Featured Guide
Featured Guide
Featured Guide
Featured Guide
Featured Guide
Featured Guide
Featured Guide
The Genesis’ new six-sided grille is sure to generate strong opinions. It’s a bold design, and one with a clear connection to Audi’s single-frame grille, which the luxury brand has been using for years. The Genesis’ grille is memorable, for sure, but a little too blocky to be attractive. I also wondered how a front license plate would look, as it seems like it’s bound to cover some of that grille.
More 2014 Detroit Auto Show Coverage
You can call the rear styling attractive, though.
The rear roofline drops elegantly to the trunk lid, and premium-looking taillights finish the design. The available 5.0-liter V-8 has quad exhaust tips, which is a surprising — but cool — addition to this large sedan.
Interior quality seems like a step up and more in line with the car’s luxury aspirations. Real aluminum and wood trim are available, and the latest version of Hyundai’s knob-based control system is present on the center console. The car is roomy, with space to comfortably seat taller adults in the first and second rows at the same time.
A brand’s prestige has always been a factor in the luxury segment, but the definition of luxury is changing, and perhaps that gives Hyundai, a mainstream brand, a shot at capturing a larger part of the market with the new Genesis.
I oversee Cars.com’s testing-related Editorial content, from our expert car reviews and videos to our multivehicle comparison tests. I’ve been covering the auto industry for more than 20 years, with a focus on helping shoppers find the right car for them. I’m a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, and I’m also a juror for the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards. My daily driver is a Honda Odyssey minivan; my very occasional driver is a Ford Focus that’s prepped for cheap endurance racing.