2009 Hyundai Genesis: It's all about space

I can't imagine a more absurd measure of either virtue or value than size. Please. Tell me, would this car be even BETTER if it were 25% larger yet? By your, um, "logic" it would be.

Don't get me wrong - I'm a fan of this car - and a spacious interior and ample luggage space are valuable in a FULL SIZE luxury car. But bigger isn't always better across the board. Not by a long shot. Sometimes "less car" is more.

The thing about Genesis is that it DOESN'T LOOK BIG on the outside but it sure is spacious on the inside, which is a nice feat by Hyundai

Aaaand that's why Jaeger1 drives a Fit.

But it's not "bigger is better" as much as "as big as possible in as little as possible" I don't want a barge, but I want to be comfortable, and anything I have to contort my legs or stretch my arms is inadequate

Well, it is bigger than some luxury cars (CTS, ES, GS, M, 5-series), but 16 cubic feet is still poor for a car this big and heavy. An A4, MKZ, or MKS has more, as do any number of smaller, cheaper cars like the Mazda6 and Hyundai's own Azera and Sonata.

The gooseneck hinges are particularly jarring when there are cars costing half as much that have scissor hinges and gas struts. And of course people don't like having their Louis Vuitton luggage crushed, so the hinges have been run in covered tunnels, reducing the trunk's width even more. Has anyone tried putting in 4 bags of golf clubs and seeing how much space remains?

"I hope you have a big trunk, cuz I'm puttin' my bike in it." (40 yr old virgin.)
That's all I can think about with that picture...

"I don't want a barge"

I don't know how it drives, but the Genesis looks pretty barge-ish on the road. Its a large vehicle, make no mistake about it.

bc1960-
Actually hydraulic hinges are reserved pretty much exclusively for entry-luxury cars. Take a look at an E or S-Class, a 5 or 7-Series and you will find traditional gooseneck hinges with their own isolated runner-tunnels. The reason for this is simple: gooseneck hinges allow for much smoother and more damped movement than hydraulic hinges. They are more graceful in operation, thus exuding luxury. Secondly, power opening and closing trunks require gooseneck hinges because of their electronic mechanism.

Jaeger1 drives a Nissan Altima 3.5SE 6MT. Aaand that's one more example of a Fit-bashing Mazda fanboy who can't get his facts straight. I find the Altima quite accomodating. I have no wish for it to be any bigger. My wife drives the Fit. She finds it plenty big as well. I don't think I would like the Genesis any less if it were marginally smaller. I suspect I'd actually like it more.

My primary wish is that they offer a sport version of the sedan by the time my next purchase comes around. Just a bit more responsive and buttoned down, with the 6 MT from the Coupe. Yeah, baby.

"Luxury=space, space=freedom, freedom=luxury"

I'd say that pretty well summarizes the general American sentiment about cars (and houses). The problem with the equation is that luxury and space generally mean higher cost and lower efficiency. Both of these actually work against freedom in both the personal financial sense and the national/natural resource sense.

Yes, TX but the Genesis runs counter by being affordable too!

But bigger isn't always better across the board. Not by a long shot. Sometimes "less car" is more.

Well, did you see what the IIHS had to say about that????
HAHAHA.

The Genesis has all of this space because more car is more value at this price point. You don't see people buying the 7 Series because it's so tidy.

> Just curious - is there anyone out there
> looking to spend more money only to get less car?

I would say, anyone who buys an SUV instead of a real car.

i think the hyundai's trunk is like that because the opening isnt straight....look at the picture, you cant mount a hydraulic/scissor hinged trunk lid in the space provided

I once fit three sets of golf clubs, two large suitcases, one small suitcase, and a random assortment of smaller items in the trunk of my G35 sedan. My backseat passengers have never complained, either, so I have no need for a bigger car. I don't want to give up the performance/handling benefits of a small car in order to drive a "luxurious" land yacht.

"Secondly, power opening and closing trunks require gooseneck hinges because of their electronic mechanism. "

That makes sense. It doesn't change the fact that most lower end cars have gooseneck hinges. Sure, they arent covered like the ones on this car but the concept is the same. Struts and scissor hinges are definitely more complex. I dont think there is anything "unrefined" about such a set up. I do think you can close a trunk with less effort with traditional hinges. The Lucerne has the same design that you are praising in BMWs and MBs for about $28k- so does DTS. All the large FWD GM sedans have or had that design.

