2009 Hyundai Genesis V6: Lexus-like

I predict that even in these dire times for auto industry, Hyundai would come out +ve or single digit -ve sales this month. I predict Genesis would continue it's steady 1200-1500 sold this month as well. Coupe might match those numbers as well.

All in all, Hyundai would be answering it's critics again tomorrow with it's record. While other automakers post 40-50% drop in sales, Hyundai/Kia would be well ahead.

And Genesis would be a BIG part of that result. (Image up gradation for Hyundai)

Interesting. My stock broker who's in his 70s, lease just ended on his GS 350. He's been looking at comparable cars and told me he had been looking at the Hyundai Genesis. Knowing that I was a car guy he asked me my opinion on the car. I'm pretty impressed that he's come to the same conclusion you have on his own. He ended up going with an ES 350 based on his previous dealer experience with Lexus. He didn't want to have to deal with bad/middle of the road service while taking his Genesis in. Being 70 he shouldn't have to, so i don't hold it against him for making that decision.

Proof people really are cross shopping Lexuses and Hyundai's especially in this turbulent economy.

I recommend not test driving cars while blindfolded-even Hyundais and Lexuses.

Agree, the closest competition to the Genesis is the GS. For 90% percent of the driving the two car drive almost exactly the same, it's that last 10% when you push the car hard say through a corner or a highway on-ramp then the Genesis starts to lose its confidence and turn floating. The GS, even though it's on the soft side, is confident through hard maneuvers.

The other aspect that GS holds over the Genesis is the interior material quality. The GS has an "all-soft" interior which is not the case on the Genesis.

Albert - So I'm assuming you're not one of the people who's vote counted in the CTS vs. Genesis debate yesterday?

canadaphant - agreed, except if you're parallel parking in a Lexus LS. Then you could just take a nap.

louiswei - the only thing I can say about your comments, and I'm not bitching about your post, you could be 100% right. But my question is, are the differences you pointed out worth $12k?
I know I'd be thinking twice about that.

smilez -

The Genesis is a great car. But I prefer the CTS's ride and vehicle dynamics.
That we are seriously comparing the Genesis to these other fine vehicles has shown how much Hyundai has evolved.

Regards,
Snake Doc

I can't comment on the Genesis vs the GS, but it should come as no surprise that a Lexus is overpriced.

At the same time, the overdone Genesis gushing is making me a little ill.

smilez - If my budget is around $50k then I'll definitely pick the GS. On the other hand if my budget is around $30k I'll go with the Genesis.

It's that simple, really.

"In the luxury car arena, image is important. It's difficult to re-build a reputation that you burned to the ground -- even if that was 20 years ago."

True, but it's easier to rebuild imagine in the lower part of the market with a really good luxury car. I think Hyundai expects the Genesis to help fix its image across the board faster than in the top of the market. And it seems to be working. Once their overall image is improved, more and more luxury buyers will start looking at the Genesis and EQUUS, if indeed it does come here in a few years.

" In the luxury car arena, image is important. It's difficult to re-build a reputation that you burned to the ground -- even if that was 20 years ago.

Oh, and good luck explaining your new car purchase to your non-enthusiast spouse:
"Honey, I just spent $40 grand -- on a Hyundai!" "

You know....no one...NO ONE....has mentioned the basic warranty that Hyundai backs this car up with. Not even Lexus can touch that.

But maybe that's how good this car is. Genesis is such a good car, that it is being held up by it's own merits rather than assurances made by the manufacturer that it will stay in one piece.

You pay less for a car that's just as good, with a factory promise that it will last longer. I'd say that's justification for $40 grand for a Hyundai.

Altimadude, maybe someone will one-up the Hyundai warranty. Imagine how good a car would have to be for a company to offer a lifetime warranty.

If only.... ;)

The Hyundai Genesis is a great car considering its mission. However, comparing it to a BMW is out of bounds.

Whatever Albert says. As a founder of SOBE drinks (and later sold it to Pepsico for $360MM), 'history repeats itself'. Yup, Albert's negative opinion on Hyundai is pretty similar to what MB and BMW people must have said when Toyota came out with Lexus exactly 20 years ago. Who would have thought that Lexus changed the game.

