According to Hyundai, all you need to know about the 2009 Genesis is that it has 7 Series size, 5 Series performance and a 3 Series price. The “Series” refer to a certain German luxury sport sedan maker. Hyundai believes Genesis should be compared to BMW and says the numbers prove it is a superior car.
Hyundai also believes the 2009 Genesis compares favorably to Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Genesis is longer and wider with a longer wheelbase and shorter turning radius than BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Lexus ES and comparable to a BMW 7 Series. Body stiffness is superior to sedans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. The Genesis Tau V8 is "best-in-class," making 375 hp, more than the V8s in the BMW 550i, Mercedes E550, Lexus GS 460 and Infiniti M45. In addition, Genesis does zero-to-60 mph in under six seconds. MSRP? Under $33,000, roughly the BMW 3 Series entry level.
So just what is this marvel Hyundai calls Genesis? In short, the Genesis is Hyundai's award-winning introduction into the full-size luxury sport sedan segment. The 2009 Genesis 3.8 V6 features 17-inch alloys, a power sunroof, heated leather seats, power options and a seven-speaker CD audio system.
The 2009 Genesis 4.6 V8 adds 18-inch alloys, chrome accents, interior leather with elegant wood trim and a 6-CD, 15 speaker premium audio system.
An available Technology Package includes Xenon headlights, an innovative cooled driver seat, a navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, a rear-view camera and a Logic 7 surround-sound audio system.
Inside the cabin, the 2009 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 V8 is outfitted to a high standard. It’s nicely trimmed with the right amount of chrome and a two-tone interior featuring a leather-wrapped dash. A long list of features includes high-fidelity sound by Lexicon Logic 7 audio (only the second car after the Rolls-Royce Phantom to feature the high-end brand) and a navigation system with backup camera. You control the HD radio, navigation, climate and iPod with the Driver Information System, which looks like BMW's iDrive button only it works better.
An elegant and gently curved dashboard incorporates an intuitive and well-designed center stack featuring climate and audio controls. Combined with exceptional craftsmanship and premium materials, the cabin of the Genesis has the look and feel of a high-priced European import.
Cargo space is amplified by a sizable trunk area (up to 15.9 cubic feet) with a pass-through feature, while safety features include antilock brakes, head restraints and an intelligent array of airbags.
The 3.8-liter V6 produces 290 hp and 264 lb/ft of torque. The upgraded 4.6-liter V8 powertrain features 375 hp and 333 lb/ft of torque. Those figures refer to the use of premium fuel. You can run the Genesis on regular grade gas in which case the numbers are 368 hp and 324 lb/ft of torque.
The Genesis is surprisingly fast. Reviewers timed the ultra-smooth V8 at just 5.9 seconds for the zero-to-60-mph test and 14 seconds flat for the quarter-mile. EPA fuel economy estimates for the V6 are 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined.
Hyundai has gone to great lengths to achieve parity with the well-established luxury brands. Indeed, the 2009 Genesis shapes up nicely when you run the numbers. Preview test drives have confirmed its equal footing with Lexus. The always skeptical car reviewers have grudgingly admitted to being impressed. Hyundai has been holding debut events around the U.S. to get the buzz up to volume. The reactions have been promising. The only audience that counts is made up of prospective owners like yourself. That’s why we urge you to schedule a presentation and make up your own mind. We look forward to showing you this impressive luxury sedan soon.
