Hyundai's newest flagship, the 2009 Genesis sedan has brought a lot of attention to the Hyundai since its launch. Much of the attention has been in the form of awards, which started with the 2009 North American Car of the Year. That was the first time a Korean brand ever received that award. After receiving the car of the year award, the Genesis has gone on to receive more than 20 top honors from publications and automotive organizations.
According to Hyundai the Genesis is "the most decorated new car launch of the 2009 model year."
"Genesis was developed to rival the world's best luxury sedans so we knew it would be a great car, but we didn't know how it would be received by the automotive community," said Scott Margason, director of Product & Strategic Planning for Hyundai. "As the awards accumulated, we realized not only how well designed the Genesis was, but how far the Hyundai brand had come. Consumers and automotive industry influencers really embraced the idea of Hyundai producing a luxury product."
Check out the full list of awards after the jump.
PRESS RELEASE:
Hyundai Genesis is class of the 2009 model year with most top-car honors
Headlined by the 2009 North American Car of the Year Award, Hyundai's New Flagship Earns More Top Recognition than Any Other 2009 Introduction
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., August 27, 2009 - Hyundai's all-new flagship, the Genesis sedan, launched to significant anticipation culminating with its coronation as the 2009 North American Car of the Year - the first time a Korean brand has ever achieved the honor. But Genesis didn't stop there, accumulating honor after prestigious honor to become the most decorated new car launch of the 2009 model year. At last count, Genesis tallied more than 20 top honors from the most prominent media outlets and automotive organizations in North America.
Genesis' trophy case includes awards and accolades from the likes of J.D. Power and Associates, Motor Trend, AutoPacific, Cars.com and leading consumer publications. Genesis is built on Hyundai's all-new, performance-driven rear-wheel-drive architecture. It offers two powertrains, the Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 290 hp, and Hyundai's all-new Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 375 hp. With technology rivaling more expensive luxury sedans, convenience features like push-button start and navigation system, and five-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), it's clear that Genesis is among the best new cars of 2009. But at a starting MSRP of just $32,250 and max price of just $42,000 for a fully loaded Genesis, it's no surprise the competition was left in Hyundai's rear-view mirror.
"Genesis was developed to rival the world's best luxury sedans so we knew it would be a great car, but we didn't know how it would be received by the automotive community," said Scott Margason, director of Product & Strategic Planning for Hyundai. "As the awards accumulated, we realized not only how well designed the Genesis was, but how far the Hyundai brand had come. Consumers and automotive industry influencers really embraced the idea of Hyundai producing a luxury product."
Genesis Sedan Awards
1. 2009 North America Car of the Year
2. Motor Trend - America's Top 40 New Cars
3. J.D. Power and Associates - Automotive, Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) - Most appealing midsize premium car
4. J.D. Power and Associates - Vehicle Launch Index (VLI) - Highest ranked 2009 all-new or redesigned vehicle
5. The Car Book 2009 - Best Bet (intermediate category)
6. About.com - Best New Car
7. Kiplinger's Personal Finance - Best New Model (sedans $30,000-$45,000)
8. NADAguides.com - Car of the Month (April)
9. NADAguides.com - Top 5 Luxury Cars
10. NADAguides.com - Best Car Buy - Top luxury cars under $35,000
11. Autotropolis.com - Car of the Year
12. Cars.com - Car of the Year
13. On Wheels - Car of the Year
14. AutoPacific - Ideal Vehicle Awards - Aspirational Luxury Category
15. AutoPacific -Vehicle Satisfaction Awards - Aspirational Luxury Category
16. Consumer Reports - Top-Rated Vehicle (upscale sedan category)
17. Consumer Digest - Best Buy (luxury segment)
18. MyRide/Autobytel - Car of the Year
19. Ward's Auto World - 10 Best Engines (4.6 liter Tau V8)
20. Automobile Journalists Association of Canada - Canadian Car of the Year
21. Automobile Journalists Association of Canada - Best New Luxury Vehicle Under $50,000
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 780 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty. In addition, Hyundai Assurance is now offered on all new vehicles leased or purchased from a certified Hyundai dealer. The program is available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment record or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months.
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Comments (20)
....and it also has one of the blandest front ends of 2009 as well.
I'm sure the car is pretty good, but jeez, whoever thought that front bumper / grill looked good needs to have their eyes checked.
Posted by Totenglocke | August 31, 2009 6:03 PM
Posted on August 31, 2009 18:03
so does mercedes need to rethink their front ends? lol
Posted by Phil | August 31, 2009 7:39 PM
Posted on August 31, 2009 19:39
@Totenglocke
so does mercedes need to rethink their front ends too? lol
Posted by Phil | August 31, 2009 7:41 PM
Posted on August 31, 2009 19:41
God yes. Mercedes' front ends are marginally better than this, but I haven't seen a Mercedes I thought looked good in a LONG time.
Posted by Totenglocke | August 31, 2009 9:06 PM
Posted on August 31, 2009 21:06
Still...gotta give Hyundai props.
Now if they could just give that coupe a little more power!
