Hyundai Genesis Sedan 2009+

jmonroe

I find the ride to be good on smooth roads, however, IMO the ride easily becomes unsettled and transmits the bumps through the steering wheel on bad roads. It all really depends what you are used to. I came from an '06 Avalon so to me the ride is a disappointment.

Before I start, let me say I’m not arguing with you but I’ve heard you say this before so I’ve paid particular attention to this after I first heard you say this.

Nobody drives over a more wash-board road that I do on my way to and from work everyday and I’ve not noticed this ‘transmission of road bumps through the steering wheel’. Of course I feel the bumps but the car has a VERY solid ride over this short stretch of road. I’ll admit that my ’05 Hyundai XG 350 has a smother ride over this road but it rolls a little bit more but, like I said, the XG 350 has a smoother ride. Maybe I don’t have ‘the steering wheel effect’ because I have the V8. I don’t know this for a fact because I’ve never driven the V6 Genny.

All in all, I’m very satisfied with this car but it’s still a baby. It only has about 8000 miles on it since I got it in March. As for power, it doesn’t lack a thing there. I HAVE to use cruise control on the PA turnpike every day; otherwise I’d have a pile of tickets. Without cruise control I have to work at holding it under 80 because it rides so smooth and QUIET. It literally jumps up over 90 when I step on it for a few seconds to pass a string of cars from the 70 MPH cruise control setting.

Pretty soon I’ll find out how it does in the snow. I’m not expecting much because I didn’t buy it to act like a snow plow, just for what it is; a very nice 4 door sedan. Is it the best car ever made? I’m sure it isn’t but it is the best car I’ve ever owned.

jmonroe

tjc78

I don’t know this for a fact because I’ve never driven the V6 Genny.

The V8 does have a different steering system than the V6. What I notice is that when encountering rough roads or bigger bumps the steering wheel does jerk to the left or right slightly. There are certainly cars that do it a lot worse. Like I said I am more used to the isolated, softer ride like my Avalon had. I am not in the camp of people that think the Genesis has the worst suspension in the world, etc. I thought I wanted something with a sportier feel to it, I was wrong!

marsha7

"unless in fact the dealership has authorized some sort of inventory reduction event?"

I thought EVERY day was an "inventory reduction event"...:):):)

LASHAWN

Boy, were you ever so wrong. Why is it that some people seem to think the Genesis is supposed to be a sport sedan, or a sedan with a sporty ride for that matter? I have never seen or heard even Hyundai saying it has a sporty ride , or calling it a sports sedan. Your own fault there buddy.

tjc78

have never seen or heard even Hyundai saying it has a sporty ride , or calling it a sports sedan. Your own fault there buddy.

What are you talking about????? By your own logic here you are thinking that I wanted a true sports sedan... wrong! Coming from an Avalon, I was ready for something a little sportier which is what the Genesis offers. Hyundai has and does market the Genesis as a sports sedan. What I critcize the Genesis for is how the ride can become unsettled due to its suspension tuning. It has made me realize that I prefer a soft riding car at the expense of handling. Was it a mistake, maybe, but not for the reasons you are speculatiing, if anything the direct opposite.

So.... you couldn't be more off base in your statement above. Do a little research and read what people say in context before flaming.

BTW here is a quote from the initial release of the Genesis;

Hyundai has introduced the vehicle worldwide, known internally as the BH model, and has initially market the Genesis as a "premium sports sedan"

Another thing for you to check out would be the Genesis's e-brochure the opening line is If you could build the perfect sports sedan

E-Brochure

oldidr

I've read a wide array of comments regarding the good, bad, and ugly of the Genesis' suspension and am left wondering whether it's the reaction of individuals to a suspension that differs from their prior rides or a genuinely poorly designed suspension. I had an M35 Sport; harsh but sporty and acceptable ride, fun to drive. I now have an M35 base; smoother yet still a bit on the harsh side (surely not a Q45 ride). I've driven several Genesis (is the plural Genesi?) and find it significantly smoother on all surfaces than my M. Yes, three of the four demo cars I drove had front end balance problems but those should be readily resolved and do not constitute a knock on the car's suspension.

