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Hyundai Genesis Sedan: My thoughts

11K views 21 replies 8 participants last post by  SimpsonTide985 
#1 ·
2009 Hyundai Genesis




My thoughts:

Ahh, the legendary Hyundai Genesis; the 2009 North American Car of the Year. You would think, a car with such high praise from car critics and editors alike, you'd see more of these out on the road! Honestly, over the last year and a half or so, I can count the number of Genesis I've seen out on the road on one hand (at least for the sedan).

It's a little weird. Here, you have an amazing, albeit austere looking car, with some top-of-the-line interior materials and design that rivals much more expensive cars, but apparently, at least in my area, they don't seem very appealing to buyers. You've got a RWD 4.6L V8 with 375hp with 17/25 mpg for under $40k and luxury out the ying yang. Are these people crazy? That sounds like a good deal to me! I guess $40k for a Hyundai isn't catching going to catch on too quickly..

I wouldn't mind giving this car a try at all and I would love even more to be the first one my block, in my neighborhood, or maybe in the entire 10 mile radius to be seen riding around in one of these bad boys.
 
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#4 ·
Spending $35 to $40K for a car that says "Hyundai" on the trunk is just slightly worse then forking out that kind of dough for a car that says "Ford" on the back (Taurus SHO) and while I'm not knocking either car (I'm sure BOTH are quite nice) they both carry their own stigma of how the general public perceives them to fit in the marketplace. Hyundai sticks in many peoples memory as an entry level, inexpensive import car with poor riding suspension. It's very hard to break out of that mold, especially when it takes $35-$40K to find out. Same thing with the SHO, people can visualize themselves in a $28-30K Taurus but not for $35-40K, especially when the $35-40K version looks very very similar to the $28-30K version at a glance. That's why both of these cars are scarce to be found on our roads. For that price level, people just have a higher perception of what they should buy or drive.
 
#5 ·
[quote author=Rodeo link=topic=169590.msg3597067#msg3597067 date=1270215857]
Spending $35 to $40K for a car that says "Hyundai" on the trunk is just slightly worse then forking out that kind of dough for a car that says "Ford" on the back (Taurus SHO) and while I'm not knocking either car (I'm sure BOTH are quite nice) they both carry their own stigma of how the general public perceives them to fit in the marketplace. Hyundai sticks in many peoples memory as an entry level, inexpensive import car with poor riding suspension. It's very hard to break out of that mold, especially when it takes $35-$40K to find out. Same thing with the SHO, people can visualize themselves in a $28-30K Taurus but not for $35-40K, especially when the $35-40K version looks very very similar to the $28-30K version at a glance. That's why both of these cars are scarce to be found on our roads. For that price level, people just have a higher perception of what they should buy or drive.
[/quote]
Well, most people are morons. They need to know that cars are more than just a badge nowadays.

I guess I can only speak for myself then, and it's too bad. Maybe the Genesis is a special case, but I've read and watched at least 14 review son the car, and they've all agreed that the car is on the same level, if not surpasses levels of that of BMW, Infiniti, or Lexus. It's a shame and it's actually because of the stigma on cars like the Hyundai that appeal to me MORE because I care more about my own perception of my car and not others. I appreciate having something that other people have and laugh in the faces of those that thought they needed one thing and could've gotten the same for much less value. Of course, there are definitely trade-offs either way.

The same with a Taurus, but it's almost a reverse effect. Despite the high praise for the Genesis, the SHO is still doing much better (in sales) and is more expensive than the Genesis, but it can get away with it because of the SHO name and the Ford plate. Personally, I think the Genesis is still the better value at just a nose, but both cars have remarkable value and I think they are in the proper price range.
 
#6 ·
Dollars being equal, I'd buy the Genesis too over the SHO and if I were shopping for a similar car as a Beemer, Infiniti or Lexus, I would include the Genesis in an evaluation and test drive. I don't see too many new Tauruses on the road period, never mind even less SHOs, so I wouldn't say that Ford got away with much of anything since they just aren't around much. The few I do see often have dealer plates on them so it's a dealership owners wife, or sales manager driving the car many times.

