Home » The Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec Is A Luxurious V8 Sleeper That Can Keep Up With A Camaro SS

The Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec Is A Luxurious V8 Sleeper That Can Keep Up With A Camaro SS

Hyundai Genesis 2012 Beige Ts
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Back around the time of the great recession, Hyundai pulled out all the stops with an audacious midsize luxury sedan called the Genesis. It was so well-built, so refined, and such great value, that it immediately landed North American Car of the Year, Canadian Car of the Year, and Consumer Reports’ top midsize luxury car pick. The original Hyundai Genesis was a big deal when it launched, firmly establishing Hyundai’s next big vision in North America with available 4.6-liter V8 power as a feather in its cap.

However, Hyundai wasn’t happy to rest on that. It needed to inject something more into its luxury sedan, and in 2012, that happened. While it’s still far removed from the Genesis models of today, consider it an early sign of what was to come from the now-standalone Genesis brand.

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Welcome back to Beige Cars You’re Sleeping On, a weekly series in which we raise the profile of some quiet greats. We’re talking vehicles that are secretly awesome, but go unsung because of either a boring image or the lack of an image altogether.

Yes, Hyundai upped the ante and dropped in a five-liter variant of the Tau V8 to create the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec. We’re talking about 429 horsepower and 376 lb.-ft. of torque, numbers that could easily run with the big boys in the V8 luxury sedan segment. What’s more, that five-liter V8 came mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, so despite the extra power, the R-Spec actually managed a single MPG better in EPA highway fuel economy testing than its 4.6-liter predecessor. Score.

2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

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Hyundai wasn’t done yet, however. See, R-Spec was the brand’s experiment with sportiness prior to N, so this Genesis sedan gained stiffer Sachs dampers, a single millimeter of extra anti-roll bar diameter both front and rear, 13.6-inch front brake discs compared to 13-inch units on the old 4.6-liter V8 model, and a set of admittedly pretty mid Bridgestone Potenza S-04 summer tires. Mild changes overall, but remember, Hyundai was still figuring things out.

2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

Aside from the 19-inch wheels, the darkened headlight innards, and some extremely subtle badging, you’d never know a Genesis sedan was a 5.0 R-Spec, unless you had one jockeying for position next to you, because that’s where the new powertrain made all the difference.

2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

The end result was a five-liter sleeper that could run from zero-to-60 mph in 4.8 seconds during Motor Trend testing. For the record, Motor Trend managed a zero-to-60 mph run of 4.7 seconds in the then-new fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible, meaning this big sedan was right there with it. According to Motor Trend, the driving experience as a whole seemed about on-the-money, as the mag wrote:

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The finished product surprised us on the real-world blacktop. The R-Spec was composed in and out of corners and wore its 4199 pounds well. Compared to the 4.6, excessive body lean is nearly cured in the 5.0, which pushes when spurred aggressively (thank its burliness and 54/46 front/rear weight distribution). Although weighty and more communicative, the steering still lacks the directness of some of its German rivals.

Of equal importance, Car And Driver reports that the overall suspension tuning was leaps and bounds more buttoned down than the chassis tuning on the regular Genesis sedan.

A more significant improvement, however, can be felt behind the wheel. Whereas our long-termer flopped into corners and crashed and clopped over expansion joints, the R-Spec offers much-improved body and wheel control, and never gets overly harsh.

Speaking from experience, yeah, it’s a more dialed-in experience, with less body roll and much tighter body motions over expansion joints. Are there any demerits? Sure. The eight-speed automatic isn’t particularly rapid, and the steering somehow feels more wooly than the German competition, but this is a luxury sedan. You aren’t going to be hustling it ultra-hard, and that’s where the rest of the Genesis experience shines.

