Hyundai Targets 50,000 Genesis per Year and Announces Sonata Hybrid in 2010

they both got the look. it all comes down to quality and whether they will hold up like toyotas or fall apart like their name sake hyundai's.

really wish they could have gotten better wood grain. its looks like all the fake 90's wood grain that should have stayed in the 90's.

@ Doh..

You need to see the car in person before you make such blanket statements... The 80's and 90's are far gone and Hyundai has really cleaned up its image....

I, unlike you, have actually seen this car up close and have sat in it. It is really impressive. I originally though the dash board had inlay vinyl, but was corrected on Edmunds.com that it is actually real leather.

The amenities on this car is also very impressive. It has the makings of a real entry level challenger unlike the now defunct Azzera.

If I was in the market to buy another car, this one would definitely make the list for test driving.

Unfortunately a "new" car by a "unfavored" maker probably won't be top seller. It really doesn't matter if is miles above an Accord or Camry, or any other mid sized car. It's a Hyundai, and that's what people see. Give it a couple of years when some better reliability is known, and you'll probably see sells improve.

Much like I don't buy Honda and Ford. (For various reasons). I do think Honda has some great engine tech, albeit the engines at this point don't correctly fit some markets and car configurations....but I'll give them credit where it's due. I just won't be behind the wheel of one.

It is a sexy car though, and if it is as good of quality as what it looks like, Hyundai may make a small move up in the eyes of the automotive world. But after sitting in my girlfriends Hyundai Accent, you won't see me near one of these until it gets rave reviews. Its still a Hyundai, but maybe this one will take them in the right direction.

The Genesis has no originality. Hyundai took a lot of their styling Q’s for the Genesis from Mercedes Benz, Lexus and BMW. The grill closely resembles the Mercedes Benz S-Class. The body closely resembles the Lexus LS and the back of it closely resembles a BMW 5 series. Where is the originality to this car?

I guess it will look pretty good when you take a lot of your styling Q’s from other famous luxury cars. Hyundai makes reliable cars, but has no originality of its own. If Hyundai wants to get really serious and play with the big boys, they need to step out of the design shadows of other car manufactures and start producing more original designs of their own.

I, for one, think the Genesis sedan looks handsome. At first I wasn't really attracted to the design but after seeing one in person, I've since changed my mind about its styling. Now I think it looks handsome, luxurious, and classy.

In response to Hyundai's lack of originality in terms of design, I mostly agree with it. But I can think of one exception--the Tiburon. The car looks really cool. Some naysayers say it's a rip-off of the Ferrari 456GT but who better to copy from than one of the best cars in the world?

I just wish Hyundai designed the Hyundai Genesis Coupe differently as I think the front bumper is ugly.

"Much like I don't buy Honda and Ford."

Yeah, string together the best Japanese car in it's class(es) and FORD anything?

WTF is wrong with you...

@Noya:

Since when is Honda the best Japanese car in its class(es)? Last time I checked, vehicles like the TL still have FWD, and yes, it is still a Honda...

@SteelCity1981

Originality is overrated.

If I have two identical cars in front of me, but one is half the price of the other, do I really care who copied whom?

Originality is generally about trying to stand out. Hyundai stands out because of it's very low cost-point relative to its competition.

I applaud Hyundai for the effort...but they really need to launch another brand if they want to enter the luxury market. Just as Honda launched Acura and Toyota launched Lexus. Unfairly or not, the Hyundai name is still associated with cheap transportation.

@WS

Perhaps you should do the research Hyundai did. It cost Toyota billions of dollars and many years to realize a profit off of Lexus. Why would Hyundai want to spend billions of dollars on a new brand just to sell 2 cars? Hyundai estimated it would take something like 5 years and a $3-$4 billion investment to make any money off a new brand. I think when you only plan on selling 50K a year you don't need an entirely new brand. These cars will be the ones to change peoples thoughts about Hyundai, and that is their purpose.

I will definitely be giving this car a test-drive when it comes out to the dealership.

It doesn't have a lot of originality, but like it's been stated numerous times before... If there is a difference of $8-15k, between two similar cars... well, that kinda influences the choice being made, especially in the current market.

I will agree that Hyundai should have made a new brand for their newer premium lineup though.

Quality for the price is what really matters here though. Lets hope they don't have some cheap wiring throughout those cars...

And with the Genesis, Hyundai overtakes Acura in the luxury department. This looks better than any Acura and is RWD. Hyundai FTW.

@gm0n3y

Sad but true.

@doh:

I third that thought

@JerryL

"If I have two identical cars in front of me, but one is half the price of the other, do I really care who copied whom?"

There is normally a reason why the other car is more. Better quality, more reliable, and faster and more refined which all plays apart in it.

“Originality is generally about trying to stand out. Hyundai stands out because of its very low cost-point relative to its competition.”

Now, that just sounds like a hypocritical statement from you first statement proclaiming "Originality is overrated." You say originality generally about standing out, but then you say Hyundai stands out because it’s low cost. Which is it?

@SteelCity1981

I think what he was trying to say is they have chosen originality in price/performance over originality in design. Lambo's have no originality in pricing (keep it as high as possible) but have TONS of originality in design. Hard to be the best bang for the buck and the most original design around.

@Optimummind

Hyundai hired Ferrari to help with the design of the Tiburon, hence the similarity in design. Hyundai also hired a designer away from Audi and one other Luxo manufacturer that I can't seem to find the name of. Perhaps this is the reason for similarities....

@Gary

Yeah but you can do both without compromising the other. I just don't think Hyundai is confident enough yet to design products of their own making.

@AllNewAcurasAreUgly

Hyundai hired Pininfarina to design the Tiburon. It's an independant design house. Ferrari is one of their biggest customers, but maybe you guys remember a certain Cadillac with the Pininfarina emblem on the side?

@Jared:

Thanks for the correction, I knew it was something along those lines.

I test drove one of these over the weekend. Very nice car for the money. It is full on as good as the competition that costs $15-$20K more? No. But is the difference worth $15-$20K? Not really.

Car has ample power (confident vs. frenetic thrust) and good interior space and fit/finish. Most of the tech toys are there, but it could use work in some of the voice command features and other small quirks.

Would I buy one just yet? No. It remains to be seen what the long-term reliability is, as well as how the resale market might see this. If the thing depreciates like a rock (like Hyundais of yesteryear), then I'd wait and scoop up a used one for a steal.

In terms of styling; yes, it is very derivative. But, if I was creating a first-time entry luxury model and trying to gain credibility for my marque, I wouldn't be jumping in with completely original designs. Get people comfortable with the idea that my cars are nearly as good as competitors for less coin; then I can jump into my own "Hyundai" way of styling for future models. Otherwise I'm fighting a battle on two fronts; styling acceptance and brand cachet.

Does anyone know what these will sticker for?

Sticker for base is $33K
Premium plus model is $36K
Tech model (added on top of Premium plus) is $40K
V8 model is $38K (I think)
V8 w/ tech (only option) is $42K