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You know what...I was trying to think about what the new Acuras looked like and you nailed it on the head...beaks!!!
INSIDE THE CABIN
The interior is more utilitarian than luxurious. There are lots of plastic mold lines and loose fits, and some sharp edges, but most materials are nice. Overall, it doesn't quite feel cheap, just a little bland. This big sedan has generous space, with plenty of head, leg, and foot room. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, but some complained that the nonadjustable shoulder anchor makes the safety belt uncomfortable. Wide front seats are supportive, but adjusting them is a chore. The space between the seat and door is tight, so it's difficult to get to the power-cushion adjuster. The manual recline knob, mounted at the seatback's base, is a long reach back and is stiff to turn. Wide front pillars block the view in corners, but low head restraints leave a clear view out of the large rear window. The rear seat is spacious, even for three adults. Even with the low seat cushion, it's easy to get comfortable because there's plenty of leg room. Getting into the seats is made more challenging by the low seats and roof, which requires some ducking. Controls aren't complicated, but some are awkward. Lots of switches you'd expect to find on the doors, such as the mirrors, locks, and windows, are between the seats. What looks like a tuning knob for the radio controls only menus, and the power button is separate. Lens glare often obscures the gauges. Cabin storage is modest. The G8's trunk is nicely finished, but the rear seats don't fold down. A trunk pass-through opens in the center seat to carry long cargo. The G8 does not come with a spare tire, just a can of sealant and an air compressor.
INSIDE THE CABIN
The interior of the Genesis rivals those of the very best luxury cars, with its optional stitched-leather dashboard facing and consistently high-quality materials. Everything fits together well except for the loose overhead Bluetooth control panel. There is plenty of room inside, easily accommodating even tall drivers. The optional power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helps everyone get comfortable. The front seats are decent but don't have quite as much support as those in other luxury cars. Large windows all around aid visibility and help make up for wide windshield pillars and large rear head restraints. The rear is as spacious as in luxury cars costing tens of thousands more. Seat contours cradle occupants, armrests are perfectly placed, and the cushion offers plenty of support. Access is very good; wide doors and tall roof make it easy. Controls in our test car were very straightforward to use. Radio and climate controls are large and mounted high on the dashboard. But opting for the navigation system forces you to use a multifunctional controller to navigate through frustrating onscreen menus for many simple tasks, such as tuning the radio. Some climate-control buttons are difficult to tell apart, and the blue control lighting lacks contrast in some conditions. The radio display was way too bright at night, but at least it was easy to turn off. Cabin storage is modest, with little open storage. A pass-through behind the center armrest opens to allow long items to fit in the trunk. But it doesn't lock, and the rear seats don't fold down.
I would like to acknowledge a post on December 27th by ricwhite that directed me to a couple of posts about this same problem on the Azera and a hood button being the culprit. Although my technician did not initially give it much credance, my Genesis obviously turned out to have the same scenario as the Azera problem (and fix).
Just my two cents but I think that this forum should stick to factual and useful dialogs rather than some idiot going on and on about how bad a car model (Genesis) is that he has never even driven. You don't need to read many of his posts to realize what a distorted and miserable misfit he is. I think most of you know who I am referring to.
Thanks again to ricwhite and others who have provided informative dialogs.
Mike
Guess they know luxury when they see it!
I for one am not too concerned about the Genesis gaining a lot of sales. I just want them to sell enough that it will survive and that Hyundai wants to invest money in it so that it'll be a better car in each iteration. I like the idea of having a car that stands out from the rest. And around where I live, BMW, Benz and Lexus vehicles are a dime a dozen.
Agreed, of course Hyundai would appreciate high sales right away, but, realistically, if they get enough sales to rack up some saved investment money in R&D for future productions of the Genesis RWD luxo-sedan and Coupe, that is truly a good thing for their future. And a nice thing for whomever wants to buy these particular rigs down the road apiece, too.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Hyundai probably uses he same part on both vehicles. Anyway, hope you nightmare is over....reminds me of my cars in the 80's when starting was sometimes an option.
First Hyundai to even be nominated as part of the finalist (final three), first Hyundai to win, and first luxury car to win.
If you read the article in my second post, Hyundai's 2008 sales drop was below the industry average, and that the co. is better positioned to weather the storm as it depends less on the US market than many of its competitors.
