Test driving a Hyundai Genesis! Surprised at how excellent it is!

[spudboy]

Am thinking of moving on my Merc S class and perhaps going to something a little simpler. She's got 120,000Kms on her, so maybe time to get something a bit newer.

Noticed one of these at the local Hyundai dealer when wandering past:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/08/427.jpg

So thought I'd get one for a test drive.

Am absolutely staggered at how good it is :eek: OK, it's not 100% as good as a Merc, but it is damn close, and less than half the price of a nice E class or 5 Series BMW or Audi.

Never (ever) thought I'd see myself in a Hyundai, but they are very very good!

Dealer has a 2015 demo for just over $50K, so am being tempted.....

[Pickles2]

A good friend of mine bought one of these upon release.
He bought the top of the range, & is VERY happy with it. My friend is quite a big guy, & He has HEAPS of room in it. He told me that as soon as He sat in one, He felt "at home".
No problems at all so far for him, and He is looking forward to a drive to the Gold Coast shortly.
As far as He's concerned, the 3.7L V6 has all the performance He needs.
Pickles.

[spudboy]

Yeah, well I am well impressed.

The only negatives I can see are that it does not come in a diesel, so the 3.8L petrol engine is the only option. I've done a couple of hundred Kms today in it, and it's returned about 11.5Km/L overall, from 50% city driving 50% country driving (that's if the dash gauge can be trusted).

[Pedro_The_Swift]

why not wait for the coupe?:angel:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/08/394.jpg

[Toxic_Avenger]

I too am impressed with the 'new' Hyundai, after swearing that I'd never be caught dead driving one.
We were shopping on the other end of the market though... we were stacking up the Ford Focus / fiesta / VW golf and a few others in the econobox diesel category. Ended up with the i30 and happy with it. 4 years, 50,000 km later, and no issues at all.

The genesis is a nice looking ride, and I'm sure will be well positioned in that segment of the luxury saloon range against the competitors when all factors are taken into consideration.

[spudboy]

Tonight Mercedes have lent me a 2010 E350 Diesel BlueEfficiency, as a comparison to the Genesis. 5 years old and 40,000Kms and it looks and feels like a brand new car. $55K.

Things that are better than the Genesis:
- Cruise control is smoother + it has a speed limiter
- HUGE grunt from the v6 diesel engine - 540Nm!
- Fuel economy of 7L/100 compared to the Hyundai of 12L/100
- Much better in the bends
- Shouldn't depreciate much further in the next 5 years.

Things that are better in the Genesis:
- It is such a quiet car. HEAPS quieter than the Benz.
- Dash is 100% better than the Benz for usability. The Benz has a stupid "iDrive" knob and you have to go through 10 menus to do stuff.
- Auto dimming headlights. Benz keeps going down to low beam when it sees the reflection from road signs, which is unnerving at 110
- You can bluetooth your phone music to the car, or use a USB stick, or plug in an RCA jack. Benz won't do any of that (but it is 5 years old).
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Heads up display
- Free servicing for 5 years and 5 year warranty.

Bad things on both of them:
- For a Benz to be for sale after 5 years at $55K, when it cost $140K new is a bit sad. That's heading towards $20K per year in depreciation.
- I think a $60K Genesis will be worth diddly squat in 5 years (let's say $20K) so that's $8K per year.


Interesting exercise, trying to decide on the best path!

[spudboy]

why not wait for the coupe?:angel:



Don't want a 2 door. Have just sold a 2 door and it was a bit of a pain carrying people/stuff.

Should go a lot faster, and be better in the corners though.

[EastFreo]

Someone at work recently came back from the States where he had a Discovery. Coming back he had a test drive of a new Jeep and he thought the price difference was worth it. He also thought on the couple of test drives that it felt fine.

Anyway, less than a month in and he is clearly suffering buyers remorse. What he has decided is that a couple of test drives was not enough to show up the difference in quality that existed between the two cars.

I suspect it may be similar here as well. However, Hyundi are certainly getting much better and that is a ice looking car. Almost Aston Martin like lines.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

more-
Interview with John Krsteski, designer of the new 2015 Hyundai Genesis (http://www.autogo.ca/en/articles/33713/interview-with-john-krsteski-designer-of-the-new-2015-hyundai-genesis/)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I dont think he hand paints each Genesis,,;)
Hyundai Designer Paints Dynamic, Energetic Art | Petrolicious (http://www.petrolicious.com/hyundai-designer-paints-dynamic-energetic-art)

[CraigE]

They certainly seem to be up there. They are very nice for a Hundi.
However as with any other Hyundai what will be the depreciation be? Will you be saying how nice a car it is after 5 years? A BMW or Merc you will.
Not saying don't buy one, for $50k maybe good value. As long as you know what you are getting into.
However I remember a lot of this being said about the Sonata and Grandeur. Look at them now, worth scrap value only.
Tell you what put $50k into the Hundi and send me the $50 you save to restore my Torana. :-)

[B92 8NW]

I'm curious to know what the sales figures on them have been like. I haven't seen many about except VHA/B/C regos and I figure they'd suit chauffeur operators. I doubt they'll sway many S class/7 series/A6 drivers who mainly buy those types of cars for the brand.

[spudboy]

Well, I wimped out, and took the 'safe route' of buying another Merc.

For $50K, the (originally) $140K merc has done a huge portion of its depreciation.

I know the dealer is going to gouge me for servicing, but the alternating service costs of $500 one year and then $800 the next year aren't too ridiculous. Except if you compare it to Hyundai's fixed priced servicing.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/non-land-rover-vehicles/98071d1440464536-test-driving-hyundai-genesis-surprised-how-excellent-20150822_083554_33pc.jpg

I think it will be worth more in 5 years than a $60K Genesis, but we'll have to wait and see on that count....

[janddbone]

How is it running?