2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

You sit in this park-bench-wide, well-stuffed, heated and cooled chair, get to experience a 528-watt 17-speaker Lexicon sound system, and are surrounded with materials that feel right up to the luxury car standards of the time. Add in the fact that you have tons of interior room and all the toys you could realistically want for a 2012 model-year car, and it’s easy to feel like huge miles could simply disappear under the wheels of this thing. However, because it’s still rocking a Hyundai badge, you can pick one of these Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec sedans up for cheap.

Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

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Looking for a throwaway with moon mileage? Boom, a 2012 model with 201,623 miles on the clock for $5,980. Yep, this is an actual car up for sale in Kentucky, and as far as sub-$6,000 cars go, it looks pretty magnificent, right? Think German sports sedan performance without German complexity.

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However, before you go running to your checkbooks, there’s something you need to know. Early 2012 model year examples are known to suffer from oil consumption, with some owners noting going through more than a quart every thousand miles. It seems like this issue was fixed sometime during the 2012 model year, so if you want to avoid rolling the dice, you’re really looking for a 2013 or 2014 model.

2013 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

Thankfully, those are still reasonably priced. Here’s a 2013 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec up for sale in North Carolina for $12,598 with 93,172 miles on the clock. Wild to think that this thing’s just barely out of the factory powertrain warranty. Sure, it might have one minor claim on the Carfax, but as a potent daily driver, you could do a whole lot worse for the money.

2013 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

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Or shoot, if you want a really nice-looking one, this 2013 model year example with 78,000 miles on the clock is up for sale in Florida for $14,999. On the one hand, that’s a lot of money for an 11-year-old Hyundai. On the other, it’s not bad for a seemingly well-kept 429-horsepower V8 luxury sedan.

Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

So, if you do your homework and look for 2013 to 2014 models, a Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec could be the swift yet sensible luxurious highway crusher you’re looking for. Sure, it might not have a roundel or a three-pointed star on the nose, but it’s a 429-horsepower road rocket that promises far less complexity than its German counterparts at a price you can afford. How sweet does that sound?

(Photo credits: Hyundai, Autotrader sellers)

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Rapgomi
Rapgomi
9 days ago

I love these and set out to buy one a few years back, but I never found one that had the right mix of condition and price. I eventually stumbled on a great deal on an older XJR and went that way instead. The Jag is beautiful and special, but the Genesis newer, far better equipped, and much more comfortable.

I love the Jag, but recently I’ve found myself looking at G90s… and trying to justify owning both.

Ramaswamy Narayanaswamy
Ramaswamy Narayanaswamy
9 days ago

Probably not as easy to work on as an LS V8 (with all their drawbacks)…but still good though.

Lokki
Lokki
9 days ago

Nothing is as easy to work on as a Chevy pushrod V-8.

Hoonicus
Hoonicus
9 days ago
Reply to  Lokki

That’s been on my mind for a long time. Not that I really want to work on it, or hot rod it anymore, but that it will just keep working trouble free. What do you consider the best iteration, from an efficiency and reliability perspective?

Lokki
Lokki
9 days ago
Reply to  Hoonicus

I’m not an adept sage when it comes to choosing the best Chevy V-8. I bow to the recommendations of the group-mind here as to that. However, I am of the opinion that “older is better” in that at least any flaws will have been discovered and the aftermarket will have developed a solution.

The recent iterations still have some distance to go before they reach that point.

Rings
https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a41529700/general-motors-loses-class-action-lawsuit-and-pays-millions/

DFM and Lifters
https://www.reddit.com/r/Silverado/comments/1dbhvrr/2019_53v8_engine_issues_lifters/

Ramaswamy Narayanaswamy
Ramaswamy Narayanaswamy
8 days ago
Reply to  Lokki

They sell a MASSIVE volume of these trucks…NOT everyone will have problems…..

Angrycat Meowmeow
Angrycat Meowmeow
9 days ago
Reply to  Lokki

Unless it’s in a 4th gen F body.

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
9 days ago
Reply to  Lokki

A Ford Flathead?

