test drove 2015 Genesis V6

[nextcar]

Today, i finally got the chance to test drive the new second generation Hyundai Genesis sedan.
I was blown away.

As a point of reference, my current car is a 2011 Genesis 4.6 L V8.
Wife's car is a 2014 Mercedes E350 which I frequently drive.

Today, I drove a 2015 Genesis sedan 3.8 L V6. I must admit I haven't been this thrilled since I test drove a 2014 Porsche Boxster stick shift last year.
The new Genesis is just as luxurious as our MB E350, just as quiet on the freeway, just as comfortable. It also has the same solid feel as the Mercedes. I think Hyundai benchmarked the E class in its development. Even the door slams shut with a heavy teutonic thud. The interior material quality is just as good. Hyundai uses real leather versus the fake leather in our E class.

The new Genesis however is more powerful. When the engine is rev'd past 4000 RPM, I hear an aggressive engine note that made my spine tingle. The car also handles as well as our E class sport package.

The MSRP is 38,000, compared to our E class which stickered at 59k (but heavily discounted to 49k).

My 2011 Genesis now has 50k miles which have been completely trouble free, and now I am a firm believer in the quality and reliability of Hyundai cars.

Compared to my 2011 Genesis, the 2015 felt more solid. My V8 is way too quiet, so I definitely preferred the sound of the V6.
Finally, the 2015 looked better from the exterior and the interior.

How does everyone else compare the ride quality of the 2nd gen v 1st gen?

 

[Mark_888]

The MSRP is 38,000

So you drove the Genesis Base Trim model?

 

[nextcar]

So you drove the Genesis Base Trim model?

no, they only had 1 car.
it was signature/tech.
if i were to trade in my car (high probability), i would probably get the base trim.

i realize having owned my car that all i really need is the Nav which comes standard with the base model.

 

[acecert]

Just traded in my BMW 7 and I couldn't agree more...ride and material quality are all there. The user tech is much more advanced. Go get it!

 

[JoeDaytona]

"How does everyone else compare the ride quality of the 2nd gen v 1st gen? "

I could tell a big difference between the 2010 and the 2012....I think that's the year they did an upgrade. Hoping to drive the 2015 this weekend!

 

[Mark_888]

no, they only had 1 car.
it was signature/tech.
if i were to trade in my car (high probability), i would probably get the base trim.

i realize having owned my car that all i really need is the Nav which comes standard with the base model.

I agree. The 2015 Base Trim has some nice upgrades over the previous Base Trim models, and you get an extra inch of headroom without that useless (to me) sunroof.

 

[nextcar]

because my test drive was only about 15 minutes on roads not familiar to me, i can't really say that the suspension is significantly improved over my 2011 V8 with Bridgestone serenity plus tires.

can anyone comment on whether the new car soaks up bumps better?

 

[EXBMWGUY]

Took a 20 minute test drive of a V6 AWD with Tech Package today while waiting for my 2012 R-Spec oil change. It is an extremely nice car. Very quiet, refined and solid. More like a Gen3 or Gen4 car than Gen2, in my opinion.

Major improvements in ride, especially on poor roads, handling is very good, and in normal mode, cornering is very flat. It is eerily quiet inside, until you press the pedal - than you have a decent engine sound, which we have never had in the previous car. I did not push it, but with modest acceleration, I noticed how much quicker the transmission is than Gen1.

I think the interior is very, very nice and the quality of materials is excellent. I will probably wait for the V8 AWD, which is supposed to be out in 2016. The sales rep said they were working on eliminating the gas guzzler tax on the 5.0 with AWD.

I still love my 2012 and will drive it until 2016 inventory is available in a V8 AWD configuration.

Hyundai will switch a lot of German car owners to this car, I believe.

 

[Midnightsun]

Took a 20 minute test drive of a V6 AWD with Tech Package today while waiting for my 2012 R-Spec oil change. It is an extremely nice car. Very quiet, refined and solid. More like a Gen3 or Gen4 car than Gen2, in my opinion.

Major improvements in ride, especially on poor roads, handling is very good, and in normal mode, cornering is very flat. It is eerily quiet inside, until you press the pedal - than you have a decent engine sound, which we have never had in the previous car. I did not push it, but with modest acceleration, I noticed how much quicker the transmission is than Gen1.

I think the interior is very, very nice and the quality of materials is excellent. I will probably wait for the V8 AWD, which is supposed to be out in 2016. The sales rep said they were working on eliminating the gas guzzler tax on the 5.0 with AWD.