I have also read that the OE tires are Dunlops, and harsh as stones. Are they part of the problem? Has anyone swapped out for Michelins, Bridgestones, or some other flavor that's softer?

Regards to all.

Bart

tjc78

Mine are more personal than anything. I do not believe there are any problems with the Genesis's suspension in a design/mechanical sense. Part of the problem is that on good roads the car rides extremely quiet and smooth. This is your first impression, however, to eliminate body roll and improve handling they firmed up the car. This is my problem, on harsh roads the Genesis transmits more of a "thump" into the cabin than I like. Like I have said in every other post about this I am comparing it to two previous Avalons and a bunch of other soft riding sedans.

There have been other posters here and on other forums who believe the suspension to be defective and poorly designed. I have read on the "Hyundai Think Tank" that for 2010 the suspension will be revised. What that means remains to be seen. It does show that Hyundai has listened to what people are saying and that is very impressive.

alonzo2

On a different issue, has anyone changed their own oil? I had some time to kill today so decided to see how hard it would be. If there is an easier car to change the oil I am not aware of it. Hyunda certainly does not encourage you to turn any bolts yourself and gives you no clue that the engine sound cover pops off without the need to use a single tool. The cartridge containing the filter comes right off from its position on the top of the engine. The gaskets(o rings) are easy to change and the strip resistant plug with its own slip ring is thoughtful. You can use a single 5 quart oil container to replace the oil. It takes about 15 minutes. As Johnny Bench once said "No runs, no drips, no errors." Give it a try. It's fun.

grichie

Thanks for your input. Can you be more specific on just how you "pop" the engine cover.

I am afraid to pull to hard.

Grichie

colegar

Bart, regarding your question about tire options for the Genesis, I think I can add some legitimate comments since I have driven a Genesis more miles (36,500) than anyone on this forum or any other that I have read. I have also done as much on-car testing of tire options as anyone.

Ironically, I probably will go back to the original equipment Dunlops at around 60,000 miles. They don't handle as well as the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus that I have on the car now and they are not as quite or compliant-riding as the Pirelli Pzero Nero M&S that I originally chose to replace the Dunlops, but the Dunlops are actually a good happy medium. Get ready to hear some of our forum members challenge me about saying anything good about the Dunlops but I actually had a good experience with them until I ruined one of them by hitting an object in the road.

The Michelins exacerbate the harsh ride on bumpy roads and they are very noisy on fresh, newly paved concrete surfaces, but they greatly enhance the handling of the Genesis. You should also be aware that they are "directional" and can only be rotated front-to-back (but not to the opposite side).

The Pirellis mentioned above get rave reviews but I could not get them balanced to my satisfaction and switched them out for the Michelins after 2,700 miles. If I were not so anal about tire balancing, the Pirellis would be my pick of the liter!

Now here is the best advice about tires of any brand on a Genesis. DO NOT OVER INFLATE THEM unless you enjoy a lot of suspension feedback on rough streets!

I have been vocal about the Genesis suspension leaving something to be desired on rough streets. You mentioned that you have had M35's and I agree that they too are very stiff riding. My problem is that I keep comparing my Genesis to the BMW 5-sieries that I had which was very sporty and handled like a demon but was less harsh on bumpy, undulating surfaces. That only comes into play for me about 10% of the time because I like the Genesis suspension out on the open road.

jmonroe

I am afraid to pull to hard.

I have the V8 but I have not had a problem "popping" it off the few times I tried. Just grab it at each of the 4 corners and give it a steady pull upwards. It's tight (you don't want it coming off from vibration) but it comes right off.

It's an easier way to get the shroud off than un-screwing 4 bolts like I had on my 06' Sonata V6.

I doubt that you'll break anything.

