NEW FOR 2015:
– All-new model.
When Hyundai launched the Genesis back in 2009, it shook the foundations of the luxury world. For 2015, there’s a brand new Genesis, and while the impact isn’t as loud, the second-generation car is perhaps one of the most impressive new vehicles to debut this year.
The new Genesis rides on an all-new platform that’s both bigger and stiffer than before. It also features standard all-wheel drive. Tuning for the ride, suspension, and steering were done by Britain’s Lotus to give it a level of dynamic finesse that previously held the Genesis back from besting rivals from Germany and Japan. On the move, it’s more relaxing than ever with imperceptible wind and road noise. If there’s a reason to bypass the new Genesis, it’s not for a lack of polish or the way that it drives.
Especially impressive is the technology – the standard navigation screen is rendered via an 8.0-inch or a 9.2-inch 720p display screen, while the head-up display is bigger than rivals’ and displayed in full colour. The finer details of comfort from standard leather upholstery, to seats with adjustable thigh support and side bolsters are accounted for. Most impressively, Hyundai hasn’t shifted pricing significantly with the Mk. II model. Prices start at a reasonable $43,000, with the range-topping 5.0 Ultimate selling for $62,000. That undercuts rivals by as much as $20,000.
The Genesis comes standard with a 311-hp 3.8-litre V6 engine, with a 420-hp 5.0-litre V8 engine offered on the range-topping Ultimate model. All use a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic.
The V6 comes in 3.8 Premium, 3.8 Luxury, and 3.8 Technology trims, while the V8 comes only as the 5.0 Ultimate.
The 3.8 Premium includes 18-inch wheels, adaptive HID headlamps with LED daytime running lights, LED fog lights, LED tail lights, power folding mirrors with integrated turn signals and Genesis logo welcome lights, solar tinted glass, rain-sensing wipers, leather upholstery, 12-way power front seats with four-way lumbar support, heated front seats, seven-speaker AM/FM/CD system with satellite radio, 8.0-inch navigation system with 4.5 GB internal hard drive, USB and aux-in jack, Bluetooth, wood and metal interior trim, chrome interior door handles, extending sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, cabin air filter, console-mounted rear seat heater ducts, cruise control, voice command, 4.3-inch TFT instrument cluster display, selectable drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow), proximity key with push-button start, front armrest with storage, auto-dimming rear-view mirror with garage door opener, reverse camera, and power trunk release.
3.8 Luxury adds auto-dimming exterior mirrors, panoramic sunroof, premium Napa leather upholstery, 16-way power adjustable driver’s seat with thigh and bolster adjustments, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, 900-watt 14-speaker Lexicon sound system, open-pore wood trim with geometric aluminum trim, illuminated scuff plates, power tilt and telescoping steering column, heated steering wheel, rear side sun blinds, memory recall function, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot warning, cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist.
3.8 Technology adds interior carbon dioxide sensor, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, electronic parking brake, high-beam assist, 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster display, head-up display, and hands-free smart trunk.
5.0 Ultimate adds 19-inch alloy wheels, micro-suede headliner, 9.2-inch display with driver information system multimedia controller, 17-speaker Lexicon audio system, adaptive damping, headlight washer, and Smart Key Card proximity key.
