V6 vs V8

[lobsenza]

I brought my V8 Ultimate Genesis in for service and I was given a V6 Ultimate loaner. I did test drive both vehicles prior to my purchase, but it has been a year since I drove the V6. Since it was a loaner car, I ended up having an extended test drive.

The V6 has reasonable power, but it is noticeably less than the V8. I feel occasional "flat spots" on acceleration with the V6 that I do not with the V8. I tend to press the accelerator harder on the V6. The sport mode on the V6 helped somewhat with the "flat spot" feeling. The V6 acceleration is reasonable, the V8 is effortless. The transmission downshifts more on the V6.

I liked the suspension feel of the V8 Ultimate better. I assume the difference is the automatic dampers.

The big penalty I noticed with the V8 vs V6 was fuel economy. My nonscientific seat of the pants estimate is that the V6 gets 2-3 MPG better in mixed city and highway driving. This is based on the computer calculated fuel economy for somewhat similar driving on both vehicles. I only drove the V6 about 80 miles, so I could not do true real world comparisons.

There was one other observation I was not expecting: The blue lights on my cooled seat switch on my July build Genesis were brighter than the blue LEDs on my December build loaner car. The lights on the loaner car could not be seen in daylight. I think the switches are different. But, I do have tinted windows on my car and did not on the loaner car. In addition, I have the cooled seat on my car turn on automatically and I had to turn it on manually on the loaner car, so I was more aware of the lights.

 

[kn5owa]

It wasn't too long ago when it was predicted that V8's would become museum items.

Now gas is a little over 2 bucks a gallon - and V8's are everywhere.

I grew up with that engine and love it. And it's phenomenal the mileage they squeeze out of it.

 

[Genentec]

my last tank on my 5.0 I got 20mpg, about 370 miles for 17 gallon fill up. That was with about 180 miles of it on cruise control at 80mph.

given the low gas prices, the 5.0 is the way to go because it completes the full experience of the Genesis. It completes the big body, rear wheel drive experience. It feels good to know u can put to shame most Lexus, Infiniti, BMW and Benz. They won't even know what hit them. The SPORT mode on the V8 is very indulging, it will give u a big smile on your face every time you use it. Yes you don't really need it, but it's there at your disposal. There are a ton of 300 to 330 horsepower cars....but not many 420 horsepower cars.

a 420 hp v8 for the price of a BMW 3 series 4 cylinder turbo engine? now consider all the standard options on the 5.0 and all of the sudden u have a pretty good proposition in front of you. Yeah you don't need 420 horses, but the 3.8 guys will always be in envy when the quad tips drive up past them.

 

[ksoze]

In addition, I have the cooled seat on my car turn on automatically and I had to turn it on manually on the loaner car, so I was more aware of the lights.

How are you turning on the cooled seats automatically?

 

[greekgeek]

Where is DRS?

 

[kn5owa]

Where is DRS?

Banned - long gone

 

[amartz]

Yeah you don't need 420 horses, but the 3.8 guys will always be in envy when the quad tips drive up past them.

Naw, I don't think so. Especially when I cruise by you at the gas pump with my 333 horses. Or in the twisties, where your extra weight and horsepower doesn't help you all that much.

 

[db6]

How are you turning on the cooled seats automatically?

+1 - I didn't realize this was a available feature

 

[db6]

There was one other observation I was not expecting: The blue lights on my cooled seat switch on my July build Genesis were brighter than the blue LEDs on my December build loaner car. The lights on the loaner car could not be seen in daylight.

I posted a thread on this a ways back. It seems 50/50 and I think it's just perspective. Still very curious to see another models lights - if you don't mind, take a picture?

 

[Tpr5.0]

Test drove both engines prior to purchasing mine. With the cars weight, it was a no brainer to go with the 5.0. Bridgestone Blizzaks all the way around and the car handled New England winter no problem. Then with the nice weather, I'll take the extra 109hp.

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[Tpr5.0]

Naw, I don't think so. Especially when I cruise by you at the gas pump with my 333 horses. Or in the twisties, where your extra weight and horsepower doesn't help you all that much.

311 hp FYI.
The 5.0 Ultimate does handle slighlty better than the 3.8 with the continuous damping suspension and larger tires. I didn't buy mine with concern for mpg and with gas prices low, that's an unexpected bonus.

 

[Midnightsun]

+1 - I didn't realize this was a available feature

It is not an available feature. He made a small circuit which requires some involved installation. He also made the rear sun shade go up upon start up. He posted this about a year ago. See here http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=14400

 

[amartz]

311 hp FYI.