I still love my 2012 and will drive it until 2016 inventory is available in a V8 AWD configuration.

Hyundai will switch a lot of German car owners to this car, I believe.

You have basically came out of the test drive with the same experience as me. I find it strange how some here see little or no difference between gen 1 and gen2. They must be in denial.

 

[GenesisCaptain]

Major improvements in ride, especially on poor roads, handling is very good, and in normal mode, cornering is very flat.

+1 - I did a couple fun little tests in my test drive that wadded-up the sales guy's shorts a little. (I told him before I did it.)

Test #1 - I hit the brakes abruptly while in a mild corner. It was not enough to lock up, but enough to cause the car's weight to shift suddenly and dramatically. Many cars shift laterally in this maneuver as the suspension gives. The effect is pretty terrifying. The Equus is the poster child for how a car should not handle in this situation-- the body feels like it briefly leaves the suspension and suddenly floats sideways. The 2015 is about as perfect as can be. It simply slows and tightens the turn radius. It stays mostly flat.

Test #2 - Hit the brakes while swerving diagonally across railroad tracks. The suspension is already busy, so the addition of steering input and brakes can really mess things up. The 1st gen sucks at this test it gets all squirrely for a moment. My 2012 is passable, so I cannot imagine what the earlier versions felt like. The 2015 is very stable. It seems to handle the multiple inputs with minimal confusion.

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[Midnightsun]

+1 - I did a couple fun little tests in my test drive that wadded-up the sales guy's shorts a little. (I told him before I did it.)

Test #1 - I hit the brakes abruptly while in a mild corner. It was not enough to lock up, but enough to cause the car's weight to shift suddenly and dramatically. Many cars shift laterally in this maneuver as the suspension gives. The effect is pretty terrifying. The Equus is the poster child for how a car should not handle in this situation-- the body feels like it briefly leaves the suspension and suddenly floats sideways. The 2015 is about as perfect as can be. It simply slows and tightens the turn radius. It stays mostly flat.

Test #2 - Hit the brakes while swerving diagonally across railroad tracks. The suspension is already busy, so the addition of steering input and brakes can really mess things up. The 1st gen sucks at this test it gets all squirrely for a moment. My 2012 is passable, so I cannot imagine what the earlier versions felt like. The 2015 is very stable. It seems to handle the multiple inputs with minimal confusion.

As I previously commented, this car is designed to handle much more than the V6 can deliver. Truly impressive in comparison.

 

[pusaterkm]

Drove the V8 Ultimate last night. I was blown away. I love my 2011 4.6, but this was a whole new experience. The first thing that grabbed me was the seat. A monumental improvement over the 1st gen. So much more supportive and comfortable, really wraps you, the side bolsters and thigh support are great. The HUD is out of this world, it looks great and gives the driver all the information that you could want... speed limit, current speed, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, nav turns, audio info... just amazing and looks great. I wasn't sure that I would like the controls on the dash from imagining what they would feel like from the photos, but I love them, the "rollers" are way better than the push buttons. Ride was much more solid, smoother and handled great. I can't speak to the engine sound, because I removed the intake sound dampeners and installed a K&N filter on my 4.6 so that engine already sounds sweet. Seat of the pants feel on the limited test drive did not feel faster than my 4.6, but I am sure that the extra 35 HP and better low-mid torque will make itself known once I own the car and figure out the throttle response and shift points. Beautiful inside and out. I can't let them screw up that front end with a license plate bracket, so it will have to go without one. The only matter to be decided for me is color. I drove the Manhattan Brown, and saw the Empire State Grey and Casablanca White on the lot. Saw the Monticeto Blue at the Cleveland Auto Show. So far I don't see a color that I want. I have to see the Ibiza Blue and the Pampalona Red before I just decide to get Silver again. Seems like none have been delivered to dealers in those colors. I've checked, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Akron and Columbus... no luck.

 

[YEH]

I could tell a big difference between the 2010 and the 2012....I think that's the year they did an upgrade. Hoping to drive the 2015 this weekend!

And that's around the time when Hyundai got rid of those horrendous OEM Dunlops (tires can make a big diff. - in not only ride, but acceleration).

I think the interior is very, very nice and the quality of materials is excellent. I will probably wait for the V8 AWD, which is supposed to be out in 2016. The sales rep said they were working on eliminating the gas guzzler tax on the 5.0 with AWD.

