2009 Hyundai Genesis Review

As the 2009 model year gets into full swing now that the 2008 calendar year is coming to a close, different automakers find themselves at different crossroads. Some are fighting for their very survival. Others like South Korea's largest automaker, Hyundai, are introducing a new genre in the United States and continuing to build on its increasing market share.

The smartly named Genesis, all new for 2009, is an entry-luxury sport sedan which started production in Ulsan South Korean in April of 2008. It's also the first Hyundai sporting rear-wheel-drive architecture for truer handling and optimal front-to-rear weight distribution. The company, which entered the U.S. in the late 1980s offering value-driven entry-level vehicles, has now expanded its lineup to include a true entry-luxury product retailing for thousands of dollars below other Asian and European rivals.

While a four-door vehicle kicks off initial production, a coupe version is scheduled to bow sometime in the 2009 calendar year. Expect more products sooner rather than later from this all-new rear-drive architecture. Prior to the arrival of Genesis, the front-wheel-drive, mid-size Azera sedan served as Hyundai's high-line ambassador. The new-from-the-ground-up 2009 Genesis has true luxury appointments in a full-size body (with an overall length of 195.9 inches) and is a new class of car for the Korean automaker. This is one of the few rear-drive cars from an Asian manufacturer.

The Genesis sedan is available with two engine selections: a 3.8-liter DOHC V-6 generating 290 horsepower utilizing regular unleaded petro and a 4.6-liter DOHC V-8 delivering 290 horses with premium unleaded fuel recommended, although 87-octane fuel can be utilized. Michael Deitz, Product Development Manager at Hyundai Motor America predicts 80 percent of sales volume will come from the V-6. Both are connected to a six-speed automatic transmission with a shiftronic sport shit allowing manual changing of gears without a clutch when desired. Fuel economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for the V-6 and 17 mpg city 25 mpg highway for the V-8; all very respectable numbers when compared to same suit competitors.

Popular rivals in the entry-luxury field include the Lexus ES and Cadillac CTS, although Hyundai has benchmarked larger vehicles such as the BMW 5-Series and Infiniti M for handling and interior room.

The V-6 entry comes well equipped and is available with three option packages (Premium, Premium Plus and Technology) while the more opulent V-8 offers just a technology package (most of the premium package options in the V-6 come standard in the V-8). To keep transactions simple, all options must be ordered via packages. In order to get the technology package in the V-6, the premium plus package must be purchased.

Hyundai supplied a V-6 model with a starting price of $32,250. With the addition of the Premium Plus package ($3,000) the bottom line added to $36,000 including a $770 freight charge. A V-8 model starts at $37,250. Add $4,000 more for the technology package optional in both engine selections. What does one get for the extra four grand? A cooled driver's seat, in-dash navigation system with rear backup camera, auto-leveling front headlights with an auto-cornering (read swiveling) feature, and upgraded Lexicon 17-speaker sound system.

Some of the more notable standard features for the audiophile crowd are IPod and Auxiliary inputs for portable audio equipment, Bluetooth technology, compact disc and XM/Sirius (the two companies have merged into one) Satellite radio.

Utilization of a stiffer, lighter unibody structure reduces interior noise levels and a five-link front and rear suspension paves the way for smoother rides. Also buffering outside road noise is an exterior under floor cover. It's a quiet-riding vehicle with generous, large window areas reducing blind spots. Speaking of the windows, the front windshield and front side windows include an acoustic laminated layer adding to the hush factor.

Inside, Genesis has more interior volume than a Mercedes-Benz E-Class or a BMW 7-Series, both ranking as some of the larger sedans from each respective German luxury automaker. Stitched leather seating comes standard as do front heated seats (with activation buttons near the floor-mounted transmission shifter). Three interior color selections are available: Cashmere, Saddle and Jet Black. The V-8 edition gets upgraded leather seating. The two-tone serpentine dashboard also gets a fine leather treatment. At night, the very white LED interior lighting makes a statement.

Front door map pockets bellow out for more storage. The driver's door incorporates remote fuel door and trunk release levers. Headlights monitor from a left-side steering column stalk while the front windshield wiper activates from the right-side turn signal stalk. Secondary audio controls are on the left side face of the steering wheel face while cruise control buttons are on the right. The driver's door includes memory buttons for a couple different seating positions, door locks and power window controls for all four doors.

A pleasant-looking, three-dimensional instrument panel sports two identical sized analog tach and speedometer circles with white numbers flanked by a smaller, half-moon temperature gauge to the left and fuel gauge to the right. A square digital message center is front and center and includes a secondary gear shift indicator. The ventilation system below the stereo on the lower central dash consists of a series of buttons which in most vehicles can be harder to work than easy-to-grab dials, but Hyundai does a good job of labeling each button not only with icons, but actual words spelling out each function.

An electronic push-button start system replaces a traditional ignition key and cylinder with the key-chain-sized transponder in a pocket or purse. Power front bucket seats are very comfortable, and three adults can fit in the refined back even with the rear-drive transmission floor hump thanks to oodles of leg room. Air vents in the side "B" pillar and in between front bucket seat backs provide those in back with fresh ventilated air. A center arm rest folds down in back with two cup holders built in.

Genesis' front-end design is notable for what's not featured. Almost all automakers plop their company logo front and center on the grille. The wavy arrow point design leaves passerbys guessing as to the car's true identity; just the way Hyundai designers wanted. If one looks closely though, the trunk lid incorporates the circular corporate logo and the word 'Genesis' in the lower right corner. Chrome highlights surround side windows. When ordering the premium package with the V-6 engine, 18-inch hyper-silver alloy wheels add to the sporty look. These are standard on V-8s. The trunk holds 15.9 cubic feet of stuff with two goose-neck hinges surrounded by square padding to help avert box scrunch. The traditional battery is stowed under the flat trunk floor along with the spare tire.

Hyundai's marketing department hit pay dirt in the late 1990s by offering a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty providing peace of mind for potential buyers concerned about perceived quality issues plaguing Hyundai in the early 1990s. This warranty helped turn around the fortunes of the company here in the states and continues to this day on all products including Genesis.

Adding more peace of mind are eight air bags including front and rear seat-mounted side-impact air bags and roof-mounted side curtain air bags for both rows. Also on board are large anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, electronic brake distribution, electronic stability control, side mirror turn signal indicators (heated side mirrors tilt down when in reverse) and an anti-whiplash system utilizing electronic active head restraint, a system found in select few luxury cars. All safety features are standard. None are optional.

When compared feature for feature against the competitors, Genesis is a real value. Mercedes-Benz or BMW loyalists will be tough to sway over to a Hyundai lot, but for those raised on value-driven Toyota or Ford (or Hyundai) products, Genesis is an eye opener and easy on the wallet. Much forethought and technological advances went into this first effort from Hyundai in the entry-luxury segment, and it shows. For all Genesis offers, the $33,000 starting price is a steal.

Power from the V-6 test car was more than adequate and should satisfy the needs of most shoppers. At 290 horses, Hyundai's Lambda engine provided more punch then what's found in the Lexus GS 350,BMW 528I or Mercedes E350. No manual transmission is offered, so true sports enthusiasts may be turned off, but the shiftronic feature does provide spirited driver input.