BTW, the V8 has the filter (cartridge type) on the bottom of the engine, although the service adviser???? swore up and down it was on the top of the engine under the shroud. Obviously he hadn't seen a V8 but was more than willing to pass on bum dope.

jmonroe

alonzo2

Sure, you just pull straight up. The two pressure sensitive plunger type fasteners on on the left side of the engine as you face the car. Don't pull too hard on the right side. With your left hand knuckels resting on the manifold(when the engine is cool) just flex your fingers and push it straight up. It pops right off. I doubt you could hurt it. If you pull to much on the right side it tends to cantilever the cover to the left since there are no fasteners on the right side. Have fun.

bman900

Per Cars.com, the 2010 Genesis will be tweaking the suspension - "Hyundai has also made changes to the suspension that aims to improve ride quality without compromising handling performance". It will be interesting to see how this addresses some of the complaints in the 2009 suspension being unsettled over less than perfect road surfaces.

The 2010 models should be at dealers within the next few weeks. I would be curious to see some posts from people familiar with the 2009 model who testdrive the 2010. I can't imagine any drastic differences, but we will see.

allmet33

I'm wondering if it'll merely be component tweaks or if they'll upgrade it to the adjustable air suspension the Equus will have.

tjc78

From everything I read on the Hyundai Think Tank and other Genesis websites it is purely component tweaks. The architecture stays the same.

genesis57

I've been driving a 2009 V6 with all options for a year now and love the car. I get LOTS of compliments and lookers.

A couple things I'd like to know if anyone else has experienced:

- the car hesitates on take off from a full or almost full stop. Doesn't seem to improve with higher octane fuel. Anyone had this issue and resolved it?

- the bluetooth function keeps dropping/disconnecting the phone (an LG Dare) and often won't pair or connect. The phone works fine otherwise...so I suspect it's in the Genesis system. Anyone else?

- I also got a notice regarding a recall/service notice that they told me dealt with the GPS system....anyone have any info on that?

Thanks! Enjoy the ride!

JJ

tjc78

the car hesitates on take off from a full or almost full stop

Blame that on the transmission logic. The car tends to upshift while coasting down and then there is a slight delay in downshifting when looking to accelerate. Toyotas are notorious for this, although I don't remember my '06 Avalon doing it as often. If you get used to it, you can just about eliminate with very light peddle pressure when accelerating from a rolling stop.

the bluetooth function keeps dropping/disconnecting the phone (an LG Dare)

I don't have the tech package but my LG Dare never drops from the bluetooth unit up by the dome light. So, as you suggest it may be the unit in the car. Also, check your phone and make sure that the bluetooth power is set to on. If it is the phone should automatically connect every time you start your car.

fedlawman

You know, another possible solution is to avoid "high performance" tires altogether and switch to a premium "touring tire."

When my company car (a not so late-model Ford Taurus) needed new tires last year, I did some research and selected the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred as a replacement with the hopes that it would quiet the ride and smooth the jitters. This tire surpassed my wildest expectations - so much so that, when the OE Michelin tires on my personally owned 2004 Volvo V70 needed replacing, I bought a set for it. Well, I have no regrets. The Volvo is a smooth and quiet tourer to begin with, and the Goodyears managed to raise the bar and improve all of the Volvo's ride qualities.

I also had a similar experience on my 2001 Volvo V70 (which was totaled in an accident 5 years ago) when I replaced the OE Michelin tires with Bridgestone Turanza tires.

And no, I have no complaints with the grip and cornering ability of either of these tires (and I have some experience with performance cars and tires - being the owner of a track-worthy BMW M3). For a luxury-slanted car like the Genesis (or my Volvo), there is no sacrifice in driving dynamics by switching to a velvety smooth riding tire.

poodog13

You know, another possible solution is to avoid "high performance" tires altogether and switch to a premium "touring tire."

Agreed, I also moved from High Perf tires to the GY ComforTreds when my OEM tires ran out on my personal vehicle (not a Genesis), and found them to be quieter, better able to absorb rough road, and longer wearing. I've got a fairly heavy foot and live in an area with many windy roads, and I haven't noticed much if any change in performance. In fact, with the number of potholes and bumps we have, I feel like these actually do a better job of absorbing those imperfections and sticking to the road instead of causing bounce.

