When
the Hyundai Genesis joined the
CarAdvice long-term test fleet we had many of the same questions as you. Is it
properly luxurious? How’s the real world fuel consumption with that thirsty V6?
Will people stump up $70K for a Hyundai?
Having
spent several thousand kilometres behind the wheel of the mid-spec Genesis
Sensory, the answers are becoming clearer.
Since
the Genesis is billed as a
luxury executive car, let’s start there. All Hyundai Genesis variants are
well equipped with leather seats, satellite navigation, adaptive cruise
control, and the full safety suite including autonomous emergency braking
(AEB).
It’s
the additions to the Sensory model, however, that make the Genesis feel like a
proper luxury car. The jump from base to Sensory will set you back $11,000, but
most (if not all) will be leasing rather than purchasing outright. To put it
into perspective, the difference between a base Genesis versus a Sensory will
be around $300 per month. In real terms, it’s a couple of coffees a day.
The
seats in the base model feel like they use similar leather to far more
affordable cars in the Hyundai line-up: hardwearing but not particularly plush.
The Genesis Sensory
steps this up to “Premium Leather” with an extendable seat base that offers
supreme comfort for even the longest of journeys.
Rear
seat passengers are afforded the extra comfort too, with many complementing
both the space on offer and the audio controls in the flip-down armrest. Have
no fear parents, they can be disabled if necessary!
The Genesis
suspension is setup for smooth riding, and in daily commuting it does a
brilliant job of soaking up the worst of Sydney’s battered roads. It can take
an extra bob to settle when driving over larger speed humps, but not to the
point of making occupants feel ill.
Road
noise is well supressed, with minimal wind and traffic intrusion into the
cabin.
It’s
worth mentioning the ride is noticeably better than on the top spec Genesis
Ultimate, which moves from 18- to 19-inch alloy wheels. The added sidewall of
the smaller wheels smooth out sharp edged bumps nicely.
Helping
to avoid damage to the rims and bumpers is the surround view camera system. It
stitches together images from cameras on all sides to create a 360 degree view,
aiding parking and navigating tight multi-story car parks a breeze.
The
head up display is particularly useful too, projecting the speed and blind spot
monitoring indicators into your field of vision. With an increasing number of
unmarked speed cameras and distracted drivers, it’s a very useful feature.
Strangely,
it isn’t able to display navigation prompts on the display like it does
overseas. Apparently the local navigation software isn’t compatible, pity.
The
navigation system is very snappy, offering fast input of destinations and quick
routing. The high-resolution maps make it particularly easy to follow even
complicated lane manoeuvres.
We did
have the system wig out on us soon after we took delivery, which restarts
wouldn’t sort. After a quick trip to Hyundai they were able to
reboot the system, we’ll let you know in our final long-term article whether
the issue returns.
Perhaps
my favourite feature of the Genesis
is the Lexicon audio system. Made up of 17 speakers, the sound quality in the
Genesis is simply superb, with clear highs and lows even at ear-splitting
levels of volume.
Bluetooth
streaming has been solid, with fast reconnection and no drop outs in the time
we’ve had it. Bluetooth music streaming quality is excellent too, with
convenience winning out over the negligible improvement in quality over USB.
The
3.8-litre V6 is a good performer, with plenty of low-down torque to make
progress feel effortless. The 8-speed automatic is very smooth shifting, and
takes care of quick three-point turns without fuss.
The
downside is definitely fuel consumption. The V6 petrol is the only engine on
offer in the Genesis,
resulting in a steady fuel consumption figure in the high 13s when tackling my
hour-long 16km commute.
Head to
a motorway and the cruising economy drops to 10L/100km, which still isn’t
great. It doesn’t make use of any of the latest fuel saving technology like cylinder
deactivation or start/stop either.
The
77-litre fuel tank makes for a range between 560km and 770km in my time with
the Genesis so far.
That
just leaves the $71,000 question: will people spend this sort of money on a
Hyundai?
What
has been interesting is the amount of attention the Genesis has received from
passers-by who don’t even know it’s a Hyundai. It’s been mistaken more than
once for an Aston Martin or Bentley, and learning it’s a Hyundai has invoked
surprise rather than shock.
Most
people who have seen it or sat in it have remarked how far Hyundai has come compared to
their view of the brand, though most noted they’d struggle to stump up the cash
for the badge.
Interestingly,
Hyundai will remove the
Hyundai badge from the boot lid and replace it with the Genesis wings for a
small fee. I wonder how many they’d sell then.
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