2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan

"My co-pilot and I both preferred the R-Spec," says David Thomas at Cars.com. But, he says, "to the tune of an additional $12,300? I'm not so sure." Autoblog.com agrees; while testing the Genesis R-Spec, reviewers say, "We were never under the impression that we were driving anything other than a slightly more potent version of the base sedan, and that's a problem." Motor Trend's Kim Reynolds likes the car, but says the mild-mannered sedan "doesn't live up to its bold R-Spec naming."

Base V6 Genesis sedan is best, say critics

Meanwhile the base Hyundai Genesis 3.8 (Base MSRP $34,200) continues to impress critics. It's eminently practical -- prudently priced (it even runs on regular gas), safe in a crash, with a beefy warranty -- but with plenty of frills, too. The base Genesis comes loaded with creature comforts like heated leather seats, for thousands less than a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Base MSRP: $49,400 to $59,600) or 2011 BMW 5 Series (Base MSRP: $45,050 to $62,500). Its 3.8-liter V6 engine gets 43 more horsepower this year (333 now), yet still manages to eke out 1 mpg more overall than last year (19 mpg city/29 mpg highway/22 mpg combined), thanks partly to a new eight-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.

Two available V8s

For more power, you can opt for the Hyundai Genesis 4.6 (Base MSRP $44,500) with a 385-horsepower, 4.6-liter V8 (17 mpg city/26 mpg highway/20 mpg combined), or the Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec (Base MSRP $46,500) with a 429-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 (16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined). Hyundai recommends premium fuel with these engines. All 2012 Genesis models get the new gearbox (Car and Driver testers find it sluggish, but other experts report no problems), along with a tweaked suspension that Car and Driver says is the most important change on the 2012 Genesis. "The balance is vastly improved for 2012, with the ride smoothing out and the car staying a bit flatter in hard cornering É with far fewer imperfections making their way into the cabin." Autoblog.com says the base Genesis "feels pretty quick off the line" -- quick enough to make the pricier Genesis engines a hard sell, experts say.

Safety scores and features

We found no crash ratings for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis, but the structurally similar 2011 Genesis is a Top Safety Pick at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning the highest rating of Good in all tests there. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not fully tested the 2012 Genesis sedan, but gives it a 4-star rating for rollover risk. Antilock brakes, traction and stability control all come standard, as do front airbags and side and curtain airbags for both rows.

The 2012 Hyundai Genesis carries five-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties.

Research sources

Car and Driver, Cars.com and Popular Mechanics all participate in Hyundai's first-drive press event for the 2012 Genesis, testing both the base model and the range-topping R-Spec. Reviews at Autoblog.com, About.com and Motor Trend concentrate mainly on the R-Spec. Edmunds.com outlines the changes to the 2012 Genesis, but editors there haven't tested it. FuelEconomy.gov posts official fuel economy estimates for the 2012 Genesis. Crash ratings at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are based on tests of the similar 2011 model.