surrfurtom

I noticed they merged the sedans and coupes at the dealer I looked at even though they have different links. Another irritating thing about the Hyundai dealer web site inventory is that they don't spell out the options in the vehicle such as showing the actual window sticker as GM does. Instead of options they show a list of the features of the car. That's the way I read it and the Hyundai manager agreed that it was not satisfactory, although he says it is run by Hyundai. Some other cars I've looked at through the manufacturer inventory web sites (not Edmonds) also do not show the complete build sheet on the car.

audiobuff

First of all, a little background. In November of last year we came from a 2006 Infiniti M35, standard suspension, to a 2009 Genesis 4.6 w/tech package. And yes, I felt it had, for me, a small low speed suspension issue, but after 22,000 miles, not enough to worry about. The car has been flawless. We also have (had, after last night) a 2006 Acura RL that was coming off lease. Last night we took delivery of a 2010 Genesis 4.6 w/ tech package. Now I’ve only had a chance to put about 40 miles on it, but I knew the moment that I drove it out of the dealer’s showroom that they had fixed the suspension problem. The small bumps seem more muted, damped, if you will. If I had to put a percentage on it, I would say 65% to 70% . Nice going Hyundia!! The highway ride hasn’t changed either, although, I only had it out for a short run last night just to make sure the wheels wouldn’t fall off (Ha! Ha!). Other than that, It seems to be the same car on the inside. Changes: 1) Buttons on the steering wheel have changed because of the new cruise control and 2) the steering wheel, itself, is now smaller in diameter and 3) the new electronic parking brake control ( the jury is still out on this one) and the hill hold button next to it ( I haven’t tried this one yet). 4) The Nav is NOT touch screen, as someone earlier posted. It is the same as the 2009 and my least favorite of the three cars. I think the touch screen is only on the base V8 and V6 (?). The interior of both cars are black, the only difference is the 2009 has brown leather on the dash and the new one came with black. Sorry this post was so long.

Jeff

allmet33

Not quite sure I follow along with merging coupes and sedans.

In regards to the window sticker...what do you feel is being left out. The dealer I go to, the sticker shows everything the car has on it. It lists the standards stuff that comes on the car, then based on which trim level...it lists the packages along with the options included in that package group.

LASHAWN

You also might want to make sure your phone is capatible with the bluetooth system in your car. I work at a Saturn dealership and have had customers complain about the same thing with their cars dropping the bluetooth function. Come to find out, it was their phone and not the car.

houdini1

Just grab it at each of the 4 corners and give it a steady pull upwards.

With 4 hands to pull with it should be easy !!

oompah1003

This is how Hyundai's sales work.

Commision is $50 flat from dealer or 10% of profit if $400 over invoice or more. Each salesperson is also issued a Spin card from Hyundai which pays on each car based on how many cars a salesperson has out for the month.

1-4 cars $50 per car
5-10 cars $100 per car reverting back to 1st car
11-16 cars $150 per car reverting back to 1st car
17 + $200 per car reverting back to 1st car.

Based on 99% of cars going out below invoice, a salesperson makes a flat $250 per car plus 10% of any warranties sold on the back end. The salesperson is looking to move volume to get their quota each month. They will always fight for you to get the lowest price so they can make the sale. I am sure it is always nice to get the customer that comes in without negotiating, but it is very rare.

surrfurtom

I was responding to a previous post where the poster complained about the functionality of the Hyundai web site, where consumers can search dealer inventory.

The biggest problem that I've observed is that you can't pull up the actual window sticker of the vehicle. They give a listing of features but they don't show feature packages or individual options. They give MSRP but I'm not sure if it includes delivery. The sticker view is based on the build sheet and would clarify option pricing and delivery. The feature listing means nothing and could have errors.

Also when you click on Genesis Sedan link it brings up inventory for coupes also which is an inconvenience.

jmonroe

With 4 hands to pull with it should be easy !!

