2009 Hyundai Genesis: A Luxury Vehicle at an Average-Car Price

By Mike Blake, Carlisle Events

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A new player in the luxury car genre, Hyundai, the Korean car manufacturer that began with econo-box vehicles starting with the Cortina in 1968, has grown in stature and in quality and is making its assault on the upscale car market a successful reality with the Hyundai Genesis.

Noted for its slanted, stylized “H” logo, Hyundai executives say the icon symbolizes two people shaking hands. The name, Hyundai, is Korean language for “modernity” and with Genesis, Hyundai is shaking the hands of those who want a modern luxury car at an average car price. According to Hyundai Vice Chairman Kim Dong-jin, the name Genesis is a stated goal that the vehicle is the first of many premium cars to be manufactured by Hyundai.

Ever since it was introduced at the New York Auto Show in 2007 as Concept Genesis, the Hyundai Genesis has been exceeding expectations. Hyundai reportedly used the BMW Series 5, Mercedes E-Class, Infiniti M and Lexus GS as its benchmark vehicles and the Korean manufacturer took the design from there, sculpting a lavish-looking vehicle, building it with quality and outfitting it with premiere accouterments as standard features.

Calling it a luxury sedan that provides fuel efficiency, Hyundai has created a company flagship that they hope will carry the same reverence and reputation as those veteran luxury vehicles that bear well-respected badges and which sell for more than twice the Genesis’ sticker.

From the outside, Genesis does look like a quality, up-scale vehicle that would cost much more under another badge. But that luxury look is also a conservative look. Borrowing a bit of this and a few lines of that from its benchmark vehicles, the Genesis looks like we’ve seen it before, without original lines and architecture. Its prominent grille, massive headlights, tight C-pillars and forward-movement stance are the most distinguishing characteristics of the design.

Under hood, the 3748-lb. Genesis is powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 24-valve engine that produces 290hp. Coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission with a Shiftronic shift system, the set-up muscles out 264 lbs.-ft. of torque. A brawny Tau 4.6-liter V-8 engine that yields 375 horsepower is also available, but my test vehicle’s smaller engine added fuel economy to the mix, as it was EPA rated at 18mpg in the city and 27mpg on the highway. Seven days of testing on regional interstates, borough streets and country roads produced an average of 22.3 mpg. However, that economy sacrifices true luxury power, and track tests yielded a best zero-to-60mph run in 6.4 seconds on my way to a 14.9-second quarter-mile.

The all-aluminum, performance-tuned engine utilizes Continuously Variable Valve Timing on intake and exhaust cam shafts and a new Variable Intake System that helps cylinders breathe efficiently in all ranges. This helps maximize fuel economy while providing a broad torque curve and environmentally friendly Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) certification levels.

On the road, the rear-wheel-drive Genesis handles like a heavier vehicle with a more storied reputation. With a stable center of gravity, Genesis hugs the corners well, responds with only slight hesitation, provides good passing power and exhibited little yaw even during strenuous S-curve tests. The independent 5-link front suspension with SACHS ASD gas shock absorbers, coil springs and 25mm anti-roll bar, working with the same rear set-up but with a 17mm anti-roll bar in the rear, keeps the ride supple and confident.

In the cabin is where Genesis has also made great strides to obliterate Hyundai’s former status as a no-frills car-maker. Inside, there are frills galore, and in keeping with Hyundai’s all-included strategy, my test vehicle was outfitted fully, with no options to drive up the cost.

Luxury spaciousness is the motto, where headroom is 40.4 inches in front and 37.7 inches in row two. Front legroom measures 44.3 inches with 38.6 inches behind and shoulder room comes in at 58.3 inches and 57.9 in the second row.

Easy-to-read electroluminescent gauges, elegantly angular dash and refined surfaces make for a lavish environment. Standard features include push-button start, cruise control, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, leather seat-upholstery and steering wheel, heated front seats with power adjustments, power windows, door locks, and mirrors, remote keyless entry and starting, Bluetooth hands-free phone system and a seven-speaker audio system with XM satellite radio.

Safety items included ABS brakes, advanced front curtain air bags, front and rear side impact airbags, side curtain airbags and front active head restraints.

Base priced at $32,250, Hyundai has carried the basic package to the extreme. All within my test vehicle was standard with no extras, add-ons or options to inflate the sticker price. Even freight and handling charges were included, as were four different warranties. That’s luxury at non-luxury prices.

Hyundai has been criticized at home for pricing its vehicles in Korea at a price equal to $57,000 U.S. (58.3 million won), while selling it in America for about 57 percent of that. This had led to a growing gray-market in Korea in which brokers buy cars in the United States and ship them back to Korea for a profit but at less than Korean prices.


Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

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