So this is it — the car that's going to reset the bar, make Korea a true world-conqueror, and send the traditional luxury brands quivering in their fancy Italian loafers. A game-changer. A lot of statements have been made about the Hyundai Genesis, but until now, no one had driven one on U.S. soil. That's no longer the case.
Naturally, we weren't going to accept our invitation to drive this big Hyundai without lining up some sort of control car. Indeed, this situation seemed to be seriously lacking one crotchety old man to remind the Genesis how things were in the good ol' days, when the Europeans were the go-to choice for a classy import. And none are quite as classy, and classic, as the Mercedes E-class, a car whose genealogy can be traced back to the W121 models of the 1950s...
I hope cars like this aren't going to make Mercedes to cheapen their cars even further to "keep up" with Hyundai.
I have a lot more to say regarding Mercedes vs. everyone else, but I guess I'll just keep it for another topic.
All fellow members of the Roman senate hear me. Shall we continue to build palace after palace for the rich? Or shall we aspire to a more noble purpose and build decent housing for the poor? How does the senate vote?
The part of the article that mentions the gear lever and control in the Benz felt like they had their own team specially for those parts... well that is why the Benz costs more money. The more tightly you control certain aspects of a vehicle - like a switch or control having to feel "just so" not just to operate smoothly enough, drive up the costs quite a bit... To be satisfactory to most people is easy enough (well... still takes engineering, but it can be pulled off for an affordable price)... but to really get everything feeling right, you start to have to pay a lot of money for very little gains. There are people who still appreciate this, and will buy the Benz... but for "everyone else" cars like the Hyundai make sense. Getting 90% of the competition for 70% of the price (or less?) is always a good thing!
I want to know tho... is Hyundai using fake wood in this car? If it is... that's truly a shame, no car in this segment should be using fake wood (in fact it should be outlawed in all cars... because it doesn't look good, real wood veneers or none at all).
The part of the article that mentions the gear lever and control in the Benz felt like they had their own team specially for those parts... well that is why the Benz costs more money. The more tightly you control certain aspects of a vehicle - like a switch or control having to feel "just so" not just to operate smoothly enough, drive up the costs quite a bit... To be satisfactory to most people is easy enough (well... still takes engineering, but it can be pulled off for an affordable price)... but to really get everything feeling right, you start to have to pay a lot of money for very little gains. There are people who still appreciate this, and will buy the Benz... but for "everyone else" cars like the Hyundai make sense. Getting 90% of the competition for 70% of the price (or less?) is always a good thing!
I want to know tho... is Hyundai using fake wood in this car? If it is... that's truly a shame, no car in this segment should be using fake wood (in fact it should be outlawed in all cars... because it doesn't look good, real wood veneers or none at all).
Better made doesn't really make it BETTER.
In most cases it's more complex, less reliable, more expensive to fix etc etc
Fugly is a modern day auto industry plague. No cure yet and it's spreading fast.
Unfortunately, Hyundai saw it necessary to mimic the console-mounted iDrive-style control dials of its competition. While it works well, the navigation screen is well within reach and touch controls would have been just as convenient. Outside of that one detail, the cabin is a soft, quiet, and comfortable place.
Someone please remind me of this next time you guys slavishly adore Audi's MMI, since Hyundai's is virtually the same system, built by the same supplier.
In most cases it's more complex, less reliable, more expensive to fix etc etc
You have a point, but better in what aspect is the more important thing. Someone might like better 'feel' at the expense of reliability or whatever. Others feel that its only better if they never have to worry about anything ever breaking.
Obviously, the vast majority of people fall into the second category.
You have a point, but better in what aspect is the more important thing. Someone might like better 'feel' at the expense of reliability or whatever. Others feel that its only better if they never have to worry about anything ever breaking.
Obviously, the vast majority of people fall into the second category.
Good point, most luxury items typically place a much higher importance on feel at the expense of practicality. That being said "true luxury" to me has a sense of invincibility about it, which is why I believe the Germans have always excelled in the area of luxury cars since their cars have exemplified that "feeling" of solidity more than others. Their fiddly electronics and motorized features add nothing to this experience after the initial novelty wears off.
Interesting read. I didn't expect it to beat the Mercedes. For the difference in price I could buy another car, take 5 nice vacations or any other number of things. If the Mercedes is a great car, the Genesis is a damn fine one. The important message to take from this is just how good the Genesis is, especially for it's price point. I would be curious to see how the Genesis stacks up to the GS, since I used to own a 2006 GS430. I still have yet to find any area that is noticeably better on the Lexus, excluding the whole prestige/image factor and the finishing of the trunk (the only noticeable area Hyundai skimped on). The doors close with a more solid sounding thunk, the leather looks/feels just as high in quality, the dash plastics are as nice or nicer, and the paint finish is actually better in terms of gloss/depth and lack of orangepeel. It also rides better (probably due to the runflat tires on the GS).
Either way, I absolutely my Genesis so far. I'm off to go take some more pics of it while running my errands today.
Good for Hyundai, it seems like they are on track to becoming the Samsung of automobiles...which is all about great bang for the buck. But still, meh for the lack of soul (driver involvement)
Modified by chamade at 10:40 AM 6-30-2008
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Wait--did you buy one? When did you take delivery?
Yep, I picked it up on Saturday. I can't speak highly enough of it. Honestly, anyone who is even on the fence when it comes to this car owes it to themself to check it out and drive one. The grill looks 10x better in person and the V6 feels every bit as quick as the two times I've seen quoted in reviews/articles (6.1-6.2 seconds 0-60). I can only imagine how fast the V8 must feel.
