Test Drive: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan
While you were out jockin’ M-B’s, Lexus’s and BMW’s, a little Korean company called Hyundai was creepin’ on the come up. Bet you didn’t know they’re now the 7th best selling automotive brand in the U.S., did you? Turns out a lot of Americans love low priced cars—who knew?
To celebrate, the company best known for econo-boxes is looking to go head to head with the big boys by introducing their new rear-wheel drive Genesis platform. Their first Genesis offering touching down in the states will be the amazingly priced 4.6 and 3.8 Sedan, followed later by the coupe. Hyundai threw Complex the keys and we took this recession special for a ride. Read the full review and check out a gallery below.
PRICE: $37,250
SPECS:
Engine: 375hp, 4.6L V8
MPG: 17 city/25 mpg
RIDE: Hyundai may bill the Genesis as a luxury sport sedan, but once behind the wheel there wasn’t much sportiness to be found. Although the peppy V8 made it easy to go up against any other big body sedan on the road not rocking an “AMG” or “M” badge, whipping it through corners wasn’t very confidence inspiring. The steering was a little unresponsive and numb. But that’s not what the Genesis was made for. If you wanna get your Nurburg’ on, get a sports car. The Genesis aspires to be more luxe than sport. Cruising at any speed feels like you’re floating. Hop in the back and you might think you were in something with a six figure price tag. All that’s missing are curtains. And the Cristal.
INTERIOR: Sleek and sophisticated. Hyundai realized the real indicator of a luxury car is the interior and made sure to pay extra attention to detail, and for the most part they succeeded in providing a high class experience. The leather and wood grain that wrap the steering wheel and dash felt as high grade as any other luxury brand. But the aluminum looking panel around the shifter and entertainment system felt cheap, and an analog clock would have been a better fit than the bargain basement digital joint they put in there.
AUDIO: Our model had the Technology package with a 40 gig hard drive, navigation system, and the Lexicon surround system with 17 speakers and 11 channel digital external amplifier, that knocked pretty well. A little more bass would have been perfect. The iDrive-esque controller worked well too. The tech package is well-rounded and you don’t need to study the instruction manual to use it.
WHIP APPEAL: Take the Hyundai badges off of this and it could be anything from a Lexus to a Mercedes. We’d rather push this than a Chrysler 300 or even a BMW 3 series. Driving it around, you definitely don’t feel like you’re in a Hyundai, and most people on the street didn’t know it either until they get closer.
ONE MORE THING: Of course, for the low-low price tag, somethings are missing. While most luxury brands are implementing next generation safety features, Hyundai just rocks with traction control. The heated and cooled seats are pretty dope and lets not forget Hyundai’s 10 year/100,000 warranty.
SUMMARY: The Genesis accomplishes a lot with a little. There are some hiccups, but for those looking for an entry luxury car, this is it. Rear wheel drive, luxe interior, powerful engine, good looks. It’s all there.
RATING: 4/5
PREVIOUS POST
This car number one!!!!! ^_^ ^_^ ^_^
Comment by Seoul In Your Hole — August 13, 2008 #
Just traction control ? You missed all the ABS, ESC, all the side curtain airbags, etc., huh ? Safety features the others haven’t even offered yet, and they’ve had them since the intro of the NF Sonata.
Comment by madderhatter — August 13, 2008 #
Anti-lock brakes
Traction Control
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
Eletronic Stability Control
Electronic Front Seat Headrests (not hydraulic like most others)
A total of 8 advanced second generation airbags
Over 80% use of ultra high tensile strength steel cage
A body that is 12-14% more stiffer than the BMW 5 series
And you say its only got traction control?
Comment by ConceptVBS — August 14, 2008 #
“The fucked up part is it DO look like a CLS until a CLS pulls up” (C) Katt Williams
Comment by D Lincoln — August 14, 2008 #
The front looks like a Benz, and the back reminds me of a Beemer. Very nice lines. By the time it reaches the states, I will probably be able to afford one, lol.
