Why is Hyundai’s new Genesis sedan winning so many awards? It was named North American Car of the Year in January, won the J.D.

Good looking, for sure... but better looking thanks to its numerous awards. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study award, which measures what consumers like and dislike about their new vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership, achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick” for 2009, won the Aspirational Luxury Car category in automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific’s Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) which ranks cars for how closely their vehicles come to matching owners' expectations and criteria, and this after winning its class in AutoPacific’s 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA). On Wheels Media, Inc., publisher of African Americans On Wheels, Asians On Wheels, and Latinos On Wheels, named the Hyundai Genesis Car of the Year, while it won the Cars.com New Car of the Year, MyRide/Autobytel Editors' Choice Award, topped Luxury and Value on the Best New Car List by About.com, and was named a Consumer Guide Recommended Buy for 2009, a Consumers Digest Best Buy for 2009, a “Top 5 Luxury Car for 2009” by the U.S. National Automobile Dealers Association (NADAguides.com), took a "Best Bet" award from The Car Book, became Consumer Reports’ ‘Top-Rated 'Upscale Sedan', topped J.D. Power's Vehicle Launch Index (VLI), was recognized as a best new model for 2009 by Kiplinger's Personal Finance, was assessed as having the highest residual value by the Automotive Lease Guide, and all while achieving the 2009 Car of the Year award by China’s Autoworld magazine. Here at home the Genesis sedan won the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada’s (AJAC) Best New Luxury Car under $50,000 and the 2009 Canadian Car of the Year.

A really attractive taillight design highlights the rear end styling. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Also impressive, Hyundai's V8 Tau engine in the top-line Genesis 4.6 reviewed here, received a 2009 Ward's 10 Best Engines award. Whew!

I should win the longest run-on sentence award or lengthiest opening paragraph award for 2009, and while now breathless at the sheer number of awards the new 2009 Genesis sedan has tallied up, I’d be remiss not to offer one of my own. How about most awarded new car award? Seriously though, I was thoroughly impressed after driving the new Genesis with its lively 290hp 3.8L V6 last year, thinking there was no need for the V8 until I strapped myself into the 375hp upgrade and felt all 333 lb-ft of torque kick in and launch this 1,817-kilo (4,006-lb) car like it was a Lotus Elise! Yes, it’s as silky smooth as anything from Japan, a dream

The leather covered dash is unique and more appealing than faux wood. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

engine that’s made all the dreamier by its ability to accept regular fuel with a mere 7hp penalty (Hyundai’s always thinking about your wallet) and it’s relatively thrifty 12.6L/100km city and 8.1L/100km highway mileage. The free-revving V8 mates up to an equally smooth six-speed automatic with manual mode, the latter a feature I actually deployed often during my test week (unusual for me) due to similar verve in the corners.

I initially thought Hyundai’s seemingly sudden mastery of slalom dynamics was a bit of a fluke when it came to the Genesis. I mean, the new Sonata is pretty darn good in the corners for a front-driver and the brand has built some fun to drive small cars, but where the Genesis’ abilities came from was a mystery until I drove the new Genesis Coupe and realized the Korean brand must be employing a team of superb chassis engineers now.

Extremely comfortable, supportive and multi-adjustable seats. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

I don’t care what you drive, BMW included, the Genesis sedan will shock you with brilliant agility and rock solid stability. I found myself giggling while taking corners at… well… let’s just say a few ticks quicker than posted limits. There’s little roll, fabulous transitional response during fast lane changes or through a series of “S” curves, absolute control all the time.

And if I were talking about a sports car my report would be done, but the Genesis is a beautifully finished luxury car, as large on features as interior volume. Capable of transporting five adults in comfort, the Genesis 4.6 that I tested most recently felt more like a top-tier Lexus than anything Hyundai has ever produced before. No, it’s not as well finished as an LS 460 (or any of the flagship cars from the premium German brands), but it’s priced more like a front-drive ES 350 and it’s easily up to par with that. Happily, only trace amounts of faux wood grace the cabin of the V8 (it’s standard across the entire dash of the V6 model), only impeccably stitched leather covers the dash, offset by aluminized surfaces and high-quality switchgear. A push-button ignition is on display, as well as an easily utilized dual-zone automatic climate control system, also standard with the V6. Above and beyond the other standard features offered on the V6, which include automatic headlamps, heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, laminated side glass, rain-sensing wipers, rear seat side airbags, front active head restraints, ABS with traction and stability control, an anti-theft system,

The detailing, features and quality is premium level. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

a power tilt and telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel, six-CD/MP3 audio system with one of the best auxiliary input and USB jack ports in the industry, complete with an iPod connector, plus cruise control, driver's side memory, power windows with front auto up/down, power sunroof, heated leather seats with 8-way driver and 4-way passenger power adjustment, and a rear-seat pass-through, the V8 adds 18” alloy wheels, auto-leveling Xenon headlamps, a leather-wrapped dash, and a woodgrain and leather steering wheel. While the 18” wheels and Xenon headlamps can be had with the V6, both models can be optioned out with adaptive front headlights, a powered rear sunshade, a navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free communication, and a premium Lexicon stereo. Yes, that would be the same Lexicon stereo-to-the-stars brand that makes its way into the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The new Genesis certainly hasn’t been as controversial in its inaugural year than the Phantom was, from a styling standpoint. The Roller’s exclusive clientele have taken a long time to warm up to the Phantom’s almost Germanic boldness, but Genesis buyers have taken to the new model with unbridled enthusiasm, snapping them up at a time when most full-size sedans aren’t exactly flying off dealer lots. Yes, it’s good looking from every angle, but most important the Genesis represents great value, from its initial price point to the quality of its workmanship, it’s a car that is sure to deliver a positive ownership experience and finally command a strong resale price when it’s time to move on.

Forget everything you ever thought you knew about Hyundai. The Genesis is a paradigm shift on wheels, a car that will forever change perceptions about the Korean brand.

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(J003) Standard Metallic Paint