Hyundai goes upmarket with the Genesis
Currently the most expensive car offered by Hyundai in the UK is the seven-seat Santa Fe Premium SE, which costs £36,705. However, that’s set to change this April with the arrival of the £47,995 Genesis.
Two questions immediately spring to mind: what is the Genesis, and who is going to spend almost £50k on a Hyundai?
In answer to the first, it’s a large luxury saloon measuring 4,990 mm (16’ 4”) from bumper to bumper. That’s about the same as an Infiniti Q70 and slightly longer than a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
%2BFront%2BSide.jpg "Hyundai Genesis (2015) Front Side")
The Genesis will come loaded with standard equipment. As well as being covered in leather, the front and rear seats are heated and ventilated, while above them a suede headlining surrounds a panoramic glass sunroof. There’s even an electric blind for the rear window, although the fake wood trim doesn’t look especially pleasant.
Also part of the specification are keyless entry, automatic lights and wipers, a fourteen-speaker audio system, satellite navigation, a head-up display and smart cruise control. Safety features include an around-view monitor, a rear parking camera, Smart Park Assist, rear cross-traffic alert and lane departure warning.
%2BInterior.jpg "Hyundai Genesis (2015) Interior")
Power for the rear-wheel drive Genesis is provided by a 3.8 litre V6 GDI petrol engine which is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
With 311 bhp (232 kW / 315 PS) and 397 Nm (293 lb/ft) of peak torque, it delivers a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 6.5 seconds and a 150 mph (241 km/h) top speed. However, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures of 25.2 mpg (11.2 l/100km) and 261 g/km respectively suggest efficiency isn’t great.
%2BDashboard.jpg "Hyundai Genesis (2015) Dashboard")
The response to the second question - who is going to spend almost £50k on a Hyundai - is a lot tougher to hypothesise.
On the plus side, the Genesis is a fairly handsome thing and its comprehensive kit means an options list doesn’t exist. Furthermore, a five-year warranty and five-year service plan are appealing elements of the package.
%2BRear%2BSide.jpg "Hyundai Genesis (2015) Rear Side")
But the negatives are serious. Most prospective customers in this segment want a prestige badge and either a hybrid or diesel powertrain. Unfortunately the Hyundai has neither and, as a result, depreciation is likely to be severe. In other words, buyers will need to be very brave considering the £48,920 BMW 535d Luxury and £46,600 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid Premium Tech are among its similarly-priced rivals.
Unsurprisingly, volume aspirations for Hyundai’s new flagship are sensibly modest. When UK deliveries begin, it’ll be sold in limited numbers via just seven specially-selected dealers.
The Genesis is sure to be a cracking used purchase in a couple of years’ time, though.
Related posts:
Updated 2015 Hyundai i40 unveiled
Hyundai launches the sporty i30 Turbo
2015 Hyundai i20 Coupe revealed
Two questions immediately spring to mind: what is the Genesis, and who is going to spend almost £50k on a Hyundai?
In answer to the first, it’s a large luxury saloon measuring 4,990 mm (16’ 4”) from bumper to bumper. That’s about the same as an Infiniti Q70 and slightly longer than a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The Genesis will come loaded with standard equipment. As well as being covered in leather, the front and rear seats are heated and ventilated, while above them a suede headlining surrounds a panoramic glass sunroof. There’s even an electric blind for the rear window, although the fake wood trim doesn’t look especially pleasant.
Also part of the specification are keyless entry, automatic lights and wipers, a fourteen-speaker audio system, satellite navigation, a head-up display and smart cruise control. Safety features include an around-view monitor, a rear parking camera, Smart Park Assist, rear cross-traffic alert and lane departure warning.
Power for the rear-wheel drive Genesis is provided by a 3.8 litre V6 GDI petrol engine which is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
With 311 bhp (232 kW / 315 PS) and 397 Nm (293 lb/ft) of peak torque, it delivers a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 6.5 seconds and a 150 mph (241 km/h) top speed. However, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures of 25.2 mpg (11.2 l/100km) and 261 g/km respectively suggest efficiency isn’t great.
The response to the second question - who is going to spend almost £50k on a Hyundai - is a lot tougher to hypothesise.
On the plus side, the Genesis is a fairly handsome thing and its comprehensive kit means an options list doesn’t exist. Furthermore, a five-year warranty and five-year service plan are appealing elements of the package.
But the negatives are serious. Most prospective customers in this segment want a prestige badge and either a hybrid or diesel powertrain. Unfortunately the Hyundai has neither and, as a result, depreciation is likely to be severe. In other words, buyers will need to be very brave considering the £48,920 BMW 535d Luxury and £46,600 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid Premium Tech are among its similarly-priced rivals.
Unsurprisingly, volume aspirations for Hyundai’s new flagship are sensibly modest. When UK deliveries begin, it’ll be sold in limited numbers via just seven specially-selected dealers.
The Genesis is sure to be a cracking used purchase in a couple of years’ time, though.
Related posts:
Updated 2015 Hyundai i40 unveiled
Hyundai launches the sporty i30 Turbo
2015 Hyundai i20 Coupe revealed
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