First Drive: 2012 Hyundai Genesis
Genesis Next
The second chapter in Hyundai's book of Genesis is all about refinement By John LeBlancLAS VEGAS, NEVADA — It’s difficult to label as “significant” a car that will only sell about 1,000 copies in Canada this year. Especially from a brand that moved more than 120,000 in this country last year and is on track to beat that number handily this year. Yet four model years after its debut as a 2009, the thoroughly refreshed 2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan — as well as the larger and pricier Equus full-size sedan that arrived this year and the 2+2 Genesis Coupe — continues to carry the extra burden of not only adding incremental numbers to Hyundai Canada’s sales charts, but of moving the image of the brand up the food chain.
While Steve Kelleher, president and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada, can easily get excited about some of the company’s more mainstream offerings clocking the competition on the sales charts, he’s not staying up at night bothered by the fact that Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz led the Genesis’ segment by each selling about four times as many of their respective 300 and E Class luxury sedans last year than Hyundai. Alluding to the popularity of Hyundai’s Sonata mid-size sedan — Canada’s bestselling family sedan so far in 2011 — Kelleher said the Genesis provides the company with a vehicle “we can move people up into.”
When it was originally launched, the Genesis (like the first Lexus LS two decades earlier) was a straight shot across the bow of more established luxury brands. Here was a rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan — with a V8, no less — from the same company that introduced itself to Canada with the seemingly disposable Pony, yet costing tens of thousands of dollars less than comparably equipped European offerings, as well as the former upstarts, Japan’s Lexus, Infiniti and Acura. Admittedly, there’s been some price creep since 2009.
The 2012 six-cylinder Genesis 3.8 now starts $2,000 north of its original $37,999 price while the loaded 5.0 R-Spec V8 model adds $4,504 to the $48,995 sticker of the ‘09 Genesis V8 model. Still, when priced against rival six-cylinder rear-wheel-drive luxury sedans — like the $55,900 BMW 528i or $52,400 Infiniti M37 — the 2012 Genesis still asks: How much are you willing to pay for a badge?
Most of that extra asking money for 2012 can be rationalized by the substantial upgrades in the Genesis’ engine bay, an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission with two more gears than last year’s ‘box, a heavily revised suspension, as well as some additional goodies like new heated rear seats and a lane departure warning system. Thanks to newly applied direct-injection, dual continuously variable valve timing, and a variable intake system, the base car’s 3.8-litre V6 is now rated at 333 hp and 291 lb.-ft. of torque. This is 43 more horsepower and 26 more lb.-ft. than last year. A 363 hp V8 $39,995 Chrysler 300 offers more horses. But with three-less gears in its autobox, it can’t match the eight-speed Genesis’ stellar 11.1L/100 km city and 6.9L highway ratings, better than last year’s less powerful V6 model.
As hinted in its badge, the topline 5.0 R-Spec V8 Genesis sees a growth in displacement from last year’s 4.6-litre mill to a Mustang-mimicking “five-point-oh.” Like the revised V6, direct-injection — plus a lightweight clamshell exhaust manifold, tuned intake system and dual continuously variable valve timing — aids in bumping ratings from 385 to 426 hp and 333 to 376 lb.-ft. of torque, while fuel economy remains virtually the same: 11.1L in the city, 8.1L highway. Hey, who doesn’t want more power and less fuel consumption, right? But after a day sampling both six- and eight-cylinder versions of the new 2012 models, the biggest gains are seen in the improvements made to how the new Genesis steers, rides and handles — the original car’s biggest weakness.
Just don’t be confused by the top model’s badging. The new Genesis 5.0 R-Spec isn’t targeted against Euro-alpha dog sports sedans from BMW’s M or Mercedes-Benz’s AMG garages. While it gets 1-inch larger 19-inch rubber, thicker anti-roll bars and stiffer shocks and springs over the base 3.8’s setup, the V8 Genesis’ balance between a firm ride and controlled body motions has been greatly improved in both models. When pushed hard, the last Genesis’ luxury-oriented suspension tune gave it the habit of caving in over large dips. Its steering was heavy, with the lack of feel that a Lexus owner would recognize. And despite the rear-drive setup, the Hyundai resolutely understeered.
That lack of refinement has been removed for 2012. Instead, the Hyundai luxury sedan takes in road imperfections while rolling less in tight corners. It’s a good mix, much like a Volkswagen is a bit smoother than a sportier Audi. And the steering is now more linear, with plenty of natural feel. As good a value the 5.0 R-Spec is compared to V8 rivals, I’d still go with a well-appointed Genesis 3.8. It gets a quicker final drive ratio in its gearbox than the V8. So it feels plenty quick when accelerating. And the extra power over last year’s V6 — and better fuel economy — makes it even more of a slam-dunk in the under-$40k luxury sedan class.
What hasn’t changed is the Genesis’ high level of interior fit and finish. Panel alignment is exact, with quality materials used throughout. The leather-stitched dash cover is a nice touch. And just as the Lexus LS originally focused on a quiet cabin and luxurious ride, the Genesis is nearly silent when cruising. There’s little wind noise and nary a peep from the road.
What’s not to love? Well ... Although Hyundai has made some detail styling changes to its exterior, the Genesis is still a compendium of derivative styling pastiches from other brands.
The new, Hyundai-designed eight-speed autobox helps the cars sip less fuel, but at the expense of quick gear changes. Plus all-wheel-drive (an option that is ubiquitous in this segment) still isn’t available. In regards to the latter, Kelleher did confirm that AWD is being worked on for future models. Based on Hyundai’s recent track record of rapid product development and progress, though, I have little doubt the automaker will let its Genesis Sedan be “insignificant” for much longer.
2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan 3.8/5.0 R-Spec
WHAT I LIKED: Extreme luxury car value; excellent build quality; nice balance between ride and handling; powerful yet more fuel efficient engines.
WHAT I DIDN'T: Derivative styling; slow autobox; no AWD available.
BASE PRICES: $39,999/$53,499
ENGINES: 3.8L V6/5.0L V8
POWER: 333/429 hp
TORQUE: 291/376 lb-ft
FUEL ECONOMY: (L/100 km, est.) city, highway: 11.1/13.1, 6.9/8.1
COMPETITION: Cadillac CTS, Chrysler 300, BMW 5 Series, Infiniti M