I was asked to give a comparison between my 2012 Genesis and my 09 TL SHAWD. It's not really a fair comparison to either car for obvious reasons, but let me at least give my impressions of the Genny.

I opted for the premium package instead of adding another $4000 for the tech package. In retrospect, I'm still not sure I would have spent the extra money knowing what I know now. The premium package offers:

Power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof - Tailored leather-wrapped dash & door trim inserts - Integrated memory system (IMS) - Power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel - Power rear sunshade - Rain-sensing wipers w/ auto defogger windshield - Lexicon® 14-speaker surround sound audio - DVD Navigation system w/ 7-inch touchscreen display - XM NavTraffic® with 90-day trial - 18-inch Hyper Silver split-spoke alloy wheels with 235/50R18 Michelin tires - Rearview camera - Power-folding outside mirrors.

The tech package offers a lot of the same options, but upgraded. One thing I would have appreciated from the tech package is front parking sensors as the nose of the car is so hard to gauge. (one of my only gripes, and it's not really a big deal). The smart cruise control is a winner too, but i couldnt justify the extra. All in all, at $35,000 plus ttl, it offers a heck of a lot of bang for the buck. It stickered at $40,000 but truecar, won again for me.

Drivetrain - the 2012 model introduced the new 8 speed automatic, and an increase in hp to 333. Fuel economy is pretty accurate at 19/29, although I am closer to 20/30. The combination of 8 speed gearing and 333 hp moves the car well. The shifts are incredibly smooth unless you get on it and then they are firm. The engine has plenty of power but I find it a bit harsh at higher rpms. As quiet as the car is, you do notice the harshness. The torque is found in the low and mid range, and not much in the high end. I don't find myself stamping on it too often, but there's not much need.

Ride and Handling- it seems they equipped the car with oversize sway bars. A car this big and heavy should feel like an ocean liner around turns but there is almost no body roll. In fact, it handles very well for as smooth as the ride is. This is the most comfortable ride I have experienced in almost any car. Keep in mind, I have owned a lot of cars but this is my first foray in to luxury, instead of performance. The only car I have ridden in that compared in ride was an LS460. I didn't drive the LS, just road as a passenger so I cant be totally objective.

I'll have to continue more tomorrow...

 

You didnt really compare it to your TL in any of that.

 

 

 

 

You're all correct, but us old men get tired at night. First I'll lay out my impressions of the Genny, and then do a comparison. Any of you who own a 4th Gen will get a better idea of how my opinion would match with yours...and maybe a better insight of what the Genesis is really like.

 

I rented at 2011 Genesis 3.8 at the airport months ago.
Not my kind of ride in handling dept but great smooth V6.
Hope you love your for years to come.

 

Highs and Lows...

HIGHS

• The part I enjoy most about the car is the ride. It's like sitting in a comfortable recliner...on rails. Don't mistake my meaning. The car doesn't handle like my TL did, but the handling is exceptional considering how soft the ride is. There is no jarring on potholes; it seems to float but with no loss of control.
• The seats are the most confortable that I have ever had.
• The folding mirrors are nice in tight parking spaces as well as with parking on the street.
• The bluetooth is flawless, unlike my Kia.
• Style is subjective but I think they did a great job with the refresh. The LED strips in the headlights are a bit different than you will find, and the LED tails and exhaust garnish finish things off.
• Navigation is a touch screen and incidentally the same as in my Optima. It works very well both with voice command and manually.

LOWS - I can't say I'm dissapointed with anything on the car, but there are some features not as good as others.

• I mentioned earlier about the harshness of the engine at high rpms. It's not terrible, but you don't hear the car at idle or even at highway speeds unless you hit it hard. It has the same feel as the Acura 3.7 when pushed. Not terrible, but a bigger contrast than the Acura because I enjoyed pushing it.
• Hood line - After two months of driving, I still cannot accurately judge the distance in front of the car. I usually end up parking too far away.
• Glitches - I have had several instances where the nav screen freezes if I try to move too quickly, so i don't now. I've also had an instance where the ventilation doesn't work properly on auto. It's intermittent at best and I haven't brought it in to be diagnosed.

Comparison to follow in my next post.

 

Genesis sounds great, 20/30 for a car that size/power is impressive.




Sounds like a great car, I've only been a passenger in one, so I'm glad to hear the drivers perspective.

 

I thought you may have forgotten your altzeimers pill this morning.

 

wow, that could be a vicious cycle.

 

thanks for the write up..

post some pictures?

 

Thanks for the info...I was following a silver "ginny" 3.8 with jersey tags in the 4g over thanks giving day weekend route 13...Not a bad looking car...

 

Great review. Really wanted to pick up my RSpec this year but unforeseen circumstances prevented that.

 

Pictures and a real comparison vs the 4G coming soon.

First...I am a Ginny, the car is a Genny
Where is 13?

Your turn is coming!

 

can't wait

 

 

OK its a "Genny"... 13 runs from Carolina-PA

 

Oh well, I ran to north western NJ that weekend near the gap and thought I might have been on 13, but I think it was 15

 

Beautiful!


