This review was originally published in September, 2014. In the lead up to the Canadian International Autoshow, we will feature a number of cars that will be showcased in Toronto. The show runs Feb. 13 - 22 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
2015 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 Tech
Improvements in all the right places
At its introduction in 2009, the Hyundai Genesis was intended as a credible alternative to established luxury sedans from BMW, Mercedes and Lexus, among others. On paper, it earned all the credibility it could stand, equipped with more standard kit than its competitors. It was less believable in the flesh: its driving dynamics were far from perfect, and inside, there was a bit too much in common with the brand's usual budget-priced offerings to let it be taken seriously.
Styling
It's a different story now, as Hyundai takes its second shot at the luxury sedan segment. The new car looks less generic, particularly the blunt nose with a winged Genesis logo that prompted two people to ask if this was "some kind of Bentley." That's the kind of reaction any car company should be after.
Unlock the car and the power-folding mirrors unfurl and shine the Genesis logo on the ground. A bit much, really, but classy.
Performance
As before, Hyundai offers six- and eight-cylinder power; my test car was the 3.8 (V6) Tech model, as well-equipped as can be had with the smaller engine. The good news is you don't need the V8 to drive away in a capable big sedan: the six's 311 hp and 293 lb-ft of torque is perfectly suited to moving the Genesis swiftly, if not outright quickly.
If this engine has to work harder to get the Genesis up to speed, that only gives you more time to enjoy the lovely exhaust note, one of this car's most pleasant surprises .
The eight-speed transmission is a smooth piece, making flawless upshifts and proving eager to downshift when acceleration is called for. Three driving modes – eco, normal and sport – let you tailor the drive to your liking. Sport mode follows through on the promise of its name better than eco: against estimates of 14.4 L/100 km (city) and 9.4 L/100 km (highway), my test car averaged 12.6 in mixed driving.
Handling is also much improved over the outgoing Genesis. Steering feel still isn't great, but the car responds more willingly to quick steering inputs, and decent chassis balance means it's actually kind of fun to throw the car around. That's a bit of a surprise, given the car's compliant suspension.
All-wheel drive is standard (the old Genesis was RWD-only), and that's better for putting power to the ground in hard charging, but more importantly, it'll make for improved foul-weather performance.
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Cabin
It's at least $10,000 nicer in here than my test car's price would suggest. The front seats are lovely, if a bit hard, with standard 12-way adjustment, including lumbar and thigh support.
Navigation is part of the basic package; ventilated front seats, heated rears, heated steering wheel and auto-dimming side and rear view mirrors are included from mid-range Luxury trim on up.
Rear seat legroom is good, but not much more generous than the roomier of family sedans (Hyundai's own Sonata included).
Note the short greenhouse, which looks great from the outside, but limits visibility from the inside. The real problem are sightlines to the left and right in making turns: the wide A-pillar and large side mirrors combine to create big blind spots in which it's easy to lose a pedestrian crossing the street .
Contributing to the plus side of the luxury ledger is how little noise gets inside at speed. This Genesis rivals the Lexus ES (one of the quietest reasonably-priced cars I've driven) for the hushed manner in which it goes over the road.
Convenience
Pocket the proximity key fob, stand next to the trunk for a few seconds, and watch it motor itself open. It's a handy feature, and avoids the indignity of waving your foot around under the rear bumper, a common method of hands-free cargo access. There is a downside in certain situations, like having the trunk pop open while I'm trying to strap my bike rack to the trunk lid. That's easy enough to avoid: the auto-open trunk can be turned off via the car's main control menu.
The Genesis falls into the common Asian luxury sedan trap of not offering a folding rear seat. There's a small pass-through for skis and the like, but if you wind up at IKEA or your favourite antique shop, you'll have to have that bookshelf delivered.
Takeaway
At $53,000, the Genesis remains a compelling car on paper, but Hyundai has turned a new page by putting that price on a car that feels and drives like one that could command much more money.
If there was any doubt that Hyundai could do a well-executed premium sedan, this Genesis erases it, presenting the kind of solidity and confidence that will earn Hyundai serious respect among luxury shoppers.
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