The Hyundai Genesis does 20.2 mpg combined (17.1 city, 25.8 highway), which works out to about $1,901 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.8L 6-cyl does 21.5 mpg while 5L 8-cyl does 18.6 — a difference of $279 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Hyundai Genesis engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Hyundai Genesis ranges from 21.5 down to 18.6 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $279 a year across 3 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 18 / 27.5 | 2009–2016 | $1,786 | |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 17 / 24.7 | 2009–2011 | $1,990 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 15.6 / 23.8 | 2012–2016 | $2,065 |
What that actually costs
The Hyundai Genesis burns a gallon every 20.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 594 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.158 |
| Fuel per year | $1,901 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,505 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$29 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,497 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Hyundai Genesis gives up 8.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 25.8 out there against 17.1 in town, a 51% drop worth $758 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 17.1 mpg | $2,246 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 25.8 mpg | $1,488 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.7 mpg (51%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Genesis changed over the years
The Genesis peaked in 2012 at 21 mpg (17.5 city, 26.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2014 at 19.5 — 1.5 mpg apart, or $140 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2016 car does 20. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 16.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2015 | 16.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2014 | 16.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2013 | 17 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2012 | 17.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2011 | 17.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2010 | 17.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2009 | 17.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,920 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 16 EPA ratings of the Hyundai Genesis — 3 engines across 2009–2016. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,497. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Hyundai Genesis get?
20.2 mpg combined on average — 17.1 in the city and 25.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2009–2016.
How much does a Hyundai Genesis cost in fuel per year?
About $1,901 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,505 over five years, or 0.158 dollars a mile.
Which Genesis engine is the most economical?
The 3.8L 6-cyl at 21.5 mpg, against 18.6 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $279 a year.
Is the Genesis good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Genesis figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Hyundai Genesis is $3,497 against the $1,901 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 22 and 18 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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