How is the Lexicon sound system?

 

Looks good. They need a 6mt in the sedan. Ala 5

 

mmmm that would be sweet..

imagine 6MT in the 5.0 models... oohohoho

 

Comparison
2009 TL SHAWD vs. 2012 Genesis 3.8 Premium

Ride quality
TL - Firm. Smooth roads are a pleasure, jarring feel on bumpy roads.
Genesis - Smooth on any road. Suspension absorbs bumps and potholes well. The most comfortable ride I have had, even after a few thousand miles.

Handling
TL - One of the best handling cars I have driven. AWD gives a feeling of total control. Rear drive feels like it pushes the car around turns. Very little body roll even on hard turns.
Genesis - No comparison to the TL, but a solid feel. Very little body roll and a comfortable feeling on even bumpy turns. you feel safe in maneuvers, where you feel in control in maneuvers with the TL.

Straight line Performance
TL; 0-60 in 6.5 seconds
Genesis; 0-60 in 5.9 seconds

Real life Economy
TL - 16/26
Genesis - 19/29

 

Fit and finish
TL - 8.5
Genesis - 8.5

Sound system
TL - 9.5
Genesis - 8.5

Interior room
TL - 8
Genesis - 9

Overall Feel of quality; subjective
TL - 8.5
Genesis - 9

Controls - ease of use, placement
TL - 8.5
Genesis - 9

Rear leg room
TL - 7.5
Genesis - 9

Seat comfort
TL - 8
Genesis - 9.5 possibly a 10

Looks; subjective
TL - 8.5 with a nice set of wheels
Genesis - 9

 

Very good, but not as good as the TL.

Honestly, they would need to change the front seats. They're not bolstered like a sports car.

 

Good lord that's a gorgeous interior!

 

^^^ +1

 

I'm just shaking my head that the same company which produced Excels and Scoupes leapfrogged Honda (and Acura) with the likes of the Equus and Genesis. Even the Sonata has a good chance of being the segment benchmark if the 9G Accord makes the slightest misstep.

If a quality reputation develops, then I honestly think Lexus should watch their rear view mirror....closely.

Judging by NJ-SH's review and pictures above, it's clear to me that Hyundai hit one out of the park when it comes to the Genesis sedan.

 

Funny thing is I bought two Excel GLS' in 85. They looked ok but were totally under powered. I never thought I'd be saying anything good about Hyundai again. Between the new Optima and the Genesis, I may not be looking back to Honda again... SMH

 

definitely feeling the new updated front headlights and tails.

those led tails looks real good at night time..

 

Two Excels?! How many alternators did you go through?

 

Looks great!

 

This is definitely a sharp car. An RL member, 037, went from an '09 RL to a '12 Genny V6 and, compensating for the RL-TL numbers, it looks like your comparison is the exact same. One exception is he felt the seats to be less supportive than the RL.

How do you feel about the headliner/vanity mirror quality? That seemed to be his biggest gripe.

Nice pickup! This is surely the best value luxury sedan on the market.

 

nice.. should have bought the Rspec

 

none that I can remember but based on how fast I turn cars I probably didn't have it long enough.

The seats have less side bolstering than the TL but the car is not made for carving turns. The seat and the leather is so much softer than the TL, it holds you from sliding around. The headliner seems to be ok, but I honestly haven't paid much attention to it. The vanity mirrors are not exactly high caliber. If I look closely at them, they fall short for a luxury car. The other features are just so good, the mirror thing never bothered me.

honestly, for $10,000 more, all I would get was a one second reduction in 0-60 time and 5-10 mpg less. Not worth it to me in a comfortable car.

 

I just remember that being a big problem with those cars...I knew one guy who went through (something like) 4 alternators in a one year time period and the tech at the dealership was telling him that it wasn't unusual. But, this was back in the late-80's. Maybe you had a newer version.

 

not so proud owner of an 87 Excel GS 5MT....yeah, that's right: I had a power sunroof! Not to mention, it was my first stick car. Needless to say, I thought I was with my 68hp sports sedan.

As I recently picked up a 12 Accord EX, I would have gladly considered the Optima EX...particularly given it's notable advantages over the Accord EX:

-$2,000 cheaper
-10hp/24 lb-ft more power
-slightly better fuel economy
-standard leather seating (no EX-L requirement)
-dual zone automatic climate control
-longer warranty
-better looks (subjective)

However, the wifey refuses to consider any vehicle not produced by the German or Japanese Big 3....awesome warranty notwithstanding.

 

Ha! Excel GLS...both had stick shifts, because they were too underpowered for automatics

I did compare the accord and the optima side by side, and drive by by drive. I really wanted to buy an Accord until I drove the optima. The wife loves the optima, so it's win, win.

 

Thanks for the great write up. Truecar is showing some pretty damn impressive discounts for the V6. I may have to test drive one.

Are you saying that you are happy with the premium package, should have saved some money and stayed with the base, or wish you had went for the tech package?

 

....