Hyundai's Genesis Racks Up Over 20 Awards In It's First Year: Did Lexus Start Out With This BIG Of A Bang?

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

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DaHarder - 8/27/2009 1:49:52 PM

+9 Boost

That largely depends on if by "Quality' you mean that which can actually be measured, as opposed to some 'mystical' automotive SOUL. Having driven the Genesis on quite a few occasions, I can attest that it's every bit as well-built and luxurious as any mid-sized luxury vehicle that I've ever experienced/owned, and that includes several Mercs, Jags, Cadillacs and BMWs. It's a great luxury vehicle, at an outstanding price, and if more would simply give it a drive, they'd agree wholeheartedly.

_43LE - 8/27/2009 2:15:01 PM

+5 Boost

But badgewhores, being what they are, won't.

PerformanceGuy - 8/27/2009 2:05:31 PM

-5 Boost

As far as being on par with its competition, I think it is about equal to the top of the line Maxima, Accord, Avalon, etc.

B7FAN - 8/27/2009 3:45:16 PM

-2 Boost

I think they did their thing with this kudos to Hyundai and if thats the case its definitley comparable to the Infiniti M35&M45, Acura RL, and the Lexus GS300&460.

they definitley took the industry by storm with this car even though its a carbon copy of several different competitors cars put together its still a hot car and its presense on the road is bold. way to go Hyundai !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

freeagent - 8/27/2009 2:12:15 PM

-4 Boost

they need to add an AWD option and possibly a performance option to be fully completitive

Caraficionado - 8/27/2009 2:35:07 PM

+6 Boost

Way to go Hyundai!

t_sotello - 8/27/2009 2:47:30 PM

+3 Boost

Hyundai didnt just start last year either

JUGNU - 8/27/2009 3:13:34 PM

+5 Boost

Remove 'Lexus' from the headline and add 'any other Competitor'.
And also isn't the Genesis V8 lost from a mid size V6 Lexus(GS350) in a comparison test, LS460 even GS460 is far ahead.

JUGNU

Agent009 - 8/27/2009 4:57:47 PM

-7 Boost

Lexus, BMW, MB and the others should be far ahead. They are simply more mature products.

meklen - 8/27/2009 3:31:12 PM

+8 Boost

Half those awards were not even around when lexus started.

Willis - 8/27/2009 8:25:30 PM

-1 Boost

None of those awards were around when BMW started! LOL

thetruth01 - 8/27/2009 3:33:13 PM

+12 Boost

I don't think there were 20 awards given out total in 1989. Seriously, Motor Trend-America's Top 40 New Cars. What the hell is that?

Flame-baiting again, 009.

golfer38 - 8/27/2009 3:52:09 PM

+7 Boost

That is certainly the truth...sorry. Anyway I agree with you, and back in 1989 there was about 2 awards total...

Anthony - 8/27/2009 4:22:43 PM

+9 Boost

Probably half of these awards exist because of Lexus. You're right.

FanboyOfTheTruth - 8/27/2009 7:56:14 PM

+7 Boost

According to Wikipedia, the very first-gen LS400 (UCF10) garnered the following awards:

1. Best Imported Car of the Year. Lexus LS 400, United States Motoring Press Association (1989).[17]
2. Winner of luxury sedan comparison test. Lexus LS 400, Automobile Magazine (November 1989). The LS 400 outscored rival models from Audi, BMW, Infiniti, and Mercedes.[18]
3. First Place in luxury sedan comparison test. Lexus LS 400, Car and Driver (December 1989). The Lexus flagship won over competitors from Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz.[19]
4. Best of What's New: Best Car. Lexus LS 400, Popular Science (1989).[20]
5. Car of the Year Japan. LS 400, Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) awards (1989-1990). This award was given to the UCF10 model, then sold as the Celsior in Japan.
6. Winner of luxury sedan comparison test. Lexus LS 400, Consumer Reports (June 1990). The Lexus LS bested flagships from BMW, Infiniti, and Lincoln, with the authors concluding that the "LS 400 was simply the finest car the magazine has ever tested."[21]
7. Ten Best List. Lexus LS 400, Ten Best awards, Car and Driver (1990).[17]
8. Top Ten Imports. Lexus LS 400, Motor Trend (1990). In the luxury sedan category.[22]
9. Best Luxury Sedan. Lexus LS 400, Driver's Choice Awards, MotorWeek (1990).
10. Wheels Car of the Year. Lexus LS 400, Car of the Year awards, Wheels Magazine of Australia (1990).[23]
11. Edison New Product Award. Lexus LS 400, American Marketing Association (1990).[24]
12. Top Ten All-Stars. Lexus LS 400, Automobile Magazine All-Stars (1990, 1991).[25]
13. Car of the Year. Lexus LS 400, Canadian Car of the Year awards, selected by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (1991).[26] At the same awards, the LS 400 was also named "Best New Luxury Sedan."[26]
14. Most Theft-Resistant Vehicle in the U.S. Lexus LS 400, U.S. vehicle theft statistics (1990).[27] The LS 400's nickel-silver alloy key and lock mechanism was cited as a theft deterrent.[28]
15. Lowest Overall Injury Claim Rate for Luxury Cars., U.S. Highway Loss Data Institute (1991, 1992).[29]

answer - 8/27/2009 3:59:43 PM

+9 Boost

Agent 009's next piece will be questioning why the Lexus ES is so slow compared to the Bugatti Veyron.

_43LE - 8/27/2009 4:11:05 PM

+8 Boost

Back in 1989, Lexus was a bigger bang that the Genesis. Don't know if you're old enough to recall as I have no idea of your age. When the LS400 came out, it was better than the established marques for a lot less, most of the press agreed. While the Genesis is a great car, it is not superior, but is priced lower.

