Review: 2015 Hyundai Genesis 3.8

[William Maley]

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Being a person who gets the chance to review new vehicles, I have noticed that many of the vehicles that I evaluate are loaded up models. It does put someone like myself in a odd position trying to do a review since I have to try and distill it down to the main items that will be found on the lower tiers as many buyers don’t go for the top models. So whenever I get a mid-level or base trim of a review vehicle, it’s like a breath of fresh air and allows me to focus on the important parts. Case in point is the 2015 Hyundai Genesis which arrived during the Christmas holiday. I wasn’t sure what I was getting, possibly a fully loaded 3.8 V6 model or even the 5.0 V8. But it was the base model 3.8 that was dropped off and I knew it would give me a chance to examine it without any of the gimmicks.

When the Genesis was introduced last year, I was unsure about the looks. It boasted a number of design cues from the HCD-14 shown at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show which in my eyes made it look somewhat comical. Then when I did a first drive last spring, I grew to like the looks aside from the grille. After spending a week, I became impressed with the overall design. Compared to the last Genesis which looked to be a generic sedan, the new model has style and presence all over. The Genesis boasts Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language which includes such details as the large hexagonal grille, LED lighting on the front lights, pronounced character line on the belt line, and the rear pillars flowing into the decklid.

Moving inside, the Genesis shows how far Hyundai has come with interior design. The last one looked like someone just threw bits and pieces together in a hurry. The 2015 model looks to crib some ideas from the Equus flagship which isn’t a bad thing. A new dashboard design provides a better layout of controls, and the feeling of being closer with the car. An eight-inch touchscreen comes standard and boasts Hyundai’s BlueLink telematics system which provides such features as emergency services, along with weather and traffic. Using the touchscreen was a painless affair with the system recognizing whenever I touched the screen, along with a set of buttons to direct you to different parts of the system.

As for comfort, the Genesis comes wrapped with supportive leather seats. Front seat passengers get heat, along with 12-way power seats to find a position that works for them. Meanwhile in the back, there is more the enough head and legroom for even the tallest of passengers. Now being it was the holidays when I was driving the Genesis, the trunk was an important part since it would be carrying a lot of stuff. The Genesis passed this with flying colors thanks to a trunk measuring 15.3 cubic feet. It was able to fit luggage for two people and some gifts, and still have enough space for other items.

Powertrain and Ride/Handling Thoughts Are On Page 2

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Power for the Genesis 3.8 comes from a 3.8L GDI V6 with 311 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic that sends power to the rear-wheels or optional all-wheel drive. Despite what the numbers tell you, the V6 is quite a strong engine. Power is seemingly available through the rpm band and is ready to come on when needed. Helping matters is a smart eight-speed automatic which seemingly knew what gear was needed and was able to apply it without any notice from the driver or passenger. Fuel economy is rated at 18 City/29 Highway/22 Combined. During my week, I saw an average of 24.6 MPG. More surprising was on one stretch of our holiday trip, I saw fuel economy as high as 29.3 MPG.

Being called in for holiday road trip, ride quality and sound deadening are two key items that could make or break the Genesis. Luckily it was more than up to the job. Driving on the interstate showed how much work Hyundai has put into the Genesis as bumps and potholes were dealt with and not a hint made them into the interior. Road and wind noise are nonexistent, which helps bolster its appeal. As for handling, Hyundai has made some great strides in this department. The Genesis showed no body roll and provided decent weight in the steering. But don’t think you have found an excellent alternative to the likes of the Cadillac CTS VSport as I think it drives much better than the Genesis.

Looking at the base model of any car can give you an idea of whether or not it is the real deal. In the case of the Genesis, this is truly the real deal. The automaker has made great strides in making the Genesis from a nobody into a somebody. With the looks, feel, and drive of a vehicle that costs thousands more, the Hyundai Genesis is not only a bargain, but a damn fine automobile.

Disclaimer: Hyundai Provided the Genesis 3.8, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas

Year: 2015

Make: Hyundai

Model: Genesis

Trim: 3.8

Engine: 3.8 DOHC 24-valve V6 with CVVT

Driveline: Eight-Speed Automatic, Rear-Wheel Drive

Horsepower @ RPM: 311 @ 6,000

Torque @ RPM: 293 @ 5,000

Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 18/29/22

Curb Weight: 4,138 lbs

Location of Manufacture: Asan, South Korea

Base Price: $38,000

As Tested Price: $38,950 (Includes $950.00 Destination Charge)

Options:

N/A

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[regfootball]

i've come around a bit on this car.  An AWD V6 in lower trim at a good lease or good price OTD would be a great value.