Lokki
Lokki
9 days ago

Cough (that’s not a Chevy engine) Cough

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
9 days ago
Reply to  Lokki

No, but since it was designed by Barney Rubble, it’s easier to work on.

W Bizarre
W Bizarre
9 days ago

What is this mysterious “complexity” that the Genesis magically lacks? If it’s got the same luxury bells and whistles as the Germans, then it’s got them, and probably from the same suppliers. With direct injection and variable valve timing, the engine isn’t exactly an iron-age lump either.

Angrycat Meowmeow
Angrycat Meowmeow
9 days ago
Reply to  W Bizarre

We have appearances to keep up, here.

  • German bad!
  • Toyota good! 🙂
BenCars
BenCars
9 days ago

It looks like a Honda Accord

Rob Schneider
Rob Schneider
9 days ago
Reply to  BenCars

Every time I see one of these, I think it’s a Mercedes until I really close to it and realize it’s missing the tristar logo.

BlownGP
BlownGP
9 days ago
Reply to  Rob Schneider

Me too..

Musicman27
Musicman27
8 days ago
Reply to  BlownGP

Shh… Don’t reveal out little secret. We want others to think we have a Mercedes.

The World of Vee
The World of Vee
8 days ago
Reply to  Rob Schneider

maybe the grille? but other than that I can’t see any contemporary merc in these

Rob Schneider
Rob Schneider
7 days ago

Ignoring the headlights, the grill and general body shape have previous gen vibe written all over it.

Maybe I should have said “used Mercedes”.

The World of Vee
The World of Vee
5 days ago
Reply to  Rob Schneider

When I typed contemporary, I meant contemporary to the genesis. I dunno, I don’t see it but body shape wise, most cars look the same.

Stig's American Cousin
Stig's American Cousin
8 days ago
Reply to  BenCars

I see an absolute ton of first-gen Infiniti G35 in the side profile and looking at it from the first picture in the article. And the interior with the “shelf” of lookalike buttons below the screen is similar to what Nissan and Infiniti were using that that time. But this was knee deep in Hyundai’s “steal design cues from everyone and apply all at once” design phase that they totally haven’t gotten away from.

Mthew_M
Mthew_M
9 days ago

These are literally no cheaper than a similar year Mercedes E550. And I’d have a much easier time putting my trust in a Mercedes than a Hyundai.

Echo Stellar
Echo Stellar
9 days ago
Reply to  Mthew_M

Trust is not part of the relationship when you own a Mercedes. Trust me.

Musicman27
Musicman27
9 days ago
Reply to  Echo Stellar

“Trust is not part of the relationship… trust me”
Bro what?

Hoonicus
Hoonicus
9 days ago

Well now… I don’t know… *adjusts crayon up nose* Extended warranties! How can I lose!

UA6 Driver
UA6 Driver
9 days ago
Reply to  Hoonicus

That’s the sweet spot

Freelivin2713
Freelivin2713
9 days ago
Reply to  Hoonicus

Yeah, I mean I HAVE been trying to reach you about your extended car warranty for a while now…

Steve's House of Cars
Steve's House of Cars
9 days ago

I test drove the 5.0 R and an Equus with the 5.0 in 2019/early 2020. The 5.0 R was speedy in a straight line but really didn’t feel fast. I got out of it thinking if someone covered the badge and I was only ever allowed to use half throttle it would be nearly indistinguishable from a similar era Camry.

The Equus was similar, but with steering so heavy and such a soft suspension it reminded me of driving my old Crown Vic. Lovely interior but dead to drive.

I ended up with a Scat Pack Charger and haven’t looked back. Traded that in on the 2023 300C and think I’ll be set for a while.

MikuhlBrian
MikuhlBrian
9 days ago

Another ’23 300C owner here too. Love the car.

