I rarely get to drive our 2009 Hyundai Genesis so every time I get into it it feels like the first time. So pardon me if I'm saying something that's already been covered before. But last night when I first opened its doors and those bright LEDs lit up, I couldn't help but exclaim, "Wowwww!" It's so luxurious...and it's a Hyundai!
This is definitely a lonnng way from the Hyundai Excel I used to own back in the day. Now it has interior materials that look and feel high-quality. Features like a power tilt-telescoping steering wheel, cooled/heated driver seat, XM radio and Bluetooth, too?
I had never really quite recovered from my ol' Excel even though Hyundai had improved its products awhile ago and I've jumped in several Hyundais since then. And, I know a beater hatchback and a loaded sedan are vastly different, but I would never have recommended Hyundai before now. Actually my dad is looking for a new sedan. I think he'd really love this one.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 18,202 miles
wobbly_ears says:
01:24 PM, 10/20/09
Your old Excel must have hurt your deep for you to harbor bias for more than 20 years.
As an auto journalist, more than anyone, you should be aware of the tremendous turnaround Hyundai has executed. For this, I find it rather sad to hear that till Genesis came along, you couldn't have recommended a Hyundai to anyone in your family or friends.
I could expect a layperson to have strong bias towards Hyundai/Kia. But as an auto journalist you're exposed to the data on long term reliability, quality benchmarks and have personal experience of driving many Hyundais long-term or for short press drives. And yet, while you & other IL editors were extolling Hyundai & other brands on these blogs, privately you found it hard to recommend Hyundai to people who matter most to you?
brn says:
01:37 PM, 10/20/09
"pardon me if I'm saying something that's already been covered before."
Said before? It's been beaten to death!
par_avion says:
01:41 PM, 10/20/09
Hyundai's have been "luxurious" for a while lol. Top of the line Sonata's, Veracruz and Azera models are very nice. Where have you been? It's not 1980's anymore.
TheChameleon says:
01:51 PM, 10/20/09
Is the wood trim real wood or is it just plastic?
desmolicious says:
01:58 PM, 10/20/09
Caroline's honest sentiments reflects the reality of the perception problem that Hyundai has had.
Simple as that.
par_avion says:
02:09 PM, 10/20/09
The reality is that the perception has been long outdated.
jeepsrt says:
02:38 PM, 10/20/09
I looked at a Genesis at an auto show about a month ago and while it is a nice car, I was not overly impressed. I feel that if this was a Toyota or Nissan it would'nt get so much praise but because Hyundai use to built crap cars it does.
hybris says:
02:53 PM, 10/20/09
"The reality is that the perception has been long outdated."
It could be said about a lot of auto makers recently.
mercedesfan says:
03:28 PM, 10/20/09
@TheChameleon- It's fake. Really obviosuly fake when you see in it person, but the rest of the cabin is so well executed no one really cares.
On a side note, the quality of the leather Hyundai chose is starting to become apparent from the stretch/wear marks on the driver seat. This is par for the course for this price point, but you wouldn't see it happen in a 5-Series or E-Class (which I honestly don't think Hyundai ever actually named as competitors, but rather the automotive media pegged them as such).
Nit picking aside, the Genesis still really impresses me and I wouldn't hesitate to recomend it to anyone.
achenator says:
05:06 PM, 10/20/09
I dunno mercedesfan. The leather in my 08 m3 with 8k is starting to show wear already. It is the novillo leather, not typical 3 series leather. Leather interior ain't what it used to be.
dg0472 says:
06:10 PM, 10/20/09
"I looked at a Genesis at an auto show about a month ago and while it is a nice car, I was not overly impressed. I feel that if this was a Toyota or Nissan it would'nt get so much praise but because Hyundai use to built crap cars it does."
You do have a point. I'd have to say that at this point, Hyundai's (and Kia's) past reputation has become a net positive asset. It's to the point to where they get a lot of attention because the improvements have been so dramatic. It's not unfair because they have really worked hard. But lots of other makers weren't starting so low on all counts and now don't have the luxury of every new model being such a huge jump forward and thereby being such big news.
People like Caroline who had the displeasure of owning an Excel, Stellar, Pony, (Sephia, Sportage) etc. who have finally reached the point that they can recommend a Hyundai (or Kia) make a strong statement for the brands.
That said, in the next 6-9 months, we'll have a new Sonata, Tucson, Sportage, Azera, and Optima along with the Cadenza to replace the Amanti, with a new Elantra, Accent, and Rio not far behind. Once the Sedona is finally replaced, we won't likely be seeing huge jumps as much as incremental refinement, so while the "this is a (Hyundai/Kia)?" buzz hasn't peaked yet, the end is in sight.
toye says:
07:08 PM, 10/20/09
I disagree, this company is gunning for the top and respect. Yes they have come a long way from their humble beginings ( just like Toyota, Datsun, Honda). Once they are there they won't be sitting on their laurels as others have suggested.
super_ongoy says:
07:20 PM, 10/20/09
My dad and I went to test drive one couple months ago after I got b1tch slapped.
My dad has a 7 series just like me and he was ticked off when I got the same car he drives. So he wanted to see what other cars are out in the market that might be interesting. I told him about the upcoming Jag XJs and perhaps a new S class coming next year according to some rumors. And I said, "How about a Hyundai?" Then he just b1tch slap me and reminded me how much tuition money was wasted on me. I told him I might get one after I'm done with my bimmer and he thought I was being a smartass. So we went down to a Hyundai dealer and test drove one. He liked the V8 one but I doubt he would go for it. He read about the Hyundai Eqqquacks (whatever the name is) and is waiting to see it in person.
prosource1 says:
04:51 AM, 10/21/09
Hyundai will spend nearly $800 MILLION dollars this year to reprogram people's minds....errr advertising. No one can hide from that amount of money. The reality is that the Korean's are a powerhouse and Japan and America should be worried. They are! Read about it everywhere. Honda's CEO calls them 'Awesome'.
Sheeple believe what they read and in the 80's people believed what journalists wrote. The Excel was as good as any Mitsu or Chev but that is not the way it was reported. Who cares now?
Go drive a Genesis and you'll know the truth. The Korean's will soon have 10% market share and companies like Mitsu, Chrysler will not survive long-term.
Hyundai has passed Honda and Ford in two years in annual world sales. They are a force in China and India and Kia. Just the facts.
TheChameleon says:
12:57 PM, 10/21/09
Thanks mercedesfan. I kind of figured it was.
desmolicious says:
01:34 PM, 10/21/09
"The reality is that the perception has been long outdated."
Perception has nothing to do with fact.
cr_driver says:
10:58 AM, 10/26/09
On the contrary, what you perceive becomes your fact.