Hyundai · 2008–2020

Hyundai Genesis

The Hyundai Genesis (Korean: 현대 제네시스) is an executive car manufactured and marketed by Hyundai Motor Company over two generations from 2008 until 2016, before it was renamed the Genesis G80. It is a five-passenger, four-door, rear- or all-wheel-drive sedan. Introduced in concept form at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, and internally designated as the BH model, the Genesis was expected to cost $533 million to develop. Hyundai began marketing the first generation Genesis worldwide (except in Europe) in 2008 as a "premium sports sedan". The second generation Genesis (model DH) debuted in Seoul, Korea in November 2013 followed by the 2014 North American International Auto Show and Toronto Auto Show. On 4 November 2015, Hyundai announced that the name Genesis and Hyundai's second generation luxury model would move to a new and separate luxury division, Genesis Motor. The Genesis — as a Hyundai model — was replaced in actuality in 2017 when the second generation Hyundai Genesis was renamed the G80. The move followed the model's success in the luxury market, paired with consumer acceptance of the Genesis nameplate.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Hyundai Dynasty · Successor: Genesis G80

All Hyundai Genesis data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Development and design

Introduced in March 2007 as the "Concept Genesis", the sedan was designed by Hyundai as a "progressive interpretation of the modern rear-wheel drive sports sedan". Hyundai conceived the idea for the Genesis in 2003. The body design took three years and the total cost of the program was $500 million over a development period of 23 months. Reliability testing ran for 800,000 miles. Hyundai reportedly benchmarked the BMW 5 Series (E60) sedan during the Genesis' development; the company's press release indicates the Genesis body in white exceeds the BMW in torsional rigidity by 14%. The production Genesis sedan received a five-star crash rating in every category from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Hyundai markets the Genesis as offering "the performance of a BMW 5-Series and the interior packaging of a 7-Series at the price of a 3-Series". Reviewing the Genesis 4.6 at its US introduction, automotive journalist Dan Neil called the absence of brand emblems at the front of the Genesis "a move that subverts the grammar of luxury".

First generation (BH; 2008)

The Genesis was announced in Seoul and later unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. The first generation was marketed worldwide except in the European market. Equipment included a speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes, multi-link front and 5-link rear suspension; and three engine choices, depending on market: A V8 with weight distribution of 53% front / 47% rear and two V6 engines with 52% front / 48% rear weight distribution. At introduction in the US in summer 2008, standard features included cruise control, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, leather seat-upholstery and steering wheel, heated front seats with power adjustments, power windows, door locks, and mirrors, remote keyless entry and starting, and a seven-speaker audio system with XM satellite radio. Two optional Lexicon-branded audio systems offer 7.1 channels and 14 or 17 speakers. Drivetrains. The Tau V8 is Hyundai's first domestic V8 engine. For the 2008–09 model years, the 4.6 L engine produced 375 hp (280 kW) at 6,500 rpm and 333 lb⋅ft (451 N⋅m) at 3,500 rpm. Introduced as a midyear change for the 2010 model, the 4.6 L V8 now produces 385 hp (287 kW) at 6,500 rpm, with no change in the torque output: 333 lb⋅ft (451 N⋅m) at 3,500 rpm. These figures are achieved using premium fuel. The V8 can also run on regular unleaded, in which case the 2010–11 model produces 378 hp (282 kW) and 324 lb-ft. For the V8 model, Hyundai has reported 0–60 mph (97 km/h) times of less than 6 seconds. Car and Driver reports a 0–60 mph time of 5.3 seconds while Motor Trend reports a 0–60 mph time of 5.5 seconds in their October 2008 issue. The Lambda 3.8 L V6 is available in Korean and North American models. In Korean spec, the engine produces 306 hp (228 k

Second generation (DH; 2013)

The second generation Genesis was previewed by the "Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis" concept at NAIAS 2013. The vehicle was unveiled in Seoul, Korea, followed by the 2014 North American International Auto Show, then the 2014 Toronto Auto Show. Early models include a choice of four engines (Lambda 3.0 GDi, Lambda 3.3 GDi, Lambda 3.8 GDi, Tau 5.0 GDi), rear or all-wheel-drive. All models include eight-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and a five star safety rating. Safety. 1 strength-to-weight ratio: 4.95 Engines.

Marketing

A full production version went on sale in South Korea on 8 January 2008 in Hyundai's home market, South Korea. Notably, the Korean market Genesis does not carry a Hyundai badge, only the 'Genesis' emblem. Hyundai has been criticised by Korean consumers over the price discrepancy between the US and Korean markets. Yonhap reports the Genesis costs "₩58.3 million (US$57,000) in Korea, whereas in the U.S. it sells for $32,000." This has led to dumping allegations and a growing market in reimported Genesises by gray market dealers. Korean regulators are currently investigating whether Hyundai has abused its 75% domestic market share. However, Hyundai cars in South Korea have more available options and that may be the reason for the mark-ups. Marketed as the Hyundai Genesis in the US and Canada, the vehicle is the largest, most powerful car that Hyundai has ever marketed there before the launch of the Equus. The Genesis sedan went on sale in the US in August 2008. In its first five months of sales, the Genesis under-performed in the competitive US market selling only 6,167 units. According to Hyundai, Genesis saw sales of just 1,297 units in its first full sales month and the company expected to move around 8000 units from the US showrooms by the end of 2008. In 2009, the Genesis sold 21,889 units in the U.S. (sedan and coupe combined). There had been internal discussions within Hyundai about creating a separate brand to feature the Genesis sedan as well as the soon to come Equus sedan in North America, but due to prohibitive costs and potential delays the Genesis and Equus remained tagged with the Hyundai brand until 2016. In late 2016, The Genesis brand became separate from Hyundai in the United States. The Genesis was not marketed at first in Europe because of Lexus's fail

Coupe

A rear wheel drive sports car from Hyundai, dubbed Hyundai Genesis Coupe and sharing the Genesis Sedan's platform and name, was unveiled at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Hyundai Genesis

Manufacturer

Hyundai

Production

2008–2016 (as Hyundai Genesis), 2016–2020 (as Genesis G80)

Class

Executive car (E)

Body style

4-door sedan

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

Successor

Genesis G80

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q482641CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_GenesisCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1366262980 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyundai_Genesis_sedan_NY.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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