Comment by www.nappyheadinc.com — August 14, 2008 #
All those safety technologies aren’t next generation when compared to what Mercedes, Lexus, Infiniti or even Volvo. No lane departure warning, no distance assist, no intelligent brake assist, no intelligent cruise control.
All that shit is nice, but besides the stiffness factor (pause), they ain’t lookin’ to the future with their safety. But, shit, it costs $37 Gs. Can’t have it all.
Comment by Peter Fallow — August 14, 2008 #
Doh!!!! Who wrote this??!! This is getting 5-stars and has every imaginable safety feature!!! Have you seen the specs?? Oh and it’s 14% more torsionally rigid than the latest 5-Series, has more horsepower/litre than the Lexus 460 and is lighter. Ummmm, this article is a goof. I’ve driven it, I own a M35 and I’ll tell you it’s for real. The 17 speaker Lexicon, adaptive headlamps and the better than BMW ‘i-Drive’ sold me. I pick mine up in a week. I ordered the 3.8 Tech package. I figured I’ll put the $7K I would’ve spent on the Infiniti back in my bank account. Yeah, I know, ‘Hyundai’ but this car is for real.
Comment by iSpec — August 14, 2008 #
Homie, do you work for Hyundai? Go back and re-read the piece, since when is a 4 out of 5 a bad review? If you really drove it you would know that it doesn’t handle as well as your (or your pop’s) M35. You would also know that adaptive headlamps aren’t that special when they’re on a car aiming for the high-end market. But if that’s what sold you, hey, more power to you. Use that extra money to buy a friend who gives a fuck.
Comment by Peter Fallow — August 14, 2008 #
man i haven’t seen this much fury over a hyundai since the cops beat up rodney king
Comment by DeShawn Stevenson — August 14, 2008 #
Profound Technology, Performance & Value
I would like to speak to those of you looking into the underlying science and research and everyone considering the Genesis 4.6 sedan by Hyundai. The Genesis 4.6 is a profound example of what can be accomplished when a world-leading super-corporation decides to enter a market segment – the luxury sedan market – taking on the Germans, English and the Japanese.
The reason Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari, and the guys behind A8, the Jaguar and Aston Martin are quiet right now is because EACH of their cars has key components that, by design, were incorporated into the Genesis 4.6.
FACTS - The Genesis 4.6 comes with the ZF Transmission; it is the best in the world which is why its been in the best Formula-1 Race Cars, and is in MOST of the super-cars as well as some the vehicles mentioned above. Next, the ESC or Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control Technology is “agnostic” which is legal speak for engineering that can be found on numerous super-cars and luxury sedans as opposed to just one brand.
In addition to the foregoing, almost each and every component and key element of the Genesis 4.6 is supported by proven science and technology – and in most instances can be found to be THE BEST in its particular function i.e. the ZF titanium strong transmission, the super-high-tech all aluminum 4.6 ltr DOCH engine with CVVT. If that’s not enough, research the brake and safety components. Instead of 12 inch all the way around they super-sized the front end and assist - just as they do on the baby Lambo. BTW, The baby Lambo also uses a ZF format tranny.
Moreover, the interior design teams, exterior design and paint, aero-dynamics, and even the profound sound system were each individually designed by people believed to be industry leaders in their craft, etc etc etc.
The bottom line, no pun intended, is that you’re going to love the Genesis more and more as you begin to discover that the Genesis is going to sell to the most discriminate auto-enthusiasts because of the sum of its components – a symphony of profound technology – proven best of the best and then incorporated into the design. Luxury consumers today are educated and that’s what Hyundai is counting on.
Moreover, Hyundai is not a little start-up company as stated above but rather is an Asian Dynasty with extensive global power inasmuch as they are among the World’s largest and most technically advanced companies and have accomplished extraordinary things – such as delivering the largest and most technically advanced ocean vessels operating at sea. But they are not just ship builders, car makers or just another global oil giant – these guys provide value to the industries and consumers they serve.
Kudos to the Genesis Team, Well Done!
E.M.
Scottsdale, Az.
Go get your name on the list!!!!
Comment by E.M. — September 22, 2008 #