The Hyundai Genesis is a compact car built from 2009 to 2016 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in South Korea — 100% of those on record. Between 2009 and 2016 it grew 18 cm longer and gained 301 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6, V8. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Genesis is
The Hyundai Genesis is a compact car that Hyundai built from 2009 to 2016 — 8 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2015. It has been offered with 4-cyl, V6, V8 power. Its closest siblings in the Hyundai range: Genesis Coupe, Tiburon, Excel.
Where the Genesis is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 1,141 Genesiss on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | KMH | 2009-2016 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Hyundai VIN decide which of these 2 lines your Genesis belongs to. What every character in a Genesis VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Hyundai Genesis adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
Genesis generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Genesis's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Genesis that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-2014 | 481 cm | 288 cm | 1647 kg | - | - |
| 2015-2016 | 499 cm | 301 cm | 1948 kg | +18 cm | +301 kg |
Between 2009 and 2016 the Genesis gained 18 cm in length (+3.7%) and 301 kg in weight (+18.3%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Genesis that is 301 kg against 18 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Hyundai Genesis tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Genesis owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Hyundai Genesis have? Power & range
The Hyundai Genesis is offered with 3 powertrains — 3.8L 6-cyl, 5L 8-cyl, 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 3 for the Hyundai Genesis, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.8L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | RWD | Regular |
| V8 | 5.0L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | RWD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The Genesis by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Hyundai Genesis. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Genesis | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 25 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 1,421 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,838/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 229 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Hyundai Genesis?
The Genesis is a compact car, built from 2009 to 2016 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6, V8.
Where is the Hyundai Genesis made?
Across 1,141 cars in our records the split is: South Korea (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the Genesis have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2015. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Genesis grew 18 cm longer and gained 301 kg.
What is the Hyundai Genesis warranty?
New models carry 5 years / 60,000 miles basic cover and 10 years / 100,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Genesis reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Genesis?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
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