Hyundai Genesis Review

2010 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 Sedan

In the case of the Hyundai brand, necessity has been the mother of reinvention. Ten years ago, Hyundai was little more than the punch line to jokes about low-quality cars with laughable reliability. If the brand was to survive in the increasingly competitive automotive marketplace, it needed a major-league makeover. Hyundai has accomplished exactly that in recent years, turning out vehicles that have been hailed as paragons of value-priced quality.

This reinvention scales new heights with the Hyundai Genesis, the manufacturer's first stab at the luxury-car market. Quiet as a murmur and drenched in luxury, it offers genuine opulence at an unbelievably low price, and credibly competes with premium sedans by Acura, Cadillac, Infiniti and Lexus. If you're in the market for a luxury sedan and want to savor all the bells and whistles without cleaning out your kids' college fund, take a look at the impressive Hyundai Genesis.

Current Hyundai Genesis

Introduced for the 2009 model year, the Hyundai Genesis is offered in two trims, 3.8 and 4.6, which take their names from their corresponding engines. Base 3.8 models are powered by a 3.8-liter V6 good for 290 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque, while 4.6 models feature a 4.6-liter V8 with an impressive 375 hp and 333 lb-ft. A six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability governs the proceedings, and premium fuel is recommended.

Even the base trim, the V6-powered Genesis 3.8, is replete with high-end features like dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats and a seven-speaker sound system with satellite radio and iPod compatibility. The V8-powered Genesis 4.6 steps up to larger 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior accents, premium leather trim, a wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel and a 15-speaker Lexicon sound system. Available options include xenon headlights, front and rear park assist, Bluetooth connectivity and a hard-drive-based navigation system with real-time traffic information.

On the outside, the Hyundai Genesis looks the part of a luxury sedan, with elegant if somewhat derivative sheet metal and superb build quality. This air of sophistication continues inside, where you'll find yourself swaddled in soft-touch surfaces and high-quality materials. Roominess is another of its strengths, as both front and rear passengers enjoy spacious accommodations and well-shaped seats.

In road tests, our editors have found that this decadent four-door is Lexus-quiet on the highway -- Hyundai clearly used Toyota's luxury division as one of its inspirations for the Genesis. It glides along practically any surface with unruffled composure, effortlessly dispensing with pavement bumps and irregularities. Power from the V6 is ample and refined, but the real gem is Hyundai's new 375-hp V8, which provides effortless acceleration and sewing-machine smoothness with only a minimal penalty at the pump. Just don't expect sport-sedanlike handling from this top-dog luxury sedan -- due to its soft suspension tuning and artificial steering feel, the Genesis is more at home speeding down straightaways than attacking apexes.

If you frequently haul outsized loads, you may long for a folding rear seat, as the Genesis only offers a pass-through option. Also, those who live in rough weather may pine for all-wheel drive, which isn't offered on the Genesis. Another missing component, of course, is Lexus-grade levels of prestige.

But not all luxury-car buyers place a premium on snob appeal, and don't forget that the Genesis costs thousands less than its esteemed rivals. With its generous feature content, impeccable quality and bargain pricing, the Hyundai Genesis stands in a class of its own.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.