2015 Hyundai Genesis Review: A Much-Needed Redesign

Rating

Hyundai’s redesigned luxury sedan is a legitimate competitor to pricey European brands like BMW.

Type

Four-door sedan (base model)

Engine

3.8-litre V6

Fuel economy

11 L/100 km comb

Power

311 hp

Drivetrain

Rear-wheel drive

Transmission

8-speed automatic

Competition

• BMW 5 Series
• Audi A6
• Infiniti Q70

Best For

Smooth highway cruising in a stylish package

When Hyundai introduced the Genesis in 2008, the sedan was the South Korean automaker’s first premium offering, citing such hallowed nameplates as the BMW 5-Series as its competition. The main hook was a price point that was tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than BMW, but with all of the features and performance of a German creation. It delivered on the former and did enough to get by on the latter.

Today, however, it looks dated. While the first generation introduced Hyundai to performance buyers, the design didn’t hold up.

Enter the 2015 Hyundai Genesis.

This sedan looks like it belongs. A chic chrome grille and sleek HID Bi-Xenon headlights highlight its face. The long sculpted front-end is classy and muscular; a look that bodes well in this class. Sharp lines highlight the side panels, while the backend comes to an exacting stop, contrasting the front. They’ve nailed the design and it feels as if it will last beyond its generation’s lifespan.

What hasn’t changed is its pricing story. The all-new Genesis starts at $43,000, maintaining a double-digit deficit compared to its BMW nemesis. Step up to the Luxury ($48,000) and Technology ($53,000) trims for more features; both keep the standard 3.8-litre V6 engine, which is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, capable of 311 hp. Jump to the top-end Ultimate model ($62,000) to experience heightened performance: it features a 5.0-litre V8 engine that pushes 420 hp.

Hyundai ensures there are features aplenty, no matter which model you choose. An eight-inch screen with navigation, leather seats and proximity keyless entry are just a few of the perks that come standard. Begin to move up and you’ll be greeted with a host of additions that include heated seats, safety features such as rear cross traffic alert and lane change assist, and a head up display, which projects data in the bottom corner of the windshield.

On the road the V8 is composed and powerful. When you don’t need to hear it roar to life, it’s one of the smoothest highway cruisers. Apply a little extra force on the gas pedal, though, and the Genesis moves with aplomb. It accelerates quickly and silently. And all models feature Hyundai’s HTRAC All-Wheel Drive System. Tested on Nürburgring, the famed German test track, HTRAC uses four modes—Normal, Sport, Eco and Snow—to control braking power on the left and right wheels and alter power output based on road conditions. This helps keep the Genesis stable around tight corners during inclement weather, and provides up to 90 per cent of torque to the rear wheels when you really want to feel its power.

From design to features to performance, the Hyundai Genesis checks off every box and legitimately places it in a conversation with the European nameplates that have owned the premium sedan segment for decades.