Before Hyundai Motors America launched the new Genesis brand, it created the five-passenger Hyundai Genesis sedan to put its toe in the automotive luxury market. While it was packed with amenities at a reasonable price, it didn’t quite win over die-hard luxury vehicle buyers keen to show off their German badges at the valet stand.
But the Korean automaker did win over buyers who wanted understated luxury without the premium price tag. The Hyundai Genesis became the precursor for the Genesis brand, launched in 2017, and eventually turned into the Genesis G80. The Hyundai Equus, positioned above the Genesis in the Hyundai lineup, then became the Genesis G90.
The growth of Genesis cars as a luxury brand in their own right is testament to the demand for affordable luxury cars. Though the Genesis G80 and the G90 were just the beginning, we now see a full lineup of Genesis models, including the Genesis G70, the Genesis GV80, and the Genesis GV80 Coupe. Genesis Motors even has electric models such as the Genesis GV60, the Genesis Electrified GV70, and the Genesis Electrified G80.
And to think, it all started with a midsize sports sedan from a South Korean automaker keen to take on German luxury.
Hyundai Genesis: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hyundai Genesis Pros and Cons
- Hyundai Genesis Generations
- Hyundai Genesis Second Generation (2015–2016)
- Hyundai Genesis First Generation (2009–2014)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hyundai Genesis years are the best?
Hands down, the best year to buy for the Hyundai Genesis is the 2014 model year. As well as being the last year of the first generation (it’s always better to buy later in the cycle), it’s also the only model year with no recalls and, according to CarComplaints.com and NHTSA.gov, it has the fewest complaints. If you can’t find a 2014 model, consider the 2010 or 2016 model years, which have fewer complaints and recalls than others.
What are the worst Hyundai Genesis years?
According to CarComplaints.com, the worst year to buy is the 2012 model year, due to engine problems, but NHTSA.gov also logs a high number of complaints, and the highest number of recalls for the 2015 model year.
Is a used Hyundai Genesis a good deal?
The Hyundai Genesis is a very good deal. If you opt for the 2014 model year, for example, you’ll pay a quarter of the original MSRP. The top trim was originally listed at about $48,000, and today you’ll pay about $12,000. While the price will increase if you opt for a 2016 model, we still think it’s a good deal at about $16,000.
Hyundai Genesis Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good tech for its time
- Well-powered engine
- Lots of high-end amenities
Cons:
- Unoriginal design
- Not up to German-car handling standards
- Hyundai brand isn’t associated with luxury
Hyundai Genesis Generations
Hyundai Genesis Second Generation (2015–2016)
The short-lived second-generation Hyundai Genesis debuted for the 2015 model year, making serious changes to the style as well as the driving experience. It got a new chassis, a new infotainment system, and overhauled suspension, making it more competitive with the likes of the BMW 5 Series, the Audi A6, the Lexus GS, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The 3.8- and 5.0-liter engines carried on with this new generation of the full-size Genesis sedan, even though they had slightly less horsepower than the 2014 models. They were both still mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive was still standard, but all-wheel drive (AWD) was now available with the V6 models.
Even the later Genesis was still considered a bargain with all its standard features, which included navigation, Bluetooth functionality, a hands-free Smart Trunk opener, heated front seats, 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat, paddle shifters, and push-button start. Available features included a head-up display, a 16-way power adjustable driver’s seat, 17-speaker Lexicon surround sound system, an upgraded 9.2-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, headlight washers, a power rear sunshade, and lane keep assist.
The second and last model year of this generation saw few changes. The Genesis got HID headlights and LED daytime running lights, and LED fog lights were available with the 3.8. The 5.0 was, by this point, a fully loaded trim with all the bells and whistles.
Pricing is generally between $10,000 and $20,000 for a model with less than 100,000 miles. We found several 3.8 models advertised for less than $15,000, but if you want the 5.0, you’ll have to spend a little more.
Hyundai Genesis First Generation (2009–2014)
The first-generation midsize Hyundai Genesis entered the U.S. for the 2009 model year and was benchmarked against the BMW 5 Series. In fact, when Hyundai first revealed this new luxury sedan, John Krafcik, Hyundai’s then vice president for product development, said: “Genesis offers the performance of a BMW 5 Series, the interior packaging of a 7 Series, at the price of a 3 Series.”
At launch, the Genesis was rear-wheel drive and had two powertrain options: a 290 hp 3.8-liter V6 and a 375 hp 4.6-liter V8. Both powertrains had a six-speed automatic transmission.
One of the biggest selling points was the amount of luxury amenities you got as standard. The likes of cruise control, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, heated front seats, and remote keyless entry were all included in the base price. While a seven-speaker audio system was standard, there was the option of a 17-speaker Lexicon premium audio system. Other options included navigation with real-time XM NavTraffic and automatic front lighting that allowed the headlights to swivel for better visibility while cornering.
More tech was added for the 2010 model year. Adaptive cruise control was included with the Technology Package, and the seven-inch navigation system was made available with the 3.8 models and became standard on the 4.6 models. The 2011 changes were limited to the 4.6 model, which got an additional 10 hp and more standard features, such as heated and cooled front seats, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and a rearview camera.
Though all models were refreshed for the 2012 model year, including a new eight-speed automatic transmission, the bigger news was the addition of a second V8 powertrain. The 2012 Genesis added a 429 hp 5.0-liter V8 in the form of a new R-Spec model. This model takes closer aim at the BMW 5 Series, adding a sport suspension system as well as transmission and steering calibrations. The 4.6-liter V8 was dropped in 2013.
For a vehicle in this generation with less than 100,000 miles, you’ll spend between $7,000 and $16,000, and we found mostly 3.8 models available for less than $10,000.
