IT looks like nothing you’ve ever seen before, and the only give away to who actually makes it, can be found in the Hyundai logo on the boot lid, because from every other angle, this car has its own unique badging, and definitely has its own style.
We are talking of the Genesis, a long term concept for Korean car maker Hyundai that has become a reality, and is truly a cut above, with the potential to sling the brand into a whole new market space, against a range of big gun European competitors.
Stylish, big, and bold are words best used to describe the Genesis – a vehicle that comes with the kind of features and accessories you’d expect to find on considerably more expensive brands such as Mercedes, Audi and BMW (and there are little style hints from all of these brands in the shape, and look and feel of the Genesis).
From the heated and cooled leather seats to the multiple point seat positioning and comfort settings, this car screams luxury. Look up and you can stare at the stars through the retractable panorama glass roof (which can be concealed at the push of a button). You can even control the car stereo from the rear centre console, and keep the sun out with an electronic rear window curtain, and manual rear side window curtains.
It looks every bit the luxury car inside and out, and features a 17 speaker sound system, a high definition touch screen navigation system (9.2 inch screen) that includes live traffic updates, and a genuinely easy to navigate technology package. There’s even soft close doors, just in case you didn’t shut the door properly.
So head turning is its style, we were stopped in the street and asked about what it was, what it was like to drive, and by one punter, would we let him take it for a spin (the answer was no – but we did notice he stared longingly after the Onyx Black Genesis as we drove off).
Safety features abound including a specially designed steel frame that makes the car significantly stronger in a crash situation, cornering headlights and smart high beam for night time safety, a full around car camera system, a CO2 sensor and automated external air (to prevent driver fatigue), autonomous emergency braking, a lane departure warning system, cross traffic warning system (when reversing) and blind spot detection.
Sitting on 19 inch wheels, and powered by an all aluminium 3.8L GDi V6 that generates 232kW of power and 397Nm of torque, and coupled to an eight speed automatic transmission that be driven in manual shift and paddle shift modes at the touch of a button, the Genesis also features three steering modes, including Normal, Eco and Sports.
Hard to fault as an overall driving experience, we found the gutsy gearbox to be reasonably user friendly in terms of response, with quick acceleration and solid handling and performance, although we did find we could step the rear end out if we really wanted to without much trouble (which might startle some nervous drivers).
There’s a lot to like about this car; its drive, its performance, it’s look and feel, it’s genuine style and the fact it has been completely engineered for Australian conditions. You don’t have to have Onyx Black though (although we would, because it looks seriously gangsta), its colour range also includes Polished Metal, Marble White, Platinum Silver, Coast Blue and Tan Brown.
Now before you run screaming in the streets when we tell you that the 2015 Hyundai Genesis Ultimate will set you back $82,000 plus on-roads, forget the brand, go and drive one, and experience the luxury and features that make this a whole lot of car for the money.
Our test vehicle was provided by Hyundai Australia. To find out more about the 2015 Hyundai Genesis Ultimate, contact your local Hyundai dealer.
