Used Hyundai Genesis Manchester NH

The 2009 Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan offers lots of features for the dollar. When it comes to sport sedan credentials, the Genesis is surprisingly capable. With a smooth ride, lots of interior room, and willing power, the Genesis is a great choice that fits between established luxury brands and the less-expensive but capable Chrysler 300 and Pontiac G8. Genesis customers can choose between the capable 3.8 model that provides better handling and fuel economy or a quicker 4.6 model that has better steering but pushes a little more in fast turns. The Genesis seats five and is offered with V6 or V8 engines. Inside, the Genesis is nicely appointed, with chrome accents, wood and aluminum trim, and soft-touch materials. Easy-to-read electroluminescent gauges greet the driver, and the available navigation system includes voice activation and a multimedia interface that is easier to use than those from most luxury manufacturers.  Hyundai touts the Genesis as a sport sedan, with a rigid rear-wheel-drive structure and advanced five-link front and rear suspensions. Both Genesis models are fine values that deliver fine handling, a smooth ride, and willing power. Overall, this vehicle offers a great value and middle ground between luxury sedans and less capable mid-priced sedans.

Powering the 2009 Genesis

The Genesis marks the debut of Hyundai's first V8, a 4.6-liter dual overhead cam engine with 375 horsepower. The V8 provides plenty of smooth, willing power and gets decent fuel economy. Also available is a 290-hp 3.8-liter V6. Both engines run quietly and are mated to smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmissions with manual shiftgates. Advanced five-link front and rear suspensions and a rigid rear-drive unibody structure give the Genesis the engineering to compete with those cars. The Genesis 3.8 V6 is lighter and has a 52/48 weight balance (compared to 53/47 for the 4.6 V8), making it easier to rotate through high-speed corners than the Genesis 4.6 or the Mercedes. The Genesis is equipped with Amplitude Selective Dampers, which are basically two shocks in one. These multi-vein shocks have one mode for small, high-frequency bumps and ripples and another mode for the larger motions shocks usually deal with. Hyundai says they improve ride comfort, optimize road surface contact, and increase body and wheel control. On the road, they help the Genesis provide a smooth, quiet ride. The V8 model offers Hyundai's new Tau 4.6-liter DOHC V8. This engine has continuously variable valve timing for both the intake and exhaust, and also comes with a Variable Intake System designed to allow the engine to breathe more efficiently at both low and high speeds. The result is 375 hp at 6500 rpm and 333 lb.-ft. of torque at 3500 rpm with premium fuel. The V8 is substantially quicker than the V6. It has plenty of power from a stop, in the midrange, and at highway speeds for passing. Hyundai quotes a 5.7-second 0-60 mph time, and we believe it. The V8 is EPA-rated at 17/25 mpg City/Highway, which isn't much of a fuel economy penalty given the extra power.

2009 Hyundai Genesis Design

The 2009 Genesis is based on an all-new rear-wheel-drive architecture. The Genesis is sized similar to the Pontiac G8, both in length and wheelbase, and is about six inches shorter than the Chrysler 300. Up front, the trapezoidal grille is reminiscent of a Mercedes design, but instead of rounded headlights, it's flanked by more modern eye-slit headlights. Fog lights are standard on the lower fascia, which also features a large lower air intake. Halogen headlights are standard, and the Technology Package includes auto-leveling high-intensity discharge adaptive headlights that point into turns to improve night-time vision on dark corners. At the rear, the Genesis has the high trunk line that was so controversial for BMW five years ago but has now come into use by several manufacturers. A lower fascia flanked by dual exhaust gives a hint to the Genesis's sporty character.

Inside the Hyundai Genesis

 Nowhere are the Genesis's luxury intentions more clear than in the cockpit. From the driver's seat, customers are greeted with tight tolerances, chrome accents, and numerous soft-touch materials, including a leather-wrapped dash, a feature usually reserved for much more expensive vehicles. While the materials are certainly nice, the rounded shape of the dash isn't as appealing or modern as the best from Europe. The base setup includes a small screen at the top of the center stack that shows radio and climate information. Below that are the radio controls and at the bottom of the rounded center stack are 10 buttons devoted to climate control. The center console has an ashtray-type bin below the center stack and behind that is an aluminum plate that houses the shift knob. Two cupholders sit behind the shifter, and the center console bin is big enough to carry most of the small bits we carry day to day, though a flat, rubberized tray in front of the shifter would help, too. More small items storage can be found in fold-out pockets on each door. Front and rear head and leg room are plentiful. Only tall rear passengers will have a complaint, and probably only with head room. The rear center passenger will also have to deal with the driveshaft hump as well as a seat hump, but four passengers should ride with ease. Getting in and out is easy.

Conclusions

The 2009 Hyundai Genesis is a totally new luxury sport sedan. Safety features include dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, curtain side airbags, tire-pressure monitor, electronic active front head restraints, antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, and electronic stability control. Front and rear park assist and a rearview camera come with the Technology Package. For further research, read another 2009 Hyundai Genesis review by the Car Connection.

The 2009 Hyundai Genesis is offered in two models. Genesis 3.8 comes standard with leather upholstery; dual-zone automatic climate control; tilt/telescoping, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; cruise control; heated front seats; eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar adjustment; four-way power-adjustable passenger seat; heated power mirrors; power windows and door locks; remote keyless access and starting; seven-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo; XM satellite radio; auxiliary audio input jack; iPod interface; Bluetooth wireless cell phone link; auto-dimming rearview mirror; compass; universal garage door opener; automatic headlights; theft-deterrent system; fog lights; and P225/55R17 tires on alloy wheels.

Genesis 4.6 adds a power tilt/telescoping wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel; leather-wrapped dash and door trim; memory for the driver's seat, mirrors and steering wheel; sunroof; Lexicon 15-speaker audio system with six-disc CD changer; rain-sensing wipers; power rear sunshade; auto-dimming exterior mirrors; and P235/50R18 tires. The only option is the Technology Package. For the latest updates on this model, visit the official Hyundai Genesis site.




Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com.