V8 vs. V6 Performance?

[work-n-show]

I'd been following the release of the Genesis for quite a while, so I was excited when I had a chance to drive a 3.8 a couple weeks ago. I really like the car. It's really a level of luxury I never expected to see from Hyundai.

After driving the V6 for a few hours in the afternoon, I returned the car to the sales office and indicated I really wanted to wait for the V8 and also wait for Spring so I can keep an SUV for driving this Winter.

The Sales person then proceeded to tell me how the Sales Manager has been to Korea and had driven the V6 and V8 very aggressively on their test track. He said he really couldn't tell much of a difference between the two and thought the V8 was hardly worth the extra money. I thought it must be hogwash, but he flagged down the Sales Manager who confirmed what the salesman has said.

Can someone who has driven both please weigh in?

I bought my wife a Pontiac GTO and I absolutely loved the raw power (torque) that was always hiding just a pedal touch away. It was always instant, no need for a downshift. There were many things I liked about the Genesis V6, including what I thought was silky smooth acceleration on the freeway and surprisingly quick acceleration from a stop. But I didn't care for the hesitation and the kick-down in certain situations and I just didn't feel the torque was always there. I traded my wife's GTO in on a Santa Fe and it has really made me a believer in Hyundai reliability. I want to be a believer in the whole package, but that salesman's statement is haunting me.

 

[Poopsicle]

Well, V8 is sure faster and I recommend that engine because of the fact that it's faster and it comes with better features.

 

[BaywayRic]

I would agree with the sales manager, with the following caveats:

• I only drove the 4.6 at the Hyundai Tour
• Previous car was a 528i [bimmer 6 cyl]
• I could care less about the .5 sec difference in 0-60 time
• I like the 3.8 18" wheels better
• I don't need a door sill light
• Much prefer leather wrapped wheel vs. the wood insert for hot weather
• I wanted the car NOW [picked up 7/30/08]
• Just couldn't see the value for an extra 2K
• You can add the chrome door strips for $159
• Had 15 years of Vettes for my torque urge [I'm over it]

Bottom line, it's a personal thing. If you are unsure, wait for a 4.6 and put it through its paces. Sounds like you really want to wait for Spring anyway. Nice thing about this site is it can't make the decision for you, but it will provide you with more opinions than you'll ever need. Welcome.

 

[Samifumi]

I was also in the camp waiting for the V8. I got a great deal on a V6 tech, and have been perfectly happy with it. I am negotiating another deal on a V8, but if the dealer doesn't accept, I will not be heartbroken at all (if I don't get it now, it will always be available later). Is the extra power of the V8 worth it? Having driven both, the power is not really noticeable. The handling is also less balanced in the V8 because of the 53:47 front:rear weight ratio vs. the 51:49 ratio of the V6. The leather is a better grade, but I like the 18" wheels on the V6 (primarily because I can change the emblems without issue, it makes a big difference on the look of the car). I am a little annoyed about the speaker cover in the trunk of the V6 being absent, but I am efforting on having that part installed soon.

Having said that, I would take the comments of the salesperson with a grain of salt. Obviously, he is trying to sell you whatever car he has in stock. I would recommend you drive and buy the car that you absolutely want after conducting your due diligence.

 

[Sonata2009]

Check out the thread on the differences between the V6 and V8 also. Many are personal preferences, granted, but $2K (less than 5%) buys a lot of differences.

Despite the weight difference, the larger brakes and 4 calipers make a significant difference in breaking performance.

 

[Jon@VB]

For everyday drive, I don't think V8 is really needed; V6 has plenty enough power.

But if little bit extra power and better brake are important then go with V8.

I thought $2K was a small price to pay for these upgrades.
I also think v8 handling feel is more sporty

only thing i really feel bad about v8 is gas...
i'd like to save energy for the future generation, but this time my greed & desire for power won the battle...

 

[work-n-show]

Thanks for all the great feedback...

I was hoping for a bunch of folks saying "you HAVE to get the V8 is is SOOOO much faster and fun to drive!" Realistically though, I appreciate the candid feedback. Looks like I'll have to judge critically.

