The Detroit Newspapers's view

When the Hyundai Genesis sedan arrived, I questioned whether anyone would spend that much money for a Hyundai. The rear-wheel drive sedan was well-appointed and offered a great ride, but I never imagined the Hyundai badge as something good.

People who want status buy it through nameplates like BMW, Mercedes, Cadillac and Lexus. Certainly, there are some up-and-coming badges, too, but none of them hail from South Korea.

Wow, was I wrong.

The Genesis sedan still offers a great ride and remains tricked out with subtle luxury that feels understated and posh. But the Hyundai name has even seen a bit of a transformation over the past few years, beginning with its assurance program that promised to buy back your car if you lost your job.

It was absolute genius. Hyundai’s reputation went through the roof for the price of a few hundred cars. The brand continues to grow faster than most in the industry.

But, more importantly, Hyundai seems to understand that reputation will take a company only so far. The proof is on the blacktop and the slightly improved 2012 Genesis 5.0 R Spec charts new territory for a brand that is full of surprises.

This is the first Hyundai that is all about the engine. Sure, every car comes with an engine, but it’s typically sports cars that haul V-8 bravado.

The Genesis 5.0 includes a made over face and facia through a more aggressive grille. The Genesis also gains a little more polish in other areas too. Designers and engineers swapped out the headlights for a much more sophisticated LED version that looks nicer. There are also special 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. There’s even a new brushed aluminum trim added around the windows.

The backside gets a few improvements as well, and these actually make the car look more aggressive. Hyundai changed the taillights and changed the tailpipes out with much better looking asymmetrical chrome tips. Often the car’s rear is glossed over, but with this car, it’s important, as more people will see this than the front. It is always going to be at the front of the line.

The new Genesis 5.0 may look similar to the regular Genesis, but it’s more polished in places. That doesn’t take anything away from the first Genesis with the 4.6-liter V-8, which is nice, powerful and smooth.

However, the new Genesis doesn’t sound like that model at all.

Marries tech, power

And it shouldn’t. This new V-8 cranks out 426 horsepower and 379 pound-feet of torque. That’s old school power with new school technology. Hyundai incorporates dual continuously variable valve timing, high-pressure injection and a slew of other high-tech features. It’s powerful and so precise it needs watchmakers to build it.

And all of that power runs through Hyundai’s eight-speed transmission with just as much precision. Transmissions are the new turbo when it comes to fuel-saving technology and lots of carmakers are beginning to offer as many gears as possible. Currently, the Dick Van Patten tranny seems to be the price of admission for high-end gear shifters. Though it’s hard to tell if Eight is Enough. Hyundai is already working on a 10-speed transmission.

This transmission, while extremely smooth, also helps the Genesis 5.0 get 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Obviously, that’s not the 40 mpg for all promised by Hyundai (the brand currently offers four vehicles that hit 40 mpg on the highway), but it’s those cars that will keep this one at dealerships.

On the road, the Genesis 5.0 is an absolute blast to drive. You can feel its acceleration in your belly as you go from zero to 60 nearly as fast as you can say “Assurance Trade-in Value Guarantee,” a new Hyundai program, that again, is just smart business.

The specially tuned five-link independent front and rear suspension help the Genesis 5.0 hug corners and keep a straight line through any turn. For the car’s size — it weighs more than two tons — it feels much smaller on curvy roads.

The electric hydraulic power steering also feels well-weighted. It holds lines nicely, though sometimes you wish it was a little firmer to prevent some over-steer. (If this starts to happen, the Genesis comes with 13.6-inch ventilated disc brakes that will bring you to a stop amazingly fast.) But during one week of testing this vehicle, I found it most enjoyable on the open highways, where you might want to invest in a radar detector. The car has trouble staying below the speed limit. In part, because it’s so quiet inside, you never feel like you’re driving that fast. Police, however, typically do not accept this particular excuse.

Nice options are standard

Hyundai didn’t sacrifice any of the amenities in this luxury machine.

There’s more than 44 inches in the front and 38.6 inches of leg room in the second row. Five adults could drive around the country comfortably in this sedan. They could bring as much luggage as they wanted as well — the trunk offers nearly 16 cubic feet of space.

There are also all those amenities a luxury car buyer expects, from the 17-speaker Lexicon stereo system to the 8-inch navigation screen mounted on the center stack. Nearly every feature is standard on the Genesis 5.0.

The entire cabin is encased in leather and wood to provide an old-world luxury feel. Close your eyes, and you’re not likely to know which brand you’re buying, only that it’s good.

And that’s always been Hyundai’s secret. Buyers feel like they’re getting more for their money. With a starting price of $46,500 for the top-of-the-line Genesis 5.0, a car with nearly every option box checked off as standard, it feels like a good deal because it is.

In fact, Hyundai may not be charging enough. And I never thought I would ever say that.

sburgess@detnews.com (313) 223-3217

Report Card

Overall: *** 1/2

Exterior: Good. Understated good looks make people realize this is a high-end luxury car, but they may not know from whom.

Interior: Excellent. Well-appointed with tons of standard features.

Performance: Good. Powerful engine, excellent suspension and solid steering make this car fun to drive.

Pros: Lots of car and features for your money.

Cons: Too big for some people and powerful engine cuts into gas mileage.

**** Excellent *** Good ** Fair * Poor