Hyundai is not necessarily a brand known for making high-end four-door family sedans, but the Genesis was one of the most promising sedans Hyundai ever built. Nowadays Hyundai has its own in-house luxury brand called Genesis which means that it inherited its name from the Hyundai Genesis sedan. So, is Hyundai Genesis a good car?
The Hyundai Genesis is a really good car because it still offers a really well-rounded experience. It comes with good engines that can stand the test of time, good transmissions, and an overall pleasant driving experience. The 1st gen Genesis wasn’t necessarily a looker, but the 2nd generation Genesis is a good-looking car indeed.
When it comes to reliability, the Genesis is able to hold itself up well as is the case with most Hyundai models in general. The values of these have come down quite a bit which makes them perfect for those who want a well-priced 2nd hand sedan that can do literally everything.
Practicality is also really good because the car comes with a large trunk and four doors. Visibility is in line with other sedans which means that it is okay at best. All in all, the Genesis kickstarted the entire Genesis brand, and the natural successor to the Hyundai Genesis is the Genesis G80.
Hyundai Genesis – The powerplant
An engine is the beating heart of a car which means that it needs to be tailored to the type of car. The first-generation Hyundai Genesis also came with Hyundai’s first in-house V8, a 4.7L V8 with 366hp-390hp depending on the model. This V8 was later replaced with the updated 5.0L V8 with up to 435hp for the very top-end model.
The car also comes with a whole host of V6 engines starting from a 3.0L displacement and moving all the way up to a 3.8L displacement. These offer up to 338hp at the very maximum while most of them offer less than 300hp. Top-end versions came with an AWD from the factory while most models came with a RWD system.
All Hyundai Genesis models come with an 8-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic gearbox that fits the car’s character really well. It is a transmission that shifts gears smoothly and without any hassle. All in all, the car’s powertrain is really well matched with the car’s spirit which is exactly what needs to be done in order to truly enjoy a sedan to its fullest.
Hyundai Genesis – Design and chassis
Design-wise, the 1st gen Hyundai Genesis is not exactly memorable while the 2nd generation Genesis is much better. It does look like a true luxury car thanks to a commanding grille and lots of chrome. The wheels on offer are also fitting for the car. The interior is very well-appointed, but it expectedly falls short of some true luxury high-end sedans, predominantly German ones.
The driving experience is what makes a comfortable experience. The 1st gen Hyundai Genesis isn’t really on-par with modern cars so we will not focus on it too much. The 2nd generation of the Genesis can still offer you a really pleasant driving experience thanks to a nicely tuned suspension system and a quiet cabin.
Hyundai Genesis – Reliability and common issues
When it comes to reliability, Hyundai is one of those brands that do it really well across the board, but some models certainly are better than others. The Genesis sits somewhere in the middle as it is both dependable, and complex which means that many things could go wrong.
The most common Hyundai Genesis issues are associated with the engines, the electricals, some parts of the car’s equipment, the paint, and the steering system. All in all, if you keep it in good shape and you don’t abuse it much, it is going to last you a long time.
Hyundai Genesis – Value and practicality
Depreciation has certainly done a number on the Hyundai Genesis which means that it can now be had for a really affordable price tag. Value-wise, it makes sense to go for a used 2nd generation Genesis because it still offers a pleasant experience, even in 2022. Cars such as these may age fast when it comes to technology, but comfort, style, and luxury are timeless.
Practicality is on-par with most cars in this segment which means four spacious seats, a large trunk, and lots of interior storage spaces. The Genesis is also a good family car because it offers easy-to-reach child mounting seat points and even charging ports through an AC socket.
FAQ Section
Why did Hyundai start the Genesis brand?
If you are an economy-level brand for decades, and you want to become a luxury car brand, you will have to prove yourself for decades on end before you can truly be considered a luxury brand. Some brands like Audi are known for making luxury cars, but there are still people out there that deem Audi to be lesser than BMW or Mercedes, even though that is not the case at all.
That being said, it is much easier to start a luxury brand from scratch than it is to risk an established economy-level brand by trying to make it a luxury brand. Hyundai knows that they have a loyal customer base that buys their cars partly because they are not expensive, so if they were to start selling expensive luxury cars, those people would simply run to the competition.
Is the Hyundai Genesis a luxury car?
The Hyundai Genesis is a luxury car from many different perspectives, especially the engines, the ride, and the sheer size. However, the Hyundai Genesis does not cost as much as most true luxury cars do so it’s reasonable to conclude that the Genesis isn’t as throughout and through luxury car because you simply can’t get that level of luxury with that level of price.
Does Hyundai make more Genesis models?
Hyundai retired the Genesis model name because they started Genesis as a separate company with its own models, own philosophy, and own design. However, Hyundai did offer a four-door luxury sedan, but they also offered a 2-door sports car coupe called the Genesis.
