V-6 vs V-8

[RichieRichLancair]

FWIW, I'm not trying to be a jerk. It's just the reality of the marketplace that V6 sales far outweigh V8 sales. It would take Hyundai many years to recoup R&D costs if they only offered a V8 Genesis due to the extremely limited sales numbers.

On a side note, I can't recall off the top of my head, but you did drive a V6 correct? Just curious.

It depends on the car I'm driving. The one I prefer to drive I want to keep the miles off of it. Drive on weekends in good weather, when I'm home.

You're right it usually it is an Azera V6. I also drive a Sonata 4 cyl and sometimes a 4 cyl Elantra.

When you only offer V6s for sale they will outsell the V8s.

No matter what it will take Hyundai years (decades maybe) to recoup their investment.

From what I am hearing there is far more interest in the V8 than the V6. The cost difference is small, negligible if you lease or have a loan. If your figures are correct $500 a year in gas is $42 a month. Most people spend that on pizza. If gas prices are hurting someone that much they would probably be looking at a Prius.

Even my mom in her 80s wants a V8. (Buick not Hyundai)

The salesmen I've spoke with that have Genesis in stock have told me people are always disappointed when they find out they don't have the V8. Not scientific I know, but still worth mentioning.

You and Hyundai might be right, the V6 sells. I don't know the internals. I don't remember Hyundai asking my opionion either. But as far as I'm concerned Hyundai has made the V8 a no brainer.

 

[GenFan]

I think the V8 was designed for many more things down the road. I also believe there is a lot more to come from this V8. I really believe they know what they're doing here. This V8 gets pretty decent gas mileage and there is so much left to do to improve it. They might be able to squeeze 30 MPG out of this thing.

That being said, I truly believe, in the short-term, we are heading towards a world of turbo charged 4 cylinders and small diesel engines that generate awesome horsepower and are extremely efficient.

Perhaps Hyundai has a plan to allow us to have our cake and eat it too. Maybe this V8 (in the future) can provide great mileage and power, therefore allowing us to keep our huge SUV's and cars.

Then again, we've seen this before. First we had huge, heavy, powerful cars. Then, came the fuel efficient compact cars (you know the ones that all the 1970's parking garages were built to accommodate). Next, we saw the big vehicle make a comeback (SUV's & trucks). Today, there appears to be a shift back to the smaller, more fuel efficient cars.

I apologize if I am simply stating the obvious.

 

[RichieRichLancair]

I think the V8 was designed for many more things down the road. I also believe there is a lot more to come from this V8. I really believe they know what they're doing here. This V8 gets pretty decent gas mileage and there is so much left to do to improve it. They might be able to squeeze 30 MPG out of this thing.

That being said, I truly believe, in the short-term, we are heading towards a world of turbo charged 4 cylinders and small diesel engines that generate awesome horsepower and are extremely efficient.

Perhaps Hyundai has a plan to allow us to have our cake and eat it too. Maybe this V8 (in the future) can provide great mileage and power, therefore allowing us to keep our huge SUV's and cars.

Then again, we've seen this before. First we had huge, heavy, powerful cars. Then, came the fuel efficient compact cars (you know the ones that all the 1970's parking garages were built to accommodate). Next, we saw the big vehicle make a comeback (SUV's & trucks). Today, there appears to be a shift back to the smaller, more fuel efficient cars.

I apologize if I am simply stating the obvious.

Stated very well.

My hope is that we have a real alternative, like the Chevy Volt in 2010. The Tesla roadster has demonstrated that a real alternative can be exciting.

Fill up the Tesla for $3.00. Drive all week. And I do mean drive.
The Chevy Volt will cost you a 10th of the transportation costs of the ICE Prius vehicle.

Saving 1 or 2 miles per gallon won't won't do anything for the carbon fossil fuel issue that we really face. I doubt the $1 per day it saves you really isn't a budget buster. IMO.

 

[GenFan]

I am holding out for the V8 model. Not because of the engine though. The V8 has some options that I prefer.

The softer leather. Though I haven't compared the two leathers side-by-side, I did drive the V8 with the upgraded leather and I liked it. I'm certain that if I did not know it was an option, the standard leather would work just fine.

The woodgrain steering wheel. Every vehicle that I've owned with a leather wrapped steering wheel has peeled or got funky. Perhaps I have some freakish acidic body juice oozing through my hands!

I am planning to buy a black Genesis. I think the chrome molding looks nice. Any other color and I don't think it matters much.

And if I'm going to spend $40K, I might as well spend $42K and get the extra power and novelty factor.

I will say this, if the additional options were available on the V6 I would opt for the V6 simply for the gas mileage. As insignificant as it may be, I will be paying cash for this car. If I can recover a few bucks in fuel economy then I am all for it. I'm certain the V6 is plenty powerful.

 

[RichieRichLancair]

In the 70s the HEMI was a $500 option. There were only 2 cuda converts with a Hemi. They are worth over $2 million each now.

