2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ: RideLust Review
With the initial shock of the Genesis’ borderline design infringement on the Mercedes S-Class wearing off, we’re beginning to realize that the Hyundai Genesis does essentially the same thing for the luxury sedan market that the Toyota Camry Does for the Lexus ES and the Honda Accord does for the Acura TSX. It’s a pretty good imitation, but hell, with the right trim level and about a 100 yards worth of viewing distance, even a Ford Fiesta could be mistaken for a Porsche 911.
Anyway, be that as it may, the Hyundai Genesis does deserve a pat on the back for its most recent achievement: earning the highest possible safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration during front- and side-impact crash testing. As quoted in Auto News, Hyundai North American exec John Krafcik attributed the 5-star safety ratings to the Genesis’ superior design, “Genesis was engineered with a lightweight but strong body shell, featuring ultrahigh-tensile steel, laser welding and advanced adhesive bonding.”
It wasn’t that long ago when Detroit was king, that people made fun of Hondas and Toyotas. Then when they became legitimate competitors people rolled their eyes as they offered their upscale Lexus and Acura lineups. (As if ANYONE could compete against Mercedes and BMW, pfff) Now driving a Lexus, Infiniti, etc… is at least in the same ballpark than cars from Bavaria. Hyundai is taking the right approach. Sure they are copying….blatantly. And after several years of producing a quality vehicle, the stigma of driving a Hyundai will continue to diminish.
Glad somebody else thinks it’s boring.