[Sal Collaziano]

AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

Two decades ago, few would have bet that a Japanese economy-car manufacturer would ever dominate the North American luxury-car market. Toyota proved everyone wrong with its picture-perfect introduction of the Lexus brand the following year. While this Korean automaker is as determined – and as financially capable – as its Japanese counterparts, the question isn't about product. This time, it is about perception and timing. With its first world-class luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month, Hyundai's bold venture is about to be placed in the hands of the consumer.

The final comparison took place on an unused straight-a-way. It was essentially a "drag race" between the Genesis 4.6 and a BMW 750i. As expected, the lighter and more powerful Genesis won each time.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/first-drive-2009-hyundai-genesis/

Everyone over at GenesisOwners.com is loving this...

 

[FenwickHockey65]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

Hmmm...world class luxury sedan...hyundai...or BMW...

I'll take the CTS-V. In black please.

 

[E. Haskell]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

I'm waiting for 3-4 months after it's released and the mags stop doing puff pieces....

 

[mgescuro]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

So long as Genesis is hobbled by the Hyundai brand.... it ain't going anywhere....

 

[crooner214]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

I agree that this car will have limited appeal due to it's badge (even though it doesn't wear one out front?). I hate the grill, and it is quite obviously the sum of it's competitors parts stylewise.

 

[emh]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

Hyundai isn't going to attract any luxury buyers with this car.

It may, however, attract a fair number of value buyers with disposable income.

 

[GrandPrix08]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

World Class?. Not even close. At least not yet. I have doubts on this whole Genesis business. North America is not ready for a 40K Hyundai, at least for now. I have doubts that any American car buyers will even bother going into the showrooms for this ripped off designed, un-proven new sedan. Hyundai should work on its resale value first before selling such a car.

I get a strong feeling that only buyers are the select few percentage of Korean Americans who have grew up with Hyundai in Korea and only buys it in pride of their home nation, it won't win any American car buyers. As long as it has that tilted H for its logo.

 

[Vittorio]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

I agree with everyone. The badge and its 'ripped off design' are really going to make it a uphill battle; a battle that Hyundai, most likely, won't win.


But I have been wrong before.

 

[Old Dood]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

Poor Man's Lexus?

 

[Hitman1970]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

Hyundai isn't going to attract any luxury buyers with this car.

It may, however, attract a fair number of value buyers with disposable income.

There are more of those type of buyers out there than one might think. Let's hope the domestics are up to the challenge.

Value shoppers will cross shop this with Buicks, Pontiacs, Chevy, Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln. If they do not have a similar vehicle on the side by side compare functions on the web, then off the list they go.

It sounds like a really good vehicle.

I wonder what the maintenance schedule for this will be.

 

[FordGMfan]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

The new Hyundai Genesis is exactly where Lexus was. Yes it still isn't quite as luxurious or refined as a BMW, Mercedes or Lexus. Look at where it's coming in though price wise. Then, to laugh at it and this coming from a bunch of GM fans on a GM website is nothing to be surprised about. The same people think the Cadillac CTS is the holy grail...I have news for you it is not.
Hyundai has better build quality then most GM models and they've been around for what 25 years or so? GM has been around for how long and still hasen't gotten its act in gear. A great sedan needs a great powertrain, chassis and quality. GM does not hit all these marks with their sedans, with the exception of the (New) CTS and Malibu. The Accord is still a better car then the Malibu, and the C class Mercedes and BMW 3 series are still miles ahead of the CTS.

 

[johnstarnes]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

I find it to be an attractive car in an understated manner, plus feel it is far less derivative than were the first Lexus's, which seemed rehashed previous generation Mercedes. I like the headlights and creative grille on this car.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

It's not very original, but the thing is, what does the Lucerne have over it? STS?

 

[E. Haskell]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

Not having a badge up front makes me think Chinese ripoff.

 

[mbukukanyau]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

After seeing how Hyundai treats its American employees, No, thank you

 

[PAULSTS1]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

I think many in our group have one of the same maladies GM suffers from: myopic vision, we see only what we want to see.

Hyundai Motor Company, set out to create, design, and bring to market its first Luxury car, and it did so in record time. GM created luxury in its Buick, and Cadillac lines, and then forgot the formula. I know a lot of self made persons, which came from disadvantaged beginnings, many of them whom most of you have heard about that realized, it's not the pedigree, but it’s the motivation that made the difference. If Hyundai falls a little short this time, they have time to refine it as Lexus did. Remember it has just been 20 years, since everyone laughed at Toyota's challenge to German manufacturing, and most of those vehicles are still on the road, and their latest models, have broken the $100K selling mark. Cadillac has been around for almost 100 years, and still doesn't have a modern family sized sedan. And what Cadillac offers for $100K your friends in the know, would secretly laugh at you for purchasing.

 

[Mr. Burns]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

This will sell among those around here who buy Kia sorentos and change the grills to make them look like BMWs.

can't imagine it would be too hard to make that look like a 5 series, most of the work is already done, and the grill design, from this angle anyway does make it look like a BMW at the front from a passing glance.

"look mommy! a BMW! oh wait..."

 

[1931Chevy]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

I think Hyundai whants people to think this is and Honda since theres no logo in the grill and I dont see it in the wheels neither

 

[mgescuro]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

I think many in our group have one of the same maladies GM suffers from: myopic vision, we see only what we want to see.

Hyundai Motor Company, set out to create, design, and bring to market its first Luxury car, and it did so in record time. GM created luxury in its Buick, and Cadillac lines, and then forgot the formula. I know a lot of self made persons, which came from disadvantaged beginnings, many of them whom most of you have heard about that realized, it's not the pedigree, but it’s the motivation that made the difference. If Hyundai falls a little short this time, they have time to refine it as Lexus did. Remember it has just been 20 years, since everyone laughed at Toyota's challenge to German manufacturing, and most of those vehicles are still on the road, and their latest models, have broken the $100K selling mark. Cadillac has been around for almost 100 years, and still doesn't have a modern family sized sedan. And what Cadillac offers for $100K your friends in the know, would secretly laugh at you for purchasing.

Yes. Very very very true!!
However, this is still under a Hyundai badge. It needs an entirely separate badge to get the image whores to notice it. Otherwise, it's essentially a Korean Phaeton. And Phaeton was an AMAZING car. It just isn't a VW. I had the chance to drive a Phaeton in Salzburg. Beautiful setting... Beautiful car.

It outclasses the best Cadillac sedans on every level. But it's still a VW.

And how many people can actually afford the $60-95K price tag? And how many of those people would have the patience to stand in line at the dealership next to the 19 year old girl twirling her hair and chewing bubble gum, waiting for her Beetle to get washed?

Exactly.

No matter how good Genesis is.... It will never crack that glass ceiling, so long as it wears the Hyundai badge.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Re: AutoBlog: New "world-class" luxury sedan rolling into showrooms later this month

No matter how good Genesis is.... It will never crack that glass ceiling, so long as it wears the Hyundai badge.

You guys are missing the point... Which is...

This is just the beginning...