2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec Sedan Review

MPG-o-Matic 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec Sedan Review Summary: The 2012 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec Sedan seeks to stand out in a thinning crowd. In the days when gas was cheap, American streets were dominated by big V8 powered sedans, and Hyundai unknown on these shores. Flash forward thirty or forty years, and the American car manufacturers have slashed their rear-wheel-drive offerings in a market that’s been overtaken by high-end Japanese and European designs. The sporting R-Spec throws down the gauntlet at a cost considerably lower than the competition.

There are three engine choices in 2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan, with 4.6- and 5.0-liter V8s, as well as a 3.8-liter V6. We tested the top-of-the-line Genesis 5.0 R-Spec equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission with shift interlock and Shiftronic, which allows the eight-speed transmission to be manually controlled via leather-wrapped slapstick. Unlike its competition, the Genesis Sedan is only offered in rear-wheel-drive (RWD). All-wheel-drive is not available.

The R-Spec sedan’s 5.0-liter V8 engine produces a very generous 429 horsepower (HP) and 376 foot pounds of torque. Hyundai publishes specs for both premium and regular unleaded for the 4.6-liter V8, which produces 385 HP and 333 foot pounds of torque on premium fuel and 378 HP and 324 foot pounds of torque on regular fuel. The 3.8-liter V6 produces 333 HP and 291 foot pounds of torque.

The official fuel economy estimates for the 5.0-liter Genesis R-Spec are 16 city / 25 highway miles per gallon (MPG). The 4.6-liter V8 is rated at 27 / 36 , while the 3.8-liter V6 is rated at 19 / 29.

We covered over 300 miles in our Titanium Gray Metallic review unit and eased by the official mileage estimates, with an average of 27.2 MPG on the Interstate highway and 21.1 MPG combined with temperatures ranging from the low-thirties through the low-fifties.

While the R-Spec’s V8 doesn’t deliver the growl of a HEMI, it packs plenty of punch.

Interstate Mileage Testing:

• Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C off, windows up, ECO mode: 27.1 MPG
• Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, A/C off, windows up, ECO mode: 27.3 MPG

Interstate highway testing temperatures were in the the low-forties. Our 5.0 R-Spec test vehicle was equipped with the standard 19-inch machine-finished aluminum alloy wheels, clad with P235/45R19, and was delivered with under 9500 miles on the odometer. The standard issue tires are summer performance Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Positions. While we saw no snow during our test week, our Genesis was outfitted with Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires. 4.6-liter Genesis sedans are equipped with 18-inch “Hyper Silver” alloy wheels and P235/50R18 tires, while the V6 model uses 17-inch alloys with P225/55R17 tires.

Highway driving range is good. The V8-powered Genesis sedans are fitted with a 20.3 gallon fuel tank, while the V6-powered model uses a 19.3 gallon tank. The V8s are designed to run on premium unleaded, but can accept regular. The V6 uses regular unleaded.

All 2012 Genesis sedans are fitted with four-wheel-disc brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist. The front discs are ventilated 13.6-in diameter disc, with 12.4-inch solid discs in the rear. The 5.0 Genesis Sedan weighs in between 4,046 and 4,154 pounds. The Coefficient of Drag is excellent, at 0.27.

The color Driver Information System (DIS) includes range to empty, trip meters and timer, along with average and instant fuel economy displays. The instant MPG meter is distinctively designed. There’s even an Eco driving mode … in a 429HP performance sedan.

Ride and handling are good, though not as tight as the specialized R-Spec badge might suggest. Hyundai left room for this one to be tuned.

The materials in the R-Spec’s cabin might not be Audi-level, but all the goodies are there, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seating surfaces, an eight-way power driver’s seat with memory (adjusts seat position, steering wheel, and side mirrors) and four-way power lumbar, along with three-level heating and cooling. The front passenger bucket seat features four-way power adjustment and three-level heating.

Highway driving safety is enhanced with a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and adaptive cruise control. The High-Intensity-Discharge (HID) headlights are adaptive (auto-cornering). Parking chores are eased with front and rear parking assistance sensors, as well as a backup camera.

The 17-speaker Lexicon audio system includes an eight-inch LCD display, XM Radio and six-disc in-dash DVD changer. Handsfree Bluetooth and USB input are standard. iPod integration is up to snuff, with a jog wheel that seeks to provide a distinctly European touch.

There are two twelve-volt outlets: one concealed at the base of the dash, and one inside the center console, alongside the USB input.

The back seat provides 37.7 inches of headroom and 38.6 inches of legroom. The center armrest conceals three-level seat heating.

The Genesis Sedan’s trunk provides 15.9 cubic feet of storage. The back seat does not fold down. There is a pass-through large enough for skis, but not snowboards.

All-in-all, the 2012 Genesis 5.0 R-Spec Sedan offers an interesting alternative to the HEMI-powered Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, as well as the more pricey Japanese and European luxury performance sedans. The ranks of big affordable V8-powered four-doors have thinned considerably over the years. The Genesis R-Spec proves there’s still life in the segment. Lets enjoy ‘em while we still can.

Parts Content Information
US/Canadian Parts Content: 1%
Major Sources of Foreign Parts Content: Korea – 78%
Final Assembly Point: Ulsan, Korea
Country of Origin:
Engine – Korea
Transmission – Korea

Warranty Information
Powertrain: 10 Year/100,000 Mile
Anti-Corosion/Perforation: 7 Year/100,000 Mile
New Vehicle: 5 Year/60,000 Mile
Roadside Assistance: 5 Year/Unlimited Mile

– by Daniel Gray