The 2015 Hyundai Genesis Has It ALL

With both our vehicles approaching the 200,000 mile mark, my husband and I have been thinking hard on our next vehicle(s). While we both appreciate different styles of cars there are a couple of things we’re in agreement on. We’re big on technology features and we want our vehicle to offer a huge bang for our buck in both amenities and fuel economy. 

As I sat at the Chicago Auto Show waiting for the Hyundai Press event to begin, I was expected to be wowed by whatever vehicle was hiding under the sheet, waiting to be announced. Don’t get me wrong, I thought the Veloster RE:FLEX was the cat’s pajamas but what really stuck with me was the 2015 Hyundai Genesis. Mostly because I could easily see it as a contender for our next vehicle. 

Sexy Styling

To begin with it’s sleek, upscale design is gorgeous. It’s hexagonal front grille, dynamic crease accent and curvy body appear elegant in nature. From there the interior can be described as spacious, simplistic and elegant. It’s fully of creamy leather,  aluminum and matte-finish wood. Climbing into the drivers seat, the car felt very open and spacious – actually total interior volume is 123.0 cubic feet, an advantage over competitors! It was well designed and very driver centric. In addition to all the key technology elements I also liked what they did with the storage of practical items like cell phones/electronics. 

AWD Option and Award Winning 5 liter V8 Engine

Ask anyone who has lived in the snow belt the importance of AWD  versus Front/Rear wheel drive and prepare to be lectured. As someone who has grown up in Michigan, I was intrigued by the Genesis AWD system, known as HTRAC^®. And to accompany the AWD is the award-winning 5.0-liter Tau V8 engine producing 420 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 383 lb. ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm. 

Check Out These Features

Smart Cruise Control:
I’ve driven vehicles with smart cruise control before and LOVED this feature. Basically, the system uses a front-grille-mounted radar sensor to allow for full function down to zero mph to operate seamlessly in stop-and-go traffic conditions. It allows the car to maintain safer, consistent spacing with the vehicle ahead in varied traffic conditions. The system can also help deploy an available Automatic Emergency Braking system should a stationary vehicle be detected ahead.

Blind-Spot Detection system (BSD) and Lane Change Assist (LCA)

The Blind-Spot Detection system uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to help warn the driver of an approaching vehicle in his or her blind spot via an indicator on the side mirrors. Additionally, for Genesis’ equipped with the Head’s-Up Display, the BSD system indicators also project onto the windshield, nearer the driver’s view of the road, a segment first.

Lane Change Assist works in a similar way to detect vehicles approaching towards its rear side at high speeds, especially during higher-speed driving. Bonus: the Rear Cross-traffic Alert scans areas to each side of the car when drivers are backing out of parking spaces.

Cool Tech Alert: To help ensure maximum driver alertness, Genesis also benefits from a world-first technology in its CO2sensor control system, located under the glove box. Hyundai engineers discovered that occupants start to get drowsy when CO2 levels reached more than 2,000 parts per million, so the new ventilation system helps ensure the cabin maintains a CO2 concentration well below that level at all times using freshly-ventilated ambient air. The system monitors the vehicle’s intake of fresh or re-circulated air using a dedicated CO2 sensor.

Truly Hands Free Trunk Opening Technology
Most Genesis competitors with hands-free trunk-opening technology use a leg-kick sensor under the rear bumper to enable the driver to open the trunk. If you have tried to open the truck with a child in your hands, in heels or loaded down with shopping bags you know this isn’t truly “hands-free” now is it?  

So the Genesis Smart Trunk system was designed to open the trunk automatically if the smart key is detected in a pocket or purse within a few feet of the rear bumper for longer than three seconds. This system allows the driver to keep both feet comfortably on the ground, simply waiting by the trunk a few seconds for it to open automatically. The Smart Trunk system also provides an audible warning and flashing light prior to opening.

Honestly, I could go on all day about all of the little things that add up to one premium sedan. But I think it’s obvious that the 2015 Hyundai Genesis would make us very happy new car owners. What’s your favorite feature?

My travel and stay were hosted by the Chicago Auto Show. All opinions remain my own.