Hyundai Genesis Sedan - The most awarded car of 2009?
2009 Hyundai Genesis 4.6L V8 – Click above for high-res image gallery
When the Hyundai Genesis Sedan hit the scene, it was hard to know exactly what to think of the handsome-if-anonymous looking luxury intender. After all, Hyundai hadn't ever had a presence in our luxury car market, and attributes like rear-wheel drive and V8 engines weren't exactly a Hyundai staple. Over the past year, however, the Genesis' well-judged appointments and recession-friendly pricing Genesis Sedan won us over, and our contemporaries in the motoring press seem to feel the same way.
Hyundai says that the Genesis Sedan's considerable trophy case makes it the most awarded car of 2009 – and since we have no methodology by which to cross-checking such a high-falutin' claim (scientific or otherwise) we're going to give the Korean automaker the benefit of the doubt. The Hyundai Genesis Sedan began 2009 as the North American Car Of The Year and the well-heeled sedan has continued to build momentum with an impressive 21 awards. Among the Genesis Sedan's many honors are nods from Motor Trend (America's Top 40 New Cars), Cars.com, J.D. Power, NADAGuides, and AutoPacific.
Heck, the Genesis' 375 horsepower Tau 4.6-liter V8 also made Wards Automotive's 10 Best Engines list, and after putting down nearly 2,000 miles in just such a beast earlier this month, AB executive editor Paukert concurs, praising the eight's smooth power delivery and impressive mileage. Despite a packed cabin and trunk and plenty of mountain driving and high-speed cruising, our man averaged 26.1 MPG on a circuitous route from Michigan to North Carolina – fully 1.1 MPG better than the EPA says to expect on the freeway. He also praised the car's acheless seats and pleasing Lexicon audio system as excellent long-distance travel partners.
Hit the jump to read the press release listing the Genny's awards cache. What follows is a proud parent brag-fest, but when you get it right like Hyundai appears to have done with its Genesis Sedan, perhaps a little self-promoting is merited. Maybe now they'll see fit to finally take credit for it by putting a "Hyundai" badge somewhere on the car, eh?
Gallery: Hyundai Genesis 4.6L V8
[Source: Hyundai]
PRESS RELEASE:
Hyundai Genesis is class of the 2009 model year with most top-car honors
Headlined by the 2009 North American Car of the Year Award, Hyundai's New Flagship Earns More Top Recognition than Any Other 2009 Introduction
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., August 27, 2009 – Hyundai's all-new flagship, the Genesis sedan, launched to significant anticipation culminating with its coronation as the 2009 North American Car of the Year – the first time a Korean brand has ever achieved the honor. But Genesis didn't stop there, accumulating honor after prestigious honor to become the most decorated new car launch of the 2009 model year. At last count, Genesis tallied more than 20 top honors from the most prominent media outlets and automotive organizations in North America.
Genesis' trophy case includes awards and accolades from the likes of J.D. Power and Associates, Motor Trend, AutoPacific, Cars.com and leading consumer publications. Genesis is built on Hyundai's all-new, performance-driven rear-wheel-drive architecture. It offers two powertrains, the Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 290 hp, and Hyundai's all-new Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 375 hp. With technology rivaling more expensive luxury sedans, convenience features like push-button start and navigation system, and five-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), it's clear that Genesis is among the best new cars of 2009. But at a starting MSRP of just $32,250 and max price of just $42,000 for a fully loaded Genesis, it's no surprise the competition was left in Hyundai's rear-view mirror.
"Genesis was developed to rival the world's best luxury sedans so we knew it would be a great car, but we didn't know how it would be received by the automotive community," said Scott Margason, director of Product & Strategic Planning for Hyundai. "As the awards accumulated, we realized not only how well designed the Genesis was, but how far the Hyundai brand had come. Consumers and automotive industry influencers really embraced the idea of Hyundai producing a luxury product."