I never understood why someone would pass on a $500 option like that. Maybe it is like the $2,000 difference between the V6 and V8 now.

I just didn't know people were this price conscious. 5%

 

[GenFan]

I don't think it is so much a price issue as it is a practical issue. As I stated, if I'm prepared to spend $40K, I might as well spend $42.

From a practical standpoint, the V6 fulfills all my needs. It will get me to work and back just fine. I don't think the V8 will get me there much faster or make the ride any better. If you were towing a trailer it makes a lot of sense. Shame on the person that tows a trailer with their Genesis!

From an enthusiast's position, I can see where the euphoria of knowing that you have 375 horses under the hood can easily justify the additional expense.

In my case, it will just get me pulled over on the tollway more often!

I pulling this out of my butt, but I would bet that the M35 outsells the M45 by a significant margin.

 

[jwaters943]

Richie,

It's pretty evident, at least to me, that the cost difference between the V6 and V8 is so small because Hyundai knows it's going to be a tough sell in this market. This board is simply not representative of the real world. Most people don't want or need a 375hp V8 in their daily driver. Even before the recent gas crunch, V8 sales accounted for a small percentage of new vehicle sales. Nearly every car on the market that offers both an 8-cylinder and a 6-cylinder engine sells far more of the 6 than the 8 (typically arround an 80/20 split).

So, did you drive a V6 Genesis? Driving is believing. As someone who knows his fair share of baby boomers who seem to come from the "no replacement for displacement" and "V8's are great" mindset, they were quite suprised at just how fast my V6 is. Keep in mind, the kind of power the V6 is putting down is akin to muscle cars from just a few years ago.


FWIW, here are some quotes from people who've actually driven both the V6 & V8:

Autoblog
"Leaving the track-terrorized sedans at Buttonwillow, we grabbed a fresh set of keys and drove back to Santa Barbara in a Genesis 3.8 model. Although it was down 85 horses to the V8, the 3.8 model effortlessly passed heavy trucks on the mountain passes. The car was quiet and comfortable for the 150-plus mile ride back to the hotel. While our enthusiast blood naturally migrates towards larger cylinder counts, we couldn't help but feel the V6 is more than enough engine for this vehicle's luxury mission. Hyundai, expecting 80% of buyers to choose the Genesis 3.8 model, agrees with us."
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/first-drive-2009-hyundai-genesis/

Stu at Motive Magazine
"I don't know what my engine preference would be based on noise alone. . . while yes, the V6 is a big louder and that probably makes the drive more involving, I'm a sucker for a bass note. I think the muted rumble of the Tau goes well with the image Hyundai's trying to create for the car. The sound of the six is too much like a Sonata or a Santa Fe. That said, if I were buying a car like the Genesis I wouldn't see enough reason to step up to the V8."
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3924584

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Gentlement - I STILL can't make the V-6 vs V-8 decison. Since I dont really care about the price difference I am mainly hung up on the other differences. Since I am leaning toward a Black car I think the silver molding on the lower part of the body that is on the V8 but not the V6 will add a lot of punch. Any thoughts?

As silly as it sounds, that would probably make all the difference to me.. I just like the chrome stripe too much.. Though I would also look into purchasing it separately for the v6...

 

[RichieRichLancair]

Richie,

It's pretty evident, at least to me, that the cost difference between the V6 and V8 is so small because Hyundai knows it's going to be a tough sell in this market. This board is simply not representative of the real world. Most people don't want or need a 375hp V8 in their daily driver. Even before the recent gas crunch, V8 sales accounted for a small percentage of new vehicle sales. Nearly every car on the market that offers both an 8-cylinder and a 6-cylinder engine sells far more of the 6 than the 8 (typically arround an 80/20 split).

So, did you drive a V6 Genesis? Driving is believing. As someone who knows his fair share of baby boomers who seem to come from the "no replacement for displacement" and "V8's are great" mindset, they were quite suprised at just how fast my V6 is. Keep in mind, the kind of power the V6 is putting down is akin to muscle cars from just a few years ago.

I've driven 4 V6 Genesis's so far. I would never call them fast. There is a difference between the Azera but not much. Mostly from a standing start. I think it is the RWD. Once they both hit 20 my guess is it would be dead even.

I sure don't call my Azera fast. It will keep up with almost everything I've tried. Including BMWs, Mercedes, Audi, Monte Carlos, Impala SSs, Mitisubishi Eclipses and CTS Cadilliacs. It gets stomped by Mustang 5.0, 4.6, Roush Mustangs and Corvettes. These are what I would call fast. I mean it is embarrassing how much faster they are.

