The Koreans Mean Business! (Hyundai Genesis)

[Propflux01]

Originally Posted By: 82DMC12


Honesty has nothing to do with it. Toyota started a new brand because that's what their market research said to do. It was good business - not because of some inherent problem with Toyota as you insinuate. The Lexus success was a case study in a business text book I used in college.

Honda did the same thing with Acura a couple years earlier, and Nissan with Infiniti later. You could make the same arguement for Cadillac during much of the time GM has had it.

If Hyundai is so honest, ask them where they got THEIR fancy grill from....

Andy


And why did their market ad tell them to do it? again, because no one would pay 2X more for a "Toyota". So Again, rebadge it, stick a new grill on on it, kiss a customers arse more, and Viola! you have a "Toyota" that rich people will drive! (Using Toyota For Illustration purposes only, you can use other manufacturers as well.)And I am not insuating Toyota has a problem, I am merely debating the point that in order for them to get 2x the value of a car, they needed to come up with a new name for basically the same quality car with more bells and whistles..
As for the grill, do you really want to go there when it comes to 'borrowing' designs?

 

[Ben99GT]

Yea, pretty awesome.

320+ cfm on a tiny 3.552" bore is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[StevieC]

They are testing these cars with Race Car Drivers as we speak on the SPEED Channel (2:30PM EST)... Check it out!

 

[The Critic]

Back on topic.

I dropped by the local Hyundai dealer today to look at the Genesis. They offered me a test drive, but I wasn't that interested. On the other hand, my dad was interested so we took a '09 Genesis 4.6 out for a drive. He drove, I rode.

From the back seat, the suspension was on the soft side. The suspension didn't feel well-controlled, and the road noise wasn't exceptionally low either. The interior is well finished and my dad said the drive was fine (not amazing), but I'm not convinced that this car is as good as Stevie proclaims.

The sticker price of the car that my dad tested was $42k and I guess that it would sell in the mid to upper 30s after discounts. For that price, there are much better cars for the money if you wanted a good driving experience-- G37, CTS, 328i. But I guess if you were in the market for a luxo-cruiser and you weren't a brand snob (which is impossible in this price range), the Genesis could be a good value. However, I cannot agree with other members and various car magazines that this car can compete head-to-head with its intended competition.

 

[StevieC]

I know you said that you drove the same car, but I'm scratching my head because I have been in a Lexus, Infinity etc. and drove this car and it was the same if not better... I'm really scratching my head because the experience I had was bar none, really superb.

 

[yeti]

critic -- good post. i said in a post a couple of weeks back to take with a grain of salt what one reads in CR, or the jd power articles. use them as a guideline, then drive 3 or 4 cars in the class of cars from which you will purchase.
the analysts comments cannot be one size fits all. the seating height, support, and comfort are different for all drivers, as one example. the IP, and cluster layout, the ride, engine NVH,suspension, basic styling, etc., are subjective issues.i'm 6'2", 215 lbs., and a size 13 shoe. picture me in a prius, or the mb smart car. what one person likes, another will dislike. that's why i laugh when a poster goes on about X car being a POS, and the next poster will praise it. opinions vary.

 

[The Critic]

I think once the buzz dies down, people will realize that the Genesis a good effort by Hyundai, but by no means is it ready to go head-to-head with cars such as the 528i, M35, and the GS350.

Of course, opinions are going to vary. That's a fact of life. However, there are many cars where people will have different opinions, but still come to the consensus that the car is clearly a notch about its competition. This isn't the case with the Genesis, at least when compared to its intended competition.

Stevie, what late model Infiniti and Lexus cars have you been inside of? My main issue with the Genesis is that the car's interior lacks sophistication. When I examine a car in its price range, I expect to see a cutting-edge, sophisticated interior design. I simply didn't see that with the Genesis. The interior was high quality, but lacking style and a 21st century feel.

In addition, I am not in agreement with others that the car is that quiet. I think the 2007 Camry LE V6 that I rode in two years ago was just as, if not quieter than the Genesis. The Genesis's suspension did not feel super refined me to either.

My conclusion is that the Genesis is a solid competitor against the Avalon. It's a nicer car than the Avalon and offers a better bang for the buck. But I do not feel that this car is superior to cars such as the ES350 or others. I don't get that sophisticated "luxury feel" from the Genesis.

Edit: Consumer Reports gives the 2009 Genesis the highest possible score for vehicles of its class, 92, but does mention that the Genesis has a "somewhat unsettled ride." I think I can agree with CR on that one, the suspension doesn't feel very refined.

 

[StevieC]

I agree that the inside could be a little better in terms of luxury, but it is nice considering what the automaker makes every other day of the week. As for driving other cars I have driven and rode in the following: Lexus ES-350, SC-430, RX-350 and Infinity Z, G35.