Hyundai Australia will offer their luxury Hyundai Genesis for the first time when it goes on sale locally at the end of October. The Genesis will see Hyundai not only offer value for money cars but also refined luxury motoring.
The Hyundai Genesis is like no other Hyundai Australians have seen previously, the Genesis will deliver a highly sophisticated, technically advanced and luxurious sedan at an affordable price when it goes on sale in the fourth quarter 2014.
Hyundai Genesis Overview
The Hyundai Genesis has been benchmarked against the BMW 5-series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 and with its long list of features it defiantly brings its a-game to the German rivals.
Features include a 9.2-inch touch screen, head up display (HUD), sat-nav, triple zone climate control, cruise control and adaptive cruise, Bluetooth and usb ports.
We drove an entry level 3.3-litre V6 and range topping 3.8-litre V6 in South Korea both with AWD (South Korea don’t receive the V8 engine). The standard level of equipment on both models was very impressive.
With Hyundai Australia yet to confirm the exact details and line-ups of the Genesis range in Australia, the team will have a harder choice of what to leave out rather than what to include.
Hyundai Genesis Engine
When the Hyundai Genesis goes on sale in Australia it will be powered by the award winning Lambda 3.8-litre GDI V6 engine, which is the mid tier engine in the USA between the 3.3-litre V6 and the 5.0-litre 304 kW V8.
The 3.8-litre GDI V6 produces 232kW at 6,000rpm and 397Nm at 5,000 rpm, matched to a 8-speed automatic transmission. Under hard acceleration the 3.8-litre power plant produces a deep throaty growl. Weighing in at about 1950kg the 3.8-litre engine can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds – impressive!
Fuel consumption in real world driving conditions that consisted of both highway and mountain driving came in 10.6-litres per 100kms, which is on par with its rivals.
Unfortunately Australian buyers miss out on the 5.0-litre 304 kW V8 engine and also the 3.3-litre V6.
Hyundai Genesis Interior
We could start every section with the same opening sentence about how we have never been seen anything this good from Hyundai and the interior is no different.
Exterior noise levels are almost non-existent inside the Hyundai Genesis and are comparable with luxury Japanese brand Lexus who pride themselves on a silent cabin.
The double stitched perforated Nappa leather can be fitted with heating and cooling. The drivers seats can be electrically adjusted 16 ways, just piping the passengers seat which can be adjusted 12 ways. Interior trim finishes include real wood, aluminium, and superfine fibre Chamude suede.
The steering wheel adjustable for rake/reach has been designed to optimise surface contour and grip, and buttons are arranged ergonomically.
Other luxury touches include a world-first Smart Climate Control system that automatically opens air vents to reduce CO2 levels in the vehicle when the reach more than 2,000 parts per million, which helps reduce drowsiness.
Hyundai Genesis Exterior & Styling
The second generation Hyundai Genesis is the first car in the Hyundai range to adopt the companies new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 styling that aims to be both sleek and sporty. Expect to the new style rolled out across the entire Hyundai line-up in the coming years.
Dominating the front is the one-piece hexagonal grille that is supported by HID headlights, LED indicators and daytime running lights. Sweeping lines along the sides giving a sense of movement when standing still. At the rear the aerodynamically tuned boot lid and rear quarter panels house full-LED tail-lights.
In Korea the Hyundai Genesis doesn’t sport the Hyundai logo anywhere using the premium looking Genesis badge instead. When it goes on sale locally the rear Genesis badge will be replace with the classic Hyundai H badge as seen on all Hyundai’s in Australia.
Hyundai Genesis On the Road
On our drive program we sampled two different versions of the Hyundai Genesis, wit road conditions consisting of highway.
The first day we spent the day behind the wheel of the 3.3-litre entry level Genesis, which rode on 18” alloy wheels and had passive suspension. Day two saw us behind the wheel of the range topping 3.8-litre AWD which rides on 19” alloy wheels and has adaptive suspension.
The level of drive aids on the Genesis is truly astounding and they include Emergency Steer Support, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Haptic steering warning system Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Head-Up Display (HUD), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Around View Monitor [AVM], and Advanced Smart Parking Assist System (ASPAS).
The i-Driving Mode, that allows drivers to set the engine, steering and suspension settings to Eco, Normal and Sport allows drivers to set the car to suit their driving needs.
The Korean set-up of the steering and suspension was on the soft side, but Hyundai Australia has confirmed the Genesis will receive local tuning to meet Australian drivers preference of stiffer suspension and increased steering feedback.
Hyundai Genesis Issues
Unfortunately Australian buyers miss out on the V8 engine, but hopefully by the time the locally produced V8 powered Holden and Ford cease production Hyundai will change their mind.
The other tweak we would like to see is a more premium feel added to rear media control panel. The plastics feel a little cheap.
Hyundai Genesis Competition
Hyundai are entering a market segment where many have tried and failed. It has taken Lexus many, many years to establish its brand as a competitor to the European luxury.
Suggestions from Hyundai Australia suggest the Genesis will be priced from $50,000 and the top spec’d Genesis around $60,000. If this is the case you would also need to consider:
Mercedes E Class - see other verdicts
Price: from $79,900 (E200 Sedan)
Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder petrol turbo, 135kW/300Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic, RWD
Fuel Economy: 6.4L/100km, 148g/km CO2
Chrysler 300 Limited
Price: from $43,000 (300 Limited Sedan)
Engine: 3.6L six-cylinder petrol, 210kW/340Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, RWD
Fuel Economy: 9.4L/100km, 219g/km CO2
Holden Calais
Price: from $46,990 (3.6 V-Series Sedan)
Engine: 3.6 litre SIDI Direct Injection V6 engine 210kW/350Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, RWD
Fuel Economy: 9.0L/100km, 216g/km CO2
BMW 5-Series
Price: from $79,900 (520i)
Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder petrol turbo, 135kW/270Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto, RWD
Fuel Economy: 6.7L/100km, 155g/km CO2
Lexus ES - see other verdicts
Price: from $63,000 (ES300h)
Engine: 2.5L four-cylinder petrol , 151W/213Nm
Transmission: 6-speed CVT, FWD
Thirst: 5.5L/100km
Audi A6 - see other verdicts
Price: from $77,900 (2.0 TFSI)
Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder petrol turbo, 132kW/320Nm
Transmission: CVT automatic, FWD
Thirst: 6.4L/100km, 149g/km CO2
Hyundai Genesis Verdict
There is no doubt about it, the Hyundai Genesis is the best Hyundai we have ever driven. Once the local team gets their hands on the car and tunes the suspension and steering for local conditions the Hyundai Genesis will be one of the best cars money can buy.
