Hyundai Genesis

There was a time when a car like this would have been a huge deal. A large Asian sedan, styled with an international eye, engineered with rear wheel drive, and tuned by Australians, for Australians. This is the sort of car that would’ve made Holden and Ford quake, but those days are at least a decade behind us. Which begs the question, why go to all this trouble ?

Hyundai wants to prove it has what it takes to challenge the world’s leading luxury sedans, and this new-generation Genesis the first engineered for right hand drive represents its first genuine crack at a true contender. It’s also the first Hyundai to be put through a comprehensive chassis re-tune, not just a mild slap and tickle, specifically for Australia. For this reason alone, the Genesis is destined to leave
some kind of legacy.

Opinions vary wildly on its styling I neither love nor hate it, but wish it was a little less derivative though few can argue over how polished it is to drive. Thanks to a thorough investigation of how the Germans do things, the Genesis is one of the first Hyundais to finally receive the hardware and suspension geometry necessary to make it handle, ride and steer.

For what it is a 1.9 tonne luxo barge powered by a big capacity V6 the Genesis is remarkably pleasant to drive. It steers consistently, with impressive weight to its electrically assisted helm, even without selecting a Sport mode that firms it up even further, without smothering feel or introducing sludge. Indeed, the Genesis slaughters Hyundai’s ‘sporty’ i30 SR for steering response and driver connection.

Wearing the same Hankook Ventus Prime 2 tyres (in a 245/45R18 size) that do such a mediocre job on the i30 SR, among others, there’s some tyre howl in tight corners, but the Genesis is a fluid and neatly balanced car. There’s some body roll due to the suspension’s suppleness, but polished body control delivers agility far beyond expectation for a car like this.

Ride quality on challenging surfaces was also a priority given that 28 percent of Aussie Hyundais are sold in country areas. Over big heaves, the Genesis is sweetly damped and proves better at attacking punishing surfaces than blotting low speed irregularities. Quiet and serene as its urban ride may be, there’s a sense of more unsprung mass than is ideal.

Ditto its porky 1890 kg kerb weight. Hyundai’s smooth, punchy 232 kW 3.8 litre V6 and slick eight-speed automatic fight gamely, but the loser here is fuel consumption the test car averaged 15.2L/100km in moderately enthusiastic driving and mid arvo traffic, against an ADR claim of 11.2 and there’s something about the V6 that doesn’t quite suit the Genesis’s suave refinement as much as Hyundai’s left hook only 5.0-litre V8 would. Or a torquey diesel.

In terms of packaging, the Genesis is a solid effort, with plenty of room, impressive comfort (for four; the middle rear is short-haul only) and an expansive feel. But there are flaws, too, including 600ml bottle holders in the centre-front console that get in the way of gear lever operation, no drink holders in the doors, and no split-fold rear backrest to extend the shallow 493-litre boot, merely a ski-port. But there’s a lot to like here.

Competitive finish, sumptuous seating, accomplished dynamics and plenty of metal and trinkets for the money could easily sway buyers away from Aussie or Euro sedans. Only weirdly expensive option packages undermine what is an unexpectedly persuasive luxury car for $60,000. From Hyundai. Who would’ve thought?

Model - Hyundai Genesis
Engine - 3778cc V6 (60°), dohc, 24v
Max power - 232kW @ 6000rpm
Max torque - 397Nm @ 5000rpm
Transmission - 8-speed automatic
Weight - 1890kg
0-100km/h - 6.5sec
Economy - 11.2L/100km
Price - $60,000
On sale - Now