Rented an almost new 2011 Hyundai Genesis this weekend, and I have to say, I'm VERY impressed by Hyundai. I'd rank the Genesis as one of my favorite sports sedans to date, second by a smidgeon to the Nissan Maxima (if only DCA would carry the Infiniti G37). The Genesis offers a lot of value for the buck.
For $33K, you get a 290 hp RWD sedan with excellent brakes, handling, suspension, and a lot of standard features. The Hyundai probably won't win over any German-vehicle customers, but it is competitive with Japanese and domestic automakers.
I wonder if Hyundai is planning on updating the Genesis with the new design language it's using on the Sonata, Elantra, and Tucson?
EXTERIOR: The overall design was slightly derivative, but it's not offensive. It's a little "blah", but where the Genesis shines is in the overall package.
The rear 3/4 view reminded me of a cross between an Infiniti and 5-series BMW...or is that just me?
The trunk had a wide opening, and the trunk floor was very flat. The rear seats however didn't fold down, but there was an opening for passing through long items.
The doors and trunk felt rather light when closing them, and sounded a little "cheap". Would've preferred a nice, heavy thud instead.
The driver's and front passenger's side door handle has a black button on it; keep the key fob in your pocket, and press the black button. The door will lock or unlock, allowing you to keep the fob in your pocket the entire time.
INTERIOR: The Genesis' interior really was a standout. While the overall dashboard layout didn't exactly evoke "sports sedan" to me, it created a voluminous airy feeling.
My biggest complaint about the Genesis was its incredibly weak HVAC system. I had to turn the fans to maximum, increase the temperature to 85 degrees, and wait for half an hour before the car started to warm up. At least the heated seats also heat your lower back as well.
Large swaths of faux wood (which actually looked quite good) and bits of real aluminum adorned the dashboard; higher option models come with stitched leather in place of the faux wood. The driver's instrumentation panel houses electroluminescent dials that were easy to read.
The cabin also featured super-white LEDs that provided bright illumination. A welcome change from the usual "yellowish" colored LEDs found in most rivals.
The steering wheel was wrapped with a leatherette or some type of vinyl, and looked/felt cheap. Hyundai could've used a leather wheel for a better impression. The Genesis fortunately featured the same great turn stalk as found on the Hyundai Sonata, a really solid, quality stalk.
The base audio system offered a USB connection (in the arm rest), which connected quickly and painlessly. Sound was decent, but somehow sounded terrible for XM and regular radio.
I did have a complaint with the overall layout of the buttons on the dash. They were located slightly more than an arm's reach for me from the driver's seat, making them ergonomically unfriendly. Additionally, the buttons had a relatively flat angle to them, making it difficult to accurately depress while driving. Also, there was a bit too much metal colored plastic on the dash for my tastes.
The seats were wonderfully firm, and the leather buttery soft. They could've used more side bolstering however. No complaints with the headrests. There was a bit of a blindspot from the B-pillar however, and the sideview mirrors were slightly on the small side, so be careful!
The interior looked great in the soft, sand colored leather. The rear seats were very comfortable- even for a 6-footer as myself, there was plenty of room in the back behind the driver's seat! The center rear passenger headrest folded down easily to improve driver rearward visibility.
DRIVING: How did it drive? Wonderfully! The 290 hp 3.8L V6 moved the sedan quickly, from 0-60 in 6.x seconds. Handling was very nice, and the suspension was quite competent. Sometimes, the suspension felt a touch spongy, but on the whole, I was quite pleased. Braking was also very good, though I would've preferred a slightly stiffer braking response. It was a welcome change from having recently driven the Sonata recently with its light-as-a-feather steering.
The V6 provided more than enough power for passing on the highway; some professional reviewers have noted that the additional weight in the more expensive V8 models belied any potential engine improvements. Gas mileage is rated at 18/27 on the highway using regular gas.
The cabin was also whisper quiet on the highway, though not quite as quiet as the tomb-like Lincoln MKS I drove recently.
PROS:
- Overall excellent package; great engine, handling, suspension, braking.
- Roomy interior.
- A lot of standard features (push button start, 4 way power lumbar, leather seats, etc..)
CONS:
- Left foot rest placement completely awkward. Located underneath the parking brake release, felt like my left foot was just dangling.
- HVAC system too weak.
- Lacked parking assist sensors, such as the ultrasonic ones featured on Fords. (Really missed these).
- Lacked daytime running lights or puddle lamps.
CONCLUSION: Excellent vehicle, and if they addressed some of the minor issues (and did a better job of differentiating the exterior), they might have a real winner on their hands.
The closest domestic competitor is the Lincoln MKS, which doesn't handle quite as well as the Genesis, but edges the Genesis with its superior sound system, Sync, and overall cabin tech.