2009 Hyundai Genesis Review and Prices

by Chuck Giametta
2009 Hyundai Genesis Test Drive
2009 Hyundai Genesis Competition
2009 Hyundai Genesis Car Quote

2009 Hyundai Genesis: Pro and Con
Pros:

• Room, power, and luxury features at prices that can’t be ignored
• The V-8 version in particular proves this ambitious South Korean automaker can build a premium sedan

Cons:

• Backlit in a blue/violet glow, some of the dashboard displays can be difficult to read in certain light conditions or through polarized sunglasses 
• All-wheel drive is not offered

2009 Hyundai Genesis Buying Advice

• The 2009 Hyundai Genesis is the best car for you if you like rear-wheel drive, want a lot of car for the money, and don’t care if the neighbors think luxury begins with Lexus.
• Hyundai is the seventh best-selling brand in the U.S. on the strength of its economy cars. Now it dives into the entry-luxury field with the 2009 Genesis, its first car with rear-wheel drive and an available V-8 engine. Base prices start at $33,000 for the Genesis 3.8 model with a 290-horsepower V-6 and at $38,000 for the Genesis 4.6 model with a 375-horsepower V-8.
• The 2009 Hyundai Genesis counts among its competitive set the Chrysler 300, Cadillac CTS, Lexus ES 350, and maybe the Infiniti M. Hyundai would like to you to believe BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class buyers would be interested too, but that’s it’s attempt to market by association.
• The 2009 Genesis 3.8 model won’t leave you wanting for performance or driving pleasure – unless you also sample the 2009 Genesis 4.6. This V-8 sedan performs on par with higher-priced cars and feels more composed on the road than the Genesis 3.8. If you have the extra scratch and aren’t frightened by fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city/25 highway (versus 18/27 for the Genesis 3.8 model), the 4.6 version is the 2009 Hyundai Genesis to consider.

2009 Hyundai Genesis Changes

• Styling: It’s conservative, but Hyundai’s goal is a look that allows the 2009 Genesis to fit in, not stand out. In fact, the word “Hyundai” is nowhere on the car’s exterior; the only brand identification is a stylized “H” logo on the trunk lid. The shape of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis is gently rounded, even a little dated, but it does emphasize the car’s rear-wheel-drive layout. A generous wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) and a wide track places the tires near the corners of the body to create a visually sure-footed stance. The 2009 Hyundai Genesis acquires most of its identity from its grille, a carefully executed series of graceful wing-like bars. A horizontal chrome strip bridges the tail lamps to give the rump some distinction. In overall size, the Genesis compares directly with such familiar entry-luxury sedans as the Infinity M and Chrysler 300, though Hyundai says it has more interior volume than a BMW 7-Series.
• Mechanical: To be taken seriously as a premium sedan, the 2009 Genesis needed to be rear-wheel drive, not front-wheel drive. A rear-drive layout best distributes a car’s weight for optimal steering and handling; it’s the starting point for Jaguar, Infiniti, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and for Lexus’s top models. The chassis, suspension, and structural design of the Genesis are up-to-the-minute modern, but the car does not offer all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is the trend in upscale motoring. On slippery surfaces, it provides better traction than rear-wheel drive. Every key competitor offers it.
• Hyundai expects 80 percent of Genesis buyers to choose the 3.8 model, which has a 290-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 engine. The 4.6 model has a 4.6-liter V-8, which Hyundai rates at 375 horsepower using premium-grade fuel and 368 horsepower running on less-expensive regular-octane gas. Both engines mate to a six-speed automatic transmission that allows the driver to toggle the shift lever in a separate gate to mimic the gear-holding capabilities of a manual transmission. The 3.8 comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, the 4.6 with 18s. Antilock brakes and an antiskid system with traction control are standard on both.
• Features: Included on every 2009 Hyundai Genesis is leather upholstery with heated power front seats, heated power mirrors with turn-signal indicators, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Also standard is remote keyless entry with pushbutton ignition. The standard audio system is an 11-speaker Lexicon-brand unit with CD changer, XM satellite radio, and auxiliary and USB jacks for iPods and other digital audio devices. Bluetooth cell-phone connectivity also is included.
• To the 3.8 model’s standard equipment, the 2009 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 model adds upgraded leather upholstery and leather on the dashboard, door panels, and center console lid. It also gets a power tilt and telescope steering wheel with wood trim, a power glass sunroof, power rear sunshade, and rain-sensing wipers.

2009 Hyundai Genesis Prices

• Base price of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 model is $33,000. Base price of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 model is $38,000. (These are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and include Hyundai’s mandated $750 destination fee.)
• The Genesis 3.8 Premium Package costs $2,000 and adds leather-wrapped dash and door trim inserts, the power sunroof, integrated seat and mirror memory system, power tilt and telescopic steering column, power rear sunshade, Lexicon 14-speaker surround sound, six-disc CD changer, and rain-sensing wipers. The Genesis 3.8 Premium Plus Package includes the Premium Package equipment and adds 18-inch hyper-silver alloy wheels; it costs $3,000.
• The Technology Package available for both versions of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis includes a Lexicon 17-speaker discrete audio system, six-disc in-dash DVD changer,  navigation system with rear backup camera, XM satellite radio with navigation-traffic capability and complimentary one-year subscription, auto-leveling xenon headlights, front/rear parking assist, and a cooled driver’s seat. The Technology Package costs $4,000, but ordering it on the Genesis 3.8 model requires that you also order the Premium Plus Package.

2009 Hyundai Genesis Gas Mileage

• Fuel economy is not a top priority for buyers in the entry-level-luxury class, but the 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 and 4.6 models do have higher mileage ratings than most of their competitors.
• EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 are 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway. Ratings for the 2009 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 are 17/25. Hyundai recommends premium-octane fuel for both engines, but says the 4.6 can be run on regular-grade with some sacrifice in power. It is among the only automakers to list different horsepower ratings using premium and regular fuel grades

2009 Hyundai Genesis Release Date

• Release date for the 2009 Hyundai Genesis was June 2008. The 2009 Hyundai Genesis is built in South Korea and Hyundai plans to introduce a coupe version of this car for the 2010 model year.