2015 Hyundai Genesis Review: Surprise Value, Power And Performance
What’s Hot: Impressive fit-out, space and comfort. Quiet. Plenty of car for the money.
What’s Not: Top-spec isn’t luxurious enough; faux wood-trim doesn't make the grade
X-FACTOR: If anything’s going to change your mind about Hyundai, it’s the Genesis.
Vehicle Style: Large luxury sedan
Price: $60,000 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 232kW/397Nm 3.8 petrol 6cyl | 8sp automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: 11.2 l/100km | tested: 12.9 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Launching a large RWD sedan at a time when such cars are experiencing declining sales is certainly ambitious - if not risky - but Hyundai Australia clearly has no shortage of ambition right now.
And what better symbol of this than the Genesis.
Launching this month at a retail price of $60,000 on the dot, the Genesis sneaks under the Luxury Car Tax threshold but promises a level of luxe that Hyundai says rivals the BMW 7 Series.
Two option packs are available, with the most expensive taking the retail price up to $82,000, but powertrain options are limited to a 3.8 litre naturally aspirated V6.
The 5.0 V8 that’s available overseas will not be coming here.
But Hyundai reckons the presence of the Genesis in its Australian showrooms will give the brand a glossier sheen in the eyes of consumers, and change the perceptions of the Hyundai brand.
Is it good enough? We attended the local launch of the Genesis in Canberra to find out.
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 4/5
- Standard equipment: Leather upholstery, Heated and power-adjustable front seats, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, powered rear sunshade
- Infotainment: 9.2-inch colour infotainment display, 17-speaker audio system with controls for rear passengers, Bluetooth phone and audio integration, satellite navigation.
- Sensory Pack: Blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, top-down camera view, high-grade leather with 16-way driver's seat adjustment, power-adjustable steering column, head-up display, LED foglamps, CO2 sensor for climate control, self-dimming wing mirrors
- Ultimate Pack: Panoramic glass sunroof, noise-suppressing acoustic glass, 19-inch alloy wheels, heated and vented front seats, heated outboard rear seats, powered bootlid, retractable sunshades in rear doors, illuminated scuff plates, soft-close doors
- Storage: 497 litres. Ski port behind centre armrest, but rear seats do not fold.
More than anything else, interiors make or break a luxury car. Material quality has to be well above the normal standard, comfort must be exceptional and - for a big sedan like the Genesis at least - the cabin must be quiet.
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