I enjoy the serenity of our long-term 2009 Hyundai Genesis. The cabin is quiet on the freeway, and the ride is mostly to my liking (i.e., composed, save for some choppiness on the I-10 freeway). But when I shut off the engine and open the door, serenity comes crashing down as if I've walked into a 7-11 at 2 a.m. The LED dome lights in this car are too intense. 
I understand that LEDs are brighter and more energy-efficient. And, yes, I had plenty of reading light as I leafed through the owner's manual to see if I could adjust the intensity. (I don't think you can, but if I'm wrong, feel free to set me straight.)
At their current intensity, these interior lights clash with the otherwise serene atmosphere in the Genesis sedan.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 16,992 miles
Note: The top photo was taken in a garage, because my actual nighttime shots (2nd photo) weren't even close to sharp. Yes, I need a tripod for my SD800.
wobbly_ears says:
12:19 PM, 09/23/09
This is.my main issue with LEDs. They're too harsh; its like a police spotlight in the interior. I prefer the soft warm glow of traditional bulbs.
toye says:
12:38 PM, 09/23/09
I have the front dome lights turned off and just use the rear dome light on automatic when getting in and out of my Genesis. I only use the front dome lights when the need arrises.
lostandfound08 says:
12:38 PM, 09/23/09
Not even close to the same class, but the current gen Chrysler minivans have a really good solution for this. The halo lighting is really beautiful and not overbearing, and if you need more light, they have powerful airline-style LED reading lamps.
http://www.allpar.com/images/minivans/2008/night-lighting.jpg
stoppre75 says:
12:50 PM, 09/23/09
Those lights are way too bright, but at times would be useful...Hyundai needs a two step light. Soft light for enterting/exiting and a bright light for reading a map..no wait it has GPS. OK these lights need to go for 2011.
But on a more important issue. Erin, is that a bubble tea cup you have in the cup holder? Very Nice!
playdrv4me says:
01:46 PM, 09/23/09
LEDs are the wave of the future... well, the wave of the future that has been around for decades BUT is just now being developed to their full potential in ways never before imagined. Backlighting for LCD Televisions, Headlight applications, pretty neat if you ask me. Don't blame LED technology for Hyundai's lack of foresight on including a dimming option for that interior light, or setting it to a lower intensity for ingress/egress. When used properly they run cooler, use less energy and last way longer than plain jane old tech incandescent.
On a side note... Bubble tea is one of the most disgusting beverages with the oddest sensation I've had the pleasure to drink.
louiswei says:
01:50 PM, 09/23/09
The good thing in my car is that there are two sets of lights on the headliner: The reading light, which is LED and the regular dome light, which has the softer and ambient color. The LED lights doesn't go on and off with the door opening/close, only the dome lights do.
I think that's a pretty good setup.
louiswei says:
01:51 PM, 09/23/09
@ playdrv4me,
Bubble tea FTW!!
jeepsrt says:
01:56 PM, 09/23/09
WTH is Bubble Tea?
crowb says:
02:09 PM, 09/23/09
Erin, can you try what Toye suggested? Set the car to only turn on the center dome light when opening the door, leaving the map lights off until you actually press them?
Another picture with that set up might show us more subdued lighting.
saxdogg says:
02:24 PM, 09/23/09
If it were my car, I'd take those lenses, scuff em up a bit, and spray some of that lens tinting on them to darken them up. Might work out nice.
mjp16 says:
02:27 PM, 09/23/09
The other thing with the Genesis' lighting is that the lights don't fade in/out, which would make the transition much less jarring.
toye says:
02:51 PM, 09/23/09
They DO fade out once you shut the door or turn on your ignition, which ever is fastest.
Also the Genesis in Korea has the blue dome mood lighting but on the sides of the dome light. In the US they didn't include them probably to keep costs down.
With only back dome lighting on automatic it is just enough lighting when getting into or out of the Genesis.
toye says:
02:57 PM, 09/23/09
I wish the LCD lighting was on the front floor for the feet and on doors that shines underneath when opened. There are lighting kits for sale for this option
eriches says:
03:31 PM, 09/23/09
@toye, crowb: I'll try shutting off the front dome lights only the next time I drive the Genesis. And I'll get another photo. Hopefully, a sharp one this time.
@stoppre75: Honey Milk Green Tea with mango jelly from Lollicup
@jeepsrt: Milk tea is trendy, at least in LA's San Gabriel Valley.
-E. Riches
toye says:
04:48 PM, 09/23/09
With the all dome lights on IT is bright. The photo is pretty correct
thedoctor29 says:
07:29 PM, 09/23/09
FYI, it's called Boba, unless you're from outside southern CA.
fuzzynuke says:
07:37 PM, 09/23/09
Toye, how do you set the back light on automatic? I tried but cant figure out.
hybris says:
09:40 PM, 09/23/09
I'd say keep the lights the way they are. The act of braking the serenity is essential to having the serenity hold its value to you otherwise you no longer seek out serenity.
super_ongoy says:
11:15 PM, 09/23/09
Bubble tea? It's some sort of sweet drink with frog eggs (or something similarly slimy) in them. Slimy and disgusting. Was all the rage in Hong Kong and other parts of the world where there were large concentration of Chinese population (Singapore, Malaysia, etc...)
Who needs lights? I keep mine off so that I will be used to not having them when I eventually get married and have mistresses. And no! I won't allow my mistresses to enjoy bubble tea in my car!
crowb says:
07:39 AM, 09/24/09
@ super_ongoy
You have it all figured out, brother. I like your moxy!
toye says:
09:41 AM, 09/24/09
I'm sorry but I'm WRONG you can't do just the rear dome light alone. I checked the manuel and when the door light option is pushed in it lights up all 4 dome lights. Sorry!!!!