The truth about Genesis cars

Genesis cars have often been praised for their quality and value, but one of the biggest criticisms they've faced is that many of their early designs appeared heavily inspired by other luxury brands. The reality is a bit more nuanced.

When the Genesis brand was launched by Genesis Motor in 2015 (after first being the name of a Hyundai sedan), the company needed to establish itself quickly in the luxury market. Rather than creating radically unconventional styling, it borrowed many design cues that luxury buyers already associated with prestige.

Some common comparisons include:

• Genesis G90 vs. Bentley Flying Spur
  • The large crest-shaped grille and split headlights have led many people to compare the G90 with the Bentley Flying Spur.
  • Despite the visual similarities, the body, chassis, engines, and engineering are entirely different.
• Genesis GV80 vs. Bentley Bentayga
  • The upright grille and luxurious proportions prompted comparisons with Bentley's SUV.
  • Again, the resemblance is primarily in styling language rather than engineering.
• Earlier Hyundai Genesis Sedan vs. BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  • The original Hyundai Genesis sedan (before Genesis became its own brand) was frequently described as blending elements from German luxury sedans.

One reason for these similarities is that Genesis hired several high-profile designers and engineers from established European manufacturers. For example:

• Luc Donckerwolke previously worked at Lamborghini, Bentley, Audi, and Volkswagen.
• Peter Schreyer came from Audi and helped reshape Hyundai and Kia styling.
• Albert Biermann previously led BMW's M performance division before overseeing Hyundai and Genesis performance engineering.

These hires naturally influenced Genesis' design philosophy.

Today, many automotive journalists believe Genesis has developed a much stronger identity. Features like the Two Lines split headlights and taillights, the Crest Grille, and the elegant, minimalist interiors are now recognised as signature Genesis styling rather than copies of another brand.

So is Genesis "copying" other manufacturers?

• There is some truth that early Genesis models borrowed proportions and styling cues from established luxury brands.
• There is no evidence that Genesis illegally copied designs or violated patents.
• Most modern automotive design evolves by influence. Many manufacturers adopt trends such as wide grilles, LED light signatures, coupe-like rooflines, and minimalist interiors. These similarities are common across the industry.

Overall, Genesis has largely moved from being viewed as "inspired by" European luxury brands to being recognised as a legitimate luxury marque with its own distinct design language and strong reputation for value, quality, and long warranties.

Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model