Back in May of last year, Editor in Chief Oldham wrote a "Would I Buy One?" post that listed his opinion of each car in our fleet at the time. For the answer to whether he'd buy a Hyundai Genesis, Scott wrote: "Faster than you can say great sedan." I'd put myself in this camp, too. But then the next question would be: "What kind of Genesis?"
Like most of the Edmunds/Inside Line editorial staff, I'd be happy with the V6. It's got respectable power, sounds throaty when you get on it and helps keep the Genesis' price pleasingly low. The trickier question to answer would be what kind of options I think are worth the money.
Hyundai has fiddled with the Genesis' options packages from 2009 to 2010, but I'll stick with 2010 since that's the car that's on sale now. Hyundai offers three 2010 packages: Premium ($2,500), Premium Navigation ($2,000) and Technology ($5,500). Premium basically gets you a sunroof, a 14-speaker Lexicon surround-sound audio system, upgraded leather trim, a power tilt/telescope steering wheel, driver seat memory settings and a power rear sunshade. So far, so good.
Premium Navigation gets you the navigation system, a back-up camera and 18-inch wheels. Interestingly, you couldn't get standalone navigation on the 2009 car (it was bundled with the Technology package), but I'd probably get it here given the more agreeable price.
But I'd pass on the 2010 Technology Package, which has adaptive xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control (new for 2010), parking sensors, a 17-speaker surround-sound audio system, Bluetooth, a bigger navigation screen, a ventilated driver seat and the multimedia controller wheel. Sure, I like our long-termer's Bluetooth and xenon headlights. But the rest is of debatable merit, and therefore I couldn't justify spending another $5,500. That would leave this 2010 Genesis with an MSRP of $38,300, which is quite reasonable to me for a large premium/luxury sedan as good as this one is.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor @ 22,697 miles
atenza94546 says:
04:47 PM, 01/ 4/10
Yes, the V6 options with Premium Package.
morsegeek says:
05:01 PM, 01/ 4/10
That's what I went with on my 2009: V6 with the Premium Plus package. It's simply the Premium mentioned above with the addition of 18" wheels. I've been quite satisfied with this decision and would not want a built-in navigation system. They become obsolete far too quickly.
lvgti says:
05:16 PM, 01/ 4/10
For a $1K less, I'll take the G37 with the Premium Package. Factory nav systems are a rip-off.
cx7lover says:
05:18 PM, 01/ 4/10
V6 tech, can't pass up on the better sound system and pretty navi. I had opted for it before just to have the maps on the screen while I was driving.
bankerdanny says:
05:22 PM, 01/ 4/10
Is the Bluetooth available without the $5,000 tech package?
charlesb says:
05:22 PM, 01/ 4/10
I wouldn't buy a luxury Hyundai with a machine gun at my back. In fact, the phrase "luxury Hyundai" actually makes me giggle a little bit.
emale says:
05:23 PM, 01/ 4/10
looks like they really jacked up the packages for 2010. my dad's '09 has the premium plus package...which included bluetooth and 18 inch wheels. now you have to pony up to the tech package for bluetooth and the 18 inchers are a stand along option...making getting those options much more expensive vs '09! stupid move hyundai!
cwc1 says:
05:47 PM, 01/ 4/10
Sounds like Hyundai is following the same strategy that Toyota/Lexus did with the original LS400, by gradually creeping its prices up each year.
chavis10 says:
06:14 PM, 01/ 4/10
Don't get mad at Hyundai- this is the same model everyone else seems to be using. Honda makes you get a fully loaded Accord with leather and all the bells and whistles just to get bluetooth (even though 80% of Accords are LX models). Car companies ARE in the business to make money afterall. It's a simple strategy. Introduce a hot model at an attractive price and after it gets plenty of buzz and a nice following, slowly increase the price to capitalize on the popularity.
emale says:
07:36 PM, 01/ 4/10
just because everybody else jumps off a bridge doesn't mean hyundai needs to follow!
hansverner says:
09:00 PM, 01/ 4/10
@ charlesb
You have no idea what you are talking about. You sir, are ignorant.
dg0472 says:
05:39 AM, 01/ 5/10
@lvgti,
Dunno what $1,000 less exactly you're talking about. A G37 Journey with Premium Pkg. would be closest to a Genesis V6 w/ Premium and it's about $730 more than the Hyundai. It includes Bluetooth and an 8-way instead of 4-way passenger seat. The Journey trim is required to get the Premium Pkg.
@emale
I looked back through the '09 press materials and Premium Plus DID NOT include Bluetooth. And as best I recall Premium Plus was a grand more than the Premium Pkg. The stand-alone 18" wheels are a grand, so the price didn't really change, just the name. If his car has Bluetooth, it may have been a port-installed option.
dg0472 says:
05:50 AM, 01/ 5/10
Ooops. Should also mention the G37 Journey includes HID headlights. Probably should also mention that the Genesis is also a much roomier car.
dg0472 says:
07:15 AM, 01/ 5/10
OK, after searching some dealers' sites that show Bluetooth standard, I went back to the press kit. It's not mentioned in the Features sheet, but the press release for both years says Bluetooth is standard in ALL Genesis Sedans. The Tech Package just adds an interface through the DIS (control wheel).
bromans says:
08:17 AM, 01/ 5/10
There's some confusion on whether Bluetooth is standard or is only available via the Technology package. I initially wrote this post using the features lists from both Hyundai's consumer website and media information website. In both cases, Bluetooth is missing from the standard features list and is only listed in the Technology package. However, the Genesis' press release, as dg0472 noted, does list Bluetooth as standard, with the Technology's Bluetooth being listed as "Bluetooth with display." Given that even the Forte economy sedan comes standard with Bluetooth, it seems unlikely that the Genesis would have it only via the Technology package. Considering this, there would seem to be even less reason to opt for the Technology package.
-Brent
arumage says:
08:18 AM, 01/ 5/10
@lvgti:
You mean for $1000 more, right? The G37 with premium package is $1000 more than the Genesis. I guess it depends on your preference. The Genesis comes with more standard equipment and is larger in both interior room and storage. The G37 is sportier and more fun to drive.
emale says:
09:35 AM, 01/ 5/10
okay, glad to hear that bluetooth is standard. however, my dad's '09 with premium package plus listed for 36k total, which included the 18 inchers. if i build a 2010 with the premium package and stand alone 18 incher option...the price is $37,300 total. that's a hefty increase in my book!
dg0472 says:
04:20 PM, 01/ 5/10
@emale,
Yeah, the base went up by $800 and the Premium Pkg by $500, though it includes supposedly "ultra-premium" leather this year. I assume Hyundai feels they can command more since the car's a bit better established. Even so, many buyers with some negotiating can probably make up a lot of that. Still, I'd note there aren't any rebates on the car right now.
iareenthusiast says:
08:27 PM, 01/ 5/10
Hint: Don't buy the Genesis yet until the new updated one comes out later in the year
It's supposed to include:
- touch screen navigation if you opt for the navigation package
- minor facial update
- minor rear update
- change in exhaust pipe look (round to the one like in the Equus)
- 10hp power bump
- (possibly Hyundai's first 8-speed automatic)
- and some other stuff I can't remember from the Korean press
- POSSIBLE UPGRADED TAU V8 (400+ hp) option = o.m.g.
jw97 says:
07:16 AM, 01/ 6/10
Why not 4.6? I prefer 4.6 since it has the top 10 engine in it.