Yet, those people who buy the beemers, infiniti's and lexuses routinely would not give the genesis a look at all no doubt. (Nor the SHO for that matter too.)
 
#7 ·
Around my town I see alot of taurus's around (regular ones limiteds and SHO's) but I never see any Genisis's! I would love to have a new taurus, especialy a SHO! but I bought my fusion a couple months before the taurus's came out! so im stuck for a while!!! I would much rather a have Fords quality level than Hyundia, although I know theyve made great strides recently. I still couldnt buy one! I love the quality of my fusion!!!
 
#9 ·
Funny thing. I didn't think much of Toyota before they introduced the Lexus. Their ability to provide a car as fine as the initial Lexus was a huge "bring up".

This time, however, with Hyundai, I'm not nearly as surprised. It took less time for Hyundai to figure out how to provide cars that Americans were not afraid of than it did Toyota. The earliest Toyotas in the US were even worse than the first Hyundais.

I'm happy to draw a Hyundai as a rental car.

As far as comparing a Genesis to a Taurus SHO, they are intended for very different buyers. They shouldn't be compared. If you want a driver's car, buy the SHO. If you want a luxury barge at a bargain basement price buy the Genesis.
 
#10 ·
[quote author=Big Jim link=topic=169590.msg3802953#msg3802953 date=1285044639]
As far as comparing a Genesis to a Taurus SHO, they are intended for very different buyers. They shouldn't be compared. If you want a driver's car, buy the SHO. If you want a luxury barge at a bargain basement price buy the Genesis.
[/quote]

Except that the Genesis has a firmer suspension, generally handles better (according to the reviews, at least) and isn't much slower than the SHO. I think the two are quite comparable.

Not to mention they're both cars that are quite expensive for their nameplates, so neither is fighting for the "prestige" buyer.
 
#13 ·
[quote author=SimpsonTide985 link=topic=169590.msg3804102#msg3804102 date=1285131922]
The cars are definitely in different markets, but they don't necessarily differ too much to where a comparison of the two on some level wouldn't be unthinkable...
[/quote]

Sort of my point.

I certainly don't believe something as large and still somewhat lumbering as a SHO can really be considered a driver's car, either. Then again, I don't think any car that only comes with an automatic should carry that label. :lol:

I'll take RWD over AWD if given the choice any day (I even drive an AWD car, LOL). Not trying to put down the SHO, but it's really not a performance car by any standard other than straight line performance. The Genesis surely isn't, either.
 
#14 ·
I drove two Hyundai Genesis's in the past 3 weeks.

One was a preowned 2009 base model with about 20k miles. Another was a 2011 brand new model. Both were V6s.

Both cars are exceptionally quiet and smooth, very slick acceleration and a very well done interior. The suspension is not too firm, but not too soft--definitely not a sports sedan, but it's quite capable of keeping good balance and poise on quick corners despite its weight (better than a base CTS or a Dodge Charger IMO)! I would totally buy the car if I could do something to stiffen up the suspension a little so that it could hit corners a little bit better, because as far as looks and features go, it's up there among the best for the money. I'd say the only thing its missing is some fold down rear seats and a hard drive system that actually rips and saves music onto the harddrive as opposed to just being able to control the playlist of a connected device.
 
#18 ·
I'll put it to you this way, over the year, I've test driven:

-2006 & 2007 Jaguar X-Type (Looks nice. That's about it)
-2005 Jaguar S-Type (Read above)
-2007 Infiniti G35 sedan (Awesome performance, so-so interior)
-2008 & 2010 Lincoln MKZ (Overlooked; Quite nice)
-2008 BMW 535i Sport (Unbelievable)
-2009 BMW 328i (Excellent, but not my style)
-2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Luxury & Sport(Very close to buying this)
-2008 Cadillac CTS 3.6L (Fantastic design, but too much weight)
-2009 Volkswagen CC (Soulless)
-2010 Ford Taurus SHO (Unbelievable power and technology, too much car for me however)
-2010 Dodge Charger R/T (Too big and heavy for my tastes)
-2010 Acura TSX V6 (Soulless)
-2011 Buick Regal CXL (Engaging and nice to cruise in)
-2011 Ford Mustang V6 (Not my cup of tea--I guess I'm just not into pony cars)
-2011 Audi A4 (Left a huge impression)
-2011 Hyundai Sonata SE (Excellent driving dynamics and design, albeit a pretty rough ride)
-2011 Ford Fusion Sport (Just GOOD at everything)
-2011 Nissan Maxima (Nice to look at; not a fan of the CVT--felt too front heavy)