Steve's House of Cars
Steve's House of Cars
9 days ago
Reply to  MikuhlBrian

I’ve been very pleased with the ‘C. It provides the same luxobarge comfort on the highway I was hoping for with the big Hyundai but when turned loose on a fun road it doesn’t disappoint, either. It also looks more “business professional” than the Scat Pack did, I don’t get challenged at stop lights nearly as much anymore…

MikuhlBrian
MikuhlBrian
8 days ago

Agreed on all accounts. I was starting to look at a Scat Pack Charger to replace my Magnum SRT8 when the 300C was announced. I went with it for the reasons you stated above. I’ve added some 392 badges to the fenders, but even still most people do not know that it’s got the 392 under the hood.

Steve's House of Cars
Steve's House of Cars
7 days ago
Reply to  MikuhlBrian

I’ve been surprised at the amount of car people who have no idea what it is or why it’s interesting. Definitely under the radar.

That’s partially good, I’m more willing to take it to downtown Chicago when people assume it’s just a rental spec Grandpa car then my wife’s Challenger, which is far more pedestrian in reality.

67 Oldsmobile
67 Oldsmobile
9 days ago

haven’t seen these before,but it looks quite good I think.

InvivnI
InvivnI
9 days ago

It looks like a late-2000s Mercedes grille has been tacked on to a late-2000s Lexus LS.

Rippstik
Rippstik
9 days ago

Every single one of these that I’ve seen has soot marks above the exhaust from excessive oil consumption.

Cody
Cody
9 days ago

Just for giggles, i looked in the local Craigslist (SF Bay Area) for Hyundai’s with over 200K with a clean title. There’s 4. There’s over 70 Lexus’s

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
9 days ago

A Hyundai/Kia with oil consumption problems? I’m shocked! Alert the media!

Nsane In The MembraNe
Nsane In The MembraNe
10 days ago
Angrycat Meowmeow
Angrycat Meowmeow
9 days ago

Couldn’t agree more

BlownGP
BlownGP
9 days ago

These still have oil consumption problems and carbon build up because of no port injection?

Arch Duke Maxyenko
Arch Duke Maxyenko
10 days ago

How insanely difficult is it to get parts for one of these?

Von Baldy
Von Baldy
9 days ago

Id gander not very.
The tau might have some odd ball parts an autozone won’t have on hand, but the rest might not be bad

Musicman27
Musicman27
9 days ago
Reply to  Von Baldy

And those are the parts that will go bad of course. 🙂

Von Baldy
Von Baldy
8 days ago
Reply to  Musicman27

Hard to say really
First on my mind would be plausibly the timing set, if not assorted gaskets

Brandon Forbes
Brandon Forbes
9 days ago
Reply to  Von Baldy

They also made the 5.0 for quite a while, so it’s not like it’s a rare engine or anything.

Von Baldy
Von Baldy
8 days ago
Reply to  Brandon Forbes

I figured they did, granted only across a couple of lines over here.

Where to the omega was a mitsubishi motor and used in a handful more, so I’d imagine it too had some ease of part availability

JDE
JDE
9 days ago

A quick Rock Auto Search would give a good indication.

T-wrecks
T-wrecks
10 days ago

Another intersting car to check out is the Hyundai Equus ultimate. I sat in one recently and was blown away for all you get for the money. Same engine as the Genesis but nearly S-class size and features for about$12,000 for a 100,000 mile example. Wild.

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
9 days ago
Reply to  T-wrecks

I saw one of those close-up once and was blown away. The fit and finish were stellar.

D-dub
D-dub
9 days ago
Reply to  T-wrecks

I remember when the Equus and K900 first came out thinking that they were going to be screaming used deals in 10 years.

JDE
JDE
10 days ago

word on the street is he next year and up is the Tau 5.0 to get though. the early ones were prone to drinking oil due to faulty piston rings. Still they are quite interesting cars.

Iotashan
Iotashan
9 days ago
Reply to  JDE

Huh, that’s the word in the article, too 😉

JDE
JDE
9 days ago
Reply to  Iotashan

I did not notice that anywhere when I read it the first go round

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