The 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan does not have a Hyundai badge anywhere on the front of the car. Not on the grille, not on the hood, not on anywhere. If there’s any significance to that, it’s that Hyundai has done it before, back when the Korean car company had just arrived in America and cars from the Korea were still a cipher. And, as it turned out, worthy of the witness protection plan badging protocol.
How, as they say, things have changed. The 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8, the subject of the road test, is more than proof of that.
The Hyundai Genesis is, as again as they say, a great value. That’s always been Hyundai’s claim, however, as the carmaker ladled on the features, giving buyers a lot of stuff for their car buying dollar, and that continues with the Genesis sedan. But this full-sized four door, Hyundai’s first on the American market competes head-on with the best in the full-sized sedan class, not just in the number of things but on how well they’re made.
The exterior styling is rather bland, the grille—without the badge—a prime example. It looks as if it’s trying to be distinctive and different, but trying a little too hard. That said, the grille, for lack of a better phrase, grows on one. It just looks like it was influenced by something that was taken a little too seriously.
The taillights and rear end of the car are anonymous, and Hyundai borrowed BMW’s trademark Hofmeister kink for the C-pillar, though no one said that no one but BMW could use that styling quirk.
If anything, however, the overall derivative styling of the Genesis sedan suits the conservative sedan buyers who might not be ready to brag about owning a Hyundai, at least in this price range. More subtle but eventually more important is the look and feel of quality to the exterior. The trim is expensive looking, the gaps close and the paint smooth.
View photo gallery for more pictures of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8.
Likewise, the interior doesn’t dazzle with avant garde styling, and there are in fact Infiniti touches, particularly the dash. That’s not a bad model to follow. We’re impressed, however, by the general touchy-feely aspects of the insides. Our Genesis 3.8 was equipped with the optional Premium Plus package that includes the leather wrapped dash and door trim, not just leather seating. That’s standard equipment. The dash and doors have real cow stitched together and it’s out there where it makes one feel one received one’s money’s worth. The leather reaches from one side of the dash to the other, shaped like a yoke.
Unfortunately, the wood trim on the center console should have been something—anything—else because wood it isn’t and looks like it isn’t. It’s a significant flaw and one that Hyundai should remedy ASAP.
The instrument panel dials are electroluminescent, a la Lexus, a crisp white on black, with a message center between the speedometer and tachometer. The steering wheel mounted controls are among the best—clearly marked and easy to use—of any we’ve seen. On the left side is a four-way toggle for audio tuning and volume and another on the right for cruise control operations.
The storage bin under the center armrest isn’t particularly large but inside is a 12-volt power outlet plus USB/iPod/aux plugs. Pick your external music source and power it too. The CD slot, however, is in an expanse of center stack territory all by itself.
The Hyundai Genesis’ back seat is roomy, wide enough for three but the driveshaft tunnel and a raised center section of the bench seat make it better suited for two. The trunk, at 15.9 cu ft is large but not big enough for a number one Mafia hit with a bullet, if you know what we mean. At least it’s all useful and easy to get to.
Because it’s a Hyundai, the Genesis 3.8 sedan has an extensive list of standard equipment, including a proximity key and pushbutton start, acoustic laminated glass, Bluetooth and—take that, BMW, with an extra charge—the floor mats are included as well.
With 3.8 in its name, the Hyundai Genesis 3.8 is powered by a 3.8 liter (naturally) V-6. There’s also a 4.6 liter V-8 that produces a romping 375 horsepower, which Hyundai says will produce a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. It, of course, is the Hyundai Genesis 4.6.
The V-6, on the other hand, is rated at 290 horses, which wouldn’t sound inadequate at all if it weren’t for the eight cylinder engine to compare it against. Still, it’s quick—Hyundai says 0-60 mph happens in 6.2 seconds—and certainly adequate for punching ahead of the New Jersey-plated Ford Explorer that refused to move left for the entrance ramp we were coming down.
