2009 Car of the Year: Hyundai Genesis

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

DETROIT (CNNMoney.com) -- The Hyundai Genesis won the prestigious Car of the Year Award Sunday at the start of media preview days for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

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To be eligible for the top prize, a vehicle had to be all-new, completely redesigned or "substantially changed," and available to customers during calendar year 2008.

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The three finalists for Car of the Year this year were the Genesis, Ford Flex, and Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The Jetta is powered by a diesel engine.

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The Hyundai Genesis represents a big leap for Korea-based Hyundai. The sedan is part of Hyundai's attempt to reach upscale drivers while still maintaining the brand's roots with low-cost economy models such as the Accent.

With prices starting at about $32,000 for V6-powered versions, the Genesis looks and drives much like a Mercedes-Benz or Lexus.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/08/autos/2009..._year/index.htm

[Perfect Couple 4]

From What I have read this car is a so so car in the market place.

A step forward for Hyundia yes, but a top of line car no....

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Congratulations to Hyundai. What a remarkable turnaround that company has made over the last decade. I'm really happy with my Elantra and would consider getting another one or the 4 cyl. Sonata which gets about the same mpg.

[Jasman0717 8]

Congrats Hyundai

[spookyturtle 9,465]

From What I have read this car is a so so car in the market place.

A step forward for Hyundia yes, but a top of line car no....

Have you looked at one or read the reviews in Car and Driver, etc? It's not a Lexus, but it costs many thousands less. It is a nice car, whether it's for you or not, only you can decide.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I'm really happy with my Elantra and would consider getting another one or the 4 cyl. Sonata which gets about the same mpg.

Me too! Our Elantra is great! If gas prices stay low or at least don't go too high, I may get the V6 Sonata next when my Accord dies.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I'm really happy with my Elantra and would consider getting another one or the 4 cyl. Sonata which gets about the same mpg.

Me too! Our Elantra is great! If gas prices stay low or at least don't go too high, I may get the V6 Sonata next when my Accord dies.

The Sonata is a nice car too. It compares quite well with the Accord.

[shaggy_mutt 0]

Wow, quite a step forward for Hyundai - I remember the original Excel which was also produced for Mitsubishi and sold as the Precis! There were oodles of them around, but the metallurgy (combined with the cavalier maintenance this price point attracts) ensured that they're a rare sight nowadays.

Does the new Genesis look pretty sweet? You betcha! But I do think it's going to be a hard sell these days, compared to something like a used LS400 - which is proven technology, lasts a long time, and depreciates pretty quickly to boot. Nice LS's are going for well under 10 grand these days.

[Waldo 0]

I drive a 85 toyota pickup. I'll race anyone for $100. Before you say yes though know that I'll drive mine off a cliff for $100; would you do the same?

[shaggy_mutt 0]

I drive a 85 toyota pickup. I'll race anyone for $100. Before you say yes though know that I'll drive mine off a cliff for $100; would you do the same?

Did you see that episode of _Top Gear_ where they tried to destroy one of those? It looked pretty sad at the end, but I believe it was still running and drivable.

[amberdima 6]

if only they would take the word 'hyundai' out of the equation. it has a stigma about it that makes it IMO undesirable because it has such options as the 'accent.'

[spookyturtle 9,465]

if only they would take the word 'hyundai' out of the equation. it has a stigma about it that makes it IMO undesirable because it has such options as the 'accent.'

The same stigma was attached to Honda, Toyota and Datsun back in the late 60's and early 70's. They were rust buckets. Look how that reputation has changed.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

if only they would take the word 'hyundai' out of the equation. it has a stigma about it that makes it IMO undesirable because it has such options as the 'accent.'

I agree that the Accent sucks, but the consumer seems to disagree. But then again, we're talking about the same clowns who made the Ford Escort the #1 selling car in America once upon a time.

Jan 8 2009:

Korean automakers' market share in the United States went up slightly last year with Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors now taking 3.3 percent and 2.1 percent of the U.S. market.

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Sales of Hyundai's Accent small car rose 40 percent and Kia's Rio sold 10 percent more than in 2007.

Edited January 12, 2009 by A.J.