Genesis Sedan Awards
1. 2009 North America Car of the Year
2. Motor Trend – America's Top 40 New Cars
3. J.D. Power and Associates – Automotive, Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) - Most appealing midsize premium car
4. J.D. Power and Associates – Vehicle Launch Index (VLI) - Highest ranked 2009 all-new or redesigned vehicle
5. The Car Book 2009 – Best Bet (intermediate category)
6. About.com – Best New Car
7. Kiplinger's Personal Finance – Best New Model (sedans $30,000-$45,000)
8. NADAguides.com – Car of the Month (April)
9. NADAguides.com – Top 5 Luxury Cars
10. NADAguides.com – Best Car Buy - Top luxury cars under $35,000
11. Autotropolis.com – Car of the Year
12. Cars.com – Car of the Year
13. On Wheels – Car of the Year
14. AutoPacific – Ideal Vehicle Awards - Aspirational Luxury Category
15. AutoPacific –Vehicle Satisfaction Awards - Aspirational Luxury Category
16. Consumer Reports – Top-Rated Vehicle (upscale sedan category)
17. Consumer Digest – Best Buy (luxury segment)
18. MyRide/Autobytel – Car of the Year
19. Ward's Auto World – 10 Best Engines (4.6 liter Tau V8)
20. Automobile Journalists Association of Canada – Canadian Car of the Year
21. Automobile Journalists Association of Canada – Best New Luxury Vehicle Under $50,000
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 780 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty. In addition, Hyundai Assurance is now offered on all new vehicles leased or purchased from a certified Hyundai dealer. The program is available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment record or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
mikemaj82 12:33PM (8/31/2009)
I don't understand what makes this car so much better than say, a Pontiac G8. Besides the fact they don't make it anymore, but it was a great all-around car.
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leunamme 12:40PM (8/31/2009)
The G8 was nice and all, but the luxury and materials in this thing are at a whole new level. This is BMW 5 series luxury for $30K, not Honda Accord V6 EX-L luxury for $30K.
Luis 12:54PM (8/31/2009)
Don't you mean $40k? And I'd rather have a 3-series and BMW service.
MikeW 1:09PM (8/31/2009)
Does BMW use those 3rd generation run-flats yet?
Matt 1:10PM (8/31/2009)
The G8 is the wrong compairson. The G8 is a fantastic car (the best 4-door sport sedan in America right now)...but it's a sport sedan.
The Genesis competes (well...completely murders) with the Lincoln MKTaurus. A car that is about as appealing as moldy bread.
Hyundai is showing Lincoln...how to build the proper American luxury sedan. Proper engine, proper drive wheels, more power and better mileage.
BigWill 2:12PM (8/31/2009)
"Don't you mean $40k?"
Probably not. Speaking of, I've noticed the Genesis haters love to trot out a price figure of $40K (or higher) when they talk about it despite the fact there are more Genesis Sedan versions under $40K MSRP than there are over. For that matter, before CFC there was a dealer near me offering the base Genesis (leather seats & steering wheel, Bluetooth, acoustic laminated glass, proximity entry w/push button start, dual auto A/C, but no Lexicon audio) for $30K.
So let us know if you can find a new BMW 3-series with metallic paint, leather, Bluetooth, and ~300 hp for $30K.
mikemaj82 2:20PM (8/31/2009)
ha, my G8 was $28K brand new. For that I got 361hp, two-tone leather, premium sound, 19" wheels, and a hell of suspension system.
merlot066 2:35PM (8/31/2009)
Wow Matt, could you please point out to me how the Genesis "(well...completely murders)" the SHO or the MKS? The SHO goes 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, the MKS 0-60 in 6.0 seconds, the Genesis goes 0-60 in 6.0 seconds. The Taurus and MKS have AWD standard (a feature that adds both cost and weight to a car) the Genesis has RWD ONLY. The SHO/MKS get 17 city/ 25 highway MPG which is the same as the Genesis, but the Genesis is smaller, slower than the SHO (the same as the MKS), and lacking AWD (which again adds weight and reduces mileage). Features wise the SHO has more features than the Genesis (aside from the speakers, but the SHO has intelligent access with push button start, SYNC, ambient lighitng, HID headlamps, invisible keyless entry keypad, rear spoiler, and aluminum sport pedals) so for less than $1,000 bucks more you're getting a bigger, faster, AWD, car with more features, so I'm not seeing how the Genesis completely murders the SHO.