Posted by Blue Z34 | August 31, 2009 10:33 PM
Posted on August 31, 2009 22:33
GM wishes they could look that good!
Posted by 426Hemi | August 31, 2009 11:43 PM
Posted on August 31, 2009 23:43
Looks and awards mean nothing here. It's a Hyundai. Owners will be using every ounce of their super Hyundai warranty just to keep this clunker on the road.
Posted by Quint | September 1, 2009 3:15 AM
Posted on September 1, 2009 03:15
Looks and awards mean nothing here. It's a Hyundai. Owners will be using every ounce of their super Hyundai warranty just to keep this clunker on the road.
Posted by Quint | September 1, 2009 3:16 AM
Posted on September 1, 2009 03:16
Looks and awards mean nothing here. It's a Hyundai. Owners will be using every ounce of their super Hyundai warranty just to keep this clunker on the road.
Posted by Quint | September 1, 2009 3:18 AM
Posted on September 1, 2009 03:18
Yup, looks and awards mean nothing ... sales mean everything. And Hyundai jus has a lot of them. Go back in you GM digged hole Quint.
Posted by Bear | September 1, 2009 5:50 AM
Posted on September 1, 2009 05:50
@Quint:
I recall hearing almost the exact same thing during the 70's, as Toyota's and Honda's and Datsun (as Nissan was called back then) got their foot hold and started ripping away market share here in the US.
Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Posted by kw | September 1, 2009 6:56 AM
Posted on September 1, 2009 06:56
This car looks much nicer in person than the photos show. The front is a bit boring, but as you walk around the car, it's easy to appreciate the lines.
Kudos to Hyundai!
Posted by t_r_nelson | September 1, 2009 7:16 AM
Posted on September 1, 2009 07:16
@kw
I agree with your comment, I think the Korean Companies are doing right now to the Japanese companies what they did to the American car companies in the 70's. Offering much more for less money and also improving quality on the way. I did had a Hyundai back then a Scoupe and till this day had no complains about that car. Also I had a 98 2dr Accord and did not had any mayor problems with any of the two, except for the regular service need it. (Battery, Clutch, Brakes,etc)
Posted by Rey | September 1, 2009 8:02 AM
Posted on September 1, 2009 08:02
I recall how, back in the late '90s, I was reading Mainichi Shimbun (a Japanese newspaper) and there was an article in the Business/Economy section concerning Japan's global economic position, especially in the automotive sector. The article stated how Japanese automakers were not overly concerned about losing market share to Americans or Europeans, but to Koreans. They (the Japanese automakers) have already anticipated Korea's automotive growth and global impact. Face it, guys, girls, and idiots: Korea's forward momentum isn't going to stop anytime soon. They will continue to improve upon their quality and reliability, eventually eclipsing the competition in quality, reliability, and price. However, I do anticipate that the MSRP of Korean cars won't be "cheap" for too long as well.
I'd also keep an eye out for other Asian automakers such as Tata (funny name)...
Posted by lotsofTRidiots | September 1, 2009 1:07 PM
Posted on September 1, 2009 13:07
Well, considering the Genesis peaked a few months ago at about 2200 units a month. The sedan is now back down to around 1200-1300 units a month and the coupe is only pulling like 600-800 a month.
Hyundai combines the two despite being different segments to inflate numbers. Should be interesting to see what the Equus does here if it comes. Target is apparently the LS 460.
Posted by Avatar | September 1, 2009 1:17 PM
Posted on September 1, 2009 13:17
Hyundai only projected to sell 50K coupes and sedans annually, after full ramp up. They only released something like 3000 coupes to start with to avoid any big issues like GM has with the Camaro. I give it a year or two before the Coupe or Sedan really take off in sales. Once they get refreshed I'm thinking Coupe sales will come close to Camaro and Mustang.
Posted by Gary | September 1, 2009 4:10 PM
Posted on September 1, 2009 16:10
1,200-1,300x12=14,400-15,600 is no where near 50k. Likewise, the sedan went on sale a year ago. They wanted to move 8,000 units last year, but came about 2,000 short. Combined, they might move 27k next year if sales stay where they are at. With the sedan peaking and coming back down to settle where it was at makes sense. It peaked when Hyundai was doing a lot to move units, cash on hood, gas assurance, etc.
As for the Coupe, according to Genesis forums, it is just not selling as well as they thought. Mustang and Camaro are outselling by more then 8 times roughly. They think Hyundai is combining them simply to hide the fact that one or the other isn't selling as well as they hoped.
Posted by Avatar | September 1, 2009 10:39 PM
Posted on September 1, 2009 22:39
Looks like a Chinese ripoff of a C class. But without the class ;)
Posted by chris | September 8, 2009 5:05 AM
Posted on September 8, 2009 05:05
Looks like a Chinese ripoff of a C class. But without the class ;)
Posted by chris | September 8, 2009 5:06 AM
Posted on September 8, 2009 05:06
This car has all the goodies you could want. For a terrific price. If it has what I want in extras thats it. I don't care about the mileage. Give me leather and extras.......Nice car....
Posted by Michael Collins | February 24, 2010 6:33 PM
Posted on February 24, 2010 18:33