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Hyundai Genesis Sedan: Grand Finale!

January 25, 2016 by admin 7 Comments

A final look at the outgoing Hyundai Genesis.

2016 Hyundai Genesis Sedan

The Hyundai Genesis is marketed as a “premium luxury sedan” and is the first upscale model sold by this Korean manufacturer in North America. Introduced in 2009, it was soon joined by the unrelated Genesis Coupe and the still larger Hyundai Equus.

Separate Genesis Marque

Late in 2015, Hyundai announced the creation of a new luxury brand called Genesis. The flagship Equus is transitioning to the Genesis G90 and the current Hyundai Genesis will become the Genesis G80. When the G80 appears it will represent a mid-product cycle update of the Hyundai Genesis and assume the G80 naming convention for the 2017 model year. The second-generation Genesis was introduced for the 2015 model year.

Genesis is being separated from Hyundai to allow it to assume its own identity and to be better positioned to take on the likes of Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and other luxury marques. By 2020, six Genesis brand models will be offered. As for the showrooms, you’ll still find Genesis models sold under the same roof as Hyundai. At least for now.

2016 Hyundai Genesis Sedan

2016 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 RWD

A 2016 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 RWD was a recent weekly driver, representing the base edition in the product line. Notably, Hyundai offers the 3.8 edition in standard rear-wheel drive ($38,750) and available all-wheel drive ($41,250) as well as in a 5.0 Ultimate edition ($53,850), but in rear-wheel drive only.

The 3.8 edition denotes a model powered by a 3.8-liter, V-6 engine, while the 5.0 edition represents a model powered by a 5.0-liter, V-8. The constitutive difference, of course, is in performance as well as with its amenities — the V-6 makes 311 horsepower and the V-8 is rated at 420 horsepower. Both power plants are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai delivered a Genesis with all the goods supplied in the V-8 sedan, except for the engine. By ordering three packages — Signature ($3,900), Tech ($3,500) and Ultimate ($3,500) — you get a well-appointed V6-powered luxury sedan for $50,600.

That’s about the same price you’ll pay for a base BMW 5 Series (528i), but in the BMW you’re looking at a turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 240 horsepower. It would cost you about $5,000 more to upgrade to comparable power, never mind coming away with base amenities (e.g.., imitation leather seats).

2016 Hyundai Genesis Sedan

Elegant Countenance, Upscale Interior

I’ve been an admirer of the Hyundai Genesis since the sedan arrived stateside, but much more so with the second-generation model. From stem to stern, the current Genesis offers a style matching the European brands. The front fascia features a bold, horizontal six-slat grille with strong creases pushing out from both sides of the upper portion of the grille and running across the hood to the windshield line. On either side of the grille are large, wrap around lighting assemblies containing boomerang LED daytime running lights. At the base of the fascia are LED fog lamps featuring single rows of six lights each. The front fascia establishes the pattern for this model, proclaiming to all that this is no inconsequential conveyance.

The sedan’s stately profile is marked with upper character lines running from the headlights to the tail lamps, midriff lines connecting the wheels, and body sculpting located just above the chrome-bedecked rocker panels. A sloping roofline, an ever so slightly rising belt line and distinct alloy wheels are also present. From the rear, this model features oversized combination lamps with LED lights, a raised deck, reflector accents and dual embedded exhaust ports.

Inside, the cabin is bright, cavernous and elegantly appointed. You’ll find wood and aluminum trim with nary a cheap plastic covering in sight. The test model spoiled me with genuine matte finish wood, an essential ingredient for the included Ultimate package. That package also brought in a full-color head-up display, a power trunk lid, a premium 9.2-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 17-speaker Discrete 7 Logic audio system, and an enhanced climate control system.

2016 Hyundai Genesis Sedan

The Signature package brought in the power tilt and telescopic steering column, a power tilt and slide sunroof, an integrated memory system for the heated and ventilated front seats, automatic dimming side mirrors, LED fog lights with a rearview camera, blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, and a power rear sunshade with manual rear side window sunshades.

And just as the man on television opines, “But that’s not all!,” the tech package added still more amenities. Included were: premium leather seat surfaces, a power driver seat cushion extender, a haptic steering wheel, and an electronic parking brake. Several safety features were added too, including lane departure warning and lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and front and rear parking sensors.

A Premium Luxury Sedan

Suffice to say, a Hyundai Genesis without its many adornments might align closer to a Chrysler 300 or a Toyota Avalon, but the full-optioned amenities are what make this premium model extraordinary. Even the look and feel of the switches and knobs conveys its higher-end aura, underscoring the painstaking attention its designers performed on every aspect of the Genesis.

