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I think it shows how Hyundai is moving up in the world of professional opinion. First MT votes for the Veracruz over the Lexus RX, now the Sonata is a close 2nd to the Passat in a field of 10. And in fact, there's a lot of buzz about what "idiots" the MT editors were for picking the Passat over the Sonata, given the focus of the comparo was on how "familial and frugal" the cars are, and the Sonata was MT's top pick if a family is to be considered plus the most economical car (at least of the top five), plus priced thousands less than the Passat but with more equipment. So go figure.
2009 Hyundai Genesis: Ultra Luxury Sedan Value?
It is, when you consider Azera offers adjustable pedals and power folding outside mirrors which Genesis doesn't offer, with any package upgrade.
Description: Hyundai engineers looked closely at every detail when building the 2009 Genesis sedan. Now it's your turn. Go ahead, kick the tires.
They don't mention the top end of any of their various models.
Does any one know what those top speeds are? :confuse:
Delfin
aka Snaglepus
In terms of 0-60, C/D reported 5.5 secs, while most publications came in around 5.6-5.7 secs.
We rented a midsized car on a vacation for labor day weekend, and was told there was a shortage of cars, but that they would bump us up to a premium car. No argument here, since it was no charge extra.
We received a 2008 Sonata Limited.
This will be a very honest review.
First, the positives.
This car has a rigid chassis. Honestly, I was more than impressed. It's a big car, with a long wheelbase, and when I say solid and rigid chassis, I mean solid and rigid. NO, ZERO body flex, creaks or other signs of flexing or bending over even the roughest roads. Wow, Hyundai, I am impressed. There must high strength steel and crossmembers EVERYWHERE in this vehicle.
Also, this car is QUIET. Again, way more quiet than I ever expected, even on a windy day, and at freeway speeds of 85 mph for a stretch where traffic was very light and the road was very open. No wind noise, minimal road noise...wow, again, super impressed.
Further, the engine was quiet, geared properly, it boogied, and I averaged 26.7 mpg with about 85% highway driving. That's very impressive given how big and heavy this car is. What more can I say?
Also, the interior is massive, with a cavernous trunk and limousine-like rear seat. This is as big inside as a town car. The materials and assembly qaulity are very good, too. They aren't absolute top of the line, but for the money, a good value.
Finally, the Lexicon gauges are very easy and nice to read in both daylight and at night. They are quite Lexus-like.
Now for the bad, which isn't that long (but, unfortunately, in important categories to me).
The steering is awful. There is no excuse for steering to be so disconnected from the sensation of what the tires are doing or the road surface is like. I'm talking numb, light and loose, with absolutely no communication, and a need for constant road corrections to stay on course, especially in conjunction with...
...The suspension. Honestly, this car has a suspension that is a throwback to Lincoln Towncars and Cadillac Coupe Devilles of the 80s. I can't remember the last time I felt a car bounce and wallow over uneven or wavering pavement as much as the Azera on the highway. I refer to it as a 'porpoise suspension.' To make matters worse, there is a complete absence of coordination between what the front end and rear end do, or when they do it, which only makes the wallowing and float feel even more severe. At lower speeds, around town, this is not a problem. But on the highway, at speed above 60, even on smooth roads, it becomes extremely pronounced.
I liked the car, but the numb and imprecise steering and lack of proper damping of the suspension would absolutely keep me from buying an Azera.
And that is a damn shame, because otherwise, this car has value written all over it.
I was most impressed with the quiet interior and granite-like rigidity, and given that great chassis, it's a shame Hyundai didn't exploit to tie down the suspension and dial in some proper weight and feedback in the steering.
Total miles driven - 347.
And that's my honest review.
I disagree with you about how the Genesis V6 drives like the Azera (not that the Azera is a bad car, a fine automobile as a matter of fact). Aside from the similar engine, which is upgraded on the Genesis, the Genesis and the Azera couldn't be more apart, and that's done by design.
I never said the Genesis was a sport sedan (although some publications have
Let me correct a few things, if I may - the Genesis has sport-tuned suspension; 42K is the price for a LOADED Genesis V8 - yes, there are other very good cars out there in similar pricing terrority, but comparably speaking, the Genesis is still about 7-10K (or more) less than others out there.
Personally, I don't see the need for a hybrid, especially with the fuel economy for the Genesis being very respective, up there in the top rankings of the class.
"I liked the car, but the numb and imprecise steering and lack of proper damping of the suspension would absolutely keep me from buying an Azera."
I have a 2007 Azera and I have NO problem with steering or ANY suspension problems you noticed. I live in rural Wisconsin and not the best roads AND never had a problem at any speed. I had a Audi before and this car is a dream on the open road. I have driven my Azera for 15 hours straiught and I didn't feel I needed a Chiropractor after the trip.
Having driven both the Azera (from 2006-2009) and the Genesis V6, I have to say that the above statement really casts a shadow on all of your other comments.
These two autos couldn't be too much farther apart. The Azera feels like a waterbed to me, where the Genesis feels really well connected to the road. Also, the Azera has LOTS more road noise than the Genesis.
If one were to say that a Buick Lucerne and a Lexus GS felt "very similar", they would get run out of here. That isn't much different than an Azera and a Genesis IMO.
Sorry guys. It was an AZERA that I rented. Not a Sonata.
Sorry for any confusion.
