Chrysler 300 vs Hyundai Genesis

[Jesda]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sed ... index.html



I'd take the 300, which I wouldn't have said a year ago. Its bigger, better looking, and according to MT it drives better.

[Kompresshun]

I agree, the 300 looks great... I wouldn't have wanted anything to do with one before the re-design but now i'd consider one.

[Jookmasta]

definitely a well needed makeover for the chrysler. I have a soft spot for the genesis but I think the genesis will take a while to catch up to the 300c formula. the genesis isn't sporty in the least and will come up short to anything that can do "sport" in that price segment.

[Encryptshun]

I actually think the redesigned 300 is, if anything, even UGLIER than its predecessor. And that's saying something, because I think the 300C may actually be the most hideous car in production today.

Of course, I only really (I think) like the Genesis because it remindes me of a Benz W220. Which means I don't really like the Genesis, I just like the car the Genesis is trying to make me think of. But I would rather own a Genesis than a 300C, unquestionably. In this case, being a shadow of a beautiful car is better than being a unique monstrosity.

Why can't Chrysler bring back the 300M? That is perhaps the last attractive car they produced.

[Bubba1]

I'd take the 300, which I wouldn't have said a year ago. Its bigger, better looking, and according to MT it drives better.

I don't put much stock in what Motor Trend writes. We're talking about a magazine that awarded Car of the year honors to such lame vehicles as the Wretched Renault Alliance, Chrysler K cars (K as in Krap), pathetic PT Cruiser , the turtle shaped Chevy Caprice and putrid Chevy Citation.

I haven't driven one of the redesigned 300's yet, but based on the previous experience with Chryslers, I would lease/rent a 300, and own a Genesis.

[Jesda]

Why can't Chrysler bring back the 300M? That is perhaps the last attractive car they produced.

I loved the M, but cab forward is pure 90s. Unfortunately, GM is bringing the Dodge Intrepid's proportions back with the tall and ungainly Cadillac XTS.

The Genesis from the rear looks like an I35, a good thing, and from the front its... sufficient. The interior with its padded/stitched leather dashboard is sharp and almost looks like the inside of the M35, but Chrysler's new interior is a huge upgrade from before and offers more space.

I'm about 5'9", and the back seat of the Genesis lacked head room. The front seat was just about perfect.


Its still very close, but because the 300 has a better-sorted suspension, it wins this one for me. The Genesis is getting a refresh next year and the 300 is getting a ZF 8-speed automatic. Both of them will have poor resale value, making either one a top pick as a 5-10 year old used car.

[dasoupdude]

I can't wait for the new Genesis R-spec, it looks great..

(sort of looks like a new M)







5.0 V8 429 hp - 378 lb/ft
8 speed auto

[sbird1]

I have not seen that 5.0 Genesis. Me rikey.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

The 8 speed auto sounds like a potential time bomb.

[Captain Slow]

I'm going to have to go against the grain here. I lovethe 300, even before the redesign. If I had the monies, I would have a 300C in a heartbeat, just without the ghetto chrome rims.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Looks good.



The 300 needs a different front bumper if it looks as gross as it does in the second picture. It just doesn't look "right."

[Bwana]

We had a few 300s in our fleet when I drove for the limo company. They weren't a bad car if you could get past the fit and finish issues and the resulting squeaks and wind noise. They were in no way comparable to the Town Cars we also used.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I loved the M, but cab forward is pure 90s.

My thoughts exactly. And don't get me started on the XTS. Fortunately Caddy seems to want to slide the CTS into the STS's spot and sneak a new model in to fight the already much tinier 3 series, so the lineup should remain structured pretty much as is, even if the nameplates are playing musical chairs.

As far as the 300c...I like the outgoing model's styling. One thing that really stands out with Chrysler products versus other automakers these days, though, is just how much cheaper the entry models look. Even at a glance, you can tell a 3.5 300 from a mile away. That holds true for every other Chrysler car as well. Dodge is the same way. But the good Hemi C looks really nice. It has decent proportions for a modern car (but is still too tall for my taste) and the details are all good.

The new 300 looks nice, too, but I'm not a fan of the rounder, softer new corporate grille. I think the smaller tail lights are a nice improvement. The biggest problem with the styling for me is the expanse of nothing above the rear wheel arch and below the rear side window.

I parked my LS next to a 300c at Target the other day. The two similarly sized cars (300 is an inch wider and 2 inches taller) sitting next to each other showed off just how drastically the 300's styling exaggerates its size.

The Genesis is tastefully bland, if that's possible. Nothing about it rubs me the wrong way, and some of it strikes me as well done even if it doesn't really do anything for me. Unlike Lexus' decades of Benz imitations, the Genesis feels more "inspired" than carbon-copied. I think it is much nicer to look at than the LS460 OR the S-Class.

[IanS]

I cant believe they would say the 300 drives better.

I have driven both a V8 and V6 genisis, and I can say flat out, I WOULD BUY ONE.

I have driven many late model 300Cs both V6 and V8, including an SRT8.

The Genisis, felt refined and silent, yet poised. I truely enjoy driving them. I never would have picked Hyundai to build something like this.

The 300s on the other hand are atrocious. Absolutely trash. Only the SRT8s inspired any sort of confidence, and even then it was lacking. This only cracks the surface with these cars. They are garbage through and through. With 30,000 miles on the clock, almost all of them drive like 20 year old, 200,000 mile cavaliers. They rattle, creak, shake, and just plain feel awful, The front ends fall off faster then any normal person can afford to maintain them. The dampers blow for no reason on a far too regular basis. The brakes are riddled with issues, and the list of noise complaints never ends. I have seen the full TSB list for these cars, and it seems endless. Dont even get me started on the terrible interior, the engines that burn oil, and outright fail at random, and paint quality that barely rivals Yugo.

They may have revamped the car slightly, but id put money on the fact that most of the underlying problems have not been resolved. This has been Chryslers problem for years. They build cars that are just good enough off the showroom floor, they have no foresight. There is a reason they went bankrupt, and personally I feel they should have been left for dead.

I will admit, the new one looks better, but that is a subjective observation. Better than absolutely hideous, is still pretty ugly.