Willis - 8/27/2009 8:27:56 PM

-3 Boost

In 1989 most of the LS400 competitors were near the end of their product life cycle. That is something that is often overlooked. Not bashing the LS400 here, because my wifes parents have one and it is a great car, but I feel that this fact is often overlooked.

Anthony - 8/27/2009 4:26:49 PM

+5 Boost

They definitely got the Toyota/Lexus formula down. What's amazing is that while Lexus gets criticized for "copying" and delivering great vehicles, Hyundai gets appraisal. People simply love an underdog/ Davy v. Goliath story.

inspirion7 - 8/27/2009 4:48:02 PM

+3 Boost

Lexus was the underdog once. We will see the same situation 20 years from now with the Chinese, once they get their gears clicking.

answer - 8/27/2009 5:11:20 PM

+8 Boost

To me the Genesis is awesome.

But the overall vibe is less than what Lexus had at inception. Lexus had some of the best TV ads ever done for a car line (rolling ball bearings, champagne glasses, dude recording a guitar track in the back seat, etc.)

Would have been nice to see Hyundai get creative with the Genesis ads. But I guess with today's economy you can never be too sure if you're just pissing your money away.

Denali - 8/27/2009 9:25:01 PM

+1 Boost

good job for Hyundai also the Genesis be out the BMW & Merc 550's in "soul, magic feel"...FACT
faster then a Porsche boxter...FACT
more romm then S550...FACT

acronis - 8/27/2009 10:31:45 PM

+1 Boost

"What a laugh. it's no surprise the competition was left in Hyundai's rear-view mirror."
Hyundai's about to get lapped, thats why they see something in their rearview mirror." huu76

huu76 it seems every one of your post is biased negatively against this brand. Hyundai has come a long way and has made great strides compared to where they started from. They've earned their kudos. The only way for them is up!

tango - 8/27/2009 10:58:50 PM

-3 Boost

From what I recall of the launch of the LS400 back in the day, while it was good value, the interior was poorly done. It had no real luxury apointments to note. If you hadn't seen the exterior you could have gotten away thinking you were driving a Toyota Crown. The guages and window switches for example were straight out of the Toyota parts bin. Now, speaking of Toyota, the LS400 was sold as a Toyota Celsior in Japan and did so for a long time. Therefore, if you compare what it really is, a Toyota, then Hyundai has travelled nearly the same distance in a much shorter time than Toyota has. For the record, Hyundai started making cars in 1968 (Ford Cortina variant) and Toyota began making cars in 1935 (Toyota A1). Toyota has had a 33 year head start. You be the judge.

LuxuryFan - 8/28/2009 12:04:57 AM

+2 Boost

Electronic tilt/telescope steering wheel, burled wood trim, high quality leather, and the optional Nakamichi sound system are not luxury appointments? Those were a league above the banal offerings of Infiniti and Acura at the time.

thetruth01 - 8/28/2009 1:18:27 PM

+1 Boost

"The guages and window switches for example were straight out of the Toyota parts bin."

Optitron guages? In a Toyota? Really?

acronis - 8/28/2009 3:33:48 AM

+2 Boost

I for one do not understand huu76's open hostility towards this brand and the South Korean people. It is uncalled for and unnecessary. It is one thing to have an opinion that is opposite another, it is another when a car manufacturer's country of origin and the people who populate it are denigrated and derided with such raw savagery.

There can be no civilized reason for this behavior. This is out and out premeditated malice and contempt on display. No one person should be consumed by such open and vile hatred towards not just a car brand, but to the people of that country who build them. Shame, shame on you!

EL34 - 8/28/2009 11:09:15 AM

-1 Boost

It's nothing more than generic at best.

That car company deserves to be sued for ripping off Mercedes.

No awards for you, you POS.

theman440 - 8/29/2009 2:37:34 AM

+1 Boost

Here is the key phrase - "It's a great luxury vehicle, at an outstanding price" The American, European or Japanese Auto Manufacturers could have built this car, but the price would be higher. So what is the selling point here, price or perceived quality ?

Arsen89 - 8/29/2009 11:10:02 AM

+3 Boost

Its a nice car but you have to keep in mind a couple of things:

1. The design is not very original and that seems like pure lazyness from their part. It looks like a mercedes. The engine is decent why not take the time to be creative with the exterior.

2. Its a hyundai. They should have changes the name to something else in order to be taken seriously. In my mind you say hyundai and cheap is the first thing that comes to my mind, even with people that do not know much about cars.

And another thing, I really have not seen any of this out on the streets. I work at a car dealership and right next door we have a hyundau dealership. They really dont sell the Genesis that much and cash for clunkers just ended, and still not that many sells. Our dealership pretty much ran out of cars not the same deal with the guys next door. I think its a good car they just need to change somethings and they cuold have a great product.

Arsen89 - 8/29/2009 11:12:30 AM

+1 Boost

Sorry about the crappy grammar.

iamdabest1 - 8/30/2009 10:46:10 AM

+3 Boost

deboost me all you want... call me badge whore.... anyone with half a brain would realize this huyundai is total marketing garbage...

no one in their right mind would look twice at a hyundai over mercedes, audi, bmw... unless they didnt have enough money to begin with...

this genesis P.O.S is a compromise.. anyone who gets this car, in their mind is driving home and saying " i did the right thing, its just as good as bla bla bla" you are only fooling yourself.

iamdabest1 - 8/30/2009 10:51:06 AM

+1 Boost

and by the way, one major thing you gyts are forgetting when you ask the retarded question "Did Lexus Start Out With This BIG Of A Bang"
lexus was a brand that was luxury from day one.

lexus never had accents, scoupe's , elantra's and other pieces of sh*t

if you drive a hyundai you are a loser compromising... get a damn avalon.. at least it has some resale value..