Also, the engine is smooth as a kitten’s tummy. The engine pauses when the transmission shifts up a gear. It’s good thing but noticeable, particularly between first and second, which it shouldn’t be if it’s to be competitive with the luxury cars in this size class.But that’s a quibble in the otherwise velveteen rabbit performance of the Hyundai Genesis. Hyundai calls the Genesis a sport sedan, but despite sharing the platform with the Genesis coupe, we can’t quite agree with Hyundai. The Genesis sedan checks in on the soft ride side of the chart, trading off the crisp cornering of a BMW for the supple, more Lexus, behavior.
We do think the 2009 Hyundai Genesis deserves a Hyundai badge on its grille—even if its sufficiently distinctive grille inspired a pedestrian to walk over and ask us whether indeed it was a Genesis. It’s not the Sonata that Hyundai brought over so many years ago. However, maybe Hyundai has read the market correctly and maybe the Genesis will be recognized for the quality automobile it is. And then we’ll see the Hyundai logo on the front of the Hyundai Genesis.
Illustrations: Top, 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8; bottom, 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 grille...with no Hyundai logo. All photos by John Matras.
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| Layout | Front engine/rear drive |
| Engine | 3.8-liter/290-hp DOHC 24-valve V-6 |
| Displacement, cc | 3778 |
| Compression ratio | 10.4:1 |
| Materials, head / block | Aluminum / aluminum |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 290 @ 6200 |
| Torque, lb-ft @ rpm | 264 @ 4500 |
| Recommended fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-sp auto w manual shift on console |
| Suspension. f / r | Ind. 5-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar / ind. 5-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| Steering | Rack & pinion, power-assist, engine rpm |
| Turning cirrle, ft. | 36.0 |
| Brakes, disc dia, in., f / r | 12.6 / 12.4 |
| Tires, size | 225/55R17 |
| Wheels, size / type | 18 x 7.5 aluminum alloy |
| Dimensions & capacities | |
| Length, in. | 159.9 |
| Width, in. | 74.4 |
| Height, in. | 58.3 |
| Wheelbase, in. | 15.6 |
| Coefficient of drag | 0.27 |
| Cargo capacity, cu ft | 15.9 |
| Fuel, U.S. gal. | 19.3 |
| Curb weight, lbs | 3,748 |
| Performance | |
| 0 - 60 mph, sec | 6.2 |
| Fuel, EPA, city/hwy mpg | 18 / 27 |
| Fuel, observed, mpg | 21.1 |
| Base price | $32,250 |
| Standard features: ABS w/ electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, electronic stability control with traction control, front, front & rear side impact, front & rear sidecurtain airbags, fog lights, acoustic laminated glass, leather seating, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/ audio & cruise control, front heated seats, multi-adjust. power front seats, cruise control, trip computer, proximity key w/ pushbutton starting, /am/FM/CD/MP3/iPod/ USB/aux/XM audio, Bluetooth, floor mats | incl. |
| Color: Titanium gray metallic | incl. |
| Premium Plus package: 18-inch alloy wheels & tires, Lexicon 14-speaker premium surround-sound audio w/ in-dash 6-CD changer, leather-wrapped dash & door trim, sunroof, power tilt & telescope steering wheel, integrated memory system, rain-sensing wipers, auto-defogging windshield | 3,000 |
| Destination | 750 |
| Total MSRP | $36,000 |
Comments
Surprisingly, I don't dislike the overall look of this car, but John -- you are oh so right when you suggest they eliminate that faux-wood look (and quick). Perhaps they can offer an after market replacement for it in a matte metallic, carbon fiber (pricey but worth it for styling and appearance), or otherwise suggest their clients do something interesting to cover it. [Such as suggesting the vehicle dash and panels could always be a great place to get rid of all that extra Christmas and Birthday holiday gift wrap if they are feeling clever and crafty and want to hide the fake wood wall panel appeal of it...] Otherwise, they could market the car in colors like sunset orange, harvest gold, and avocado and hit the interior with some shag carpet. Inexpensive does not have to equal poor taste or design. This little sport sedan has the looks of a fun little first car or family model but the bad wood kills the joyful and progressive image the car is hoping to represent.
Thanks for sharin
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