Blue Link receives substantial updates on the 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan. The biggest upgrade is a 3G modem from LG Innotek that’s now placed within the infotainment unit to leverage cloud services integrated by Covisint. This allows for much quicker response of Blue Link commands and better integration with the infotainment system. Earlier versions of Blue Link had a separate module that was separate from the head unit for telematics functions.
New Blue Link features to the 2015 Genesis sedan include Google destination search and advanced remote start. While the previous versions of Blue Link supported remote start, it was slow to send commands, which required going through an Internet connection for a feature that can be easily performed by a button on the key fob. This latest version includes adjustments for an engine timer (up to 10 minutes), climate controls, and defroster.
There’s a new Blue Link app for iOS and Android that integrates with the calendar too. The calendar integration enables Blue Link to provide notifications by leveraging your schedule with weather and traffic conditions. Theoretically, say you live in the suburbs and need to take your kids to a doctor’s appointment in the city. You input the date and time of the appointment into your calendar, Blue Link sees you have an appointment, and reminds you to leave by a certain time to make it (after evaluating traffic conditions). If it’s freezing or scorching hot outside, Blue Link will also remind you to remote start your car to get the cabin to your preferred temperature. Essentially, Hyundai is taking Google Now functionality and integrating it with your car to make life easier and more comfortable.
As previewed at CES 2014, Hyundai has a Google Glass companion app for Blue Link. Google Glass Explorers can remote start, lock/unlock doors, find directions to the car, and other miscellaneous features. It’s definitely a tech exercise, which we can’t imagine many Genesis buyers taking advantage of. Nevertheless, it’s interesting to see Hyundai be the first auto maker to embrace wearable technology.
Three Sound System Options
Hyundai offers three different sound systems on the 2015 Genesis sedan, all with HD Radio support. Base models come with 7-speaker stereo that features 2-way component speakers up front. Adding the Signature Package steps things up to a Lexicon 14-speaker stereo with a 3-way configuration up front. Drivers that opt for the Ultimate Package receive a bump to the Lexicon 17-speaker system. Both the 14 and 17 speaker systems feature 12 channels of digital amplification.
The vehicles we drove were equipped with the Lexicon 17-speaker system. It sounds pretty good but is tuned for a flat response with neutral sound. SiriusXM wasn’t the best candidate for sound quality and I forgot to grab my flash drive full of music before catching my flight. Fortunately, Lexicon graciously provided all attendees at the event with an old fashion CD copy of the 2014 Grammy Nominees. The mix of pop, hip hop, and country music provided us with excellent materials to audition the sound system.
After sampling the music mix, I came to the conclusion that the system shines mostly with hip-hop, where there’s heavy emphasis on mid-bass. Listening to Same Love by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and Swimming Pools (Drank) by Kendrick Lamar made the Lexicon system shine. The other tracks had great clarity from the tweeters, but the Lexicon system suffers the same pitfalls as every other factory system, and that’s the subwoofer. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to power a subwoofer with energy-efficient digital amps that take up very little space.


The problem with Hybrids on big vehicles is there's very little benefit. The next review will be of the Lexus LS600hL and the fuel economy is only about 2MPG better in the city but 1MPG worse on the highway, at the cost of 2 Equus'.
Judging by that, anything in that $50k range is a hobo's Bentley.
Interestingly enough, the GT-R, A8L, Equus and Bentley are the stories where there was someone that chimed in saying they owned one. But that's where there's all the advanced in-car tech. While I have come across lesser cars, there's not enough tech or new features from another model for a complete story. I do plan on having a quick story on the new WRX/STI, Fiesta ST, and eventually Mazda3. However, I believe the next round of updates to compact and subcompact cars should bring new tech that will be worth covering. We're working with vehicles on a 5-year development cycle so what was new 5-years ago is what shows up for production.
We will also start a project car series as well with my new 2014 Mazda5 Sport 6MT that I'm working to upgrade with whatever bits of tech I can get my hands on from the aftermarket.
That wood paneling is actually real matte wood. Its porous and treated.
Yeah I've always thought that's kind of random too. Let's put the highest tech you can possibly imagine in a car, charge $50K for it, then it's put a 10 cent time piece in the center of the dashboard.
Yeah I've always thought that's kind of random too. Let's put the highest tech you can possibly imagine in a car, charge $50K for it, then it's put a 10 cent time piece in the center of the dashboard.
Yea, for some reason analog clock = classy. At least there's a digital read out now.
Yeah I've always thought that's kind of random too. Let's put the highest tech you can possibly imagine in a car, charge $50K for it, then it's put a 10 cent time piece in the center of the dashboard.
Yea, for some reason analog clock = classy. At least there's a digital read out now.
I have to think it's something to do with common center console design. They just don't know what to do with the space. I saw the same thing in a higher-end town and country mini-van.
I like the Hyundai warranties. You can't beat them. I wish more auto companies were doing this. Heck, my $250 PSU has a longer warranty than most $50K cars.
I have to think it's something to do with common center console design. They just don't know what to do with the space. I saw the same thing in a higher-end town and country mini-van.
I like the Hyundai warranties. You can't beat them. I wish more auto companies were doing this. Heck, my $250 PSU has a longer warranty than most $50K cars.
Its because analogue clocks are associated with classiness / luxuriousness. Hence why the T&C has the clock but the Dodge Caravan with a similar dashboard does not. I just find it extremely obnoxious when they use a infotainment linked analogue clock (ie the time is set by the infotainment system) but eliminate a digital readout completely. Sure it looks nice, but I'd like my clock in digital so I can quickly read it while driving and not have to play the guessing games with quick glimpses.
The Hyundai's are fine cars, but so are Porsche, Bentley, Rolls, Lamborghini, Bugatti, etc and comparing them is nearly ridiculousness and each has its markets. I recall a review on my old 500SL and them complaining it was 15 MPG; like spending (then) nearly a $100K for a convertible (2nd car) sports car I or anyone gives a crap!
The Hyundai's are fine cars, but so are Porsche, Bentley, Rolls, Lamborghini, Bugatti, etc and comparing them is nearly ridiculousness and each has its markets. I recall a review on my old 500SL and them complaining it was 15 MPG; like spending (then) nearly a $100K for a convertible (2nd car) sports car I or anyone gives a crap!
It competes with the E350. And at the same price, the Hyundai has real wood, higher quality leather, more driver's assistance / safety features, and I'm sure the chassis is reinforced and just as safe as the E350. I've driven an E250 Bluetec with a bunch of options. Its a great car, but it wasn't $15k better (MSRP was about $64k iirc).
Then you're comparing some base model Bluetec MB with vinyl (MB TEX) seats to leather. The DISTRONIC PLUS® with Steering Assist is a car that you need to test drive on an optioned E350 - http://techcenter.mercedes-benz.com/_en/distronic_plus_steering_assist/detail.html