I thought the Hyundai Genesis, if given the right aftermarket suspension upgrades, would be my favorite car to own. It has a very nice blend of smooth balance, luxury, and features that really opens well to my personality. If I could rank the cars from the list above, I think the Genesis would squeeze into the top 5:

1. Audi A4 (Perfect balance of luxury and performance)
2. Tie: Buick Regal (I know, right? Taut and supple with some nice materials)/Hyundai Sonata (Very good all around)
3. Hyundai Genesis sedan
4. Tie: Mercedes-Benz C-Class/BMW 535i (Ridiculous peformance from the 5-Series, but I really don't like the interior and reliability record; C-Class--a little small, interior materials and controls need some work)
5. 2010 Lincoln MKZ (Excellent package of features and driving dynamics)

Honorable Mentions: Infiniti G35 (Excellent performance but I really don't like the old interior) and 2011 Ford Fusion (Obvious reasons).

I still have more test drives that I have to do:
-2011 Kia Optima 2.0L
-2012 Buick Regal GS
-2011 Mazda Mazda6
-2010+ Infiniti G
-2009+ Jaguar XF (puire curiosity)
-2011 Volvo S60 (curious)
-2011 Volkswagen CC (redux)
-2011+ Ford Mustang GT
-2011 Lincoln MKZ (w/ Sport Pkg)
-2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
 
#19 ·
From your list, I have a crush on the C-Class. I would have bought it over the Fusion any day, but it was a $30k difference that I can't afford. At least not right now. However, after driving the Fusion, my standards have changed a bit... You americans have this special thing about comfort items, it amazed me on my '98 Grand Cherokee and is amazing me on the Fusion. Knowing I can't afford European premium for the time being, I think I might think of buying the missus a Fusion next year and have it all american here. :lol:

The 2011 Kia Optima looked AMAZING to me. Too bad we won't get the 200bhp engine here. But totally worth checking out if you can!
 
#20 ·
[quote author=foxmc link=topic=169590.msg3879937#msg3879937 date=1291944780]
From your list, I have a crush on the C-Class. I would have bought it over the Fusion any day, but it was a $30k difference that I can't afford. At least not right now. However, after driving the Fusion, my standards have changed a bit... You americans have this special thing about comfort items, it amazed me on my '98 Grand Cherokee and is amazing me on the Fusion. Knowing I can't afford European premium for the time being, I think I might think of buying the missus a Fusion next year and have it all american here. :lol:

The 2011 Kia Optima looked AMAZING to me. Too bad we won't get the 200bhp engine here. But totally worth checking out if you can!
[/quote]
Yeah, I'll definitely be keeping an eye out on the Kia Optima. The C-Class was definitely impressive to me. I had a chance to get a loaded C300 back in Detroit for a killer deal but it didn't work out. I've almost waned away from the car since moving to Tucson since there are Mercedes-Benz's all over the place.
 
#22 ·
[quote author=ndrewoods link=topic=169590.msg3883493#msg3883493 date=1292380108]
Wow Simpson, you sure did drive a lot of car this year. Well for me, I am just looking forward to test drive a Hyundai Genesis and 2011 Ford Mustang V6. But regards to what you guys were talking about, I read some great reviews about Genesis and they say it is a great car.
[/quote]
Yeah, the thing today is, car companies are more competitive and smarter than ever before. 15 years ago, it was easy to decide on the best car for the money because the selection in options, engines, and features were small and common across a much smaller selection of vehicles. But today, there is just so much to choose from now, it makes it a really tricky process for those of us, eagerly hoping to find that one car that fits like a glove.

I totally forgot about the upcoming 2011 Charger too. I'll have to add that to the list (along with the 2011 Chrysler as well). Everything that I didn't care much for in the 2010 Charger apparently did improve in the 2011 (i.e., interior design, nimbleness, fuel economy)..
 
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