Now you know why no one wants to get in the ring with me. :P

jmonroe

houdini1

Yeah, and now I know why you don't mind waxing that Genny so much !! Must take about 2 minutes.

in_power2002

How many cars does the average sales person sell in a month? If it's 15 for example, then these guys are really low paid. If they get paid the same for an Elantra or a Genesis, I'm thinking they'd prefer to sell the Elantra, as there are way more of those buyers.

toye

Yesterday I just installed a Video in Motion (VIM) on my Genesis 3.8 Tech. It now allows me to play DVD's when driving my car. Now mind you I didn't do this for the driver but for passengers enjoyment. It is a plug and play modum that fits behind the radio in the dash. You control by pushing down the voice command button on the steering wheel for 3 seconds on and off. It's flawless. Now we can use the DVD on long trips and enjoy the glorious Lexicon 7.1 surround sound that comes with it.

stephen987

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

toye

That is one of my concerns if I were to use it in everyday traffic. It is met for long drives with passengers. As a safe driver my concren will be the highway.

stephen987

Then I envy your powers of concentration. I can barely drive while on the phone--I could never keep my focus if there's a movie going!

toye

One of the reasons I got the Genesis was the fact that it had intergrated bluetooth. It's just like having a conversation with a passenger and keeping both hands on the wheel. No outgoing texting or recieving texting. With the tech package The control knob is at your fingertip and not on the dash. It really helps keeping focused on one's driving

allmet33

I think it has to do with the fact that those looking pretty much know what each trim level has in terms of package options.

I mean...3.8 Premium, 3.8 Premium Plus & 3.8 Tech. I believe the 4.6 only comes with or without the Tech package, but according to Hyundai's website, the 4.6 only comes as a Tech package.

That being said...one could easily venture to the Hyundai website to see what features each trim level has. They don't list individual options because Hyundai doesn't offer them individually, they come as a package.

Which website are you talking about, I've been to the HyundaiUSA.com site and there's nothing there that allows you to search inventory. It only lets you find dealers in your area.

carolinabob

Consumer Reports has a section on their website for owner opinions of their cars. Under Hyundai Genesis, 54% report negatively on the ride of the car. That's over half for those of you statistically challenged.
That is far too many for a company that is trying to become a luxury make.
In 2006 and 2007, the Azera received rave reviews as a near luxury/upscale car that would make Detroit, the Germans and the Japanese fearful.
Didn't happen. Azera sales have plummeted and according to Edmunds the TMV for '09's is expected to fall dramatically further.
BMW sales are up 17.5%, Volvo up 19%, Porsche up 17%. While Hyundai and Kia have had even larger increases, a lot of it is due to cash for clunkers and the poor economy. As the economy improves even further, true luxury sales will go up and Hyuundai will stabilize far behind the J3 and even the D3. :P

marvinlee1

Carolina Bob has it right: A luxury car, for most buyers, should have a luxury ride. Hyundai now realizes this, and has made significant improvements to the 2010 model. Based on the improvement, I will again try to negotiate a new Genesis in Pearl White, beige interior, and no tech package. I'm not sure why the Azera has not done better. It is a fine looking car.

backy

Have you driven the 2010 Genesis sedan? If so, how does the ride compare to the 2009?

allmet33

Consumer Reports has a section on their website for owner opinions of their cars. Under Hyundai Genesis, 54% report negatively on the ride of the car. That's over half for those of you statistically challenged.

You're right, 54% is a hair past half, but the problem is...it is only slightly more than half of those polled. I really wonder what that number would look like if you were able to poll ALL Genesis owners.

You can't even go by the number of people that post here as a true indicator as to how the car rides. The number that post here is a very small fraction when compared to the overall numbers of Genesis owners. Even here, you have some that love it, some that hate it and some that are just accepting of it.

tenpin288

Here's a post I just put up that shows the short reviews I am sure Bob is referring to.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f142795/3532#MSG3532

Hardly a game-stopping indictment of the Genesis ride quality, especially considering that 12 of the 13 reviewers gave the Genesis 5 out of 5 stars. Oh, and the thirteenth only gave it a 4 star rating!

allmet33

Heck, just take a look at the reviews posted on Edmunds. There's a total of 178 reviews with an overall average of 9.3. Just like I said with the CR poll, the 178 reviews is a mere fraction to the total of Genesis owners out there.

