The V-8 powers effortlessly up hills and allows the car to build speed quickly I looked down at the speedometer one time and was surprised to find I was going almost 90 mph. ![]() It has the same displacement as that Lexus V-8 and makes nearly as much power: 375 hp when using premium gas (368 hp on regular). Hyundai’s first production V-8, which goes in Genesis 4.6 trim levels, is a powerful engine, much like the 380-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 in the Lexus LS 460. Personally, I would have liked a little less power assistance in the steering, but many people will buy the Genesis more for its value-oriented luxury than for its handling prowess, so I can understand why Hyundai tuned it the way it did. It spins with impressive smoothness and has a consistency across its range of motion that lets you follow a curve with precision. Where the Genesis differs from a number of other performance sedans is that its steering effort is fairly light it doesn’t take much exertion to turn the wheel. This was on mostly smooth California roads, too, which were in much better shape than the ones I normally drive in Chicago. The four-wheel independent suspension, which features a five-link setup in front and back, is sensitive to pavement imperfections, transmitting the pockmarks of the road up to the cabin. The Azera, in comparison, offers softer responses when traveling on undulating roads it’s more of a cruiser, whereas the Genesis is a carver.Īlong with this sporty performance comes a ride that’s definitely more taut than most Hyundais. The Genesis navigates tight corners like a much smaller car - body roll is well checked and the balanced chassis encourages you to push it harder. Giving the Genesis a rear-wheel-drive platform - as opposed to a front-wheel-drive one like the full-size Hyundai Azera and Toyota Avalon - was one of the first right moves Hyundai made the superior dynamics afforded by RWD were eminently apparent on winding mountain roads. Having driven the sedan on a variety of roads, I’m now able to report that Hyundai has backed up its talk with a true performer. Hyundai positions the Genesis as a performance sedan, and I admit I was skeptical as to whether or not the automaker was willing to do what it takes to truly deliver a sport-sedan experience. ![]() Though the Genesis doesn’t blaze any new trails in terms of design, it does possess an athletic look for a large car, and it’s also well-proportioned, which seems like one of those basic design qualities that can get left behind sometimes. Based on the car’s sleek, stylish appearance overall, I suspect many who investigate further will be impressed with what they see. Though the symbol’s absence here (there is one on the trunklid) misses an opportunity to tell onlookers that the Genesis is a Hyundai, the flip side is that it might intrigue large-sedan shoppers and prompt them to take a closer look. The first of these is the lack of Hyundai’s “H” badge on the grille, which instead features a winged design not seen on other Hyundais in the U.S. Most of Hyundai’s models fall on the bland side of things where styling is concerned, but the automaker has taken a couple chances with its new flagship sedan. It’s going to be difficult, but it helps that Hyundai has a remarkable first effort on its hands in the Genesis. What’s less certain is whether buyers will be accepting of a Hyundai - a brand better known for small, affordable cars - with a starting price of $32,250, even though that price includes a number of standard safety and convenience features. After driving the car extensively in and around Santa Barbara, Calif., it’s clear to me that Hyundai got most of the important elements right: The driving experience and the cabin’s ambience and amenities are all there. It’s a rear-wheel-drive full-size sedan that’s available with Hyundai’s first V-8 engine in a passenger car. ![]() Hyundai’s all-new Genesis is unlike any car the Korean automaker has brought to the U.S. To see what’s new for 2010, click here, or check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. Editor’s note: This review was written in July 2008 about the 2009 Hyundai Genesis.
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