Is Genesis a reliable brand?
Genesis, Hyundai's luxury brand founded in late 2015 and launched in Canada a year later, is making very interesting progress in the market. Admittedly, it's not close to dislodging its well-established German and Japanese rivals, but already the quality of its vehicles and the excellence of its customer service are earning it a good name throughout the industry.
What about reliability? If you're in the market for a used luxury vehicle, this is probably a question you're asking yourself. Let's take a closer look...
In the first instance, we can refer to rankings such as those produced by J.D. Power. The most recent, based on 2020 models after three years of use, placed Genesis 2nd among all popular and luxury brands, second only to Lexus. Not bad! The previous year, it was in 4th place... behind its parent company.
In fact, Genesis has always ranked among the 10 most reliable brands according to J.D. Power, including a first-place finish in the 2020 ranking, which concerned 2017 models.
Now, according to the American magazine Consumer Reports, another good reference for car shoppers, Korea's winged emblem doesn't claim such a glowing position, but does better than the average of other brands. Things have even improved in recent years.
According to owners surveyed by the publication, a more problematic model was the G70 compact sedan in its first model year (2019). Engine and suspension troubles forced many to the garage, fortunately for repairs under warranty at the time. The same goes for the 2017 G80 mid-size sedan (transmission) and the 2021 GV80 mid-size SUV (brakes, electrical systems).
It's important to note that while Hyundai and Kia are in the news because of certain mechanical and electronic problems representing a fire hazard, Genesis is not.
As far as recalls are concerned, the main items targeted are the low-pressure fuel pump and the seat belts on certain more recent models. The former can fail in high ambient temperatures, leading to engine malfunction or stalling. Click here to find out more.
All in all, Genesis is a reliable brand you can trust if you're looking for a pre-owned luxury vehicle.
