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10 Best Sedans Under $25,000

2011 Hyundai Genesis

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2012 Hyundai Genesis

Overview

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2011 Hyundai Genesis Review

By KBB Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.5

After entering the U.S. market with an inexpensive (some might say cheap) subcompact car more than 20 years ago, Hyundai has continued a climb upscale. Recently, the brand took its most ambitious step in that direction ever with the introduction of the Hyundai Genesis, a luxury sedan with the amenities of vehicles costing thousands of dollars more. Though intended to compete against the likes of the Chrysler 300C, Lexus ES 350 and the Volkswagen CC, the new Genesis actually channels attributes of even more expensive models, like the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Powered by either advanced V6 or V8 engines, the rear-drive Genesis is filled with upscale items like adaptive front lighting, proximity key with push-button start and a truly amazing Lexicon 7.1 surround-sound audio system.

You'll Like This Car If...

We think you'll like the Genesis if you are less concerned about brand prestige and more concerned about the driving experience and the vehicle's feature set.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you seek the razor-sharp handling of the best of the German luxury brands, you may not be satisfied with the Genesis despite the fact that in V8 form it mimics them well.

What's New for 2011

Changes for 2011 are limited to the 4.6 model, which gains an additional 10 horsepower, a faster zero to 60 time (5.3 seconds vs. 5.7 seconds) and the addition of last year's Technology Package – navigation, Lexicon 7.1 Discrete surround sound audio, adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlamps, heated and cooled front seats, front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera – as standard equipment.

Driving the Genesis

Driving Impressions While hard to distinguish from the outside except for their different wheels, the V6-powered Genesis 3.8 and the V8-powered Genesis 4.6 have different characters. The 3.8 offers 290 horsepower, which...

is plenty, and feels softer over the road and in hard cornering than its 385-horsepower near-twin. Both accelerate smartly, but we prefer the extra horsepower, taut feel and more responsive electro-hydraulic steering of the 4.6. Stopping is swift and sure thanks to large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist and electronic brake distribution (EBD). The brakes on the 4.6 models are especially notable – four-piston fixed-caliper front brakes with larger front rotors. Hyundai calls the Genesis a sports sedan, and while the 3.8-liter version might be a little soft to justify that, the V8-powered car lives up to it. The interior quiet during all types of driving is praiseworthy, and a sophisticated rear backup camera plus eight ultrasonic sensors located on the front and rear bumpers help detect how close objects are when parking.

Favorite Features

Lexicon Audio System
The sound from this 7.1 Discrete audio system is not only powerful, it is beautifully nuanced – one of the best factory sound systems we've ever heard in a vehicle of any price. Auxiliary USB and iPod inputs allow drivers to fully control and charge iPods directly from the head unit.

Overall Interior
As noted before, the interior of the Genesis is truly outstanding. The extravagant use of genuine leather and wood plus meticulous fit-and-finish make for an interior worthy of a top luxury brand.

2011 Hyundai Genesis Details

Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

To our practiced eyes the interior of the Hyundai Genesis is almost shockingly good. The leather-wrapped dashboard and steering wheel show levels of design and execution that would put many luxury-brand interiors to shame. The front seats are not only covered with rich leather but can be both heated and cooled as well. The rear seat area is equally well-finished and has ample head-, hip-, shoulder- and legroom. The design of the dash is simple, which makes operation of the climate control system easy. (Of course, with automatic temperature control, it doesn't take much fooling with.) Hyundai decided to emulate the European brands by using a joystick-type controller for navigation and audio functions, and that is a mixed blessing. Yes, you need master only one interface, but that interface isn't all that intuitive.

Exterior

Attractive though conservative and largely derivative are ways to describe the Hyundai Genesis's exterior. Its light but torsionally stiff body structure echoes styling motifs from several luxury brand competitors. The grille and front end evoke Mercedes-Benz, while the rear quarters complete with LED taillights pay homage to both BMW and Lexus. The judicious use of polished metal for items like window surrounds, door handles and the attractive wheels add a decidedly upscale feel. The overall exterior look is handsome but without much hint that this sedan is a Hyundai. However, the architecture does facilitate a laudable 52-percent/48-percent front/rear weight bias that aids both handling and ride.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

In the Hyundai tradition the Genesis provides a rich assortment of standard features per dollar spent, including the handy proximity key with alarm and entry system; power windows with front auto-up/down with pinch protection; remote fuel door, hood and trunk releases; one-touch power tilt-and-slide sunroof; leather seats; woodgrain accented dash; Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone interface and USB/iPod auxiliary inputs. The wealth of safety items includes electronic stability control (ESC), advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants, and electronic active head restraints.

