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Performance

During our test drive of the Genesis, we evaluated two models: a base V-6 with none of the options packages and a fully loaded V-8. The first thing you should know about the V-6 model is that it is no performance slouch. With 290 horsepower on tap, it provides plenty of power to get this big sedan moving quickly. Thanks to the extensive sound deadening, you don’t hear much of it until it gets to higher revs; at that point it’s a little harsh, but not nearly enough to set your teeth on edge. The Aisin-sourced six-speed automatic works just fine in fully automatic mode, but it’s also good to use in the manual mode as well; just slide the shifter into a special gate to the right of the main PRND, and slap it forward or backward to up or downshift. While we wish it would match revs on downshifts, we were otherwise impressed with the speed of gear changes. It even got decent fuel economy, returning 22.6 mpg on our test loop.

Step up to the V-8, and you immediately feel the difference 85 horsepower makes. While we’d prefer more low-end torque for a better kick in the shorts when launching from a dead stop, the V-8 more than makes up for it with strong mid- and high-range power. Lay on the throttle for 5.7 seconds, and Hyundai says you should be going 60 mph. Stay in it for a little longer and you’re easily into triple-digit speeds, where the Genesis remains calm and poised. Passing power was plentiful, and whether we let the six-speed pick its own gears or made our own choices, the changes were quick and uneventful. Fuel economy was decent, at 18.3 mpg during our admittedly lead-footed drive, and as for noise, we wish that Hyundai had let a little more of the V-8’s growl into the cabin. Listen closely and you can hear the muffled roar of a caged beast; with the right tuning, this could be a great sounding engine.

The only real letdown in both drivetrains is the programming of the automatic transmissions’ manual mode. In both vehicles, the transmission will upshift when you reach redline; we’d much rather have it stay in the gear we pick, and if it hits a rev limiter, then so be it. However, that’s a complaint we have of many transmissions of this type, not limited to Hyundai.