2016 Hyundai Genesis Sedan

Luxury shoppers in this segment routinely want ultimate power and for them nothing less than the available V-8 would be acceptable. But the V-6 shouldn’t be quickly dismissed as its 311-hp output moves this sedan with competence — the 8-speed transmission shifts smoothly and quickly through the gear ratio.

Choose rear-wheel drive and place this sedan in sport mode, and you’ll enjoy straightforward handling, optimum steering and a thoroughly comfortable ride. Opt for all-wheel drive and the handling quotient improves accordingly.

What you won’t experience is pitching and diving as you handle the curves; braking is firm with no fade detected. Punch the V-6 and you’ll hit highway speeds in about seven seconds. If acceleration is a priority, then choose the V-8 to shave a full two seconds off that time.

Taking it to the Europeans

If the Hyundai Genesis were a mainstream model it would be categorized as a full-size sedan. On the luxury level, it is a midsize model and a competitor to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac CTS, Audi A6, Lexus GS, and the aforementioned BMW product.

2016 Hyundai Genesis Sedan

Where the previous generation Hyundai Genesis had the looks, but not the driving feel rivaling the prominent European brands, the latest model is vastly improved, thanks in large part to Lotus-assisted chassis improvements, especially in the way the sedan handles.

Those changes combined with the Genesis’ beautiful countenance, high-end interior, and value proposition make this model a competitor. In the final analysis, you don’t need to wait for the Hyundai Genesis to morph into the Genesis G80 to come away with an effective European-like executive sedan.


2016 Hyundai Genesis Sedan
2016 Hyundai Genesis Sedan


2016 Hyundai Genesis

  • Sticker price from $38,750
  • Price as tested: $50,600
  • Seats 5
  • 3.8-liter V-6 gasoline engine
  • 311 horsepower @ 6,000 RPM
  • 293 foot-pounds of torque @ 5,000 RPM
  • 3.78 inches bore by 3.43 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 11.5-to-1
  • 8-speed automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 118.5 inches
  • Length: 196.5 inches
  • Width: 74.4 inches
  • Height: 58.3 inches
  • Passenger volume: 107.7 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 15.3 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: NR
  • EPA: 18 mpg city, 29 mpg highway
  • Regular grade gasoline
  • Fuel tank: 20.3 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 4,138 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick+ (2016)
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 7 years/unlimited miles
  • Hybrid warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
  • Vehicle assembly: Asan, Korea

See Also — On the Road With a 2018 Genesis G80

Hyundai Genesis photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: all-wheel drive, BMW 5 SERIES, Genesis G80, GENESIS G90, HYUNDAI GENESIS, leather, luxury, rear-wheel drive, V-6 ENGINE, V-8 ENGINE

About admin

Matt Keegan has maintained his love for cars ever since his father taught him kicking tires can be one way to uncover a problem with a vehicle’s suspension system. He since moved on to learn a few things about coefficient of drag, G-forces, toe-heel shifting, and how to work the crazy infotainment system in some random weekly driver. Matt is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a contributor to various print and online media sources.

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  1. Refreshed Nissan Sentra Goes Beyond the Simple Nip/Tuck says:
    November 29, 2016 at 7:08 pm

    […] See Also — Hyundai Genesis Sedan: Grand Finale! […]

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  2. Premium SUV: 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited says:
    March 1, 2017 at 8:01 pm

    […] The 3.3-liter V-6 also powers the Hyundai Azera, a large sedan that sits between the Sonata and Genesis in Hyundai’s car […]

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  3. Second Look: 2017 Genesis G80 says:
    March 9, 2017 at 8:03 am

    […] my two recent G80 visitors, I had a pair of Genesis sedan models prior to the brand transformation. The G80 is nearly identical to the previous Genesis, but […]

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  4. Hyundai Kia to Launch a Performance Line? says:
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  5. Weekly Driver: Second-Generation Hyundai Sonata Hybrid says:
    March 28, 2017 at 6:38 am

    […] that the EPA rates this sedan as a “full size” model. And you still have the larger Azera, Genesis and Equus to […]

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  7. 2014 Hyundai Azera: Value-Oriented Luxury — Auto Trends Magazine says:
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    […] Introduced in 2006, the Azera operated briefly as the flagship for Hyundai before the Genesis sedan arrived in 2009 followed by the Equus in 2011. The first generation model was sold through 2011; the current generation model is now in its third year. The Azera straddles the line between midsize and large models, essentially offering a half-step between the Sonata and Genesis sedan. […]

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