Great looking, comfortable, smooth, well equipped
I just took ownership of a gorgeous 2015 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 with Ultimate Package. I traded in a 2017 Subaru STI because I wanted a smoother, more luxurious and comfortable car. I feel I went from being a teenager to becoming a senior citizen!
Obviously, the Genesis is in a totally different league. Gorgeous exterior, heavy, solid, very comfortable, silent and smooth are the attribute I would use to describe this car.
It is the second time I own a V8 car: I used to own a 2012 Mercedes E550 convertible. The V8 in the Mercedes was a 401 HP and that car felt much more nimble, sporty and lively under acceleration. It obviously felt smaller and not as heavy. It was I think the best car I have ever owned in terms of comfort and performance but I did not like that the tires were only 18” which made them spin too easily under hard acceleration and did not always inspire confidence at high speed.
The Genesis is the exact opposite: i feel like I am driving a tank: it feels extremely solid and heavy. It is best driven on the highway but feels too large for my taste on winding country road. The engine is adequate but still even with 420HP struggles with the mass of the car, especially from 0 to 60. The sound of the engine is very muted and you can barely hear it even under hard acceleration.
The features in the car are very good for a 2015, especially when looking at the value. The German cars feel more luxurious and a little more engaging and sporty. The Genesis feels more like what a Lincoln or Cadillac should feel.
I have owned 2 BMW (M3 and X5), 3 MB (E350, CLK320, E550) and out of all these cars I think Mercedes still feel like more luxurious and well out together. However they are much more expensive and cost an arm and a leg to maintain.
The Genesis is a good car and very close to being great but not quite there yet. My main issue is thar it is way too heavy: it needs to lose weight or get a more powerful engine. It needs a turbocharged or supercharged V8 like its competitors. Needs to go on a diet too. That would help improve it’s mediocre gas mileage.