2015 Hyundai Genesis Review and Road Test

Heads turned at limousine rendezvous points at Australian airports few months ago when a fleet of Hyundai prestige sedans arrived with hosts serving coffee. Hyundai prestige sedans?

Yes, Hyundai – Genesis to be precise.

The airport exercise was clearly all about getting limousine operators to consider the Genesis at vehicle purchase time. It will be tough to get those guys over the line right off the bat, but the point is not so long ago Hyundai wasn’t even on the same page as imported and local vehicles considered by limo drivers.

 

Hyundai Genesis Overview

Hyundai was right to pitch to the limousine market because when compared to some direct rivals, the good-looking Genesis clearly offers much better rear seat space. No wonder it has been a sales ‘phenom’ in the North American market.

Hyundai Australia waited until the second-generation model range to launch the Genesis locally - in three grades starting from $60,000. Our Genesis test car was stickered at $71,000 as it was boosted by fitment of the excellent optional ‘Sensory Pack’ which added Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Head-Up Display, Around-View Monitor, premium interior leather, power bolster and under-thigh support for the drivers’ seat, power adjustment for the steering, electro-chromatic auto-dipping exterior mirrors and LED fog-lights.

For a further $11,000 ($82,000) the ‘Ultimate Pack’ adds 19-inch alloy wheels with Dunlop tyres (different sizes front & rear), soft-closing doors, a panoramic glass roof, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, seven-inch LCD Supervision cluster, noise-reducing acoustic glass, power bootlid, illuminated front scuff plates and rear door side curtains.

 

Hyundai Genesis Engine

Just one engine choice for the Hyundai Genesis – the ‘Lambda II’ 3.8-litre GDi V6 petrol. This is exclusive to the Genesis and drives the front wheels via Hyundai’s own eight-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters for manual changes.

With all aluminium heads and block, a steel timing chain, direct fuel injection and dual continuously variable valve timing, Hyundai’s V6 is on the same page as major rivals for technology.

Maximum power is 232kW at 6000rpm and peak torque of 397Nm arrives at 5000rpm with 90 per-cent available between 2000rpm – 6000rpm.

Combined-cycle fuel consumption is 11.2l/100kms.

 

Hyundai Genesis The Interior

Hyundai hasn’t missed a thing when it comes to delivering a prestige interior for the Genesis. Double-stitching, quality perforated leather, soft-touch materials, wood-effect and real aluminium trim and genuine style are all there.

Oh, and the clock? That would be a square analogue number synchronised via satellite.

Plenty of technology too – our ‘Sensory Pack’ bringing to the party under-thigh, bolster adjustment  and four-way lumbar adjustment to the beautiful leather seat and tilt/telescopic adjustment for the nicely sized leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel to ensure a top-notch driving position. The 9.2-inch colour touchscreen and excellent Lexicon audio system are also part of that story.

Those in the rear really do get the five-star treatment with plenty of seat support and legroom and a fold-down centre console with audio and climate controls when there are only two in the rear.

Luggage space is also massive – easily passing the ‘Golf Bag Test’.

 

Hyundai Genesis Exterior & Styling

Without wishing to sound like ‘arty’ types, in our eyes, the Hyundai Genesis - co-incidentally like the rival Infiniti Q50 - is one of those designs where paint colours can make a big difference to the on-road presence. At the media launch the dark blue metallic Genesis’ looked tremendous.

And the size of the Genesis is difficult to convey in photos. At 4990mm in overall length we’re talking 43mm longer than a Holden Commodore and 91mm longer than a BMW 5-Series. Hyundai Genesis runs a 3010mm wheelbase which is longer than a Holden Caprice.

Likewise the on-road presence is much more startling than the pics convey. The Hyundai Genesis is a seriously handsome sedan.

We like the muscly front-end with the new ‘3D’ version of the one-piece hexagonal grille, very contemporary HID headlights, LED indicators and DRLs.