Not in mine. So, we are comparing a Gen1 V6 with a Gen2 V8. We are talking only 87 more hp, and several hundred pounds more weight with your V8. Not enough hp to make up for the weight, especially when it gets twisty.

 

[Mark_888]

Not in mine. So, we are comparing a Gen1 V6 with a Gen2 V8. We are talking only 87 more hp, and several hundred pounds more weight with your V8. Not enough hp to make up for the weight, especially when it gets twisty.

Hyundai down-rated the HP of both engines in 2015. I believe they improved the torque curves in 2015, while reducing maximum rated HP.

 

[Nikgen]

Yeah you don't need 420 horses, but the 3.8 guys will always be in envy when the quad tips drive up past them.

Hardly - I got past needing to stop light race about 30 years ago, so don't feel the need to "shame" anyone. In addition, the 3.8 has excellent passing power on the highway. You might need to lean into the throttle a little harder than the 5.0, but the passing power in the 3.8 does not leave me wanting.

Some of us (like me) also value the handling benefits of AWD (in wet, dry and snow), so the NA 5.0 gets crossed off the list right off the bat - regardless of the power advantage.

I have nothing against the 5.0. It's unquestionably more powerful and faster than the 3.8. Whether the RWD 5.0 handles better than the AWD 3.8 is debatable.

Look, if you like the extra power of the 5.0, then go for it - but don't try to tell the 3.8 owners what they are thinking as you couldn't be more wrong!

By your logic, I guess you're jealous of my AWD, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. All more meaningful to me than the extra power of the V8. To each his own...

 

[Midnightsun]

Hardly - I got past needing to stop light race about 30 years ago, so don't feel the need to "shame" anyone. In addition, the 3.8 has excellent passing power on the highway. You might need to lean into the throttle a little harder than the 5.0, but the passing power in the 3.8 does not leave me wanting.

Some of us (like me) also value the handling benefits of AWD (in wet, dry and snow), so the NA 5.0 gets crossed off the list right off the bat - regardless of the power advantage.

I have nothing against the 5.0. It's unquestionably more powerful and faster than the 3.8. Whether the RWD 5.0 handles better than the AWD 3.8 is debatable.

Look, if you like the extra power of the 5.0, then go for it - but don't try to tell the 3.8 owners what they are thinking as you couldn't be more wrong!

By your logic, I guess you're jealous of my AWD, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. All more meaningful to me than the extra power of the V8. To each his own...

So what happens when you get the best of both worlds with AWD V8, heated steering wheel and seats.

You are correct however. If I had only the choice of getting AWD in the V6, I would have gone with the AWD. Just try taking on a RWD V8 at the stoplight on a rainy day. No competition as the V8 will still be spinning his tires and hopping in and out of nanny mode when you are 1/2 a mile down the road.

 

[amartz]

Hyundai down-rated the HP of both engines in 2015. I believe they improved the torque curves in 2015, while reducing maximum rated HP.

They had too (bump the torque curve), to compensate for the extra heft in the G2 model.

 

[Mark_888]

So what happens when you get the best of both worlds with AWD V8, heated steering wheel and seats.

You get really bad fuel mileage.

 

[Midnightsun]

You get really bad fuel mileage.

You really need to go out and get yourself a bicycle if you are so concerned with the expense of putting gas the car.

 

[Genentec]

lol it was just fun comradery for 2nd gen genesis owners. it wasnt untented to be in competition. it's just a lame engine right... oh ya btw the 5.0 rules

Hardly - I got past needing to stop light race about 30 years ago, so don't feel the need to "shame" anyone. In addition, the 3.8 has excellent passing power on the highway. You might need to lean into the throttle a little harder than the 5.0, but the passing power in the 3.8 does not leave me wanting.

Some of us (like me) also value the handling benefits of AWD (in wet, dry and snow), so the NA 5.0 gets crossed off the list right off the bat - regardless of the power advantage.

I have nothing against the 5.0. It's unquestionably more powerful and faster than the 3.8. Whether the RWD 5.0 handles better than the AWD 3.8 is debatable.

Look, if you like the extra power of the 5.0, then go for it - but don't try to tell the 3.8 owners what they are thinking as you couldn't be more wrong!

By your logic, I guess you're jealous of my AWD, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. All more meaningful to me than the extra power of the V8. To each his own...