As for space- its a good thing. Sorry but most American driving really doesn't require a tidy car. I live in a city but if you live in the burbs or a rural area the tidiness of your car is rarely an issue. The Genesis isn't even that big on the outside.

Since when is a G35 sedan a small car? And if the Genesis, which is about 7" longer than your "compact" G35, is a land yacht, what do you call an SUV?

"Just curious - is there anyone out there looking to spend more money only to get less car? "

I would buy a Mini over a lot of larger cheaper cars.

It depends how you define "less car". If you measure only by the foot (or cubic foot) then you should never buy a car at all. A minivan costs about the same as the average car and has vastly more room.

I think the best way to look at it is to buy the best designed car you can afford but buy the smallest size car that will suit your needs.

Hauling around excess bulk only serves to waste fuel, give people the illusion of safety and boost the ego of people who think bigger shows that they are somehow better.

The Genesis has trunk space right in line with midsized sedans. It has noticeably less trunk space in large sedans (which they would have us believe it competes with).

With that information, someone felt the need to post an "article" about the size of the trunk? I really want to understand your compensation plan over there.

"Hauling around excess bulk only serves to waste fuel, give people the illusion of safety and boost the ego of people who think bigger shows that they are somehow better."

Or you could just want rear seat legroom and a nice sized trunk. I know its far fetched, but its possible. BTW, the GEnesis doesn't get poor mileage. Not every small car is efficient. Check Sti and EVO for reference. The 135i is much smaller than the Camaro and yet the the Camaro gets better mileage. Small doesn't always mean efficient.

"Or you could just want rear seat legroom and a nice sized trunk."

That's why I said "that will suit you needs".

If you need to carry 6 foot tall adults in the back seat then of course you should buy a car that can.

True the Genesis doesn't get bad mileage but it would get better mileage if it weighed 500 lbs less. It takes more energy to push a larger shape through the air and it takes more energy to move more mass. That just physics.

An efficient larger car might meet or beat an inefficient smaller car but not a well designed one.

@cx7lover: "Well, did you see what the IIHS had to say about that????
HAHAHA."

Yeah - makes you wonder what a Suburban would do to your "little" CX-7, doesn't it?
HAHAHA

Gooseneck hinges also limit the distance the trunk lid can move up and away, due to the simple fact that the necks have to fit in the trunk when closed.

FYI, the Jetta has a 16 cu. ft. trunk, with hydraulics/scissor hinges, and its trunk lid not only automatically opens but moves much farther out of the way than the Genesis trunk lid.

"Well, did you see what the IIHS had to say about that????
HAHAHA."

Ignorance is bliss.

@Jaeger1: whatever it'd do, it wouldn't nearly be as bad as your Fit! Hahaha. And before you think I'm some Mazda fanboy you may want to take a look at what I currently drive.

@Firstwagon - jeez, who'd think this comment would come from you: "Hauling around excess bulk only serves to waste fuel, give people the illusion of safety and boost the ego of people who think bigger shows that they are somehow better."

Actually, a LOT of "bigger" cars get better fuel economy. Compare a VW Jetta to a Nissan Altima (which actually weighs less, go figure) , or a Honda Civic to a Honda Fit. Or look at the dismal real world fuel economy of your beloved Suzuki Esteem.

But realistically, it makes more sense to buy a vehicle that reduces congestion. A sedan is pointless if the rear seats are NOT inhabitable.

What, now we go back to space equating to luxury?! That has been an underappreciated part of the classic american car's value since the get-go! After years of knocking american sedans as being too large compared to their more agile Japanese and European competition, now that Hyundai makes a nice large car, big is good again? Come on!

"Or look at the dismal real world fuel economy of your beloved Suzuki Esteem."

I can't remember.. what on earth is your issue with the Esteem again? You keep bringing it up for some reason. I've never owned one but I do remember defending one in a debate a while back when someone mistakenly said they were junk or something.

Did you have one that was a lemon or did one run over your foot or something like that?

"Did you have one that was a lemon or did one run over your foot or something like that?"

A herd of wild Esteems and Fits trampled his village as a child. He never got over it.

"I don't know how it drives, but the Genesis looks pretty barge-ish on the road. Its a large vehicle, make no mistake about it. "

You're right it is bliss. Because you would have had to of never seen a Maserati, Maybach, Lexus LS, or Rolls on the road to make that statement.

