Hyundai Genesis

2015 Hyundai Genesis: More car, less snob appeal

Would you prefer a well-known luxury car or saving thousands for a worthy but less-prestigious rival? The new, redesigned 2015 Hyundai Genesis is a fast, luxurious sedan designed to compete with foreign rivals (mainly German) that cost thousands more. This Genesis has slicker, more imposing styling. It’s highlighted by a new, very aggressive-looking hexagonal grille and dynamic rear design. The wheelbase is longer at 118.5 inches and there are shorter body overhangs than its predecessor. This big, imposing four-door is equipped with plenty of luxury and convenience equipment. It’s 196.5 inches long and weighs from 4,138 to 4,541 pounds. It’s not a sports sedan, but has excellent roadability, due partly to nearly 50/50 weight distribution and a new rear multi-link

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REVIEW: 2014 Kia Cadenza joins rivals with gusto

Despite the success of the Kia Optima, the South Korean manufacturer still doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. The 2014 Kia Cadenza, a debut vehicle in 2013 as a 2014 model, should provide the carmaker with more respect as an underdog. The Kia Cadenza joins the Hyundai Genesis and Hyundai Equus as the trio of South Korean luxury cars sold in the United States. Hyundai owns Kia, and the Cadenza shares a platform with the Hyundai Azera, although the Cadenza is sportier than its cousin. The Weekly Driver Drive It was my second time with Kia Cadenza in recent months, this time with the Limited edition. Like the previous Kia I drove, the Cadenza Limited is the follow-up for the

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PREVIEW: 2015 Hyundai Genesis: Elegant, powerful

The 2015 Hyundai Genesis, which will debut at dealerships in late April, has been redesigned and will start at $38,000 for the 3.8L V6 and $51,500 for the 5.0L V8 model. Hyundai is touting the upscale sedan as the “the combination of bold design, superb driving dynamics, unmatched standard technology and attractive pricing positions.” 2015 GENESIS PRICE STRUCTURE Model     Engine     Transmission     MSRP 3.8L RWD     3.8L V6     8-Speed A/T w/ SHIFTRONIC     $38,000 3.8L AWD     3.8L V6     8-Speed A/T w/ SHIFTRONIC     $40,500 5.0L RWD     5.0L V8     8-Speed A/T w/ SHIFTRONIC     $51,500 Freight charges for the 2015 Genesis are $950 and not included in the prices above. The 2015 Genesis includes

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PREVIEW: 2015 Hyundai Genesis: More tech, more room

The newly designed 2015 Hyundai Genesis is the first year of the second generation of the premium sedan. It will debut this spring with optional all-wheel drive for the first time as well as encompass available HID headlamps, LED indicators and fog lamps. The Genesis profile is more expressive, with fluid lines and blended surfaces, with a C-pillar helping to emphasize the sporty styling. The rear of the all-new Genesis benefits from a sculptural aesthetic with jeweled, full-LED tail lamps. Total interior volume is an 123.0 cubic feet, the best in class. Hyundai interior design principles – safety, intuitiveness and simplicity – guided the Genesis design team in redesigning all primary controls to deliver maximum ease of use. The steering

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Super Bowl commercials: Hyundai to tout Genesis, Elantra

Let the 2014 Super Bowl and its commercials — especially for carmakers — begin. And for Hyundai, the game Feb. 2 will mark the automaker’s seventh straight time participating in the biggest advertising day of the year. Hyundai will focus on two c ars in two 30-second spots on Fox Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII, the Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Genesis. The Elantra is the South Korean manufacturer’s best-selling car. The Genesis is the Hyundai’s luxury sports sedan. The Genesis commercial spot, which will be broadcast in the first quarter of the Super Bowl, will focuses on a suite of 360-degree, sensory-based active-safety features like emergency braking and lane-departure warning. The Genesis ad will also highlight the sedan’s AWD