Side character lines give some more muscle as does the aero-influenced bootlid. Top marks for the ‘jewel-like’ tail-lights and racy-looking alloy wheels.

Moreover, Hyundai’s stylists have nailed the proportions of the Genesis. To be prestige you have to look prestige and the Hyundai Genesis delivers.

 

Hyundai Genesis On The Road

Timetables test everything – including the Hyundai Genesis. And for our Genesis, it was a trip to the airport for an overnight media launch followed immediately by a family weekend getaway with golf clubs.

Cue the careful packing of the boot. And give the Hyundai Genesis a big tick for getting the job done with comfort and style.

For the record, even when loaded to the max, our Genesis made easy work of the twisty rural roads to our weekend destination. Sure the ride/handling was from the ‘luxury’ department rather than the ‘sports’ department - but that’s where the market is at for these cars we’re certain.

So there’s some pitch on turn-in, some body-roll and a propensity to understeer but it’s all very controllable, there’s lots of feel for the steering and – we repeat – this is what buyers of these cars are looking for. Our ‘Sensory’ grade test car rode on the standard 18-inch alloy wheels and we recall from the media launch the upscale ‘Ultimate’ grade was little firmer in the ride department courtesy of its 19-inchers.

Over some dodgy rural roads we were impressed by the suspension refinement of the Hyundai Genesis. Once again Hyundai’s local suspension development can take the credit for the changes implemented after testing in Australian conditions (42 combinations of springs, dampers and anti-roll bars were evaluated).

 

Plenty of get-up-and-go from Hyundai’s 3.8-litre V6 and nice ratios for the eight-speed automatic made for handy acceleration when pressed and also relaxed highway cruising when not…erm…pressed. Definitely not the most refined petrol V6 in this end of town and that 11.2l/100kms combined-cycle fuel consumption is obviously not in the league of Lexus or Infiniti 3.5h S (of course the 3.5 h S is a hybrid).

 

And a special word for Hyundai’s adaptive cruise control – it works and is easy to adjust (rival brands take note).

 

Hyundai Genesis Issues

Given Hyundai’s fastidious attention to detail on every facet of the Genesis we’re a little surprised the harshness of the V6 engine when working hard slipped through the net.

 

Hyundai Genesis Verdict

Wow! By any measure the current Hyundai Genesis is a standout effort. Just as impressive, this is Hyundai’s first shot at European-rivaling prestige…the next model could be a world-beater.

Put it another way: we would happily have a Hyundai Genesis in our garage permanently right now. Yes it’s luxurious, yes it looks good, yes it’s great value and yes it drives well…but everything works in the Hyundai Genesis in a straight-forward way (you don’t need a ‘Doctorate’ in IT to adjust the air-conditioning fan) and every button you push or dial you twirl has a quality look and feel.

Strong on practicality too thanks to that spacious interior and large boot.

And great value for money.

Hyundai hasn’t missed a thing (and we’re getting used to making that comment about the latest Hyundai products).

 

 

Hyundai Genesis The Competition

Hyundai says the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are rivals. That may be a bit of stretch…

But, at least until sometime next year, we have the Holden Caprice ($59,490 for the LPG V6 or $60,490 for the V8). We’re actually in Caprices often (driven by limousine operators) and there’s no doubt about the massive interior space and top-notch appointments. Great value too. But with Caprice going, Hyundai Genesis might have a ‘home run’ with these guys (Ford should have done the work to convert the Lincoln models to right-hand-drive).

You’ll need $67,900 for the V6 Hybrid Infiniti Q50 3.5h S and it is an absolutely fantastic car. Inside and out every Infiniti oozes abundant quality and top-notch design. Initial concerns about the fly-by-wire steering have been addressed and the Q50 is a great drive.

And it’s $65,000 for the Lexus ES 350 Luxury. Like the Q50, the ES is overshadowed somewhat by the Genesis for interior space. But we’re just sayin’…