Is Hyundai a Luxury Car?
Although Hyundai isn’t considered a luxury brand, it has a luxury manufacturing division called Genesis. Check out our guide to learn more.
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Though Hyundai isn’t considered a luxury brand, its Genesis arm manufactures some standout luxury vehicles.
Hyundai’s goal is to make economy cars that are affordable for the everyday driver, none of which screams "luxury". The closest Hyundai gets to luxury is with the 2023
Palisade
, but even then, it’s not going to fool true car connoisseurs. If you’re looking for luxury from Hyundai, your best bet is to consider offerings from its luxury division, Genesis
.Let’s get into Hyundai’s near-luxury offerings, including Genesis models that redefine luxury sedans.
Jerry
is a licensed insurance broker and car insurance
expert with all the details on your next luxury Hyundai, including ways to save on your Hyundai insurance costs
.Is Hyundai a luxury car?
No. Although Hyundai has some near-luxury vehicles in its lineup—such as the Palisade, Tucson, and
Equus
—if you want something truly upscale, you’re going to have to look to the manufacturer's Genesis brand.What makes a luxury car?
Taking into account that Hyundai makes economy vehicles with the everyday driver in mind, how can we tell which of its lineup is a step above the rest? What makes the Genesis brand a luxury division of Hyundai if it also strives to provide excellent value?
While the answers to these questions can be subjective, comparing features between Hyundai’s economy cars and Genesis’s sophisticated vehicles can help us determine what luxury generally means when it comes to cars. Here are a few areas that luxury cars focus on:
- Performance features include powerful engines and upgraded suspensions that provide smooth driving
- Comfort features are the easiest to spot—high-end materials, spacious cabins, and heated or ventilated seats
- Technology features such as top-of-the-line sound systems, driver assistance, and an abundance of safety features
- Style features are another tip-off that you’re riding in a luxury vehicle—programmable lighting, wood or metallic accents, and modern and sophisticated design
You may see some crossover with the average vehicle when it comes to engine or safety features, but there’s no denying that a car with plush seating, futuristic tech, and a smooth ride makes the very picture of automotive luxury.
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Is Hyundai a good luxury brand?
Hyundai may have some near-luxury cars in its lineup, but it's not going to win any awards for being the swankiest luxury carmaker out there.
Genesis, on the other hand, provides excellent value, delightful and unexpected luxury features, and plenty of comforts to go around. Plus, the luxury brand has won awards for quality and performance from J.D. Power. In 2020, every Genesis model earned a Top Safety Pick + rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Engineering, overall value, and sophistication are the clear priorities when it comes to Genesis vehicles—and each model delivers. You’ll feel like you’re driving down the red carpet whenever you drive a Genesis.
The best Hyundai luxury cars
Let’s take a look at a couple of near-luxury Hyundai cars and compare them to two of Genesis’s luxury offerings.
Hyundai Palisade
With an affordable starting price of $36,245, the Palisade is Hyundai’s flagship SUV. It’s also the brand’s largest SUV offering, with three rows of seating and 86 cubic feet of maximum cargo space (with the seats all folded). But don’t let its size fool you—the Palisade is pretty luxurious on the inside, featuring a WiFi hotspot, heated third-row seats, and a massaging driver's seat.
Standard features include:
- 12.0-inch infotainment display
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- In-dash navigation
- SiriusXM satellite radio
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Can use Alexa and Google Assistant to lock, unlock, and start the vehicle when equipped with Hyundai's Blue Link app service
- Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode
There are also a fair number of packages you can add to your Palisade, including a Premium package, Convenience package, Luxury package, and more!
