Ride quality

[Parrotguy]

I was ready to commit on a '11 Genesis and balked after reading Consumer Reports and then this forum with regard to the harsh ride. I was hoping the tires were the issue but its obvious it isn't the tires alone. I am retiring a Lexus LS 430.
I emailed Consumer's telling them the "unsettled" ride comment was vague and not helpful. Here is their response.
As far as the Hyundai Genesis' ride is concerned, it's really the car's weakest link. While comfortable enough, it's not as plush or luxurious commencing with the car's intentions. The car absorbs bumps with decent isolation, but it exhibits short and quick body motions, both up and down, and laterally, especially at low speeds. This makes the ride a bit too nervous. Some impacts reverberate noticeably on occasion. On the highway, the motions are less noticeable but the car still feels rather jumpy.
I still would like to buy the car, now waiting to see if the '12 changes are successful. I read the thread under suspension, and realize everyone has a different take on the ride. I would appreciate your advise.
Thanks, Gary

 

[Vince2]

Do yourself a huge favor and wait for the '12's. I drove a Toyota Avalon for a decade prior to buying the Genesis and two days into owning this vehicle I regretted the decision...the ride is simply to harsh over uneven surfaces and just this side of too firm on any road. Of course all of this is subjective but really would there be this many comments AND Hyundai's "re-tune" of the suspension if there wasn't an issue? Don't buy the argument that some will put that it is an either or situation: either you float over the highway like a huge old Buick or you ride on rails. You can have a pleasantly firm/taut ride without being jostled around like your ridding a chuck wagon. I will either make the same changes Hyundai did or sell this vehicle. WAIT

 

[Dan Young]

I also drove a Toyota Avalon for 10 years prior to purchasing a 4.6 in October 2010. My feeling is that the Toyota has a somewhat "softer" ride, but I don't find the genny ride "harsh" or "jumpy" at all. In fact, I find the ride excellent on the highway.

In any event, drive the car before purchasing. In my case, I have no regrets leaving the Toyota family. BTW, I'm getting better mileage in the 4.6 than I did with my Avalon (about 1mpg better).

 

[Stoofpilot]

I also had a LS430 and felt that the ride was one step above an old Cadillac floating down the highway. I have a 2010 4.6 and do not feel the ride is at all jittery or nervous. I took it to Florida and found it firm and well connected to the road. The Genesis is like a milder version of of a BMW 530. I can guarantee you that the 2012 will still ride firm like a good sports sedan. If you want a Lexus ride then you will not get it from a Genesis. I believe it is not in the DNA to be a soft ride. Frankly, I gave up on consumer reports years ago.

 

[Mark_888]

The 2012's are already starting to show up on dealer lots, so it would be wise to test drive it before deciding about a 2011 if you are in any way concerned about the ride quality. The dealers are going to have some 2011 inventory for a while.

I think it is wrong to think about whether the 2012 suspension change is "successful." My guess is that the 2012 suspension will be considered to be an improvement for most people. It will be softer than the 2011, but it is not going to be as soft as some other luxury cruisers in the same class.

 

[homeofstone]

Regardless of what car you purchase make sure you take several long test drives on all types of roads. Concentrate the test drives on the roads or type of roads you drive on everyday. Then buy the car you like most considering the ride and other features and benefits that you want. I love everthing about my 2011 4.6 but each driver has their own wants and needs. Reviews and reliability are a good starting point but you are the one that has to live with the purchase, so test drive, test drive, test drive.

 

[tonygxp]

no regrets buying this car. frankly between the horrible tire comments and the ride "harshness" i was ready to hate the ride. i LOVE the ride. i've owned numerous Caddy's, SUV's, an '06 maxima, etc. the Genesis ride is the quietest i've ever been in and the "bump" on the hwy?? i don't notice it being abnormal for a car that handles like this one. My Maxima was very similar and that also had 18's. i loved that car.

 

[Mark_888]

no regrets buying this car. frankly between the horrible tire comments and the ride "harshness" i was ready to hate the ride. i LOVE the ride. i've owned numerous Caddy's, SUV's, an '06 maxima, etc. the Genesis ride is the quietest i've ever been in and the "bump" on the hwy?? i don't notice it being abnormal for a car that handles like this one. My Maxima was very similar and that also had 18's. i loved that car.

Many of the negative comments (but not all) were about the 2009 Genesis. Hyundai modified the suspension a bit in 2010.

