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2009 Hyundai Genesis Full Review
Date Published: 9/16/08
2009 Hyundai Genesis Review
The 2009 Hyundai Genesis is this Korean automaker's first rear-wheel-drive vehicle. This large car also marks the debut of Hyundai's first available V8 engine. Genesis is about 6 inches longer in wheelbase and 3 inches longer overall than Hyundai's Azera midsize sedan. Genesis offers two engines: a 290-hp 3.8-liter V6; and a 375-hp 4.6-liter V8. Both engines team with a 6-speed automatic transmission that has a manual shift gate. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, front side airbags, and rear side airbags. Among the available features are heated and cooled driver seat, wireless cell phone link, a navigation system with hard drive for storing digital music files, rearview camera, and front- and rear-obstacle detection. Genesis has a knob in the center console that governs audio, navigation, and other functions. Adaptive cruise control will be available later in the model year. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.
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2009 Hyundai Genesis Road Test
Pros Cons
Acceleration (V8) Fuel economy (V8)
Ride
Interior materials
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
7 8 6.8

Both engines are quick off the line and responsive at any speed. Hyundai's estimates of 6.2 seconds 0-60 mph for the V6 and 5.7 seconds for the V8 feel right. With either engine the transmissions provide prompt and seamless shifts.
Fuel Economy

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
5 4 3.9

No opportunity to measure. The V6 uses regular-grade gas. Hyundai recommends premium for the V8.
Ride Quality

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
7 7 8.1

The ride is comfortable but firm. Bumps are felt but don't intrude on comfort. There is minor float over dips, otherwise the suspension is well controlled. No opportunity to evaluate a V6 with the standard 17-inch wheels.
Steering/Handling/Braking

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
6 6 6.5

Steering is well weighted and precise. Genesis feels stable at speed and is well balanced in turns.
Quietness

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
7 7 7.9

Both engines are refined and cruise quietly. Wind noise is minor, but tire noise is noticeable on coarse surfaces.
Controls

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
7 7 6.3

Gauges are large and unobstructed. Controls are within easy reach. The available navigation system's control knob is similar to Audi's MMI and is not as simple to use as conventional buttons. The large screen is easy to read.
Details

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
8 8 7.9

Overall interior ambiance compares well with cars costing far more. Most versions have padded leather on the dash and door panels. There are ample padded surfaces and generally good quality materials. Some faux woodgrain accents and a few shiny plastic panels are at odds with the otherwise luxurious interior. Cars previewed seemed well assembled and were rattle free.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
8 8 8.3

Seats are well shaped and padded. Standard power adjustment and available power tilt and telescopic steering column make it easy to find a comfortable driving position.
Room/Comfort (rear)

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
7 7 7.1

Rear seat legroom is generous but not expansive. Foot space is restricted. Seat is well shaped, but a central rider's legroom will be limited by driveline hump.
Cargo Room

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
4 4 4.3

Trunk volume is average for its class, but the well-shaped cargo area has a large opening. Its small rear-seat pass-through is a poor substitute for folding seatbacks. Interior storage is only adequate with a small console bin and average-sized glovebox.
Value within Class

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
8 7 5.7

Genesis aspires to offer luxury car performance, features, and ambiance at a mainstream price. On most counts it succeeds. Comfort and performance are impressive. Other large cars offer more back-seat and cargo room, but Genesis has a more sumptuous interior. The V6 model is the best value and gives up little of the V8's performance.
Total Score

3.8 w/Premium Plus 4.6 Class Average
74 73 72.8
Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score
67
Average Score
72
High Score
87
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2009 Hyundai Genesis Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 07/22/2008
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
3.8 4-door sedan $32,250 $30,243 $750
4.6 4-door sedan $37,250 $34,521 $750
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
3.8
Powertrain
3.8-liter V6 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, traction control.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor, front-seat active head restraints.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, 4-way power passenger seat, center console, rear seat trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors w/turn signals, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, digital-media player connection, wireless cell phone link, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, 225/55R17 tires, alloy wheels.
4.6 adds to 3.8:
Powertrain
4.6-liter V8 engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power tilt/telescopic woodgrain/leather-wrapped steering wheel, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), power sunroof, Lexicon AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, rain-sensing wipers, power rear sunshade.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
235/50R18 tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Premium Pkg.
3.8
$2,000
$1,820
Power sunroof, upgraded and extended leather upholstery, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), Lexicon AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, upgraded sound system, automatic windshield defogger, rain-sensing wipers, power rear sunshade. Std. 4.6.
Premium Pkg. Plus
3.8
$3,000
$2,730
Premium Pkg. plus 235/50R18 tires.
Technology Pkg.
3.8, 4.6
$4,000
$3,640
Front- and rear-obstacle-detection system, navigation system, upgraded Lexicon sound system, hard drive, rearview camera, heated/cooled driver seat, steering-linked adaptive xenon headlights. 3.8 requires Premium Pkg. Plus.
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2009 Hyundai Genesis Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Hyundai Genesis 4-door sedan
Wheelbase, in. 115.6
Overall Length, in. 195.9
Overall Width, in. 73.4
Overall Height, in. 58.3
Curb Weight, lbs. 3748
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 15.9
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 19.3
Seating Capacity 5
Front Head Room, in. 40.4
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 44.3
Rear Head Room, in. 37.7
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 38.6
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc V6 dohc V8
Size, liters/cu. in. 3.8 /231 4.6 /282
Horsepower @ rpm. 290 @ 6000 375 @ 6000
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 264 @ 3500 333 @ 4500
Availability Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
   
6-speed automatic 18/27 17/25
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Hyundai Genesis 4-door sedan
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain 10/100,000 --
Bumper-to-bumper 5/60,000 --
Corrosion 7/unlimited --
Free roadside assistance 5/unlimited --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: South Korea
Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive
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