History of the Hyundai Genesis Sedan

The Hyundai Genesis sedan was first introduced in 2009 as a mid-sized luxury sedan. Hyundai took aim at competing with established premium brands like BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz. It marked Hyundai’s bold entry into the luxury car market. The Genesis featured rear-wheel drive and offered strong performance, with available V6 and V8 engine options. It was praised for its upscale design, advanced technology, and comfortable ride at a relatively affordable price.

Over the years, Hyundai refined the Genesis, adding more luxury features and improving its performance. By 2015, the second generation of the Genesis was introduced, further elevating its status with enhanced styling, more sophisticated technology, and better handling dynamics. Consequently, this iteration helped solidify the Genesis as a serious contender in the luxury market.

In 2017, Hyundai made a strategic decision to rebrand Genesis as a stand-alone luxury marque. The Genesis sedan was renamed the Genesis G80, with the new Genesis brand focusing exclusively on luxury vehicles. The rebranding marked the end of the Hyundai Genesis sedan and the beginning of the Genesis brand’s expansion into a full lineup of luxury cars.

2009: A New Sedan

The Hyundai Genesis Sedan made its debut in the U.S. in 2009 as Hyundai’s entry into the luxury sedan market. Notably, the first generation introduced a rear-wheel-drive platform, offering a choice between a 3.8L V6 and a 4.6L V8 engine, both paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Genesis boasted high-end features like navigation, adaptive cruise control, and a premium Lexicon audio system, positioning itself as a lower-priced alternative to established luxury brands.

Charting the Changes

In 2010, Hyundai made few changes to the Genesis, as it was only in its second year. The focus remained on refining the car’s features and improving its reliability. Some updates were made to the infotainment system, and safety features were slightly enhanced, continuing the Genesis’s steady rise in the luxury segment.

For 2011, the Genesis saw improvements to its powertrain, particularly with the V8 engine receiving minor performance enhancements. Further, such features like navigation and Bluetooth, which were previously optional, became standard on more trims, further enhancing the car’s value proposition. Cosmetic updates were minimal but contributed to improving the car’s premium appeal.

Hyundai Genesis Facelift

In 2012, the Genesis received its first major facelift. The exterior was updated with a new front fascia featuring LED accent lighting. Also, it received a redesigned grille, and refreshed rear taillights. Hyundai also introduced a new 5.0L V8 engine, branding it as the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec, which replaced the outgoing 4.6L V8. Additionally, Hyundai introduced a new 8-speed automatic transmission for all engine options, a significant upgrade from the previous 6-speed transmission.

The 2013 model year brought only minor updates, as the 2012 refresh had introduced significant changes. Hyundai focused on refining the in-car technology and further fine-tuning the new 8-speed transmission for better performance. The 5.0 R-Spec remained the high-performance option, delivering 429 horsepower, appealing to those seeking a more dynamic driving experience.

By 2014, the Genesis was nearing the end of its first generation. The model remained largely unchanged from the previous year, as Hyundai was preparing for the release of a fully redesigned second generation.

Second-Generation Hyundai Genesis

In 2015, the second generation of the Hyundai Genesis was introduced, marking a significant leap forward in design and technology. The new model adopted Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0” design language. This updated included a larger grille and a more refined, premium appearance. For the first time, the Genesis offered optional all-wheel drive (branded as HTRAC AWD) on the 3.8L V6 model. The 3.8L V6 engine carried over with some improvements, while the 5.0L V8 remained the top engine option. Both were paired with the same 8-speed automatic transmission. Inside, the Genesis saw substantial improvements in materials and technology, including a larger infotainment screen and new safety features like lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

The 2016 model year marked the final year for the Hyundai Genesis under that name. The model carried over mostly unchanged from the previous year, with some enhancements to in-car technology and safety features becoming standard across more trims. This was the last year the sedan would be called the Hyundai Genesis, as Hyundai launched its Genesis Motors luxury division in 2017, rebranding the car as the Genesis G80.

Competitive Set

With its arrival, Hyundai targeted similar models from Japanese and German competitors. These included the Lexus GS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A6, and BMW 5 Series. From the domestic manufacturers, Hyundai targeted the Lincoln MKS and the Cadillac CTS.

Farewell, Hyundai Genesis…Sort Of

In summation, Hyundai transitioned its luxury models to its standalone Genesis Motors brand. Beginning in 2017, the Hyundai Equus was discontinued, but replaced by the all-new Hyundai G90. As for the Genesis sedan, it was rebadged as the Genesis G80 and soldiered on through 2020, until a second-generation model rolled out the following model year. All in all, the transition from Hyundai to Genesis has been a smooth one, for the sedan that straddles two monikers.

2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan Specifications

See Also — History of the Plymouth Prowler

Photo Credit

Exterior photos Mr. choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Specifications courtesy of the manufacturer.