@Firstwagon: in my many years on this planet you are the only individual who has ever regarded the Esteem as something other than a total unreliable underpowered chintzy train wreck of a car, but rather used it as an example of what excellent products Suzuki builds. Either you're hilariously ironic, or you're hilariously unique in your product views.

@Jaeger1: Not only that, but all of the occupants of the Esteems and Fits died as well. It was a terrible, terrible day.

The Buick Regal and Century had struts for their trunks AND hoods. That should have made them excellent cars!

If the details matter, it's not these details that matter. If the NEW car has significant squeaks (CTS) than I would consider that more of an issue than the car having a prop rod or goose-neck hinges.

Goose-necks generally have wider trunk openings than struts anyway. So while you can admire your polished multi-link hinges, I can stuff bigger things in.

screw you guys, this barge is awesomeness.

Space has always = luxury. Throwing a bunch of leather and metallic trim inside a compact doesn't make it a luxury car. Lexus 250h anyone. I'll take the space thanks.

"True the Genesis doesn't get bad mileage but it would get better mileage if it weighed 500 lbs less. It takes more energy to push a larger shape through the air and it takes more energy to move more mass. That just physics."

A mini would get better mileage if it weighed 500lbs less too. Whats your point?

"You're right it is bliss. Because you would have had to of never seen a Maserati, Maybach, Lexus LS, or Rolls on the road to make that statement."

Just because one vehicle (ie the Genesis) is large, doesn't mean there isn't something bigger. As usual, your reasoning makes no sense. Its like saying that I can't call an Expedition a large because I've not seen an Excursion on the road. Think before you type.

Oh and for the record, I've not seen a Maybach on the road.

Also, it at least 2 of your examples were flawed. Try researching before flaming.

Genesis Length: 195.9 in.
Genesis Width: 73.4 in.

Lexus LS Length: 198 in.
Lexus LS Width: 73.8 in.

Maserati Quattroporte Length: 200.7 in.
Maserati Quattroporte Width: 74.6 in.

"If the details matter, it's not these details that matter. If the NEW car has significant squeaks (CTS) than I would consider that more of an issue than the car having a prop rod or goose-neck hinges."

Except for the fact that those details mattered when they were found on imports. C&D has long chastised vehicles for hood props and goosenecks- when they are American. The Camry/Altima/Accord all have exposed metal goosenecks and I believe they all have hood props. No comment from the detail oriented guys at C&D who would blast any American car for doing such things. Squeaks and rattles come in EVERY brand of car. I was reading some comments from Accord owners on edmunds.com and several mentioned rattles. Dont be ridiculous and act like the CTS is unique in having phantom noise issues.

"Genesis Length: 195.9 in.
Genesis Width: 73.4 in.

Lexus LS Length: 198 in.
Lexus LS Width: 73.8 in.

Maserati Quattroporte Length: 200.7 in.
Maserati Quattroporte Width: 74.6 in."

Dougt, let's do this right :)

Town Car Length: 221.4 in.
Town Car Width: 78.5 in.

Haha brn, I was just going with his examples of cars he considered land-yachts. The Town Car really is massive, wow.

1487--"Dont be ridiculous and act like the CTS is unique in having phantom noise issues."

I'm not. I'm pointing out that some readers make exceptions pointing out details that really don't matter (struts vs. prop rods) and ignoring more obvious things that do matter (interior squeaks and rattles).

Squeaks and rattles would bother me in ANY car (especially in a $36k car). And they would also bother me more than having a prop rod or goose-neck hinges.

Having exposed hinges in the trunk doesn't bother me because they are IN THE TRUNK. The only time I see them is briefly tossing stuff into the trunk. Whether or not you see this as a lapse in quality is a matter of personal opinion, but dressing them up or trying to hide them costs money and possibly impacting on cargo room. The only person that I can think of that would notice the trunk hinges would be a person that I would kidnap and throw in the trunk. (Oops, did I say that out loud?)

Finally, I didn't know we were talking about or benchmarking C/D reporting. Having never read any of their reviews, I wouldn't know.

"Finally, I didn't know we were talking about or benchmarking C/D reporting. Having never read any of their reviews, I wouldn't know."

I am pointing out features that have been identified as examples of cost cutting on American cars. If they reprent cost cutting on a Chevy they represent the same on a Camry. I never said they are worse than squeaks and rattles. You cannot avoid squeaks and rattles by buying one brand or another. You can delude yourself into thinking otherwise if you so chose.