2009 Hyundai Genesis: A 790.2 Mile Run to the Snow Part 1

Can I add Infiniti Q-45 to that list of cars-the-Genesis-looks-like?

Its not original looking, but better looking than the TL and thats what counts. I'll take unoriginal and attractive over Keen Edge Dynamic any day of the week.

A ton of Camaro reviews say it’s fun, but no G8 GXP. So, for a 4 door RWD sedan is it the G8 (and in what guise) or the Genesis (same). I know they’re different animals, but which one gets the nod?

I'd like to know the answer to that as well. I haven't driven either one, but the Genesis sure has a much nicer interior and at least appears to be more carefully put together.

I am in complete agreement with 1487. How depressing. ;-)

I would love to hear in exactly what way this car is "fun to drive" though. Not a factor that is endorsed in too very many Genesis sedan reviews.

I agree with speedholes, I'd like to see a comparision test with the G8.

It's nice to hear it's a poor man's 7 series but most people buy by price.

Let's see a 3 or 4 way test with other cars that cost the same as the Genesis. There's lots of sedans that cost roughly $40K.

The problem with putting this against the G8 is the Pontiac is a V8 and the Hyundai is a V6. Match up the engines and then see who comes out on top.

My money's on the Genesis, V6 and V8, for the simple fact that it's more livable.

Of course, if you want baby vomit all over the back seats and smokey burnouts, the G8 wins.

Its nice to see such a positive review!

Wow! This coming from Scott, Mr Audi RX8!

I really really am thinking of getting one sometime later this year.

Btw, Genesis looks great in those pictures...

I still think the Genesis is TOO SMALL to compare to the 7 series. The comparisson with the 5 is more accurate, plus it would emphasize just how much room the Hyundai engineers have provided in the interior.

Similar on the inside blah blah blah... doesn't matter. 6 inches in the pony car test is a big deal, but 5 inches between these two is not?

Altimadude00, it's all about what people find livable. I've already had this conversation with Josh. They both bring strong value, both refined. It's a difference of flavour. Genesis emphasizes luxury, G8 emphasizes bouts of mad cackling.

FWIW, one of the strongest appeals for me in the GT is that fact that is has an LSD. I live above the snow belt, and it's proven itself to have been a wise choice. Other than that, the GT puts a smile on my face every time I drive it, and that's worth more to me than any sat-nat/bluetooth/"command"(whatever). My father, were he looking for a car of this size, sits on the FAAAAR side of that fence. It's a personal thing.

Hooray for an eye opening review, Scott. I have driven the new 3.8 Genesis sedan several times and find the refinement is much more than skin deep. Hyundai is for real.

Oh, and Scott, good on ya!

I'm surprisingly glad to see they're turning the corner in such a big way.

g8--I agree with you, and that was what I guess was saying without actually saying it.

The Genesis and G8 go after different crowds while being similar. The Genesis being more "civilized" going after the Lexus shoppers, and the Pontiac going after the performance-oriented BMW 5-series shoppers.

When I put my money on things, I guess I'm more conservative. Nothing wrong with burnouts and baby vomit....er well, leave the baby at home and go out and be a hooligan.

@ Scott ...

Do you guys remove the number plates from all your cars before you snap them up ... why do you do that????

While the Genesis may be a bit vanilla in it's styling it isn't completely boring or derivative like the Japanese cars in the recent past (ie Lexus GS/LS, first Acura RL, M35/45). I think the car looks perfect with nary a single styling flaw which cannot be said about anything else out of Asia. I could definitely see myself in this car, if only the CTS didn't exist!

haven't driven the G8 but drove the Genesis and wasn't entirely impressed. very nice car and comfortable but that's about it. it seemed noisier than my M45 (which a lot of reviews state is noisy for its class) and just wasn't a fun car. would I get one? Depends on what I want. for a DD, the G8 would get my nod just because it's seems more fun. I can live with the worse interior for a car that's funner. for long road trips, i can tell that the Genesis would be perfect. now all they need to so is have an awd version to compete with the rest of the luxury cars

If I had to choose, I'd take the G8 over the Genesis. So far I've been pretty underwhelmed by the Genesis, both inside and out. I don't really find the Genesis attractive - its a little too bland for me. The G8 is subtle, but stylish. I also prefer the G8 interior, but then again I don't care for Hyundai gauges or the wood trim.

Where can I get one of these Audi RX8's? Oh wait, I don't want one. Beautiful pic with the mountains behind.

I want to share a case study. I've read many comments saying that this car's shoppers are probably not shopping for 7-series, S-Classes, etc.

My boss, a guy who makes (I'm guessing) somewhere between $200,000-$275,000 and drives 50,000 miles a year, recently decided to get a new car (his old one was a FX35 which he also kept).

He decided to keep the cost below $60,000...so he test drove 5-series, M45 and G37, Lexii, etc...

He then went and checked out the Genesis. He picked one up that day loaded to the gills except without the V8.

