WASHINGTON — Anytime there’s an option for more power, I’m all in. The Hyundai Genesis 5.0 V8 has 100 more horses than the V6, bringing it to 420-horsepower if you use premium fuel — a little less if you use regular.
Pushing the gas slightly moves you quicker than you might realize. More power typically means the fuel economy will suffer, but after a week with the 5.0 V8, it was only one mile per gallon less than the V6 model I drove a few months prior. However, at 18.8 miles per gallon, neither Genesis model really wins any points for fuel efficiency.
The Genesis’ mid-size luxury sedan is a very good value, even more so if you choose the V8. My tester was fully equipped and had a sticker price of $55,700, which is a bargain compared with other mid-size luxury sedans that come with a V8.
The 5.0 V8 has a nice sounding engine if you have the windows down. Hyundai has really kept wind and tire noises down, so you only hear the V8 if you’re stepping on it and have the audio system off. The quiet cabin is very nice.
The interior is a big step up for the new 2015 Genesis, and the inside has a nice flow to it. The materials are a very good quality, and it’s easy to tell that Hyundai focused on de-cluttering the dash and making controls simpler all to benefit the driver. It made for easy operation without having to look down. Even the controller on the center arm rest area was easy to use. It’s one of the few I like. NAV was also simple to use — and with a 9-inch screen — it’s easy to see, too.
There is a good amount of space upfront and in the back seats. The front seats are very comfortable with nice quality leather; front and back seats are heated and cooled. My wife just raved that it’s one of the best heat seats with warmth extending to near the top of the seat, instead of stopping at the lower back.
The exterior styling stands out as well. It looks like a premium sedan now, and with larger 19-inch wheels, it looks sportier than the V6 model. The Montecito blue paint that came on the tester car looks sharp and upscale, showing off the car’s lines and straying from the typical black or white paint on many luxury sedans. A pretty cool feature is the word “Genesis” and the cars emblem that shines on the ground when you open the door.
Hyundai has built a reputation for giving you a lot of car for a good value. Now the 2015 Hyundai Genesis 5.0, with upgraded interior and a sleek new exterior, is a real deal mid-size luxury sedan. For its class, it has the performance and the safety features you’re looking for at a price that’ll make you smile.
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