2010 Hyundai Genesis

Review

Typically, when you think of a Hyundai, you think of economy, dependability, and practicality. But the 2010 Genesis sedan is adding one more descriptor to Hyundai’s reputation—luxury. The 2009 North American Car of the Year, the Genesis has gotten even better for 2010, with a soft ride and luxury appointments far beyond its modest price tag. Read our review of the 2010 Hyundai Genesis to find out how the sedan performed in our road test.

Improvements from the 2009 Genesis

Several important upgrades distinguish the 2010 Hyundai Genesis from the 2009 model. For one, Hyundai has re-tuned the car’s suspension to minimize body lean in tight corners. A much-improved touchscreen navigation system now comes standard on V8 models of the Genesis and is available as an option on V6 models. Finally, Hyundai offers intelligent cruise control as an option on all 2010 Genesis models.

Performance

Although the 2010 Genesis lacks the athletic handling of some of its competitors, most auto reviews marvel at the compelling performance of the sedan. The newly-tuned suspension offers a softer, quieter ride than the 2009 model. The Genesis sedan has two engine options: a 3.8-liter V6 with 290 horsepower and a 4.6-liter V8 with a class-leading 375 horsepower. The V6 model provides ample power to the vehicle and offers great fuel economy. The V8 model, on the other hand, is the superior option according to many car reviews. The V8 is blisteringly quick, sprinting from 0-60 mph in just 5.7 seconds, rivaling much sportier and more expensive competing vehicles. Reviewers describe the brakes on the 2010 Genesis as powerful, giving the vehicle plenty of stopping power.

Exterior Features

By any standard, the design of the 2010 Hyundai Genesis is classy, reserved, and well-put-together. However, reviewers remain conflicted about the Genesis’ style. Some reviewers claim that the Genesis took its cues from too many higher-priced luxury sedans, and the result is a generic-looking vehicle. Other reviewers praise the handsome yet conservative look of the Genesis, admiring the aggressive lines along the shoulders of the vehicle and the almost-intimidating backward-sweeping grille. Hyundai offers the Genesis in both a sedan and a coupe model, but the coupe version shares few parts with the sedan and is meant to compete in the sports-car market rather than the luxury-vehicle segment. The sedan comes with a V6 or V8 engine, each of which represents a separate trim level.

Interior Features

If you study photos of the interior of the 2010 Hyundai Genesis, the walnut trim and leather-soaked surfaces could easily convince you that the Genesis sells for $20,000 or more than what it does. The design of the Genesis’ interior stays true to old-world luxury with features like a leather-lined dashboard, a feature typically reserved for the over-$50,000 vehicle segment. Reviewers praise the quality and craftsmanship of the Genesis’ interior, but some say the car’s seats are too soft to offer adequate support. The Genesis seats five adults comfortably and offers one of the largest trunks in its class. Standard interior features include a full range of airbags, automatic dual-zone climate control, leather seats, electronic active front head rests with whiplash protection, and much more.

Safety and Specifications

The 2010 Genesis is about as flawless as a car can be in the safety category. The sedan earned perfect car safety scores in both federal government and car insurance industry crash tests. In other words, the Genesis earned the highest scores possible in front-impact, side-impact, and rollover crash tests and this should ultimately mean cheap car insurance. A summary of the 2010 Genesis’s specs is provided below.

• Car pricing: $33,000 - $39,500 MSRP; $30,940 - $36,590 invoice
• Engine: 3.8-liter, 290-hp V6 or 4.6-liter, 375-hp V8
• Transmission: six-speed automatic transmission
• Acceleration: V6 model completes 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds; V8 model completes 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds

Upgrade Options

Most of the upgrades available on the 2010 Hyundai Genesis, such as the touchscreen navigation system and premium sound system, are included automatically when buyers choose the higher V8-level trim. Some of the standard features on the V8 model are available as individual options on the V6 Genesis. The technology package is also an option on the V8 model and includes Xenon adaptive headlights, a 17-speaker sound system, smart cruise control (automatically maintains set distance between Genesis and other vehicles), satellite radio, and much more.

How the Genesis Compares to Other Upscale Midsize Cars

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis is one of the best vehicles in its class, if not the best. In fact, U.S. News and World Report has ranked the 2010 Hyundai Genesis first of sixteen vehicles in the upscale midsize car class. The Genesis’ fuel economy is also highly competitive for the segment, with an 18/27 mpg city/highway rating on the V6 model and a 17/25 city/highway rating on the V8 trim.

New car guide information estimates the Hyundai Genesis’ Intellichoice 5 year cost of ownership for the 2009 model at $48,251, which is superb for its class. Data for the 2010 Genesis have not yet been released. The Genesis’ anticipated ownership costs include auto insurance premiums, fuel costs, routine maintenance, depreciation, and other expenses.

No J.D. Power Quality Ratings for predicted reliability have been released for the 2010 Genesis yet. However, the 2009 model performed well, earning a score of 8.0 out of 10. The 2010 model can be expected to perform similarly. The 2010 Genesis comes with a class-leading five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of roadside assistance with no mileage restrictions.

Conclusion: Is the 2010 Genesis a Smart Buy?

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis is a dream come true for buyers who have expensive tastes and a tight budget. The Genesis offers the kind of quality and luxury you would expect from a $50,000 vehicle, but the Genesis sedan starts at a modest $33,000. The V6-equipped Genesis is capable, and the V8-powered Genesis is lightning quick. The smooth ride, excellent safety scores, and endless luxury features the Genesis has to offer will delight potential buyers. If you’re in the market for a midsize luxury car, give the 2010 Genesis a test drive—you won’t believe you’re driving a Hyundai.