The 2012 Genesis R-Spec

The Washington Post

Anyone who doubts that Korean automaker Hyundai is intent on unseating its Japanese and European rivals should take a spin in the Genesis R-Spec coupe, a car that “redefines notions of luxury and value.” Everything about it—performance, safety, luxury, and styling—speaks of “unassailable value.” We suggest you comparison-shop it against every other full-size mid-luxury sedan.

Automotive Rhythms

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Don’t fret, BMW and Mercedes—your market share is safe…for now. As for other luxury automakers, “they should be pretty worried.” The R-Spec takes the Genesis’s impressive standard package of luxury amenities, adds a sports transmission and suspension, then upgrades the engine to a 429-hp V8. Throw in Hyundai’s “magnificent” 10-year/100,000-mile power-train warranty and “you have found yourself a true diamond.”

Motor Trend

The R-Spec is good, but the R on the tail doesn’t convince us that this car is racetrack-worthy. While the focus on performance upgrades “gives the standard Genesis much-needed injections of athleticism,” the “quiet demeanor” of its powerful V8 disappoints. It would have been better to label the car a sport edition. The upgrades “are undoubtedly impressive.”