Fixed
Hyundai's US sales in 2008 was off by about 14%. Industry average was further off if I recall correctly.
Second, rat on the engine? Rat made a nest? What? I am still trying to figure out how that's possible...do you have rats as pets by any chance?
Third, no loaner? Which dealership is this? Even a used Hyundai vehicle (ie. Accent) gets a loaner here.
Azera owner here going on 3 years.
My Hyundai dealer (I'm in Canada) has ALWAYS lent me a loaner car.
Actually they went further than you think...if there loaner was not available, they would pay a rent a car for me with a up to 200KM/125Mi per day.
This is Hyundai in Brossard, Quebec, Canada.
Can't wait to get the Genesis in June when my lease is up!
Regards,
http://www.mississauga.com/article/20433
happened to my old van a while back.
Urban Wheel Awards:
Car of the Year
Hyundai Genesis
And, photo of the North American Car of the Year Award - book it
Amazing what can happen when chasing the allmighty dollar? Perhaps...
The Genesis really had no competition (the VW Jetta TDI, and the Ford Flex- 2nd and 3rd) but at least the NACOTY is based on some non 'subsidized' auto journalist opinions.
What's really impressive? Not something 'minor' like urban wheels and the limited choices that we had for the 2009MY - but somebody not subsidized like CR rating it ordinally higher than a number of other really fine 'upscale' sedans (incl. Hyundai's own Azera) and are priced similarily - or FTM statistics that show that the Genesis is sitting on lots a comparatively short period of time before they are sold.
'Urban Wheels' award gimmee a break! Why not just pay somebody we've heard of - like JDP - for some trumped up award like 'the highest initial quality and initial satisfaction for all sub $35k RWD boulevard cruisers that come with leather interiors, standard zoned air conditioning, heated seats, 300 hp, have a computer 'mouse' and lots of other available doodads - or whatever?' A class of one, you say - exactly the point.
The Genesis really had no competition
Right, the short list was just bunch of terrible cars :sick:
Audi A4
BMW 1 Series
Cadillac CTS-V
Dodge Challenger
Ford Flex
Honda Fit
Hyundai Genesis
Jaguar XF
Lincoln MKS
Mazda 6
Nissan GT-R
Pontiac G8
Toyota Venza
Volkswagen Jetta TDI
why would you think it is an underdog - just because it happens to be a Hyundai, perhaps? An attitude like that will only serve to perpetuate Hyundai's image problems - is there some reason that you think that Hyundai shouldn't be able to produce a good car? Of course they can - and they have - all it takes is a little commitment and some deep pockets.
The listing of your 2009 models really has limited choices if you are defining a 'car of the year' as something truly 'ground up' new which the Genesis, of course, is and many of these other candidates aren't. What vehicles on this list are not simple rebadges, simple updates, and/or 'crossovers' not really 'cars' at all. Just the 1 series (maybe) and the GTR ?
Not at all that the Genesis isn't deserving of many of the accolades it is getting, only that 2009 is and will be a bad year for cars, the Genesis being one of the few available bright spots on a rather bleak horizon.
2008 - Malibu, CTS, Accord
2007 - Aura, Fit, Camry
2006 - Civic, Fusion, Solstice
The first model listed in each year took home the award. You mean to tell me they were, and I quote "something truly 'ground up'"?
The nest could have been there from your place or from time on the dealer's lot.
10+ years ago I had a car where I found the bag of gumdrops I left on the front seat empty. Looked more carefully and saw a little mouse poop. I set a trap on the passenger floorboards and the next morning I had caught the intruder.
Fast forward a month or so and I go to get my oil changed. The technician comes into the waiting room and says "Sir, could you come take a look at this?" He leads me to the front of the car, and points to the air filter... one of those rectangular ones that lays horizontally... there are a half dozen gum drops and a couple of other candies on sitting on top of the filter... We'd found the storage vault!
Good thing the little guy didn't decide to chew the filter material... that could have been ugly...
of course not, but this only goes to illustrate how remarkable the Genesis is in that regard. As I said, of that original listing of nominees you posted , and other than the rather unavailable GTR, there is not one of them that is truly 'new' or remarkable in a COTY respect. If that is the competition, the 2009 Genesis should 'win' every COTY it is entered in, simply because of what it is, and what its competitors are not....
