Used 2016 Hyundai Genesis

The 2016 Hyundai Genesis sedan is a 5-passenger luxury car designed to match all the power and elegance of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6 and Lexus GS, but with a price tag starting below $40,000. While the Genesis’ styling is clearly modeled after the Audi A7, there’s enough distinction to set it apart from its rivals. V6 models include the option of all-wheel drive (AWD), while the rear-drive (RWD) V8 trim comes fully loaded for around $55,000. The Genesis excels in the areas of technology, entertainment and safety, but its interior materials and layout still lag behind Audi, BMW and Cadillac designs. However, considering the impressive content for the money, not to mention the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the Genesis is a car worth taking seriously.

In the 2016 Genesis sedan from Hyundai, you’ll find a midsize-luxury car that feels agile and responsive, yet is devoid of the rough and sometimes jarring ride offered by its European rivals. The Genesis is no BMW 5 Series, mind you, but in terms of steering feedback, braking and acceleration, the Genesis never left us feeling underwhelmed. The 3.8-liter V6 is well matched to this car and although we prefer the 420 horses afforded by the 5.0-liter V8, the available AWD on the V6 trumps our need for speed. Both engines are paired with an excellent 8-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth and instantaneous shifts, especially when set to Sport mode. Standard paddle shifters help with aggressive driving, but we think most Genesis owners will simply let the car do all the work. The Genesis’ seats are marvelously comfortable and its cabin whisper quiet at highway speeds.

Hyundai wants to appeal to a younger audience, and the design and amenities inside help the 2016 Genesis sedan meet that goal. The cabin is stylish and clean and uses real wood and metal accents in some models. There are soft-touch materials and excellent attention to detail throughout, and the color combinations are pleasing to the eye. Significantly, the Genesis sedan uses an intuitive, centrally located scroll wheel and push buttons, similar to Audi’s MMI system, to toggle through the navigation system, phone and more.

As is the case in the interior, the 2016 Hyundai Genesis’ body lines are clean and elegant. Up front, the new Genesis sports an imposing grille. From there, the midsize-sedan body has long, attractive lines that convey a sense of quality and refinement. The trunk line finishes in an aerodynamic sloping design that is reminiscent of the Audi A7 and Toyota Avalon.

HANDS-FREE SMART TRUNK OPENER
Need to open the trunk but you’ve got two arms full of grocery bags? No worries. Just approach the Genesis’ rear end and after three seconds (with the key fob on your person) the Smart Trunk system senses your presence and automatically opens the trunk.

IN-CABIN CO2 SENSOR
CO2 in great quantities can be dangerous, causing slowed reaction times and drowsiness. The 2016 Hyundai Genesis offers the industry’s first CO2 detector, bringing fresh air into the cabin when it detects elevated CO2 levels.

Navigation with an 8-inch touch screen and Bluetooth come standard, as do nine airbags, the hands-free Smart Trunk opener, the Blue Link infotainment system, and paddle shifters. Heated front seats (plus a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat), push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seating, tilt/telescopic steering column, heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and tire-pressure monitoring are also included at the base price.

If you want to add some cool options to your new Genesis sedan, Hyundai offers a head-up display, a 16-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 17-speaker Lexicon surround-sound audio, a 9.2-inch high-definition navigation screen, rearview camera, front and rear parking assist, and headlight washers. Other nice available features: all-wheel drive on the V6 version, a power rear sunshade, and the Lane Departure Warning system with Lane Keep Assist and the ability to vibrate through the steering wheel if the Genesis senses you drifting out of your lane. Order the 5.0 V8 and all these features (excluding AWD) come standard.

The 2016 Hyundai Genesis’ V6 and V8 engines both use direct-injection technology with a strong focus on drivability, low-end torque and reduced noise, vibration and harshness. Off-the-line response is impressive with both engines, and fuel economy is competitive with other V6 and V8 models in this class. Both engines are backed by an 8-speed automatic transmission, designed and built by Hyundai, with different gear ratios for the V6 and V8.

3.8-liter V6
311 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
293 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/29 mpg (RWD), 16/25 mpg (AWD)

5.0-liter V8
420 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
383 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/23 mpg