VIDEO: One cranky South Korean gets to drive the Hyundai Genesis
Click above to watch the video
UPDATE: Hyundai Motor America responds to the cranky South Korean reviewer. Click here.
The Hyundai Genesis has had a lot of positive speculative press, and there are a lot of journalists anxious to get behind the wheel of the rear-wheel-drive sedan from South Korea. A quick check of the Genesis stat sheet shows that Hyundai is delivering an awful lot of luxury and performance for what promises to be a very low price, but at least one South Korean journalist isn't all that impressed. After the jump is a seven-minute review of the Genesis sedan that absolutely trashes the South Korean Domestic Market sedan in its native tongue.
The reviewer liked the acceleration from the 3.3L V6 and we agree that it sounds great, but from there things get ugly. The Genesis sedan had too much body roll, its driving characteristics were far from dynamic, the brakes were mushy and the tires struggled to grip the road even when they weren't being pushed that hard. The on-camera reviewer summed up the Genesis by saying that luxury equipment does not a luxury vehicle make. We're hoping the Genesis is far better than this reviewer's description, but we won't know until we get behind the wheel to judge for ourselves. Thanks for the tip, Bobae!
Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan
[Source: Auto.joins.com via YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ik 10:15AM (3/13/2008)
these are the type of reviews which I like
they actually go into detail about the characteristics of the car which matter.
don't see what's so cranky about it; he's telling the truth.
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SPG 10:18AM (3/13/2008)
This is pretty much what I was expecting.
It's going to be a luxurious, powerful, sleek car that is built to impress.
However not a 540i.
If the car has moderate success I can forsee a sport package being added.
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Avinash machado 10:21AM (3/13/2008)
Will be interesting to see Clarkson's review of this car.
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Seoung-Koo Yi 4:52PM (3/13/2008)
The car won't be sold in U.K. market.
TriShield 10:29AM (3/13/2008)
It's a floppy Korean Buick that shamelessly copies styling cues from real luxury cars with a lot of features at a not-so-Hyundai cheap price. Pretty much what I expected and said this car would be from the get-go. It's a nice marshmellow car for our parents and grandparents but not something I would seriously aspire or coevet to own.
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MachinaDC5 2:49PM (3/13/2008)
I couldn't agree more. Badge aside, it's not a very impressive car they built. Hopefully the US spec will iron out some of these kinks, as future attempts by other automakers to recreate a RWD premium car will certainly hinge upon the Genesis's success.
Seoung-Koo Yi 4:56PM (3/13/2008)
If you think 30k for 3.8L V6 isn't cheap. Think about Koreans, they pay about $61,000 for V6 3.3l after a year from the initial purchase. $40,000 for basic V6 3.3L $52,800 for basic V6 3.8L.
jsjs 7:49PM (3/13/2008)
In other words - a Lexus LS?
Yowzers! 12:06PM (3/30/2008)
Did you drive it yet? Or is this comment made for pure ignorance? Hyundai doesn't Mimic anymore, they compete; they're going to make cars in different genres just like any other car company. Just because Saturn made a roadster, do you think they copied the Mazda Miata? NO, they're competing. There's a big difference.
On the other hand, why am I replying to another ignorant user. Nevertheless, it doesn't matter how much people say crap about Hyundai because Hyundai does better and better and people can't do anything about it. Just because a Korean reporter didn't like the Genesis, doesn't mean other countries will.
William 10:27AM (3/13/2008)
I'm going to wait on the reviews from the US. Am I surprised that it was Shunk who posted an item like this, though?
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psarhjinian 10:45AM (3/13/2008)
Proof-positive that just because something's rear-wheel drive it doesn't mean that it's somehow superior to a well-tuned front-driver (the Fusion comes to mind).
That being said, it's possible that the Genesis is just tuned badly and that the fundamental platform might actually be pretty good. Hyundai could do itself a lot of favours by differentiating itself a little bit and giving Kia more sporty models. I don't think they've quite got the handle on Kia that they ought to and they're making some GM-style-intracompany-competition mistakes as a result.
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PJ 4:12PM (3/13/2008)
It's also worth mentioning that South Korea's domestic market favors exceptionally conservative (read: really, really soft) tuning, especially in sedans. The Azera and Amanti were firmed up significantly for US consumption, so it's reasonable to expect that the Genesis will be too.
Other distinctions: this Genesis had the base 3.3L V6 and 225-width tires that look to be wrapped around 16s or 17s. The V8 model, which has 18s and a different transmission (still 6AT, but made by ZF rather than Aisin), should be a somewhat different animal.
Oh, and regarding the "crankiness:" it's called reporting. Wake me when the PR lovefest that is the US auto media gives it a try!
Avinash machado 10:46AM (3/13/2008)
If Hyundai wanted to enter luxury market they could have picked up Jaguar. It is an established luxury brand.
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Christopher H. Kim 1:36PM (3/13/2008)
That wouldn't be so wise. Jaguar is a dying brand
After establishing a stronger Hyundai base, they will establish a luxury brand.
Ducky 11:06AM (3/13/2008)
Speaking strictly on the review itself, the man's comments seemed to be contradictory. He claimed that VSA always interferes, that the car doesn't handle like a RWD, but also complains that the rear kicks out. Unless Hyundai royally messed up with the car so that it both understeers and oversteers at the same time (huh?) I don't know if this person is simply trying to make himself sound smart or if he's really serious about everything. Although, the rolling in the corners bit is a sort of "duh" assessment (this is Hyundai we're talking about). I wonder if the V8 version will get slightly different suspension/tire options? Because the V6 model in the video has really sad-looking tires. As much as I hate to admit it though, it means Hyundai is serious about competing with the big boys- as this guy said, just because it looks good on paper doesn't mean it is in real life. With such a low price, I guess something has to give... but still... Nice try, but try harder.
That being said, I think this car really sucks. At the Toronto International Auto Show nobody seemed to realize it was a new car, even the people who sat on the benches near it didn't notice. The magic of reverse engineering.
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psarhjinian 11:44AM (3/13/2008)
The Crown Vic manages the pish-and-slide trick. Of course, having dynamics like a CV is not a good thing.
Ben 7:07PM (3/13/2008)
Good call. I noticed this too. The guy talks and talks but it seems like he just likes to complain. How does the rear like to kick out but at the same time, it feels like it has the same dynamics as a domestic FF sedan? Impossible, especially considering as mentioned that the (Korean) domestics are tuned exceptionally soft...there is no way they oversteer. And he goes on to complain about 1 piston brakes...and makes no mention of fade, poor performance, etc. Having only 1 piston is not an absolute measure of braking performance!
StickShift 11:06AM (3/13/2008)
from the review, it sounds like the Genesis is a new age LS400--which is precisely what Hyundai claimed it to be. i still find it amazing that anyone expected this thing to seriously challenge the likes of BMW and Mercedes.
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IowaSuby 11:07AM (3/13/2008)
How is the fit/finish? How do the seats feel, is the driver comfortable? Did you like the HVAC controls etc...? This review left out a few key items people are interested in.
Also, even if it has poor performance, according to 1 review, what's the price difference? The U.S. prices have not been released. Is it $10,000 less than a competitor or $5,000 less? For $10k less I could put up with mushy brakes if I was sitting in a RWD car with some luxury. (not that I'm in the market for one)
I'll be interested to see more reviews though.
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IowaSuby 12:59PM (3/13/2008)
I guess there is a pricelist??
http://www.hyundai-blog.com/index.php/2009-hyundai-genesis-pricing-list/