Good for Hyundai, it seems like they are on track to becoming the Samsung of automobiles...which is all about great bang for the buck. But still, meh for the lack of soul (driver involvement)
It's not that bad. They at least felt it was better than the GS, and having personally owned both, I agree.
It just depends on what you're after. Do you want a luxury-sport sedan or sport-luxury sedan? For me it was the latter, but I fully understand those who want something sportier.
Why did they test a Genesis against a Benz with the sport package? That way, the Benz would've been a cheaper and more relevant car to which one could compare the Genesis. The whole point of a comparison is to contrast two or more similar entries (usually) in a given market.
Maybe none were available w/out the Sport Package?
Truthfully though, even Hyundai admits that the E-Class, 5-Series, etc. aren't their true competors. They only said that these cars were their image and engineering benchmarks. The Genesis' true competition is the 300, G8, Lucerne, Avalon, etc. I mean, if the nameplate isn't enough to scare away most European luxury car buyers, the pricetag certainly won't impress any image seekers. I think the Genesis might steal a few sales from Acura and even Lexus (probably ES350 buyers), but it's not going to make the established European automakers nervous. They know as well as anyone that in the luxury car market image is everything.
This is precisely why I love the Genesis. It's a nice car that doesn't flaunt one's bank account. It's not an extension of my *****, and it certainly isn't going to get me any putang (should I feel the need to play for the other team). It is however, a car that does everything I need/want it to do, and does it very well.
Maybe none were available w/out the Sport Package?
Truthfully though, even Hyundai admits that the E-Class, 5-Series, etc. aren't their true competors. They only said that these cars were their image and engineering benchmarks. The Genesis' true competition is the 300, G8, Lucerne, Avalon, etc. I mean, if the nameplate isn't enough to scare away most European luxury car buyers, the pricetag certainly won't impress any image seekers. I think the Genesis might steal a few sales from Acura and even Lexus (probably ES350 buyers), but it's not going to make the established European automakers nervous. They know as well as anyone that in the luxury car market image is everything.
This is precisely why I love the Genesis. It's a nice car that doesn't flaunt one's bank account. It's not an extension of my *****, and it certainly isn't going to get me any putang (should I feel the need to play for the other team). It is however, a car that does everything I need/want it to do, and does it very well.
Well put.
Being somewhat a "James May" myself though, I'd still rather buy a 60s Bentley for half the money.
All fellow members of the Roman senate hear me. Shall we continue to build palace after palace for the rich? Or shall we aspire to a more noble purpose and build decent housing for the poor? How does the senate vote?
In most cases it's more complex, less reliable, more expensive to fix etc etc
I would have to directly disagree with your terminology.
Better-made is always better and more reliable. It's simpler, more elegant engineering, better, stronger materials, and sturdier, more accurate construction. Complexity and unreliability are symptoms of feature-creep that has exceeded the development and engineering budget or ability on the project.
I am making no statements about either car here, merely stating that "better-made is unreliable" doesn't work on the face of it.
Proud member of the Colorado Elitist Know-it-all D-bag club, Boulder chapter.
Great car! Are your switches on the doors backlit at night?
Yup. Every switch and button in the interior is backlight at night, including the iPod USB/Aux input in the center console. Honestly though, I think this is pretty common now on most $30k+ cars. The L.E.D. map/dome lights are super bright though....that's going to take a bit of getting used to. The ones in my GS were quite dim by comparison.
Maybe none were available w/out the Sport Package?
Truthfully though, even Hyundai admits that the E-Class, 5-Series, etc. aren't their true competors. They only said that these cars were their image and engineering benchmarks. The Genesis' true competition is the 300, G8, Lucerne, Avalon, etc. I mean, if the nameplate isn't enough to scare away most European luxury car buyers, the pricetag certainly won't impress any image seekers. I think the Genesis might steal a few sales from Acura and even Lexus (probably ES350 buyers), but it's not going to make the established European automakers nervous. They know as well as anyone that in the luxury car market image is everything.
This is precisely why I love the Genesis. It's a nice car that doesn't flaunt one's bank account. It's not an extension of my *****, and it certainly isn't going to get me any putang (should I feel the need to play for the other team). It is however, a car that does everything I need/want it to do, and does it very well.
Correct on all accounts. And congrats about your purchase. While the Germans still do better cars, they are indeed a whole lot more expensive. I do agree that the GS doesn't have much to offer over the Genesis and I think we're all looking forward to updates as you settle in a bit more.
Interior wise, there are many things I like about the Genesis over the E-class.
The steering wheel, while hampered by a wood piece (does anyone really ever want wood on their steering wheel?) is otherwise more visually appealing, especially in its lack of the Playskool buttons of the Mercedes.
The placement of the navigation screen is much more natural. I don't understand the logic of placing the screen so low. Mercedes does realize that when you're driving you are--generally, at least--looking out of the windshield, right?
While I've not sat in the Genesis' seats, they look more comfortable than the E's. The E's seats are quite flat and the side bolstering leaves a lot to be desired.
The middle armrest situation in the E is always disappointing as well.
All that said, the gauge cluster in the E is much slicker looking than the Genesis. And I am guessing the switch feel is superior to the Genesis (again not having actually seen a Genesis in person).
Also, I can't help but think that the Genesis would look a lot better with black leather on the upper dash rather than the reddish-brown.
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my Genesis so far. I'm off to go take some more pics of it while running my errands today. 