Hyundai Genesis -

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis ranks 1 out of 15 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 22 published reviews and test drives of the Hyundai Genesis, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Hyundai Genesis is an exceptional value. A rear-wheel-drive sedan with luxuries befitting a $50,000 price tag, it’s offered in a $30,000 price bracket. It has the longest warranty of any upscale midsize car, and a cabin that wouldn’t be out of place in a Lexus. Sport sedan buyers will find its handling and its seats a bit soft, but those interested in a luxury car should give it careful consideration. 

The Hyundai Genesis is an extraordinary car -- one that is forcing many to reconsider their opinions of Hyundai.

The Genesis has the size, lavish features and engine power to compete in the large luxury car class. It’s a rear-wheel-drive car as large as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.  It’s as quiet inside as a Lexus LS, with an optional 17-speaker sound system that sounds better than the stereos found in many far more expensive cars. In V8 trim, it’s more powerful than a BMW 5-Series. 

But the Genesis is available for the price of an entry-level luxury car. Depending on the options you choose, it’s possible to spend more on a Chrysler 300 -- and the Genesis outclasses that car easily with its lavish, bank-vault quiet cabin.

Though it carries a badge many Americans associate with budget economy cars, the automotive press considers it a legitimate alternative to cars built by Lexus and BMW. Its low price means that, for many shoppers, it may be a smarter buy.

When it was first introduced last year, the Genesis sedan won Hyundai its first North American Car of the Year award -- a real sign of respect from the automotive press. But Hyundai hasn’t rested. For 2010, the Genesis carries several significant upgrades. Its suspension has been re-tuned to reduce body lean in tight corners, improving the car’s handling. That should help to address one of the major criticisms of the 2009 car. Reviewers haven’t tested the car since Hyundai made the adjustments, so we don’t yet know whether they’ve completely fixed the problem -- but even before the changes, the Genesis would have felt refined to most drivers. An improved touch screen navigation system is now standard on V8 editions, and optional on V6 models. And an intelligent cruise control, designed to maintain a steady distance from the car ahead, is now available as an option.

Some buyers will still be disappointed by the lack of an all-wheel-drive option. Others may be frustrated by the way Hyundai has structured option packages. Some of the most upscale equipment is optional on V6 editions but standard on the V8, which might push some shoppers into buying a more powerful, less-efficient engine than they need. The lack of an all-wheel-drive option might also send some buyers to look at the Audi A4 instead.

But the Genesis sedan’s exceptional blend of high-end features with an affordable price is unique in the automotive market, and makes this sedan worth a look for many buyers. If you’re considering an upscale version of an affordable sedan, like the Ford Taurus, the Genesis might be worthy of consideration as a step up to a more luxurious ride. If you’re shopping for a luxury car like the Acura RL, the Genesis offer a chance to save thousands while enjoying the same level of luxury. 

And yes, it’s a Hyundai. But the Korean nameplate is gaining prestige -- an even more luxurious model, the Equus, will appear for the 2012 model year. It may not carry the prestige of a Mercedes-Benz badge, but Hyundai is gaining respect every year. 

The Genesis is available in two trim levels, each named for the engine it features. The 3.8 model features 17-inch alloy wheels, leather trim and most of the electronics luxury buyers expect. The 4.6 model adds 18-inch wheels, Bluetooth compatibility, premium leather and upgraded navigation and sound systems. We should also note that the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, reviewed separately, may share a name with this car, but the similarities end there. The Coupe is not a two-door edition of this car, but an entirely separate design meant to compete with sports cars