 

Not a huge fan of the dash, but it is better than lots of stuff in similar price ranges (i.e. BMW's)

 

Why isn't the new continental more like this?

[Drew Dowdell]

i've come around a bit on this car.  An AWD V6 in lower trim at a good lease or good price OTD would be a great value.

 

Not a huge fan of the dash, but it is better than lots of stuff in similar price ranges (i.e. BMW's)

 

Why isn't the new continental more like this?

 

More like that in what way?

[regfootball]

attractive.  genesis is long lean and attractive.  the lincoln is most certainly not

[William Maley]

attractive.  genesis is long lean and attractive.  the lincoln is most certainly not

 

I'm not sure I would call the Genesis attractive.

Better looking the previous-generation? Yes

Attractive? No

[Drew Dowdell]

attractive.  genesis is long lean and attractive.  the lincoln is most certainly not

 

The Continental looks prestigious, the Genesis just looks like a big, generic,  luxury car.

[David]

To me this is a very bland auto on the outside and the inside looks very dated already.

[regfootball]

i'm one of the biggest Ford fanbois on the site here...the Continental is a puffy MKS meets Bentley yuckathon.  Its one of the worst Fords in the last 10 years.  It's tacky, unoriginal, where do i stop.  The dash is no more evolved than most ford products in the last 10-15 years.  MKz and MKr concept are beautiful.  COntinental in fell swoop throws it into the trash.

 

I guess I wouldn't call the Genesis hugely prestigious but in the right colors, and with far better proportions of length, width, hood, greenhouse, wheelbase, overhangs, just looks far more the part of tasteful luxury car.

 

Now i will also say the Avenir concept and CT6 look better than both.

 

Sidebar, not that is directly related, but i am starting to see a few new CTS' on the road lately.  I think the price adjustments are making place in the market.  The one I saw last night was killer, shined about as well as a car could be.  Black, premium wheels. WOW it looked fantastic in that combination.  I just struggle with how the Lincoln looks in comparison to the new Cadillacs.....The Hyundai doesn't have the weight of the world on its brand and so therefore even if it has some faux about its look, at the end of the day, it looks more expensive than its brand and won't be grossly out of place in a parking lot of other better marques.

[Escoda]

The new Genesis is looking exceptionally great in that white color! Although I would change the rims for something more open giving it a bit of a more agressive look, it's not the weakest of cars.

 

How do you think the car would hold up as a daily driver? You've said that there is almost no road or wind noise, what about the engine or the default exhaust? I really like my cars to have at least some 'roar' to them, especially if they have an engine like this one.

[William Maley]

The new Genesis is looking exceptionally great in that white color! Although I would change the rims for something more open giving it a bit of a more agressive look, it's not the weakest of cars.

 

How do you think the car would hold up as a daily driver? You've said that there is almost no road or wind noise, what about the engine or the default exhaust? I really like my cars to have at least some 'roar' to them, especially if they have an engine like this one.

 

I think the Genesis will hold up well as daily driver. As for engine noise, there is barely a hint of it with the V6. I would go for a V8 or an aftermarket exhaust if you want noise.

[Suaviloquent]

For the price and accouterments, the Genesis is really hard to beat. I mean, trying to find flaws in a car from a maker that is trying punch above its weight in prestige is a refreshing change from the established luxury makes going downmarket for simple economics. Hyundai isn't expecting to succeed yet still did it, while Mercedes and Audi are reaming in the cash from one of the laziest product efforts. I'd rather get a $45k Genesis than a $45K CLA. It's just plain American wholesome sense. 

 

Heck, the Genesis is essentially one way to interpret the American way of giving more, and more stuff which is better than the lesser stuff, for less.

[cp-the-nerd]

Other than the grille, I don't have any beef with the second gen Genesis. The 3.8L is a stout V6, I'd go as far as saying it's a better buy than the V8. It's less than a second slower, costs much less to start, and is rated 18/29 mpg to the V8's 15/23.