Albert: it is the market that decides success. Also, 'the harder one tries, the luckier one gets'. Sure, HMC making very good cars may not right now make its products comparable to a BMW (heck, the labor issues at HMC ARE DAMN THORNY, for starters), but heck they are trying damn hard.
HMC will get luckier by day, and soon, a Korean Lexus may come into town, and by then, we will see Chinese doing the same old trick again, and we will google something to find out that Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai went upscale with their luxury brands 30 years back and Chinese (and Indians!) were coming full force like them before in forms of Volvo, SAAB, Jaguar and LR + red wall whatever etcs.

"Never say never" sang Brandy. I love that song.

Excuse me but umm... What does "found of SOBE drinks (and later sold it to Pepsico for $360MM)" has to doing with anything here?

Curious mind wants to know...

"Oh, and good luck explaining your new car purchase to your non-enthusiast spouse:
'Honey, I just spent $40 grand -- on a Hyundai!'"

Thankfully, I don't have a lady that isn't brand conscious about car brands, but in that situation I'd probably make her drive it. If she's still being shallow then I'd have to reconsider my decision...in spouses.

Genesis looks better than the GS. I have never been a fan of any model of GS in terms of styling. The GS has a ambiguous, bloated style that is typical Lexus in all the wrong ways. I have seen at least 6 or 7 Genesis' so far and its a good looking car. Hyundai does generic better than Lexus at this point. Genesis outclassed ES350 as well.

I don't understand what the reliability of a 20 year old Hyundai has to do with the Genesis considering Hyundai's current warranty protection but I should not be suprised. The same folks who wont consider American because of their memories of an early 80s Cadillac are the ones who would avoid the Genesis because of a 20 year old Excel.

@1487 "I don't understand what the reliability of a 20 year old Hyundai has to do with the Genesis considering Hyundai's current warranty protection but I should not be suprised. The same folks who wont consider American because of their memories of an early 80s Cadillac are the ones who would avoid the Genesis because of a 20 year old Excel."

Now that's a very fair observation.

Its really gonna take alot for Hyundai to get me to see the light. My Dad happened to come home with one of those first gen Excels, and it sat in our driveway longer than it was out on the road actually driving. And dont get me started on KIA, my sister bought one of those first gen Sportage, and man what a waste. A couple of my friends have Hyundai's and i've road with them and really didnt feel safe in it. Talk about cheap and motors that sound like they struggle through every gear. You couldnt give me a Hyundai. I've been in old and new Hyundai's and i'd still take an American car over them, even though i'd never actually buy one. Resale value is very important also so I'd like to see you buy a car similar to the Hyundai Genesis say the GS350 cause thats what this story is about and do everything the same, from driving miles to factory service and hold on to it for a couple of years and try to resale them. Who do you think will have the greater resale value? I dont see you getting a higher resale value out of the Hyundai.

The GS? I thought the Genesis compares more to the Lexus ES, rather than the GS. Is the Genesis a better handler and firmer ride than the Lexus ES? Not that the GS is a firm ride, but it's certainly more buttoned down than the ES is.

As for the dealer experience, well, I'm no Lexus fan, but I will say they do have one of the best dealer networks in the business. If you want your butt kissed by a dealer everytime you bring your car in for service, Lexus will do it well. Some people value that I suppose.

To address the "dealership experience" issue, does anyone have the real facts on what training Hyundai salespeople are now going through in order to sell cars to well-off customers? Looking for facts, not conjecture or opinion...

... GS and the Genesis?

The GS is styled as a CLS like sports coupe: sitting low in a pit, tight and narrow, the car surrounds you, 4 sports seats for all occupants.

The Genesis sedan is more a proper sedan where you sit at a normal sedan height, wide and open.

I would have compared the Genesis sedan to a top selling Lexus family vehicle, the RX350. Family car vs family car.

The Lexus ES is FWD. The GS is RWD. I think that is more the reason for the comparison. The Genesis has a more ES shape with a more GS drivetrain.