Key Specs | 2023 Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|
Engine | 3.8-liter V-6 engine |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive (standard) OR all-wheel drive (optional) |
0 to 60 | 6.9 seconds (AWD SEL) |
EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 21–22 combined/19 city/25–27 hwy (FWD) |
Hyundai Tucson
With a starting price of $26,245, the
Hyundai Tucson
is a compact SUV that’s available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or traditional gas-powered vehicle. It’s stylish, well-appointed, and rides the line between economy and luxury, making it a top choice for Hyundai customers looking for a near-luxury option.Tucson's responsive handling and quiet ride give it an air of sophistication and poise. The dashboard is minimalistic and provides a touch-sensitive control panel for a modern feel, while those in the back seats will be comfortable and content with the well-appointed interior.
Standard features include:
- 8.8-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
The
Tucson SEL
Convenience trim is probably the best choice out of Tucson’s lineup. Heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, a sunroof, and a 10.3-inch digital gauge display are all included for $30,285 MSRP.
Key Specs | 2022 Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|
Engine | 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder OR turbocharged 1.6-liter four (plug-in hybrid and hybrid models) |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic OR 6-speed automatic (plug-in hybrid and hybrid models) |
Drivetrain | Front-wheel OR all-wheel drive |
0 to 60 | 7.1 seconds (Limited hybrid) |
EPA fuel economy (mpg ) | 37 combined/37 city /36 hwy |
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Genesis G90
Let’s shift gears into the first example of a Genesis luxury vehicle: the
Genesis G90
. You can already see from its $89,495 starting price that this isn’t your regular large sedan—plus, its handsome exterior and butter-smooth engine performance leave no room for doubt. With a full and generous redesign for 2023, the G90 is a luxury vehicle through and through.The G90 is full of sophisticated surprises: for example, have you ever been in a car with an onboard fragrance diffuser and air purifier to keep the cabin fresh and calming? The G90 comes with the best-smelling interior in the business along with these standard features:
- Power-operated doors
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Genuine wood trim
- Massaging front seats
- Antimicrobial sanitation system
- Massaging front seats
- Premium Bang and Olufsen stereo system
- Power-operated rear sunshades
- Active noise cancellation
- 12.3-inch infotainment display
- SiriusXM satellite radio
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Automatic high beams
- Adaptive cruise control system with a lane-centering feature
- Forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
If you choose to upgrade to the E-supercharged trim, you’ll also enjoy reclining rear seats with heat, ventilation, and massage.
Key Specs | 2023 Genesis G90 |
|---|---|
Engine | Twin-turbocharged V-6 |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | All-wheel drive |
0 to 60 | 5.3 seconds |
EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 20–21 combined/17–18 city/24–26 hwy |
Genesis GV80
This suave SUV starts at $56,645 and establishes the Genesis GV80 as an affordable luxury vehicle that can give a Bentley a run for its money. The interior is elegant, to say the least—wood and metal accents, a long and sleek display screen, and ambient lighting surround you with a sense of relaxing luxury.
Standard features include:
- 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Click-wheel controller mounted on the center console
- Semi-autonomous driving mode
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Heated front seats
- Power liftgate
- Oil life monitoring system
If you’re looking for extras, the 2.5T Advanced trim comes with a panoramic sunroof and ventilated seats. The Prestige trim adds 22-inch wheels, a large digital gauge cluster, Nappa leather upholstery, and adjustable rear seats, while the Prestige Matte trim from previous years sports a Makalu Gray exterior paint.
How to save on Hyundai insurance with Jerry
Even though Hyundai (and by extension, Genesis) offers one of the best warranties in the business, you want to ensure your luxury vehicle is covered in the case of an accident or natural disaster. With
Jerry
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FAQs
Is Hyundai more luxurious than Lexus?
No. The Hyundai brand doesn’t include luxury vehicles, but its luxury division, Genesis, stands up very well next to Lexus. Lexus, Toyota’s luxury and performance division, has a reputation for making reliable and quality luxury cars. But when it comes to value and the number of luxury features, Genesis pulls ahead.
Are Hyundai cars expensive?
No. Hyundai is an economy car manufacturer that strives to provide quality vehicles at an affordable price. Its luxury division, Genesis, produces more expensive models, but they also tend to be less expensive than other cars in their segment.
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