Optional Equipment

For everyday enjoyment, the prime option is the Lexicon-branded audio system featuring LOGIC 7 technology which is optional on the V6 trim and standard on the V8. Rolls-Royce is the only other automotive brand to offer a Lexicon system, and the surround-sound, 11-channel, 17-speaker extravaganza that produces more than 500 watts is certainly of super-luxury-brand quality. It features both HD and XM satellite radio, and in navigation-equipped models it includes a 40-gigabyte hard drive and XM NavTraffic. Another key option on the V6 is the automatic front lighting system that allows the Xenon high intensity discharge headlights to swivel automatically for better visibility when cornering.

Under the Hood

We have nothing but good things to say about both engines available in the Genesis Sedan. For most drivers we think the 290-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 will be more than adequate, while offering slightly better fuel economy. But we can't help preferring the intoxicating power of the 4.6 liter V8, which is ably abetted by its six-speed automatic transmission. Happily, the fuel economy penalty is small. Both engines are rated to run on regular fuel, but premium gas gives the V8 a slight power and torque boost.

3.8-liter V6
290 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
264 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27

4.6-liter V8
385 horsepower @ 6500 rpm
333 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25

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2011 Hyundai Genesis Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.1

Out of 10

Based on 210 Ratings for the 2009 - 2012 Hyundai Genesis models.

Review this car

Value

9.3/10

Quality

9.2/10
Reliability

9.3/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.4/10

Tough to ignore for a value buyer

By techbeengood (TX) on Sunday, May 27, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "This is the vehicle you've coveted forever."

Cons: "So, the brand name is wrong. Love it anyways."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I really wanted to buy a Mercedes, or a Lexus, or even that Infiniti M. I actually had the money for any of them. But, too many years of looking for value, and how do you ignore the Genesis. Having driven all of the others (plus too many more to admit), the Genesis kept surprising both my wife and I. The Mercedes C is a hard to compare. It is so much smaller, has precious few features until it costs far more compared to our fully loaded 3.8 Genesis. The ride is sportier, but you know the only fair comparison is the E class and yikes, the price. An Infiniti M simply offers a tougher ride, feels more cramped, and ignores any effort to achieve some fuel economy. The loaded Lexus 350 is the fairest comparison, but pricing is a challenge along with the aesthetics. Anyone who complains about Hyundai's derivative design ought to revisit the Lexus. Snore. Is the Genesis perfect? No. The seats need a bit more bolster, but please don't stiffen those lovely, comfortable seats. Hey, add cooling for the passenger. The Nav unit needs a bit more sun shading and please be more forthcoming about updates. The iPOD control needs to retain more info about last use. Shutting off the vehicle makes the iPOD memory useless. Similarly, the XM gets dumb. Ride? Near perfect. Steering control? Somewhere between Cadillac and Lexus. Creature features? Pretty much competes with everyone else, PLUS. But where's the Blind Spot indicators? Right now we're in love. Wonderful car."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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INITIAL DRIVE WAS GREAT EXCEPT THE TRANSMISSION

By HUMMER (MI) on Saturday, May 12, 2012

I want this car

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 6/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "GREAT CAR FOR THE MONEY"

Cons: "NOT SURE OF RELIABILITY AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"I DROVE AN R-SPEC AT A LOCAL DEALERS ABOUT 3-WEEKS AGO. I HAD READ THE PRELIMINARY REPORTS CONCERNING THE POWER AND STYLING AND ALL WERE POSITIVE. THE ENGINE IS QUITE RESPONSIVE. THE RIDE IS GREAT. FIT AND FINNISH EXCEPTIONAL. THE BIG NEGATIVE IS THE NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION. I HAD READ IN A ROAD TEST THE MAIN COMPLAINT WAS THE LACK OF RESPONSE IN DOWN-SHIFTS TO PASSING GEAR AND UP SHIFTS. I EXPERIENCED THIS SAME SITUATION AND IT IS QUITE DISCONCERTING TO A CUSTOMER WHO EXPECTS A CAR OF THIS CALIBER TO HAVE A GREAT TRANSMISSION AND THEN FINE SUCH A LAG IN DOWNSHIFT PERFORMANCE. I COUNTED 4-SECONDS TO FINE THE LOWER GEAR ON ENTERING THE EXPRESSWAY DURING MY TEST DRIVE. I TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TESTS AND ALL WERE VERY SLOW IN UP AND DOWN SHIFTS.THE COULD ALSO BE A SAFTY ISSUE!! I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO PURCHASE THIS CAR AT THIS TIME UNTIL THE HYUNDIA ENGINEERS FIGURE OUT HO TO UP LOAD SPECIFIC COMPUTER SHIFT LOGIC INTO THE CARS ECM! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOE IF OTHERS HAVE FOUND THIS SAME DISORDER IN THEIR TEST DRIVES???"

8 people out of 10 found this review helpful

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see all 210 reviews