Move over you luxury sedan manufacturers and make way for the Hyundai Genesis.
Hyundai's highly-anticipated, second-generation 2015 Genesis sedan is stiff competition for luxury four-doors from such manufacturers as Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Audi, Infiniti, Acura and Cadillac.
The all-new Genesis represents a bold step forward for Hyundai, continuing to build upon its successful strategy of marketing its premium models under the Hyundai brand umbrella, rather than a costly separate luxury brand sales channel.
For the opening price of $38,000, it is thousands of dollars less expensive than, say, a BMW 5-Series or a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Toss in another $11,000 to cover the cost of high-end options, raising the asking price to $49,000, and the Genesis still is less expensive.
The all-new Genesis is the first Hyundai to embody Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 that encapsulates fluid aesthetics, the modern Hyundai look, and a premium ambience. A striking hexagonal front grille, dynamic crease accent running along the flanks of the car, sleek C-pillar and a dynamic rear design with jeweled, full-LED taillights help to emphasize the sporty styling. Proportions demonstrate a long dash-to-axle length, longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs than its predecessor.
The $38,000 Genesis has several unique as well as expected luxury elements. On the unique side are power heated and folding exterior mirrors with Genesis logo puddle lamps (logo silhouette reflected to the pavement or ground via a projector light when using the remote entry key fob to unlock a door), Hyundai Blue Link (information and emergency system), and a window display behind the steering wheel showing the tire pressure in each of the 245 tires mounted on 18-inch alloy wheels. The Head Up display can be activated to project information images on the windshield glass for vehicle Speed, as well as, Turn by Turn, Traffic Info., Smart Cruise control, Lane Keep Assist System and Blind Spot Detection.
More ordinary luxury features include heated and power leather front seats with memory for two, a tilt and telescoping (manual) leather-clad steering wheel mounted with cruise and audio controls, four power express up and down windows and power door locks. Remote and pushbutton start, a navigation system with eight-inch color display, rain-sensing wipers with automatic defogger windshield, nine airbags including one for the driver's knee, front and rear pretensioners accompanying seatbelts, and an electronic suspension system to detect road imperfections so gas shock absorbers can make necessary adjustments in a nanosecond. There is more, but you get the idea of what this car has.
At $49,000, another long list of luxury features are added to the rear- or all-wheel-drive five-passenger sedan. The short list includes a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel as well as a power tilt and slide sunroof, ventilated front seats for heating and air conditioning purposes, high intensity discharge headlights with automatic dimming outside mirrors, blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert systems, power rear sunshade and manual rear side shades, a 17-speaker (replacing seven speaker) Lexicon sound system, more wood (real) and aluminum trim, power open and close trunk lid, and a heads-up display (reflects vehicle speed and legal speed onto the windshield).
The guts of the tested and packaged $49,000 Genesis was a rear-wheel-drive model with the 3.8-liter, 311-horsepower V6 engine mated to a shiftable (paddles behind steering wheel) eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel-drive, known as HTRAC, will cost an additional $2,500, and should significantly broaden Genesis appeal in Snowbelt regions throughout the U.S. Rear-wheel drive is standard. The V6 sedan sprints from 0 to 60 miles per hour in an automotive media tested 6.6 seconds. Braking brings the 4,138-pound vehicle back from 60 mph to a stop in 109 feet. This is remarkable.
The heart of the Genesis 5.0 is the 5.0-liter Tau V-8 producing 420 horsepower. This award-winning engine comes standard with the Hyundai-developed eight-speed automatic transmission, for better acceleration, sport-mode mapping, shifting smoothness and transmission efficiency. At $51,500, the V8 Genesis does 0 to 60 mph in a media tested 5.3 seconds with a braking to a stop in 112 feet. Again, remarkable. The V8 comes only in RWD.
Although it has not been on the market long, the powerplant should be reliable as the company has a 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty on it. The basic limited warranty is five years or 60,000 miles with 24-hour roadside assistance.
During the test week with two persons aboard, the V6 Genesis averaged 21.2 miles per gallon on premium fuel. Most of the driving was in Chicago suburbs. There were stretches of interstate travel. The car smoothly and quietly steered through busy traffic. It is a nice, nice ride. No effort to steering or to the power. The Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) definitely gets your attention as it detects the vehicle straying from its lane. The driver receives a visual alert and steering wheel vibration warning, plus, applying a slight counter-steering torque as a deterrent from crossing inadvertently into the next lane. Front seat leg room measures at least 45 inches, which is right on target for a full-sized sedan. Six-footers who are behind the steering wheel or in the passenger seat will be able to stretch out a lot. Handsomely-tailored trunk offers an EPA cargo volume of 15.3 cu. ft. for a full-day of shopping. The tested vehicle was equipped with a Smart key, which enables the trunk to be opened with no-touch activation using the Smart Trunk system when you're within 20-40 inches behind the vehicle.
The Genesis debuted in 2009 to compete against big names in the full-size luxury car market. Its immediate targets were the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, Audi, Cadillac, Jaguar also are big players in this market. A redesign this year makes Genesis look more like that competition on the exterior with a sleek profile, short deck, integrated fog lamps, bright wheels and dual alloy exhaust tips at the rear corners.
FAST FACTS
Vehicle: rear-wheel-drive model of
2015 Hyundai GenesisType: luxury five-passenger, four-door full-size sedan
Price: $38,000
As tested: $49,000
Engine: 3.8-liter, 311-horsepower V6
Transmission: shiftable (paddles behind steering wheel) eight-speed automatic
Fuel tank: 20.3 gallons
Tires (P245), wheels (alloy): 18-inch
Weight: 4,138 pounds
Wheelbase: 118.5 inches
Length: 196.5 inches
Width: 74.4 inches
Height: 58.3 inches
Trunk: 15.3 cubic feet
Leg room: 45.7 inches front, 35 inches rear
Turning diameter: 36.2 feet
Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles powertrain, five years or 60,000 miles limited with 24-hour roadside assistance
Assembly: Korea
Information: hyundaiusa.com/genesis