I really tried to be completely honest and fair in my assessment, and I highlighted more strengths than weaknesses, and I think I was fair and I know I was honest.
One more caveat - it may have been a 2007 Azera, and not a 2008. The woman at the rental counter said it was an '08, but it had almost 18,000 miles on it, so I'm not sure. It's possible.
To jeffreid - Jeff, the Azera I rented was as quiet as any car I've ever driven in, including in terms of road noise. If you think it's loud, wow, I can't imagine that...
Not according to Car & Driver magazine. July '06 issue tested an Azera SE and came up with a low of 66db at 70MPH. Their Oct '08 test of the Genesis 4.6 had a low of 69db.
Jeff, you're buying an Infinity G37? Or am I confused?
Thanks.
Don
On the other hand, I am not sure what the suspension issues you speak of in which everyone notices. I've driven several models of the Genesis (V6 & V8) and have not noticed any real issues. The only "issue" happened after I drove a 550i, and I then thought the Genesis V8 was a little too soft, relatively speaking though - that was only because of the firmer (too firm for my likes) ride of the 5er. In terms of my needs, the suspension was well balanced, I thought, in between the GS and 5 Series, for example.
Also going through the main Genesis thread here, I have not seen the suspension issues coming up with those having driven the Genesis.
Have fun in your G37.
Are you addressing me or 101649?
I'm the one that said the Azera was super quiet thought the suspension was very disjointed and bounding. I never made any comparison between the Genesis and the Azera.
I asked if Jeff was getting an Infinity G37 because I though that's what he wrote, and I'm surprised if true, because he's a Hyundai dealer, no?
Anyways, sometimes it's hard to keep track of who is talking to who on here.
Don
Following the topic of discussion, 101649 was talking about himself, as he's looking to get into a G37.
Following the topic of discussion, 101649 was talking about himself, as he's looking to get into a G37.
Okay, gotcha.
Thanks.
Don
I would like to drive a G, and E-class, a Genesis, a XF, and a GS back to back to see what I REALLY think. Just because I work at a Hyundai dealership, that doesn't mean that my money isn't MY money............
Anyhow, I stand behind my comment about the road noise in the Azera. All I can think about are the test drives that I would be on, and feel really uncomfortable with the tire roar and such that seemed to be all over the cabin. I have noticed a huge difference with the Genesis.
Sorry if this offends any of you. It is not meant as a slight or anything, it is just my observations.
BTW, the Genesis sports the DunlopSP Sport 5000m tires....Definitey an upgrade.
Usually they reduce the tire pressure just before delivery.
Not sure how your dealer does it...
'Supposed to' is the keyword here. The moronic dealership which sold me my Azera didn't & I drove for about 2-3 months with 51psi instead of 32psi. I used to check air pressure on my previous cars every week. But since this Azera had a fancy TPMS, I got complacent & thought TPMS would let me know if the pressure was below or above spec.
Well, TPMS tells you only when it is underinflated (20% below). So, keep checking your tire pressure every other week folks!
If they started at 51psi, basically it would never go on, despite the pressures being way off.
This is a recurring situation with most all of the Azera's I have been in and we have one of the best service departments in our area. I would think that our tire pressures should be done right most of the time.
The Azera is a well built car, I just think that you get a better car for the money with the Genesis.
The major US publications have had great things to say about this car, and the consumers as well. Is it a perfect car? Of course not, but the long list of pluses have far outshined the small areas of drawbacks. Naturally, just like every other vehicle model out there, this isn't for everyone; some may like it, some may not. One thing is clear, however, this car, has the caliber to compete with other players in its class, and it's drawing that very attention.
The ride is the biggest criticism of the Genesis by quite a few reviews in magazines. Some of them have said it's way to harsh, transmits road imperfections through the steering wheel, and Automobile Magazine in its August 2008 review was really critical, saying that unlike other entry level luxury-sport cars, the Genesis's 'suspension fell apart on back roads.'
Though falling short of the BMW’s sporting standard, the Genesis is better on fast back roads than the cushy Lexus LS460 and way better than the loosey-goosey Toyota Avalon.
Of course, the freeway riding is nothing short of excellence, as commented.
For what is, the Genesis does fine for its purpose. This is not a sport sedan so don't expect the car to zig zag to almost perfection like the 5er. Two very different animals.
Wanna bet?
If I work for a Hyundai dealership, I would have had myself a Genesis already, with the applied discount.
Of course, the Lexus and Infinitis did not wallow the way the Azera does, but I am hopeful new shocks will fix that.
Bottom Line: There are too many variables in the differences in cars today for any one to be the best for everybody or even most people. It is a very individual thing and that is good for us.
The above link is NOT the http://www.hyundaigenesis.com
Hyundai sells their cars cheaper and offer a lot of bells and whistles that others don't or else charge exhorbitently for. Perhaps the low cost is the problem, they are cutting corners somewhere and I think it is the suspension and quality control.
You can read my Genesis impressions under Genesis Test Drives site. You can also read Automobile Magazine and Car and Driver's road tests of the Genesis re: poor suspensions. This is not acceptable on a car that wants to be considered a luxury car.
BTW, both the media and Hyundai referred to the Azera as a luxury car when it was introduced in 2006.
Just plain impossible! Maybe you THINK they're going out so soon, but in reality, it just is not happening.
PS My office hours are 9 to 5. My hourly rate is $200.00. When would you like to start your therapy?