Auto Review: Hyundai Genesis strives to be unique

It is important today to keep hold of your individualism; to make sure that your personality is allowed to shine through the sea of other people. You might wonder what this has to do with the 2012 Hyundai Genesis, the 2012 Denver Auto Show and the LGBT community. The link is a shared quality: striving to be unique.

Hyundai isn’t exactly at the top of the “luxury” word association list. The brand got a bad rap for being an economy-car player in the early ’90s and has spent most of the ’00s trying to reposition as a reliable brand with a multifaceted persona. The 2012 Hyundai Genesis supports this differentiation by offering luxury at an affordable price without jettisoning style, comfort or functionality.

The goal? To stand out in ideals and looks. Recently, the Out Front Colorado Garage received delivery of a 2012 Hyundai Genesis, so we decided to take this little lady out to the opening of the 2012 Denver Auto Show. At first glance you will notice the exterior of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis. In fact, you might mistake it at first for a higher-end car like the Lexus LS460, but on closer inspection you will see this car has character and curves all its own.

The Genesis is no cheap date, with our test car coming in just above $43K. That may seem expensive for a car carrying the Hyundai nameplate, but that’s the perception that the automaker is trying to change. And as members of the LGBT community, we are also no strangers to perceptions and how hard they are to change. However, the price seems more reasonable and fits the entry-level luxury market when you realize you have premium sound, navigation heated front and rear seats, air-cooled driver seat, XM and HD radio, adaptive cruise control and 333 horsepower.

If the horsepower doesn’t mean much to you – and we can’t blame you there – let’s just say this: five-passenger sedan will get on the freeway faster than some sports cars. The interior is well-appointed with classy touches like the optional soft-touch leather wrapped two-tone dashboard. Functionality isn`t spared with integrated Bluetooth and iPod controls, voice controlled entertainment and navigation. The 333 hp 3.8-liter V6 delivers an affordable driving experience with fuel economy estimates tipping the scales at 19/29 mpg city/highway according to the EPA. That translates to an EPA-estimated $2,048 in annual fuel costs.

All of this was percolating at the auto show. At the show you will see cars like the electric Fisker Karma and Nissan LEAF as well as other new luxury vehicles like the 2013 Cadillac XTS, 2013 Lincoln MKS and 2012 BMW 5 Series. With all the exciting products at the show – one for each personality and lifestyle – it’s easy to understand why buying a car is such an individual decision.

I would like to leave you with this: don’t judge the 2012 Hyundai Genesis because of its namesake; if you are looking for affordable luxury with striking looks, agreeable running costs and a driving experience that isn’t lacking, then the Genesis might just be what compliments your own individuality.