Hyundai Genesis vs Volvo S60
What's the difference?

Hyundai Genesis

$13,800 - $26,999

2015 price

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Volvo S60

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2024 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-AMG E63

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2015 Hyundai Genesis

2024 Volvo S60

By Peter Anderson

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

V6, 3.8L

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

11.2L/100km (combined)

1.4L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

—

Electric range

90 km

Battery capacity

18.80 kWh

Seating

Likes

Refinement
Comfort
Spec list

Elegant proportions and styling
Feature-laden
Superb on-road driving experience

Dislikes

No V8 option
No diesel option

Sedate cabin compared to rivals
Works best as a four-seater
Not a lot of storage options

2015 Hyundai Genesis Summary

Anybody who doubts that Hyundai is gunning for the number one in the world has rocks in their head. Big heavy ones. Korean companies do not settle for anything less than number one. The second-generation Genesis (our first taste here in the Antipodes as the gen-one had its steering wheel on the wrong side) is proof.

What's different about Hyundai's unstoppable rise is the way they're going about it. They've always done their own thing in Korea, reinventing themselves time and again when they strayed off the beaten path.

The Genesis is a gamble for a Korean company in foreign markets whose default setting for luxury is marked, Britain or Germany. If Hyundai gets the Genesis wrong there will be howls of derision, or at best patronising pats on the back - "Nice try, you'll get there one day". But if they get it right...

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2024 Volvo S60 Summary

Sedans have long been supplanted by SUVs as the family favourite but they still have their charms for those drivers who like something that feels more dynamic on the road.

Enter the limited edition Volvo S60 Recharge Black Edition which sees the return of a plug-in hybrid powertrain for Volvo’s only sedan.

I’ve been family-testing the PHEV variant to see just how practical a sedan is for the modern family, and whether it's rivals, the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C200 have anything to worry about.

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Deep dive comparison

2015 Hyundai Genesis 2024 Volvo S60

Verdict

The Genesis is not quite a match for cars twice its price but it makes you think what's possible. It doesn't have the dynamic brilliance of a BMW or the self-assured faultless execution of a Mercedes. Lexus ought to be worried, though - why would you have an LS when you could have this? The only answer is 'badge'.

The Genesis is an epoch-making car for the Korean manufacturer. As the company has got better, there are fewer excuses for overlooking it. While the Genesis is pitched into a shrinking market, it's not really meant for the average i30 buyer to buy, but to see.

It's bristling with tech and is not only a halo car but a shot across the bows of both Lexus and the Germans. Attached to that shot is a note: "We're coming for you." In other words, Hyundai got it right.

Verdict

The Volvo S60 Recharge Black Edition proves sedans can still be sexy and an excellent family car, providing your family is on the smaller side. I only have one kid, so it's perfect for our activities and gear. It’s wonderful to drive and has a great features list but it's not without its quirks.

My son thinks it looks cool, and we enjoyed bellowing out a few renditions of the original Batman theme song this week. He has had a lot of comfort in the back seat, too.

Hyundai Genesis vs Volvo S60 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Hyundai Genesis vs Volvo S60
What's the difference?