Undeniably, the Hyundai Concept Genesis looked good in the early photos. The specs looked good, too -- a 4.6-liter V8 with over 300 hp, rear-wheel drive and a fully independent five-link suspension. This just isn't the usual Hyundai hardware.
After seeing the actual car at the Javits Center, in all its full-size dimensions, we're still impressed. Concept Genesis is definitely a conservative take on a luxury sedan, but it's a luxury sedan nonetheless. The production version goes on sale in the second quarter of 2008.
Exterior styling is a compromise of current trends in the luxury-sedan market. From the front, we see Lexus LS shapes.
From the back, we see the BMW 7 Series.
In profile, Concept Genesis could pass for a Lexus, Bimmer or Benz.
The production version of the Genesis, or whatever Hyundai decides to name it, won't change signficantly from the concept. However, some of its funkier elements -- the headlamps and mirrors, for instance -- will be swapped out for more conventional bits.
--Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor
hondacura4 says:
08:18 AM, 04/ 5/07
Honda/Acura state that "we dont have the resources to build a RWD sedan platform" but Hyundai does? Come on Honda get some balls.
boxermike says:
10:10 AM, 04/ 5/07
Any word on an AWD model for those of us not in sunny So-Cal? I think that would help this vehicle get off the ground...er, stay on the ground...er, you get the point.
bumpy says:
12:37 PM, 04/ 5/07
Hyundai is a lot bigger than Honda is.
ateixeira says:
12:49 PM, 04/ 5/07
Globally, that's true. Hyundai is well past Honda, IIRC they're #6 globally, and Honda was #8.
The Genesis looks good. Nothing incredibly original, but Hyundai can't afford to take that kind of risk. Anything new would be immediately labeled as "ugly" because Hyundai originated it.
This looks like the Inifinit M45, in a good way.
BMW? Nah, Hyundai had Bangle butt before BMW did, by many years. Check out a 2001 Elantra, for instance. Other models had it, too.
RWD, V8s are making a comeback. This will aim for a near-luxury buyer, while the G8 will chase budget muscle enthusiasts.
What's not to like?
jerrywimer says:
05:52 AM, 04/ 6/07
If it looks 99% like the Concept, this'll sell well. It could even become my first Hyundai! (especially since the price will most likely undercut all other comparable vehicles from other manufacturers by quite a bit)
louiswei says:
08:10 AM, 04/ 6/07
Grill - rip off from Nissan
Head light - rip off from Acura
Front fascial - rip off from Lexus
Side - rip off from Infiniti
Rear light - rip off from Aston Martin
Overall it looks good. Got to give credit to Hyundai by ripping off so many elements from many brands and pieces them together to make a graceful looking car.
But come on Hyundai, when would you starting your own design scheme and stop ripping off from others? Until then, it'll still be considered as 2nd tier.
Oh by the way, the Veracruz looks like a RX inside and out.
roar02ram says:
09:13 AM, 04/ 6/07
Thank GOD that they got rid of that silly squigglely side-character line that they've stuck on the Elantra, Santa Fe, and Veracruz. Somehow, that same line made it on the Nissan Rogue & Infiniti EX35...
bumpy-
Good call on Honda's size. Remember, too, that Honda's an ultra-cautious company. The Accord JUST got its first V6 in 1995, and that was a last-minute decision. The first Accord to have it from the start without modification debuted in MY1998.
estreka says:
05:44 PM, 04/ 8/07
When I get reassigned to a warmer climate, I'll seriously look at this car to complete my automotive collection. It'd be nice to have a car with more than 2 seats and does better than 8mpg.
snoopysonata says:
06:52 PM, 04/ 8/07
I hope they don't plan on changing this car too much. It's perfect the way it looks. I'm already planning on trading in my Sonata for one of these when they hit the roads next year.
I hope they plan on doing a hybrid as well... or using a cylinder deactivation system on the V8 engine...
arumage says:
06:41 AM, 04/ 9/07
The headlights, tail lights, grill, and mirror are all subject to change. All that is really known is that it will be available with HID, LED tails, and turn signal mirrors. They will probably look very similar, except for being more conventional in design. Is a design really a rip off if it doesn't look completely the same as another vehicle? I mean... bangle butt has been around the block already, grills like that have been on nearly every car known to man at some point in time... I could go on. The overall design is original even if some of its parts are not. This vehicle has been in the works for 4 years now. The original design was scrapped, and it was redesigned. Some of these design elements may have even been Hyundai originals.
alex38 says:
06:56 PM, 04/ 9/07
Very nicely balanced - design, specs, price and likely performance. In a word: awesome.
deluxisedesign says:
08:01 PM, 04/13/07
headlights and front fascial and tailights are hideous I never really liked future cars or hyundai.