posts on this forum that the vast majority of people equate luxury with the number of gadgets available.

Definitely not part of my generation.

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[zat67]

It's very clear from looking across the spectrum of posts on this forum that the vast majority of people equate luxury with the number of gadgets available.

As the gadgets are being pushed down, it will be interesting to see if people will ever equate luxury with, say, Corolla's (no offence anyone).

 

[Nikgen]

It's very clear from looking across the spectrum of posts on this forum that the vast majority of people equate luxury with the number of gadgets available.

Definitely not part of my generation.

I don't get that impression at all. No one here is saying that luxury = only gadgets. However, in 2016, technology is a big part of the automotive experience for all vehicle classes!

Look at how the S class is marketed - "The state of the art of the automobile" with equal emphasis on Design, Performance and Technology:

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/class/class-S/bodystyle-SDN

Or the 7 series - "The BMW 7 Series reaches new altitudes in technology, comfort, and performance":

http://www.bmwusa.com/bmw/7series
http://www.bmwusa.com/bmw/7series/sedan

I could go on with other examples - but it is the same story for all luxury brands in 2016:

As with most things these days, technology has redefined the Luxury vehicle experience and raised the bar on what might have been acceptable not that long ago. Your generation's standards are no longer the standards that luxury cars are judged by...

 

[Nikgen]

As the gadgets are being pushed down, it will be interesting to see if people will ever equate luxury with, say, Corolla's (no offence anyone).

They will not as there is more to luxury than just gadgets - but gadgets (actually Technology) are becoming the price of entry for all vehicle classes. The market demand for in-car technology is making many of these gadgets available on entry level vehicles too in order to drive sales!

 

[Jaeger]

It's very clear from looking across the spectrum of posts on this forum that the vast majority of people equate luxury with the number of gadgets available.

Definitely not part of my generation.

Gadgets are never going to define luxury, because they are comparatively cheap elements that trickle down very quickly to exceedingly pedestrian automobiles. Hands free bluetooth phone connection was once a luxury car item only. Is anyone really impressed by that now? Someone above says the Honda Pilot "blows away" the Genesis with its camera system. But does anyone think a Pilot is a luxury vehicle?

Tech is cheap and only gets cheaper - and does so quickly. Much of the OMG-super-awesome tech that some people crave can already be replicated on their cell phones. And like cell phones, what us cutting edge today is outdated two years from now. Let me know when it's time for me to be impressed.

The elements that make a luxury car truly luxurious are harder and far more costly to replicate. And they are more enduring. Go sit in a Sonata and tell me it is more luxurious than a Genesis just because it has AA / ACP. Please. Go sit in a 10 year old Lexus LS and tell me you don't immediately know you are in a luxury car even though the tech is laughable by today's standards. Technology has not redefined luxury - not by a long shot.

 

[Jaeger]

As the gadgets are being pushed down, it will be interesting to see if people will ever equate luxury with, say, Corolla's (no offence anyone).

Exactly why tech gadgets will never define luxury. And you have made the point far more succinctly than I.

 

[Jaeger]

They will not as there is more to luxury than just gadgets - but gadgets (actually Technology) are becoming the price of entry for all vehicle classes. The market demand for in-car technology is making many of these gadgets available on entry level vehicles too in order to drive sales!

If it's expected on ALL vehicle classes, then by definition, it is not the hallmark of the luxury vehicle class. The elements that DEFINE luxury vehicles are those that SEPARATE them from more pedestrian vehicles. Anything that is the price of entry for ALL classes - top to bottom - doesn't define luxury. At all.

 

[Nikgen]

If it's expected on ALL vehicle classes, then by definition, it is not the hallmark of the luxury vehicle class. The elements that DEFINE luxury vehicles are those that SEPARATE them from more pedestrian vehicles. Anything that is the price of entry for ALL classes - top to bottom - doesn't define luxury. At all.

You miss the point - tech is critical to luxury vehicles these days - try marketing that old LS today and see how it sells: it won't. Like it or not, tech is an essential part of the luxury car experience these days. Look at how these cars are marketed as evidenced by the MB and BMW product pages I linked to. If luxury buyers did not demand these features, they would not be so prominent in the marketing materials.

As many have said here, tech is not the sole aspect that defines a luxury car but, in 2016, a luxury car without cutting edge technology is no longer competitive! So, the fact is that the overall luxury car experience and expectations really have been redefined by technology - but, of course, not solely defined by it.

 

[RickA1]

You are both right. Luxury is not defined by technology, but technology must be present in a luxury car.


