Up Close: 2009 Hyundai Genesis
As it did with its Veracruz crossover SUV, Hyundai is aiming high with its new Genesis rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan, which the company compares with luxury cars from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. While the Genesis’ cabin isn’t as nice as the ones offered by those old-world marques, it’s certainly a step up from Hyundai’s other offerings. With an expected average price in the low-$30,000 range, the Genesis represents a lot of car for the money.
Hyundai has two different Genesis models at the Detroit auto show, each with a different grille design.
Inside, Hyundai has taken a page from BMW and Audi with a central control knob and cluster of buttons that operate both the optional navigation system and the stereo. Unfortunately, the keys weren’t in the Genesis I sat in on the show floor, so I wasn’t able to test the system’s menus, but I did get a feel for the control knob itself; it can be spun, depressed and maneuvered like a joystick. The buttons on either side let you change from the audio to the navigation system.
The Genesis’ dash has a bit of S-Class curvature to it, and this hardly seems like a coincidence considering the sedan’s luxury aspirations. That dash and the door panels can be finished in leather, and backseat passengers have a generous amount of legroom and decent headroom. Both the front and rear seats have soft cushioning that made for a comfy place to take a break during the show.
