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Korean-car maker Hyundai will be introducing its first luxury car into the U.S. -- the Genesis sedan.
The rear-wheel drive car features a sleek silhouette with luxury car design cues. The silhouette, with a drag coefficient rating of 0.27, makes it better than similar but pricier offerings from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus.
Power comes either from a V6 or V8 engine. The 4.6 liter V8 can generate up to 375 horsepower and 333 lb-ft. of torque. This compares well with the more sporty but still luxurious Infiniti M45 and the BMW 550i though the most direct competitor is the Lexus GS460.
Pricing is the biggest difference. Genesis is expected to be competing with more modest brands like the Chrysler 300C, the Pontiac G8 GT, and the Lexus ES350. Our take is that Hyundai is hoping to snare greedy Americans who want all the luxury of the virtually unaffordable true luxury brands but at midsegment prices.
Will Genesis give such buyers the means? In our opinion, true luxury buyers are looking at the badge and what it represents, not the accrutements.
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