I had to give a neighbor a ride to the airport in our Hyundai Genesis last week. He's not into cars, so for the first few miles he didn't even bother to ask what we were in. But then he started looking around paying a bit more attention to the interior. "Hey, this is a pretty nice car," he remarked.
I'm not sure if Hyundai would consider "pretty nice car" a compliment or not, but I think its designers did a nice job in creating an upscale ambiance for the Genesis. The symmetrical dash layout and sweeping, soft curves are pleasing, and the chrome piping along the dash, air vents and steering wheel is tastefully done. Our car also benefits from having leather on the dash that's part of the optional Premium Package.
The Hyundai Genesis doesn't have a luxury-brand badge on its trunk, but as we've noted in our various road tests, that's about the only thing missing from the luxury-car experience.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor @ 8,702 miles
brn says:
11:40 AM, 06/22/09
Did you also mention to him that it was a $40K car?
I'm just curious as to how someone who is not into cars would react at the price. For $40K, I suspect his expectations would go up a big.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=142408/pageId=161384
"Add the $750 inland freight and handling charge and our new 2009 Hyundai Genesis carries a sticker price of exactly $40,000."
carguy622 says:
11:41 AM, 06/22/09
There is something about the "wood" surrounds on the doors that really lets this interior down for me. Other than that, good show!
brn says:
11:41 AM, 06/22/09
big -> bit
Hang on while I edit that.
dougtheeng says:
11:54 AM, 06/22/09
I think its nice but overall sort of underwhelming in real life, considering how much praise this car is getting.
bromans says:
12:49 PM, 06/22/09
@ brn -- Alas, specific discussion on price didn't come up.
Brent
ctpax says:
01:15 PM, 06/22/09
to me the dash board is too boring. It seems there's not enough details.
wobbly_ears says:
01:37 PM, 06/22/09
@ctpax,
Let me guess; you like the button infested Accord dashboard....
joeeatsbabies says:
01:45 PM, 06/22/09
I can't get passed the giant, fat steering wheel and the plain dashboard.
cruiserhead1 says:
01:52 PM, 06/22/09
The steering wheel is a Toyota clone without Toyota's silver trim.
The interior is nice but I didn't think it was anything special. But, Infiniti gets away with MUCH cheaper, hard plastic crap on the G35 without much complaint...
Hyundai is doing a great job
mercedesfan says:
01:56 PM, 06/22/09
I too was let down by the Genesis' interior the first time I drove one, but the car I drove had the same color combo as the Long-Termer. Hyundai offers a two-tone dash that really brightens things up and creates a more oppulent ambiance. I still think most of the switch gear feels cheap, but I also feel like it does in every BMW, Audi, and Infiniti at this price point. Overall I think Hyundai did a really nice job with the Genesis interior, especially considering the price.
hondacura4 says:
02:42 PM, 06/22/09
I actually like the exterior even though its Infinti-esque. Its styling is conservative yet still possesses that nice tailored, well finished look.
ctpax says:
03:04 PM, 06/22/09
@ wobbly_ears,
no I don't
jaeger1 says:
05:37 PM, 06/22/09
I wish Honda could remember how to do dashboards that clean and uncluttered again. The Starship Enterprise approach is old and lame. This thing is a beautiful example of elegance and simplicity. Hats of to Hyundai.
g8gtnorth says:
07:10 PM, 06/22/09
This dash bores me and it has too many buttons. Especially on the wheel.
Then again, as long as the interior is an appropriate shade of black and I know where the important buttons are (and they work), I tend not to bother too much with the interior on any car.
jaeger1 says:
04:11 AM, 06/23/09
THIS has too many buttons? Have you SEEN the dash and steering wheel on the new TL? I know it's hard to get past the barf-inducing exterior, but if you can, you'll redefine your notion of what constitutes "too many buttons".
rick8365 says:
06:33 AM, 06/23/09
"button infested" - LOL - literally!
g8gtnorth says:
03:03 PM, 06/23/09
@Jaeger1,
I know all about the new Acura's interiors. They don't bore me.... I loathe them.
kingkhalas says:
06:06 PM, 06/23/09
"barf-inducing exterior"
love it.