The New Hyundai Genesis Will Be Hyundai’s First Rear Wheel Drive Offering In Australia

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The Hyundai Genesis is the beginning of something much bigger from the Hyundai brand.

It’s an indication of where they have been and where they now want to go.

Hyundai has made great strides in Australia and globally, from humble beginnings as a budget-car brand in the 1990s, when the Hyundai Excel was its star attraction, to a company that can challenge the prestige car market.

Hyundai’s product quality, variety and design have improved greatly over the years, to the point where Hyundai is now the fourth most popular brand in Australia, behind Toyota, Holden and Mazda.

In the beginning, there was the Hyundai Excel.

It was affordable, reliable and popular transport that struck a chord with Australian motorists, particularly with the release of the second-generation model.

The Hyundai Excel was followed by a transformation for Hyundai, which is now offering a car to rival established luxury brands.

Hyundai’s Genesis is the culmination of the brand’s journey into broad acceptance and if Hyundai has its way, could redefine the bottom end of the luxury car market.

DESIGN

From the outside the Hyundai Genesis is the first example of the company’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0′ design language and it’s a looker.

No longer a German luxury car-wannabe, the new Genesis has its own identity front and rear and will turn plenty of heads when it arrives in Australia.

This new Hyundai looks fantastic, largely thanks to the fact that it has borrowed the best design cues from Aston Martin – including its special winged Genesis badging – the 5 Series and Audi’s A6.

The first time you see one coming up behind you in your mirrors you’ll have absolutely no idea what it is and you’ll be thinking “Wow, what is that? I want one!”

It’s a tough, sporty and yet refined design.

ENGINE

Power and torque from the V6 comes in at 232kW and 397Nm, with a 0-100km/h time of about 6.5 seconds.

The V6 is coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission that is exceptionally smooth on the highway.

The Genesis will be the first rear-wheel-drive Hyundai to go on sale in Australia, putting it on a level playing field with the likes of BMW.

Hyundai’s 3.8-litre V6 engine is a stunner, it is not only responsive and torquey throughout its range but also provides the sort of intake and exhaust sounds drivers love to hear when the car is punted hard.

RIDE AND HANDLING

As far as ride, handling and its dynamic ability goes, the Hyundai Genesis is arguably better than any other Hyundai that has ever come before it.

It’s a true indication of just how quickly Hyundai can learn and adapt.

It is genuinely luxurious and the nicely appointed cabin is quiet and relaxing, particularly in the rear, which offers almost 7 series levels of legroom.

Throw it at some corners and the Genesis is a surprisingly capable companion.

Part of its 1,945kg weight is made of insulation, used through the car’s body and interior that helps suppress wind and road noise at all speeds.

Helped by a cruise control system that can outsmart speed cameras – automatically slowing down and accelerating once more when past an enforcement zone – the car is impressively refined with little noise at speeds well over 100km/h.

The Genesis rides as a full-sized luxury car should, with a floating, unfazed demeanour only interrupted by the harshest bumps and potholes.

Geared toward comfort, the Genesis is a comfortable cruiser capable of soaking up long distances with ease.

SAFETY

There are numerous crash avoidance or minimisation features and a comprehensive suite of driver support programs include lane-keeping assistance and emergency steering support that can help steer you out of danger, along with vibrating haptic feedback that lets drivers know if they are wandering outside of their lane.

Blind-spot warning, self-parking and radar cruise control systems are present and correct, along with a 360-degree camera and rear cross traffic alert that, when reversing, warns drivers of approaching cars.

Automated emergency braking will stop the car in an emergency and a colour heads-up display allows drivers to stay informed without taking their eyes off of the road.

The Genesis even helps to protect your licence. Using satellite navigation information it automatically slows the car as you approach fixed speed cameras, then returns to its original speed when the danger zone has been safely negotiated.

INTERIOR

The interior too, is equally surprising.

The level of interior refinement is resounding, not just in terms of features – of which there are plenty – but the excellent tactile sensation, use of real wood, nappa leather-covered seats and so on.

The Genesis is a whopping great sign of how much things have changed, with a much better quality interior than any Hyundai car has ever provided before.

Most of the plastic has gone, to be replaced by genuine wood and aluminium bits, as well as properly luxurious nappa leather on seats – front and back – that feel properly business-class spec.

Sinking into the driver’s seat, it’s hard not to be comfortable in the Genesis, with its 14-way electronic adjustment that narrowly edges the front passenger seat’s 12-way tuning.