EDIT: and personally, the resolution of the back up camera will NEVER be a deciding point on a purchase. But the quality of the audio system will. So each of us gives different weights to different features.

 

[Nikgen]

You are both right. Luxury is not defined by technology, but technology must be present in a luxury car.


EDIT: and personally, the resolution of the back up camera will NEVER be a deciding point on a purchase. But the quality of the audio system will. So each of us gives different weights to different features.

Resolution of the backup camera would not drive a purchase decision for me either - but that doesn't mean we should not push Hyundai to do better.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Just today i saw the blind spot camera and backup camera on the new honda pilot, blows Genny out of the waters and it is not even Acura!

Yes, and it's the same on the much cheaper Honda Accord. And I'm pretty sure it's the same on the Honda Civic. It's not expensive to have a high definition backup camera but it's probably one of the few things Hyundai beancounters decided to save a little money on to keep the price down on the Genesis...

Luxury is indeed such a relative term – for you and me it might mean a nicely equipped Genesis, but for other folks it might mean making the “tough” decision on whether to buy a Bentley or a Rolls!

Yes, very true.

As the gadgets are being pushed down, it will be interesting to see if people will ever equate luxury with, say, Corolla's (no offence anyone).

Yeah, I don't think that's ever going to happen. In fact, the Honda Civic has most of these high tech features - and I don't think any reasonable person on Earth would call it a luxury car. Even in the Accord, which is a midsize - it's just not a luxury car. However, it IS "luxurious" - but still not a "luxury car"...

The elements that make a luxury car truly luxurious are harder and far more costly to replicate. And they are more enduring. Go sit in a Sonata and tell me it is more luxurious than a Genesis just because it has AA / ACP. Please. Go sit in a 10 year old Lexus LS and tell me you don't immediately know you are in a luxury car even though the tech is laughable by today's standards. Technology has not redefined luxury - not by a long shot.

I'd say you could go way back to the 2003 model Lexus LS and still "know" it's a luxury car. The quality of all the materials like the very expensive feeling leather, the way it rides and drives, how quiet it is inside, the layout of the controls, the interior lighting...

The whole thing about Android Auto/Apple Car Play (which I don't really care for myself) and high resolution backup camera is they're simply things people expect in their expensive luxury car. Perhaps it's more about bragging rights - which is OFTEN why people buy an expensive luxury car in the first place. In these cases that high resolution screen is important to the owner when he/she has a passenger in their car. And perhaps they don't want their friend in the Honda Civic to yap about how his/her Genesis still isn't a true luxury car "heck, even my Civic has Android Auto".

Perhaps these are shallow people. But that's the norm. People are shallow. If two people of equal skills and background are applying for a job with your company - and you're doing the hiring - you're probably going to pick the person more pleasing to your eye - for a variety of reasons. If you're not that type of person - you're very rare. But rare people don't dictate "what is luxury" and what is expected to be in a luxury car. The masses dictate "what luxury is". And brands follow - which is why any new Genesis vehicle from this point on will have things like Apple Car Play, Android Auto and a high resolution backup camera...

You miss the point - tech is critical to luxury vehicles these days - try marketing that old LS today and see how it sells: it won't. Like it or not, tech is an essential part of the luxury car experience these days. Look at how these cars are marketed as evidenced by the MB and BMW product pages I linked to. If luxury buyers did not demand these features, they would not be so prominent in the marketing materials.

As many have said here, tech is not the sole aspect that defines a luxury car but, in 2016, a luxury car without cutting edge technology is no longer competitive! So, the fact is that the overall luxury car experience and expectations have been redefined by technology.

Being competitive is extremely important. I know somebody who used to be a die hard Lexus fan and bought three new LS sedans in a row. When it came time to buy a new car he went elsewhere because the drivetrain was no longer competitive. Car brands are ONLY car brands - they're not family. It's not like getting a divorce when you leave a car brand. You buy what you like. And if you become accustomed to having the best of the best - and your favorite falls behind - you move on. Technology definitely falls into this area...

You are both right. Luxury is not defined by technology, but technology must be present in a luxury car.

EDIT: and personally, the resolution of the back up camera will NEVER be a deciding point on a purchase. But the quality of the audio system will. So each of us gives different weights to different features.

I'm getting the impression that somebody actually said they weren't going to buy a Genesis because the backup camera resolution wasn't good enough. Did that really happen? Because if it did, I'd put my money on there were other reasons to go along with that. I can't imagine anybody all set and ready to buy a new car and then deciding against it after seeing the backup camera resolution wasn't that great.

Resolution of the backup camera would not drive a purchase decision for me either - but that doesn't mean we should not push Hyundai to do better.

Exactly...