Ironically, in one of his first statements about it, he compared the controller favorably against the BMW 7-series i-drive controller.

He absolutely loves it. His one statement about the hyundai experience was: "These salesguys have got to be taught on how to handle a client who can afford a $60,000 car but is choosing to buy a $38,000 Hyundai instead. They can't treat that client like Joe-Schmoe with a 600 credit score picking up a $20k Vera Cruz."

I thought it was interesting that he was almost a cliche to what has been said on insideline:

A. Are the genesis customers actually buying down or are they buying up?

B. Who actually compares the Genesis controller to that of a $70-80k BMW 7-series?

C. The dealership experience may negatively affect some potential customers.

Just thought I'd share.

Joe

joefrompa,

thanks for sharing.
an acquaintance of mine, who is a lawyer, said his boss(a partner in the firm) did the same thing, picked up Genesis sedan, instead of big name german..

surprising. hopefully, Hyundai can keep these new clients long term.

joefrompa & mohaji,

These anecdotes are really interesting. I think Hyundai might be onto something here. I think all of us on these forums who pontificate that no one would cross shop high-end German sedans with Genesis might not all be right.

I think it might also be tapping into the desire of some to be 'rebels'. I imaging all these well off professionals who show up in a Genesis at office filled with S-Class & 7 series & shock everyone! If you can't wear jeans to corporate office, then show off in a Genesis!

Wobbly - I think my boss is like that to a minor degree. He considers young people who deliberately move to NYC for "the city" to be the epitomy of groupthink.

But we're not exactly a formal office. My collar is open and my sleeves are cuffed :)

If they offered the Genesis Sedan with a 6-speed manual and that v8, heck I'd add it to my list.

Joe

Let me first say that I think the Genesis to be a very attractive car, but in that first picture it looks just like a Toyota Camry. Secondly, having spent a short time in a V8 model I can imagine it to be a fantastic road trip car.

joe & mohaji- I agree that I think in this economy the Genesis actually will steal customers away from the Germans. There were too many people getting into those sedans on low-low lease rates who couldn't really afford them. Now with the economy in the tank they can no longer get those lease rates anymore yet still want a beautifully crafted luxury sedan. For them the Genesis fits the bill and then some. I think it should be noted, however, that the average 7-Series and S-Class buyer makes $600,000/year, so neither of your examples speak to the majority.

mercedesfan,

I think you hit it right on the head. There are many people driving the German high-ends because a large majority of them 'leased' it and not 'bought' it. And with easy finance & lowball lease offers drying up, there would be far few leasers out there (who couldn't afford them in the first place)

People would still buy S-Class & 7-series, but far few than before. (Well, no more 60k a year people)

Mercedesfan - Do you have a link to the average income of specific car buyers? I'd be curious.

600k seems crazy high for the average 7-series/S-Class buyer, and I bet the median would be much lower. Probably some super high earners pulling that number up astronomically.

Joe

joe, let me first say that I was mistaken. That number was the average S65 AMG buyer. The average S-Class buyer is a male/55 years old/ yearly income: $300K-$400K. I read recently in Automobile that the BMW 7-Series is pretty much the same. I tried to find a link, but I couldn't. At least I couldn't find one that seemed reputable.

Fair enough, and that does seem more inline with what I'm expecting (I bet the median is $200-250,000, with the average being inflated by super-high earners).

Thanks!

"If they offered the Genesis Sedan with a 6-speed manual and that v8, heck I'd add it to my list."

They don't have a manual on the V8? I thought they did.

Argh... I recently picked up an Acura TL w/Tech (no SHAWD) it’s a company car, so pride runs through my decision. But to have a choice without hurting my fabulous employer's feelings I'd happily pick up the Genesis V6. I love everything the TL has to offer, but for a bit more (dough) I believe I would've been just as happy if not happier in the Genesis. I did thorough research and it seems like Hyundai tried to "one-up" all segment "luxo" sedans and it worked. Classic sedan styling, a loaded V6 (.3 liters over the base TL), comparable if not better surround sound stereo (the TL's is amazing, too bad finding the media isn't). My only pain is the aesthetic comments I read or hear about theTL. Some people love the spaceship like looks, some think I borrowed Buck Roger's vessel for the night! The TL is awesome in every respect, but Acura has been making the TL great for the past 10 yrs. My surprise how soon Hyundai got on the heels of the already planted Luxury-sedan makers. Way to go Hyundai! I am a bit younger for this segment, so I see my TL as the better fit for my demographic... See you in 15 years Hyundai!

Oh yeah! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so leave my Buck Rogers-mobile alone! I always give it a "look - back". . . .

I think the Genesis Sedan is a really photogenic vehicle and I really like this Taupe/Titanium color. I've also seen it in black and also looks sharp:

http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/national1236698332.jpg

I have always been partial to German brands but I could definitely see myself in a Genesis sedan. Wondering what the new Sonata will look like but if the Genesis Sedan/Coupe combo is any indication, Honda/Toyota has reason to be concerned..