Thursday, July 30, 2015

2010 Hyundai Genesis: Used Car Review


The 2010 Hyundai Genesis is a bona fide luxury car in every way but its name. Built to challenge cars such as the Chrysler 300 and Lincoln MKS, most Genesis owners feel their car is every bit as good as a Lexus ES, Audi A6 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. In fact, you might have to do a double take when looking at the Genesis because it does bear more than a passing resemblance to the Mercedes flagship sedan, the S-Class.

The Genesis delivers a smooth ride, a choice between a V6 or V8 engine and fairly decent handling. It has also held up well over the years, with a strong resale value and reliability ratings. Of course, there are some omissions in the Genesis lineup, namely the lack of an all-wheel-drive (AWD) or hybrid model. While its styling may not be wholly original, the Genesis' long list of standard and optional equipment makes it a serious player for those seeking premium luxury features without paying a premium price.

What We Like

Powerful engine lineup; numerous standard features; strong value; attractive styling; roomy interior; Lexicon audio

What We Don't

No AWD or hybrid option; LED interior lighting lacks warmth; fixed rear seatback with small pass-through, which is the only way to increase trunk capacity

Fuel Economy & Engine Specs

The Hyundai Genesis derives its power from two sources. The standard engine is a 3.8-liter V6 producing 290 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed automatic with a manual shift mode is the only transmission choice. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that fuel economy for this engine is rated at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Optional is a 4.6-liter V8 making an impressive 375 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque. The same 6-speed transmission is attached to the V8 and helps to deliver an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city/25 mpg hwy.

Both the V6 and V8 run on regular gas, but using a higher octane rating in the V8 gives a slight boost to hp and torque.

Standard Features & Options

The Genesis sedan was offered in two trims: 3.8 and 4.6. For 2010, cars equipped with the Technology package received adaptive cruise control and an electronic parking brake with hill hold. Navigation was optional on the 3.8, as was premium leather seating.

The Genesis 3.8 includes a V6 engine, full power accessories, proximity key entry and push-button starting, leather seating, power adjustable and heated front seats, a tilt-telescopic steering column, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated side mirrors, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels, jeweled projector-style automatic headlights, fog lights, Bluetooth, a 7-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with satellite radio capability and iPod/USB/auxiliary input jacks. Standard safety equipment includes electronic traction and stability control, front and outboard rear-seat side-mounted airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags and electronic active head restraints.

The Genesis 4.6 adds a power sunroof, 18-in alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, an auto windshield defogger, leather-wrapped dash and door panels, an 8-way power passenger seat, a 15-speaker Lexicon audio system, a power rear sunshade, a 7-in touchscreen navigation, memory for the power driver's seat and premium leather seating surfaces.

Optional on the V6 model was the Premium package that adds a leather-wrapped dash, ultrapremium leather seating, a power sunroof, a driver's-seat memory system, a power tilt-telescopic steering column, a power rear sunshade, Lexicon 15-speaker audio with a 6-disc CD changer and rain-sensing wipers with an auto-defogging windshield.

The Premium Navigation package (requires the Premium package) added a 7-in touchscreen navigation radio, a rear backup camera and 18-in alloy wheels.

Optional on both trims was the Technology package that added an upgraded Lexicon 17-speaker Logic 7 audio system with a 6-disc DVD changer, adaptive cruise control, an electronic parking brake with hill hold, an upgraded 8-in navigation screen with a console-mounted media-control knob, Bluetooth display, a rearview monitor, HID adaptive headlights with an auto leveling feature, front and rear parking sensors and a ventilated driver's seat.

Pricing

The Hyundai Genesis holds slightly above-average resale figures, but given the 2010's age, you should be able to get a good price on a low-mileage, well-maintained model. To get a good idea of the Genesis' price range, we suggest searching the Autotrader Classifieds to see what models are currently for sale in your area.

Recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued the following recalls for the 2010 Hyundai Genesis sedan:

A recall was issued for a possible circuit failure that could cause the brake lights to fail.

A recall was issued for a possible defective stop-lamp switch that may result in the brake lights failing to illuminate and the cruise control not disengaging when applying the brake.

A recall was issued for some vehicles containing brake fluid that does not protect against corrosion of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit module.

Recall repairs are required by law, even if the vehicle is out of warranty. Your dealer can check to see if the repairs were performed and, if not, will fix the car at no charge to you.

Safety Ratings & Warranties

As for safety, the Genesis performs very well in NHTSA's crash tests, scoring five out of five stars in every crash-test category. The Genesis also received top marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which lists the Genesis as a Top Safety Pick.

The 2010 Genesis left the factory with a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty. The 10-year/100,000-mile original powertrain warranty is not transferable and applies only to the original owner or to cars sold under the Hyundai CPO program. CPO cars, which are sold through Hyundai dealers after undergoing a 150-point inspection, have their original 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty reinstated from the date the car first entered service, plus the remainder of the original bumper-to-bumper warranty.

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