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CAR REVIEW: 2014 Kia Cadenza: A star is born

The Kia Cadenza, known as the K7 in its native South Korea where it debuted in 2009, was unveiled in the United States in early 2013 as a 2014 model. It replaced the short-lived, unheralded Kia Amanti as the carmaker’s flagship sedan. The 2014 Kia Cadenza joins the Hyundai Genesis and Hyundai Equus as the trio of South Korean luxury cars sold in the United States. Hyundai owns Kia, and the Cadenza shares a platform with the Hyundai Azera, although the Cadenza is sportier than its cousin. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The Weekly Driver picked the Kia Amanti as among its top-10 Cars of the Year in 2008. It wasn’t a popular choice, but I appreciated the car as

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2015 Hyundai Genesis gets makeover

The 2015 Hyundai Genesis will feature a low vertical grille, higher quality cabin controls and a safer seatbelt system, the South Korean manufacturer has announced. Hyundai detailed its new Genesis is the result of a four-year project that cost nearly $500 million. The carmaker said the new Genesis will have the best chassis in its class, plus drivability that matches European luxury cars. Hyundai detailed it has tested new Genesis on the famed Nurburgring circuit in Germany. Hyundai calls its latest design “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0.” Updates from the current Fluidic Sculpture 1.0 include an edgier, flat-bottom hexagon in the Genesis — a feature on the Veloster hatchback and Santa Fe SUV. The current Genesis has a 333-horsepower V-6 or 429-hp

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Ford slammed in Consumer Reports’ reliability study

Ford has been rocked with unreliable scores, with five of the 10 least reliable cars in the United Sates manufactured by the iconic carmaker, according to Consumer Reports. The carmaker was represented on the dubious list by the Ford C-Max Hybrid,  C-Max (Plug-in Hybrid), Escape (1.6L Ecoboost), Explorer (V6, 4WD) and Taurus (Turbo). The annual survey is conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. It considers the experiences of drivers of 1.1 million vehicles. Consumer Reports uses the survey data to compile reliability histories on vehicles. It then predicts the dependability of new models. Predicted reliability is usually based on the three most recent new model years if a model hasn’t redesigned in that time period. Models with an

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2014 Chevrolet Impala (video): Sedan icon honored

What a difference a model year makes. Chastised as not worthy of a rental agency upgrade in 2013, the 10th generation 2014 Chevrolet Impala has been universally praised. In late July, the new Impala made national headlines when it was named Sedan of the Year by Consumer Reports. It was the first time in 20 years an American car received the honor from the national magazine. Dominated by models from Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and the German cars, editors of the publication rated the Impala at 95 out of 100. The magazine called the iconic Chevy “excellent.” With its 10th edition, the Chevy Impala, introduced in 1958, has a starting MSRP of  $26,725, nearly exactly 10 times more than its original

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Chevrolet Impala gets rare best sedan Consumer Reports honor

The newly designed 2014 Chevrolet Impala has received an automotive honor no other American-made car has achieved in at least 20 years. It’s been named best sedan by Consumer Reports. Dominated by models from Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and the German cars, editors of the publication rated the Impala at 95 out of 100. The magazine called the iconic Chevy “excellent,” the reverse of the magazine’s assessment of the car’s 2013 model. Last year, Consumer Reports said the 2013 Chevy model was “woefully uncompetitive and not worthy of driving even as a free upgrade at a rental company.” The Chevy Impala, introduced in 1958, debuted its 10th generation with 2014 models. The starting MSRP is $26,725, and the Impala TLZ model

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2013 Hyundai Genesis: World-class, less pricey luxury sedan

