2012 Hyundai Genesis Review

[AutoGuide.com]

Before 2008, the phrase "Korean luxury car" would have been a punchline, but the Hyundai Genesis managed to elevate Hyundai from also-ran foreign manufacturer to a legitimate contender in the public's eye.

Three years on and the Genesis is due for an update, and Hyundai has gone beyond the usual tweaked tail lights and new wheel designs. The big news for the 2012 Genesis is a power bump, with the base Genesis V6 now making 333 horsepower, up from 290. At the other end of the spectrum, a new Genesis R-Spec model with a stiffer suspension, tighter steering and a more aggressive wheel and tire package comes equipped with a direct-injection 5.0-liter V8 making 429 horsepower. The former top-dog Genesis with the 4.6-liter V8 remains in the lineup with the same 385-hp, although fuel economy has been improved by one click on the highway for a new 17/26-mpg rating.

During the technical briefing, Hyundai was quick to boast that the 5.0 is the most powerful motor ever developed by Hyundai, but equally coy when asked about expected sales numbers for the R-Spec, or what percentage of Genesis customers would opt for the $46,500 high-performance model. Clearly, this is a demonstration of what Hyundai can do rather than a volume model, but that didn't stop us from making a bee-line for the R-Spec, even when conventional logic dictates that we'd only be set up for disappointment upon switching into the V6 model.

More: 2012 Hyundai Genesis Review on AutoGuide.com

[kristof]

Originally Posted by AutoGuide.com

Before 2008, the phrase "Korean luxury car" would have been a punchline, but the Hyundai Genesis managed to elevate Hyundai from also-ran foreign manufacturer to a legitimate contender in the public's eye.

Three years on and the Genesis is due for an update, and Hyundai has gone beyond the usual tweaked tail lights and new wheel designs. The big news for the 2012 Genesis is a power bump, with the base Genesis V6 now making 333 horsepower, up from 290. At the other end of the spectrum, a new Genesis R-Spec model with a stiffer suspension, tighter steering and a more aggressive wheel and tire package comes equipped with a direct-injection 5.0-liter V8 making 429 horsepower. The former top-dog Genesis with the 4.6-liter V8 remains in the lineup with the same 385-hp, although fuel economy has been improved by one click on the highway for a new 17/26-mpg rating.

During the technical briefing, Hyundai was quick to boast that the 5.0 is the most powerful motor ever developed by Hyundai, but equally coy when asked about expected sales numbers for the R-Spec, or what percentage of Genesis customers would opt for the $46,500 high-performance model. Clearly, this is a demonstration of what Hyundai can do rather than a volume model, but that didn't stop us from making a bee-line for the R-Spec, even when conventional logic dictates that we'd only be set up for disappointment upon switching into the V6 model.

More: 2012 Hyundai Genesis Review on AutoGuide.com Hyundai parts

The sedan world is now filled with amazing and sophisticated vehicles including the latest version of genesis. well, in my own point of view, this one is better than the previous one when it comes to performance as the engine got modified to a higher RPM. basically, this is a v8 with eight speed automatic transmission. the platform has a similarity to MB C-class although some parts were modified like the headlight and the fender. overall, im gonna give my two thumbs up for this car.