The 2013 Hyundai Genesis is expected to be a mild refresh of the original Genesis with a few major improvements under the hood. While the revamped mid-cycle update to the Korean automaker’s full sizes sedan has not been shown off at any shows just yet, some information has already been leaked.
The improvements to the Genesis are likely to be threefold: a refreshed exterior and interior, equipment upgrades, and a new engine.
Body Style and Performance
The exterior refresh will likely give the understated Hyundai Genesis an updated corporate grill as well as more aggressive lines. The interior is likely to be the recipient of upgraded soft touch materials and may favor a more cockpit-like design that some enthusiasts are expecting in high-end vehicles.
An updated Tau motor displacing 5.0L may produce approximately 430 horsepower, propelling the Hyundai Genesis into competition with M-series class vehicles at the top end.
Safety Features
Standard safety equipment in the 2013 Hyundai Genesis will include twin front airbags, at least 3 side and rear airbags per side, curtain airbags all around, a race-inspired ABS system that is aware of road conditions and the transmission state, advanced traction control, and an improved version of Hyundai’s electronic stability control that made its debut with the Equus. Combine these features the lengthy list of standard features, and the Hyundai Genesis might not be the cheapest car available, but it is a far better value than its competitors.
Competition to the 2013 Hyundai Genesis
The current Genesis competes primarily with full-size luxury autos such as the BMW 5 series, the Mercedes-Benz S class, Cadillac DTS, and the Lexus LS 460. These are certainly lofty targets to compete with for a company that was making value-oriented vehicles and struggling with their public image only a decade ago.
The upgraded Tau will even allow the 2013 Hyundai Genesis to tackle more powerful vehicles, such as the BMW M-Series, tuner versions of the LS, or even the Cadillac STS-V that offers near DTS luxury levels but with supercar performance. The Genesis might not favor well against these candidates, but it is a good first attempt and the Lamba-class V6 is expected to be available as well.
A Good Value?
The value equation may backfire on the Genesis though as luxury buyers tend to have a firm grasp on economic principles such as resell value, an area that is notoriously hit or miss based off of brand.
For example, Cadillac has historically suffered major problems with their resell value, and even recent changes to the brand have done little to counteract that. The Hyundai Genesis may fare better than the GM flagship line in terms of resell, but it is not likely to match or exceed the offerings from any of its overseas competitors due to the brand still being ‘tainted’ by its value origins.