If you want to compare the MKS EcoBoost w/ Ultimate package to the Genesis w/ Technology package the MKS still wins. 12 way seats vs. 8 way, heated rear seats, cooled driver and passenger seat (Hyundai couldn't figure out how to cool the passenger seat too?), Bridge of Wheir leather, 16 THX-II certified speakers with 600 watts of power compared to 17 Lexicon speakers with 528 watts of power, Nav system with a hard drive (10GB Lincoln vs. 40GB Hyundai but you have SYNC on the Lincoln so you don't really need the hard drive except as a backup in case you forget your iPod) Sirius TravelLink w/ weather, stocks, movie listings, gas prices, and real time traffic and the Nav screen acts as a DVD player too, dual panel moonroof, park-assist that actually works, crash sensor and rollover sensor, 19-inch wheels, and 2-person memory seats are all things on the (bigger, equally fast, equally efficent, AWD) MKS for $48,000 that you can't even get on the $42,000 dollar Genesis. Sure the Genesis is cheaper, but so are the materials, the lack-of AWD, the smaller size, and missing features. So how does that equate to "completely murdering" the SHO/MKS?
Arumage 2:49PM (8/31/2009)
@mikemaj82:
Congrats on getting a great deal on your G8, but your configuration stickers for a little over $34k. For around $38k MSRP, a V8 Genesis has options like the Lexicon audio system, rain sensing wipers, sunroof, proximity entry, memory seats, etc. The G8 is faster for sure, but the Genesis offers a level of refinement and quality that the G8 just can't match. The Genesis is a luxury sedan, and the G8 is a sports sedan. If you want both, get a CTS-V.
Sal Collaziano 3:06PM (8/31/2009)
Merlot066. The V8 Genesis does 0-60 in 5.3 seconds..
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/09q3/2009_hyundai_genesis_4.6-long-term_road_test_intro
You may need to do a little more research before being so opinionated.. In any event, nobody compared the Genesis luxury sports sedan to the all-out sports sedan named Taurus SHO. However, I did see Lincoln MKT mentioned..
So I suppose you're asking for Hyundai to create something more aligned with serious sports sedans to compete with our domestic cars here in America.. Be careful what you wish for.. Believe me - it's already being discussed at Hyundai... Can't wait for that, huh?
Sal Collaziano
http://www.genesisowners.com
P.S. When you see what Kia has in store for everyone who wants a BMW 335i but can't exactly afford it yet, you're going to get a small glimpse into the future. I'd say Hyundai is very impressed with Ford's new SHO... They're certainly not looking the other way...
David 5:09PM (8/31/2009)
Because the G8 is cheap as dirt on the inside and sloppily assembled for starters. Next, we can talk about the ugly.
merlot066 5:41PM (8/31/2009)
Sal
I didn't realize the C&D results I saw were before Hyundai fixed a problem with the transmission that made it shift before the engine power peaked (a car this anticipated and groundbreaking for Hyundai should have had a problem like that fixed, kinda like the Camaro). The SHO isn't pure sports sedan (though it should be IMO) it's a really fast almost luxury car. The main reason for my post was to settle Matt down because he mentioned the "MKTaurus" meaning MKS/Taurus (this comming from a GM fanboy, the company that is best known for having platforms rebadged accross Chevy, Pontiac, Saturn, GMC, and (in the near past) Oldsmobile). Matt said the Genesis would "completely murder" the SHO/MKS, and that's far from the case. The Genesis is a good car (although very copycat in design and people like to complain about how Lexus did that, yet they don't complain about Hyundai doing it) but the SHO and MKS are very solid cars too.
jsjs 2:09PM (9/01/2009)
@Luis
Yeah, b/c a smallish sedan is so much the same thing as a large sedan (more interior room than a 5 Series) - lol!
Danimal 12:44PM (8/31/2009)
Are you awarding this car an award for getting the most awards? ;)
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Luis 12:55PM (8/31/2009)
If they can think of a reason to praise Hyundai they will post an article on it.
jglucker 1:52PM (8/31/2009)
@Luis:
They don't need to think of a reason... Hyundai gave them plenty enough.
Best warranty in the business, great deal for the amount of luxury, same sound system used by Rolls-Royce, etc ... etc...
wtfJeeper 1:56PM (8/31/2009)
thank you, Luis.
jglucker 12:44PM (8/31/2009)
It is a great car and deserves those accolades...
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DAVIDVOYAGER 12:57PM (8/31/2009)
It is obviously a mix between a BMW 5, And a Mercedes! Total lack of originality! They are just copying BMW'S And MB'S designs to appeal to a wider market.
I wish they could create a design of their own, and don't use somebody Else's creativity to capitalize!
Buy American!
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katatonics 1:00PM (8/31/2009)
Because the rest of the auto industry is entirely original and inventive. We've been seeing companies copy each other for years, get over it.