When I first heard of the Genesis (Equinox back then) it was V8 powered with an optional V10 when it came to the US. I understand the adjustment Hyundai made. I like what they've done with the Genesis. I think I will like the V8 when I see it. For me the V6 Genesis and Azera don't have enough differences to justifiy the 8K price difference. But then I love the Azera it pushes most of my buttons.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I tend to agree that the price of the v8 is such a small increase over that of the v6 because of our current economy and gas crisis.. Me? I'd probably opt for the v8 I like having as much power as possible - and gas prices don't affect me.. However, I'm sure the v6 is going to outsell the v8.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Sal Collaziano]

In my book, anything that does 0-60 in the lower 5 second range is "fast" - everything else is "quick". The v6 Genesis is very quick to me. However, the v6 Genesis would have have been "fast" just a few years ago. So most cars on the road would be handled fairly easily. Even my old C4 Corvette - which I thought was extremely fast years ago - would be nose to nose with the v6 Genesis...

 

[RichieRichLancair]

In my book, anything that does 0-60 in the lower 5 second range is "fast" - everything else is "quick". The v6 Genesis is very quick to me. However, the v6 Genesis would have have been "fast" just a few years ago. So most cars on the road would be handled fairly easily. Even my old C4 Corvette - which I thought was extremely fast years ago - would be nose to nose with the v6 Genesis...

Maybe so, but that is one I would like to see...

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Maybe so, but that is one I would like to see...

What? The C4? It was only capable of so much. It ran very low 14s in the quarter mile.. Mid to high 5s 0-60.. It's a very close race. Even though the Hyundai is new - it would still be impressive to see them so close..

 

[RichieRichLancair]

52% of Mustangs are V8s

When Ford introduced the Mustang they set V8 production at 30% of sales. The last 3 years V8s have been 52% of sales. With gas prices Ford expects V8s to be 45% of sales this year.

This might help fuel the V6 vs V8 debate.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/10/ford-scaling-back-v8-production-for-mustang/

Over the last few years, 52-percent of 'Stangs came with the 4.6-liter V8

 

[jwaters943]

This is an interesting conversation. I guess "fast" means different things to different people and I'm sure a lot of that has to do w/ what cars you've owned previously. For me, anything that does 0-60 in around 8 seconds is peppy, anything that does 0-60 in around 7 seconds is quick, and anything that does 0-60 in around 6 seconds or less is fast. Then again, it's all relative. If you're coming from an M5 or AMG Mercedes the Genesis probably seems slow.

FWIW, I've owned the following cars:

89 Cadillac Seville STS (0-60 in 8.5-9 seconds)
91 Ford Escort GT (0-60 in 10 seconds)
97 Honda Civic EX (0-60 in 10 seconds)
98 Honda CR-V EX (0-60 in 11 seconds)
1997 BMW 528i (0-60 in 7.5-8 seconds)
1999 Acura TL (0-60 in 7.5-8 seconds)
2000 VW Golf 1.8T (0-60 in 8 seconds)
2002 VW Passat 1.8T (0-60 in 8.5 seconds)
2002 Honda Civic EX (0-60 in 10 seconds)
2006 Lexus GS430 (0-60 in 6 seconds)
2006 Honda Pilot EX-L (0-60 in 8.5-9 seconds)
2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS (0-60 in 8.5-9 seconds)

As you can see from the cars I've owned, the Genesis is quite a bit quicker than any other car I've owned, minus the Lexus.

 

[jwaters943]

Re: 52% of Mustangs are V8s

When Ford introduced the Mustang they set V8 production at 30% of sales. The last 3 years V8s have been 52% of sales. With gas prices Ford expects V8s to be 45% of sales this year.

This might help fuel the V6 vs V8 debate.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/10/ford-scaling-back-v8-production-for-mustang/

Over the last few years, 52-percent of 'Stangs came with the 4.6-liter V8

Apples to oranges at it's finest. I said most cars. Muscle cars are a completely different segment and demographic than full/mid-size luxury sedans.

 

[RichieRichLancair]

Re: 52% of Mustangs are V8s

Apples to oranges at it's finest. I said most cars. Muscle cars are a completely different segment and demographic than full/mid-size luxury sedans.

Oh........

 

[RichieRichLancair]

If you're coming from an M5 or AMG Mercedes the Genesis probably seems slow.

As you can see from the cars I've owned, the Genesis is quite a bit quicker than any other car I've owned, minus the Lexus.

My rule: If you can keep up with a new V8 mustang = FAST otherwise not so much.

 

[RichieRichLancair]

Re: 52% of Mustangs are V8s

Apples to oranges at it's finest. I said most cars. Muscle cars are a completely different segment and demographic than full/mid-size luxury sedans.

I didn't know the new Mustang was a muscle car.

Wikipedia's definition is...
Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high performance automobiles.[1][2] The term principally refers to American, Australian and to a lesser extent South African models. It generally describes a 2-door rear wheel drive mid-size car with a large, powerful V8 engine, and at an affordable price. Although opinions vary, it is generally accepted that classic muscle cars were produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

That was my general understanding but without the Australian and South African models. I thought is was purely American.

The Wikipedia list didn't include anything after 1979. It did mention the Mercury Marauder (2003) but that was a full size sedan. Same with the 96 Impala SS.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

In any event, most people will consider the v6 Genesis to be "fast".