 

[robcar]

I was ready to commit on a '11 Genesis and balked after reading Consumer Reports and then this forum with regard to the harsh ride. I was hoping the tires were the issue but its obvious it isn't the tires alone. I am retiring a Lexus LS 430.
I emailed Consumer's telling them the "unsettled" ride comment was vague and not helpful. Here is their response.
As far as the Hyundai Genesis' ride is concerned, it's really the car's weakest link. While comfortable enough, it's not as plush or luxurious commencing with the car's intentions. The car absorbs bumps with decent isolation, but it exhibits short and quick body motions, both up and down, and laterally, especially at low speeds. This makes the ride a bit too nervous. Some impacts reverberate noticeably on occasion. On the highway, the motions are less noticeable but the car still feels rather jumpy.
I still would like to buy the car, now waiting to see if the '12 changes are successful. I read the thread under suspension, and realize everyone has a different take on the ride. I would appreciate your advise.
Thanks, Gary

Gary, as others have suggested, if I were you I would take both the 2011 and the 2012 Genesis on long test drives on all kinds of roads, and especially concentrate on rough, bumpy roads. And make sure the tire pressure is exactly the same on both cars. A few pounds less (or more) psi can make a big difference. (When I lowered the psi on my 2010 4.6 from 33 to 30 psi, it significantly softened and improved the ride on rough roads.)

If the psi is the same on both cars, it is likely the 2012 will ride better on rough, bumpy roads. I will be interested to hear how much better it is and if the ride is simply softer or, better yet, less jittery and nervous over the bumps. For example, does it go over railroad tracks in a calm, confident manner? Or does it act startled and jumpy?

If the ride is dramatically improved on the 2012 over rough roads, then that is probably be the way to go. However, if the difference is tiny, you have to ask yourself how much you're willing to pay up for this. You will probably pay at least $4000 or $5000 more to get a 2012 versus a 2011. It may be worth it to do this if you intend to trade in your car in a few years, but maybe not worth it if you keep your cars for more than 5 or 6 years.

I fully agree with Consumer Reports that the weakest link on this car is the ride (on rough roads). On smooth roads, however, it rides great.

I also fully agree with the 92 (out of 100) overall rating Consumer Reports gives the Genesis, placing it second among all luxury sedans, just below the Infiniti M37 (which got a 93 rating) and above BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, and Audi. And the amazing thing is, the Genesis costs $15,000-$20,000 less than all the other luxury cars on the list!

I do wish my 2010 4.6 rode better on rough roads. But this is my only complaint. In every other respect I give it an A+. All things considered, I am very happy with my Genesis, and I am very happy with how little I paid for a luxury car.

 

[waveman]

Another good test is a smooth road that has some very well defined imperfections, such as expansion joints, dips, or manhole covers. After driving the Genesis for six months, I'm still satisfied with the overall firmness of the ride. But I'm sometimes startled by the car's reaction when I drive over one of the above or something similar.

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[tarche]

Parrotguy,

I have a 2010 with just under 13K miles. I'm not a fan of Consumer Reports generally, but their follow-up description nails it. I've never been able to articulate it that way but their take on the ride reflects my experience. Over uneven roads, it just seems to respond in the wrong way and leaves you shaking your head. The features are top notch for the money and it's a beautiful car, but it rides wrong IMHO. Now keep in mind that I live in Pennsylvania and our roads are not the best so my experience is not identical to others' on the forum. If you live down south it may not be as obvious an issue.

 

[ld_gen]

I read the latest July 2011 Car and Drivers report with Genesis 100,000 miles trip reports over this weekend June 11, 2011 from Barnes and Nobbles bookstore. Does anyone read this report? The report reflects its true character and the ride character of Genesis. I own 2010 V8 Tech and in my opinion, this report is accurate.

Regards,
ld_gen

 

[Mark_888]

I read the latest July 2011 Car and Drivers report with Genesis 100,000 miles trip reports over this weekend June 11, 2011 from Barnes and Nobbles bookstore. Does anyone read this report? The report reflects its true character and the ride character of Genesis. I own 2010 V8 Tech and in my opinion, this report is accurate.

Regards,
ld_gen

I would be the last person to tell you the 2010 suspension is perfect, or couldn't use improvement, but the Car and Driver 100K test was done on a 2009 Genesis, and Hyundai modified the suspension for the 2010 model year (new springs, shocks, and rear stabilizer).

 

[ld_gen]

Mark,

I agree with you and love my 2010 genesis good drive and overal design. The 2012 will be even better.

Regards,
ld_gen