In a nut shell, you have those that love it, those that hate it and those that will try to find any way possible to make it seem like Hyundai is turning out low-quality products when in reality...they aren't. All cars issues. I'm sure if you go to any other forum (pick a car) you'll see posters in there with issues there as well and you'll have posters that don't. Nobody is crying "death to Toyota" with the backslide they've had in quality, but with Hyundai on the rise...they try to knock every single flaw they find. Hmmmmmmmmmmm...

sergio19

I completely agree with what you're saying allmet...And the beauty is that they are far from finished! There's way more coming from them. EQUUS, New face lifts for the Sonata, Elantra and Tucson all look awesome!

My previous car was an Azera and the 3 before that were Camry's.
I'm completely happy with what Hyundai has being doing the past few years with their cars. I am particularly impressed with what's coming in the near futur!!!

For the Record...I own a 4.6/Tech Genesis and couldn't be happier with it. I think it rides EXCELLENT and would NOT change suspension even if they pay me!
It handles extremely well for me, I wouldn't want to change that nor loose that handling.

Regards,

allmet33

Sergio...how are things going my friend?

The Equus is truly a magnificent machine. I got to sit in one while it was here the DC/VA area for a little while. As I said before...I thought I was in love with the Genesis until the Equus came along...WHEW!!!

The Genesis has turned heads, the Equus will turn everything upside down!!! :shades:

sergio19

I'm doing great Mike...hope all is well with you too.

Actually it's a good thing they didn't have the Equus here cause I probably would've bought it! I also think it's overkill for me.

Truthfully I'm soo impressed with my Genesis it's ridiculous! I already have 20,000KM and it's only been 6 months. It is unreal how I feel in this car. Everything is just perfect for me...you know me and let me tell you the sound system is just spectacular! I've added my 12" HCCA 12D sub alongside my HCCA-D2400 Amp and the sound with it is stupid loud!
Actually it's not about it being loud but it's about the quality of the overall sound. I have about 100 DVD-A and DTS CD's and I wish you could hear it. This Lexicon is AWESOME!

I hope you do get the Equus...you're going to freak on it...I'm sure!

Kind regards,

alan_s

I traded my Genesis after 3 months for a Maxima SV. Everything was right about the Genesis except the ride. I could no longer tolerate the rough, nervous and unsettled ride. The Max rides a million times better than the Genesis.

The other big negative about the Genesis is the dealer service, or lack thereof. The dealers know nothing about the car and their jaded facilities remind me of the backyard grease-shops of the 1960's. Hyundai need to figure out the Genesis suspension issues and upgrade their staff training and facilities if they want to be taken seriously.

kenb757

Has anybody driven a 2010 Genesis? Does it ride significantly better than the 2009? If so, Hyundai should replace the suspension components on the 09s with those on the 10s as the 09 customers desire. It might be as simple as replacing the shocks and springs, as expensive as the tires, or as complex as the bushings. What tires are on the Genesis? If they're Bridgestones, then there's a big part of the ride problem. Consider Michelin Harmony or Good Year ComforTred tires instead.

allmet33

Sergio...glad to hear you're enjoying your Genesis so much. I test drove the 3.8 with Premium Package and was quite impressed with that one. However, for some reason...the wife said the Genesis didn't appeal to her. However, she did say the Equus was a beautiful car and she liked it enough that she said I could get that over the Genesis...who am I to argue???

I did get a chance to hear the Lexicon system in the Genesis, and you're right...it is amazing. I can only imagine how much more you get with the aftermarket sub/amp installation...I know it makes driving that much more enjoyable.

As far as the Equus goes, I'll be waiting with baited breath...let them hit the market for about a year and see how they do and probably pick one up off lease or something so I can save some major coin. It's a lot of car and it's one that I can see myself keeping for a very, very long time!

Take care my friend...

wolverinejoe80

is there anyway to find out exact numbers on the sedan's sales number? i know hyundai posts the sales number together with genesis coupe. I was arguing sedan is selling much better than the coupe, but i don't have any proof.

toye

last year they were selling 1600 per month before the coupe came into paly

wolverinejoe80

but since coupe arrived we have no idea of knowing the actual sales number on the sedan. last month genesis coupe and sedan together sold little over 1600. that's an alarming number. 2 months ago it was like 2300 which wasn't that bad...