This is my first time in the Genesis since I drove it at Hyundai's proving grounds in Korea in May. Now that I've driven it on American roads, it strikes me as a very credible Lexus competitor. The car has real presence on the street; it definitely reads "luxury sedan." The cabin ambience is very pleasing, especially at night with the blue accent lighting. The iDrive-style controller is much more intuitive and easier to use than iDrive itself.
The Genesis is very quiet and refined. The engine is smooth and powerful and works seamlessly with the six-speed automatic, and the ride is creamy smooth. However, I'd certainly like to see more body control, a firmer brake pedal movement, and more feedback from the steering. Hyundai engineers would do well to carefully study the new Jaguar XF's chassis setup, which provides a perfect blend of ride comfort and handling.
The interior is very, very spacious, and the trunk is positively huge, with a big opening and lots of flat floor space.
It will be very interesting to see what Americans make of the first true luxury car from Korea.
Joe DeMatio, Executive Editor ...next page >>