A New Genesis

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
04/08/2014 at 19:16 • Filed to: None

The new Genesis is ready to fight with the German's, but can it take the pressure? I think it can. And you should too.

I wasn't a fan of the looks of the old one, but this new one looks gorgeous. People claim it looks too much like an Audi. I see styling ques, but it's unique enough to remain completely different. It isn't over stylized like say, the Sonata. There's one crease running down the side. That's it. It's not under-styled, it's elegant.

Everything is wrapped in leather. Just as it should be. There's matte, textured wood on the dash. And god it looks good. The whole thing looks better than what you would get in a BMW or certain Benz models. And apparently the uncomfortable seats have been fixed. There's also a 9.2 inch navigation screen on offer.

Needs a Handling by Lotus badge. But seriously, good for Hyundai for getting serious about improving the driving dynamics by getting help from Lotus. They aren't selling it as a sports sedan, so there's no aggressive dynamics to how it drives. Steering, ride, and handling have just been improved for a better experience overall.

A 5.0 liter V8 making 420 horsepower or a 3.8 liter V6 making 311 horsepower, both bolted to an 8 speed automatic. Power levels have been dropped to improve the driving experience, a common theme throughout the car. All-wheel drive is available on V6 models, with a possibility of an AWD V8 model in the future.

It's shocking what having a "cheap" badge can do to pricing on a car. Prices start at $38,950, that's 3 series money for 5 series size and luxury. For a V8, prices start at $52,450. Still not as much as a V8 5 series would cost. It also comes loaded with standard features that the 5 series doesn't. Things like key-less entry, heated seats, and navigation system all come standard. Those are all up charges is most of the competition.

People are badge snobs, so odds are this will sell about as good as the old one, which is sad. I, for one, would drive this. The old Genesis was a good effort towards the luxury game, companies have to start somewhere. This new one looks to be a legitimate competitor to the Germans. Good for Hyundai for their efforts, because they've paid off.

Photo Credit: Motor Trend

DISCUSSION (29)

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 19:18

Hyundai is on to something with this one. The only thing is going to be tricking consumers into giving Hyundai a go.

I've sat in the backseat of a Maybach 62S, and in the backseat of an Equus with the "Executive" seats. I honestly preferred the comfort of the Equus.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680
04/08/2014 at 19:20

They're building really good cars now. But it's all the years they built bad cars that is coming back to bite them in the ass.

AndersSim - V10'ING > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 19:20

Kinja'd!!!

Rockstar had forseen this.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 19:22

Like the Pony. Yuck.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > AndersSim - V10'ING
04/08/2014 at 19:23

Holy shit! And people say it's supposed to be a 5 series.

Zohaibman72 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 19:25

inb4 "LE HYUNDAI SUXORZ CUZ HYUNDI MAKE TEH BAD CARS 20 YEARS AGO"

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 19:26

I'm the opposite I prefer the look of the old car as it looked more like an S-class mercedes. But I'm with you on the Genesis fantastic value for money especially used. I can get a 2013 Genesis R-spec with 16000kms (10000 miles) for $33000 taxes included. What other 1 year old 420HP luxury car can you get for $33000? that's right none!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
04/08/2014 at 19:31

To each his own, but wow, that's a good deal! You can't even get a used 1 year old 3 series for that kinda of cash.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 19:37

I'm not in the market for a car now.but if I was I can guaranty you that a slightly used Genesis R-spec would be very high on my list. and it gets 25MPG's on the highway thanks to the 8spd. FANTASTIC!

Kinja'd!!!

Axial > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 19:37

Ugh, Kinja won't let me annotate pictures so I'll just say it here:

I don't like the way that line running along the side terminates near the tail lights. A lot of brands do what it's doing: create a body line that looks great until the end where it awkwardly curves one way or another. Mercedes is super guilty, and stylistically it looks super lazy. Can they not come up with a better way to finish it?

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 19:38

I'm sorry to be that guy but I'll never in my life consider Hyundai to be a premium luxury brand. Not with stolen design and cost-cutting. (all the reviews I came across pointed out that the materials are cheap, at least for the previous model).
You can say whatever you want about the design, but it wasn't merely influenced by Audi and the like, it was just blatantly, lazily stolen.

And what is it with the same design for the back lights on a lot of cars these days?

(And dammit, the Hyundai pulls off the back nicely. But still, I stand behind what I said.)

Kinja'd!!!

Just kidding lol, the Lincoln is gorgeous.

AndersSim - V10'ING > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 19:43

Isn't it supposed to be a 7-series?

Tom McParland > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
04/08/2014 at 19:44

Best V8 sedan value on the pre-owned market.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Axial
04/08/2014 at 19:44

Taking it up past the tail lights and having it crease the trunk lid and wrap all the way around to the front could work? I dunno I'm not a designer.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Tom McParland
04/08/2014 at 19:45

Your damn right it is. and I'm not just saying that to be nice.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > AndersSim - V10'ING
04/08/2014 at 19:46

I'm not entirely sure. I've seen comparisons to the 5 and 7. I think it's more the size of a 5 series.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 20:11

Eh. It does nothing for me. Obviously the price is great, but I'd rather the V8, and I'd also rather not spend $52k on a Hyundai. That, and the fact that (to me) it looks like a slightly more angular Lexus ES with a pinched Audi. I'm sure it's a great car, but I'll pass on it.

And for $50-55,000, I could get:
2011 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (V8)
2013 Audi A8 4dr Sdn 4.0L (V8)
2011 BMW 750Li (V8)
1986 Ferrari Testarossa (I'm looking at you, Demuro)

Tom McParland > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 20:12

You make some good points and while I'm not real keen on the styling of this generation, It is nice and it will probably grow on me. I have always maintained that Hyundai's success or failure as a legitimate luxury competitor is not so much to do with product but with the dealership experience.

I wrote a post about this awhile back, you can read it here.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
04/08/2014 at 20:15

None of the big German saloons are doing it for me lately, except for the A6. This is just something fresh and different.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Tom McParland
04/08/2014 at 20:17

It wouldn't kill them to make the Genesis and Equus their own brand. I think they need to get just a little more stable about their reputation before doing so, though.

Tom McParland > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 20:18

I think a middle ground would be to have a two tiered sales staff and a separate showroom for those high end cars.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Tom McParland
04/08/2014 at 20:20

That's actually a really good idea. Have people trained specifically in everything Genesis and Equus. Their own space with a high end feel, and a special service department that specializes in those two or three models (if you want to count the Genesis coupe)

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 20:21

I can't say I'm in the same boat, but my family has always had German cars so I guess I'm loyal/biased. The thing for me is that these are the cars that the Genesis wants to be when it grows up, and it doesn't make sense to me to spend more than 50k on a Korean car when you can get a 2013 BMW 535i xDrive with 1,600 miles for the exact same price.
Now, I'll be wasting the next hour on eBay motors if you need me.

Tom McParland > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 20:23

I would pitch this idea to Hyundai put I pissed off the former Hyundai CEO pretty good with that article, so I don't think they want to talk to me.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Tom McParland
04/08/2014 at 20:25

Eh, it's the former CEO. Maybe the new one doesn't know about it.

Tom McParland > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 20:28

He still communicates regularly with the new people.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Tom McParland
04/08/2014 at 20:31

Well shit. I'd say I'd do it, but what international car manufacturer is going to listen to a 16 year old? None.

Tom McParland > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/08/2014 at 20:32

Don't sweat it they won't listen to a 33 year old blogger either. :D

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/09/2014 at 09:59

Got to say this - I really really really really really like this car.