The South Korean 2013 Hyundai Genesis sedan shows it’s pretty hard, if not impossible, to come up with a one-to-one rival from such automakers as Mercedes, BMW or Infiniti. Especially when the Genesis costs appreciably less. But never mind. For a lower price, the rear-wheel-drive Genesis is a world-class luxury car from an automaker that built marginal cars in its bad old days. The Genesis possesses the high-class trappings of autos that cost considerably more. This rear-wheel-drive sedan comes as the base $34,200 3.8 model or the $46,800 5.0 R-Spec version. It has a 3.8-liter, 333-horsepower V-6 or 5-liter, 429-horsepower V-8. Both can run on regular-grade or premium gasoline. The 2013 Genesis has simplified model offerings and a new “ultimate

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BMW 135is, 2013: Rocket-fast coupe offers classic ride, high price

The 2013 BMW 135is is everything right with an upscale small car. It’s powerful, classically designed, keenly appointed and it drives with a healthy dose of attitude. The little BMW series is all about performance, and it’s in your face about it. Among several options are two turbocharged engines that produce 300 and 320 horsepower, respectively, both with six-cylinder engines and six-speed manual transmissions standard. The top-line 135is coupe, with the 320 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission, was my weekly driver. I avoided getting in trouble. What’s not to like? Like other BMWs, the 135is is ideal for the open road and it’s race-car fast, with 0-60 mph performance in about five seconds. While not quite warp speed, the

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Lexus ES350: A Weekly Driver 2012 Top 10

The Lexus ES 350 is in the wondrous midsize luxury class. It features tough competition among well-heeled vehicles ranging from the Buick LaCrosse to the Volvo S60 and the Acura TL to the Hyundai Genesis. For 2012, the Lexus ES 350 remains largely unchanged from the 2011 model, with one available trim. It’s a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 268 horsepower, 248 pound-feet of torque and has a standard six-speed automatic transmission. Without changes, Lexus must be confident in the Lexus ES 350, the high-brow sibling of a Toyota Camry. There was plenty of evidence for that theory during my weekly drive. Quick acceleration to substantial comfort to smooth driving, the ES 350 continues to hold its perennial position at top

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2013 best sedans: Ford Fiesta to Audi A8

Sedans are arguably the most competitive car segment, and the uniqueness of the Edmunds.com list for 2013 is that Toyota, which manufacturers the Camry and Corolla, both perennially among the top-10 selling cars in the United States, is not on the  recommended list in any sedan price category. None of the members of the Toyota Prius family of hybrid cars are on recommended sedan list, either, although Toyota products are listed in other recommended categories. Here’s the top-three in eight price categories for Edmunds.com, the online automotive information resource guide headquartered in Santa Monica, California. Under $15K Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent Under $18K Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus Under $25K Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Ultima Under

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Toyota Avalon, 2013: New design invigorates old school sedan

By Bruce Aldrich/Contributing Editor Our grandfather’s car has been reborn. For 2013, the fourth generation Toyota Avalon has been redesigned to attract people with color left in their hair. The car looks and drives better because the manufacturer’s President Akio Toyoda wants it that way. Toyoda’s goal is to put excitement into Toyota automobiles. The Avalon is the first car in the Toyota line to benefit from the new edict, and expect to see design cues from the Avalon in future Toyotas. The first thing I noticed about the Avalon is new styling. It doesn’t look like any other Toyota. The old, rounded jellybean look is gone. The new car has pronounced wheel arches, a dramatic sloping roofline and a

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Tour of California, stage 1: Sacramento to Santa Rosa via 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

The start of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California is in Santa Rosa, about two hours from my Sacramento home, and it was my first freeway driving with 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. My weekly driver edition is the Korean manufacturer's 348-hp 3.8L V6 sports car with stealth looks and surprisingly quick acceleration — and an under $30,000 price tag. Like other high-powered sports cars, the Genesis Coupe does certain things quite well. It's nimble and fast, which affords impressive lane changes and bolting along freeway ramps to merge into traffic with little effort. The Genesis Coupe has a six-speed manual transmission and it shifts through gears adequately, but not smoothly. One frustration: Shifting into reserve is a struggle, although at

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