Sonata - I had noticed the other thread on v8 vs. v6 i terms of additional features. That's definitely something to consider.

Jon - It looked like there was only 2 mpg difference between the two...or I was totally dreaming! (it's possible)

I'm convinced we'll see some additional decline in demand for new autos. I'm thinking there might be some better deals on the way, but it will be tough to wait 'til Spring.

 

[glickrick]

For all you folks that live with snow, the 4.6 has limited slip and the 3.8 doesn't.

There is more raw power in the 4.6. I have driven both, and own the 4.6, and I must say....it feels gooooood.

Gas consumtion is terrible though. Forget the ratings, I am getting an average of about 16-17 mpg in the city, and I do not have a heavy foot. Interesting fact, when at a stop the consumption gets worse to about 14 MPG.

 

[glickrick]

Forgot, that would be in imperial gallons and not US. In Canada we use litres/100km. Actual measuremnt is about 17 litres per 100km.

 

[JOwest]

I live in Vancouver. My Audi A6 with the 2.7 biturbo engine give me 14MPG or 20 litres/100km in the city. If I can get 17 MPG in the 4.6 Genesis I will be a happy camper!

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[Sonata2009]

Ok, now for the "off the wall" comment on V6 vs. V8:

Since the V8 final transmission gearing is significantly different from the V6, it turns lower RPMs at a given speed. Therefore, the enginge wear is lower over the same number of miles driven. So, if you plan on driving your Genesis "until the wheels fall off", the engine should last longer!

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Welcome, Work-N-Show. Thank you for signing up.. The sales people you're speaking with, as already mentioned, are simply trying to sell you what they have. Take it from me. You want the V8. I can tell you do. Like me, I would not be satisfied with the V6. I always drive V8s and I want whatever is fastest south of having a V10 or V12. To me, there's enough difference between 5.5 and 6.1.. That difference is also very apparent to you. Wait - and buy the V8... You'll be glad you did.

 

[DP1363]

I have to agree. I drove the v6 and found the 2nd gear sluggish. 3 orderd the v8.

 

[400HP]

Its true, there really is not as much difference between the two engines as you would expect. The extra HP/torque of the V8 is more than compensated by the higher rear axle ratio of the V6.

I beat up several of the V6s and V8s at the Discovery event (in PHX), and though I was attempting to validate my desire to justify purchasing the V8, I could not.

The V6 is just better overall -- better balance, lighter feel (rear end weight) through corners, better braking (less dive) and steering. Also, the V6 Aisen 6spd transmission is smoother than the ZF on the V8.

In regard to performance -- I floored both the V6 and V8 from a dead stop to the same point on the radar trap and hit the same 48mph speed for both engines. I did this on several vehicles that day and was not able to produce any significant difference (more than 1 mph) between the two vehicles.

Even with that, I argued that the better leather, illuminated sills and other stuff justified the V8.

With all that said, I ended up with the V6 and have no regrets. The deals were better (I ended up leasing at $450/m, $2700 down with $500 off coupon on a premium tech, $40K MSRP) than the V8 (mostly due to supply & demand), lower insurance (GMAC had the best prices for me, almost $200 per 6 months cheaper than Geico) and great gas mileage (averaging 23 mpg in mixed city/highway).

I still hope that Hyundai ups the HP on the V8 before my 2yr lease expires....

On side note, most of my previous cars were V8s. Now that there are good 6 spd transmissions, you really do not need a V8 anymore (well, maybe the Lexus with the V8 and 8 spd auto can be justified).

Good luck to all.

 

[Simonwpb]

I agree with BaywayRic's comments. I purchased the V6 because I wanted to purchase in July. I also test-drove the V8 and floored it at the Discover Genesis event, but that is not my commuter style on the way to work! I find the 290-hp of the V6 to be responsive and very comfortable at 80-mph.

One of my shopping considerations was fuel economy. I traded to get out of a gas pig. Getting up to 28 MPH highway, and averaging 22-23 MPG in suburban commutes validates my purchase every day.

Sure if you want the best in performance and options, the upgraded drivetrain and a slightly heavier car with the most power then go for the V8. A matter of personal choice performance versus total cost of ownership.