How would you compare the quality of the interior to the GS (cuz the Lexus guys would beg to differ) and 5 Series?

Think Hyundai could have done better w/ the door releases and a few other spots, but they can make those changes on a year to year basis.

Would also like to see more leather-covered surfaces (such as the glove box area) and top part of the dash should be soft-touch.

Makes total sense about delaying the 5.0 AWD until they can get past the gas guzzler tax issue since getting hit w/ that would hurt the whole value equation.

+1 - I did a couple fun little tests in my test drive that wadded-up the sales guy's shorts a little. (I told him before I did it.)

Test #1 - I hit the brakes abruptly while in a mild corner. It was not enough to lock up, but enough to cause the car's weight to shift suddenly and dramatically. Many cars shift laterally in this maneuver as the suspension gives. The effect is pretty terrifying. The Equus is the poster child for how a car should not handle in this situation-- the body feels like it briefly leaves the suspension and suddenly floats sideways. The 2015 is about as perfect as can be. It simply slows and tightens the turn radius. It stays mostly flat.

The Equus is now the last of the old school Hyundais.

Hyundai will has begun revamping its entire lineup - starting w/ the Genesis sedan and Sonata.

The 1 model that really needs a redo are the Tuscon, and the Azera isn't up to par (even if it did beat the ES in a couple of comparos) - but heck, Hyundai certainly sells enough of them in Korea (challenges the Sonata in sales).

 

[GenesisCaptain]

I have to see the Ibiza Blue and the Pampalona Red before I just decide to get Silver again. Seems like none have been delivered to dealers in those colors. I've checked, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Akron and Columbus... no luck.

They are also putting the Ibiza Blue on the new coupe. My dealer had the Ibiza coupe, and I checked it out. The color is stunning-- heavy use of metallic flake. That is my favorite color.

 

[dreamerak]

Anyone have pics of Parisian Grey? haven't been able to find any.

 

[DominicJE]

They are also putting the Ibiza Blue on the new coupe. My dealer had the Ibiza coupe, and I checked it out. The color is stunning-- heavy use of metallic flake. That is my favorite color.

I love the Ibiza Blue paint on the new 2015 Genesis, waiting for another few months when Hyundai Circle kicks in for the 5.0 Ultimate and then will begin shopping around.

 

[Midnightsun]

Just got back from my AWD V8 test drive. for those who say there is little difference between the 6 and 8, BS. The difference is very evident. Handles just as well as the 6 IMHO but has mucho getup and go. I would say more than my R-spec but that is really hard to determine unless lined up. In reality I could not give a hoot because there is more power on tap than I will ever need.

One thing I found disappointing was no Bluelink in Canada and there never was. The bluelink button below the DIS is a setup button. I really wanted the remote start feature but what the heck.

I did play with the headlights and confirm we get led brow DRL here in Canada. The main lights are Bi-zenon HID which means both high and low beams are HID in a single lens. When the lights are turned on the brow led dims and remains on.

The smart card key which is a credit card sized key fob meant to be kept in your wallet is a fabulous idea. Can never forget my wallet any more now can I and no more bulky fob in your pocket, love it.

I did get to play with the heads up using nav, fantastic. It gives you the next street to turn on with large arrows and count down in feet or meters to next turn. Posted speed limits are up there too and also on the dash nav and also on the instrument screen. No way is there an excuse you did not know the speed limit. I came up to a school zone and it posted a large triangular yellow sign showing a school area, how cool is that? Having tried both the dis and touch screen, dis wins for sure.

Forgot to play with default switch setting after ignition off but can confirm both the blind spot warning and the lane departure feature do default to last position used. Next review will be when I get my car.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

How would you compare the quality of the interior to the GS (cuz the Lexus guys would beg to differ) and 5 Series?
).

No comment on the GS - haven't been in a new GS or owned any Lexus except LS 400, 460 and 600, but it is equal to my loaded 2011 5-Series.

 

[HEY GURL]

Check out Cars.com. You can see all colors. There are even pics of one Ibiza Blue 5.0. Stunning! My favorite color! I am battling back & forth if I can handle ivory seats. I hate stains or scuff marks.

 

[DominicJE]

Check out Cars.com. You can see all colors. There are even pics of one Ibiza Blue 5.0. Stunning! My favorite color! I am battling back & forth if I can handle ivory seats. I hate stains or scuff marks.

My favorite color too and I agree, the ivory seats may be a deal breaker for me. I wish it would come with the black seats at least. Maybe next year.