2009 Hyundai Genesis

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New For 2009

Hyundai introduces an entirely new car with the 2009 Genesis sedan.  It doesn't replace anything in Hyundai's lineup -- it's a new product entirely.  The "Genesis" name is a careful calculation, and a clue to Hyundai's intentions.  Though nothing is formally planned, some officials within Hyundai hope that a successful Genesis will enable them to launch a luxury brand of their own, much as Toyota launched Lexus of the success of the first LS400 almost two decades ago.  The Genesis has impressed early reviewers.  Priced many thousands of dollars less than the cars it aspires to compete with, it may well have the chops to do what Hyundai asks of it.

The passenger cabin of the Genesis is class-competitive, with the features expected of established luxury marques.  In V8 trim, it has more power than a Mercedes-Benz E550.  And it looks the part, with an elegant but understated body that wouldn't be out of place in a European luxury make's lineup. 

Hyundai has taken the curious step of leaving its signature badge off the front of the car.  When this thing is in your rearview mirror, you're forced to ask "what is that?"  If early indications from the automotive press are any clue, luxury car shoppers may indeed be studying the Genesis closely soon.

What The Auto Press Says

The automotive press is almost universally impressed with the Hyundai Genesis on first testing the big car.  It clearly targets large, rear-wheel drive sedans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus, then lures buyers with a much lower price tag than those companies can quote.  Many in the media say it has succeeded.  Even those that say it falls short conclude that it's an awful lot of car for the money, and spending less than $40,000 on a car that almost measures up to a Lexus LS is nothing to be ashamed of.

Only two persistent questions have emerged in the early previews of the Genesis.  Some writers ask whether the interior fit and finish is really equal to that of luxury brands, though it looks good on first glance.  Others wonder whether Americans will buy a luxury car from an automaker known for bargain-basement econoboxes just a few years ago...but isn't that the same question that dogged Lexus in its early days?  And hasn't that been answered?

Here is what the press has to say about the coming 2009 Hyundai Genesis:

• "The Genesis is a good car that gets nearly to 'luxury' levels.  But it's lacking the fit, finish and quality control one expects from the leaders in the segment. ... We suspect Hyundai will reach those same levels in due time. Still, why should someone buy a Buick when they can get twice the luxury at the same price?"- Popular Mechanics
• "Although the 2009 Hyundai Genesis is a handsome car in its own right, we're betting the 'bang for the buck' quotient will make it even more attractive to luxury car shoppers." -- Automobile Magazine
• "If you've envied [the] leading-edge technology in your boss's BMW or Mercedes, envy no longer. If you envy this car's performance, Hyundai's claim of a 0-60-mph time of well under six seconds indicates the Genesis V-8 will have the guts to keep up with such boardroom luxury sedans." -- Motor Trend
• The passenger cabin of the Genesis "is good enough to be judged against estab­lished luxury marques. High-gloss wood accents are plentiful, and every version ex­cept the base V-6-equipped car comes with a leather-wrapped dash. Standard items include keyless entry and ignition, heated seats, XM satellite radio, iPod and USB au­dio integration, and Bluetooth phone connectivity." -- Car and Driver
• "Inside this 5-seater, the amount of space is remarkable, with more than abundant head and leg room both front and rear. Four folks who are 6 ft 4 in. can sit quite comfortably in the car, and all it takes is one look to see that Hyundai has considerably upped the luxury quotient with the Genesis." -- Road and Track

Key Details

The 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan will be available with a 290-horsepower V6, or a V8 putting out 375 horsepower.  The smaller engine is particularly weak compared to some of the cars Hyundai claims the Genesis will compete with, but the V8 is easily class-competitive.  A six-speed manual transmission with manual shift mode is the only one available.

Near-perfect weight distribution (53/47 with the big engine, 52/48 with the little one) promises to make handling nimble, but few experts have driven the car yet.

Inside, the Genesis will feature a 600-watt Infinity Discrete Surround Audio system with high-definition and satellite receivers, a 30-gig hard drive, a navigation system which doubles as a screen for the backup camera, Bluetooth connectivity, an auxiliary mp3 input jack, and even a "user-friendly multimedia system" that sounds suspiciously similar to BMW's much-maligned iDrive.

Two lineup notes are worth mentioning:

Though early marketing for the Genesis sounds similar to what Hyundai said of the Azera at its launch, this is not a replacement for that car.  The Azera is smaller, front wheel drive, and selling well this year, so Hyundai has no plans to end its production.

Also, Hyundai plans a sporty, upscale Genesis Coupe later in the year, but despite the name, it shares no parts with this car. 

Stay tuned for a full 2009 Hyundai Genesis review.