I don't know why you can't just give credit when it's due; of course, it's always when comes to Hyundai, like your position the Genesis won because limited choices :sick:
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/spy-shots-more-revealing-look-at-hyundai-equu- s-could-it-be-u/
First, let me get the one (big) problem that I have had out of the way. I am the one that had several posts related to a persistent battery drain problem that occurred every time I parked the car for more than three days. Long story short ... it turned out to be a defective switch that gets depressed upon closing the hood. I assume that it turns various things on or off (engine compartment light, security system, etc.). The technician believes that was the problem and that it is fixed. Ironically, I have not had an occasion to leave the car parked for more than two days since they achieved this "fix".
In spite of my frustration with the problem described above, I am still a big fan of the Genesis. It is not perfect (what car is?), but it does so many things well! In fact, if you go back to my previous updates, you will see below that I am becoming more impressed with the car as the miles roll by. Here goes:
1. I still think the V6 comes close to matching the V8 Genesis that I drove about six weeks ago. It has the same 0 to 60 of six seconds flat and the same 14.5 second quarter-mile time (per the March 2009 issue of Car and Driver). I was pleased to see that confirmation of my having suggested in one of my posts that the V6 appeared to hang with the V8 in any kind of normal driving. I keep repeating how well the six-speed transmission is mated with the V6 and how powerful the engine is for a V6. I have taken three trips over the steepest parts of the Blue Ridge and Smokey mountains and this thing is so torquey that it never has to drop down to 5th gear to keep pace at 75 to 85 MPH. Also, the transmission shows no symptoms of "gear hunting" like most six cylinders do on long, steep inclines to offset their lack of power and torque. I am convinced that Hyundai's rating of 290 HP is purposely understated to keep buyers from thinking it is too close to the 375 HP V8 version.
2. I find myself liking the ride characteristics better all the time. I was initially fairly critical of how "jiggly" it was over undulating road services and pavement seams. It is very stiff over speed bumps and rough pavement but out on the boulevard, it is a dream.
3. My fuel mileage remains good but somewhat inconsistent. Never-the-less, it always achieves the EPA rating of 27 on the highway. It usually gets a mile or two better than that but it sure does not like fuel containing ethanol. Don't get me started on that crap again!
4. Dare I repeat that I am still unhappy that Hyundai has calibrated the speedometer to overstate the actual speed? Are you listening Hyundai? Don't give me the old "it is within tolerance" jargon! If you are going to boast about how much technology went into the Genesis, don't act like it is acceptable to overstate the speed by as much as 5%.
5. I find it disappointing that the last two cars I owned had tire pressure monitors that gave readouts for each tire giving the PSI for each. The genesis just tells you when one tire is low.
6. The Lexicon is the absolute best audio system I have ever seen in an automobile.
In summary, I am trying to give an objective review from my perspective. I hate the posts from those that are fanatical either way, some claiming the car is perfect, and some going on and on about what a piece of junk it is. It is neither ... but in balance, it is a very competitive luxury car that leans toward being sporty as well.
I have TPMS in my 4Runner as well, it doesn't tell me which tire, but I figure it has easily saved me from buying two tires that might have other wised been ruined had the light NOT come on (telling me I had a problem somewhere) and allowing me to safely pull over and inspect the tires.
It doesn't seem it takes that long anymore to run a short distance on a flat tire and ruin it!
My Acura tells me the tire pressure of all 4 tires.
So far sensor has not shown "low tire pressure" as all are above 32 PSI
Okay, but how does it sound?
.
.
.
Just kidding.
"The Genesis profile also speaks premium...."
"...fit, finish, and soft touch materials that are equal or better than European rivals."
"On the track, our V8 Genesis was a delightful surprise, charging from 0 to 60 in a fast 5.8 seconds...."
"In terms of driving dynamics, the Genesis sports a nearly perfectly balanced chassis...."
"Through the twisties, Genesis is far more agile than many large sedans."
entire article: http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2804a.shtml
I knew that someone was going to catch me on saying that I was "seeing" the sound from the Genesis Lexicon. Well ... I am originally from the hills of Arkansas so what did you expect???!
It was not too much of a stretch to say I could "see" the sound as good as it is! I can definitely "feel" it.