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2016 Hyundai Genesis

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Hyundai Genesis
Pictured: 2015 Hyundai Genesis 3.8L front. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
2dr Coupe RWD 3.8 GT, 4dr Sedan AWD 3.8 Premium/3.8 Lux/3.8 Tec, 4dr Sedan AWD 5.0 Ultimate
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
22 combined · 18 city / 28 hwy
Length
182.3–196.5 in
Curb weight
3,589–4,687 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 11 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Hyundai Genesis is a large car offered with 2 engines (3.8L 6-cyl and 5.0L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 182 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,589 lb (2dr Coupe RWD 3.8 GT).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (18 city / 28 highway), 4% better than the 2016 large car average of 21.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2016

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Genesis — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Genesis →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe RWD 3.8 GT182.3 in73.2 in54.7 in111 in64.2 / 63.8 in3,589 lb55/45
4dr Sedan AWD 3.8 Premium/3.8 Lux/3.8 Tec196.5 in74.8 in57.9 in118.5 in64.6 / 65.7 in4,295 lb52/48
4dr Sedan AWD 5.0 Ultimate196.5 in74.8 in57.9 in118.5 in64.6 / 65.7 in4,687 lb52/48

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Genesis RWD3.8L 6-cylAutomatic (S8)Rear-Wheel Drive18 / 28 / 22+4%$3,050411
Genesis Coupe3.8L 6-cylAutomatic (S8)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 25 / 19-20%$4,350455
Genesis AWD3.8L 6-cylAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive16 / 25 / 19-10%$3,550460
Genesis Coupe3.8L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-20%$4,350456
Genesis RWD5.0L 8-cylAutomatic (S8)Rear-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18-15%$4,550502
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.2 MPG2016 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Hyundai Genesis.

Similar 2016 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Hyundai Genesis (this car)22 MPGNot rated6
2016 Ford Mustang25 MPGNot rated5
2016 Honda Accord30 MPGNot rated4
2016 Toyota Camry40 MPGNot rated3
2016 Chevrolet Camaro25 MPGNot rated1
2016 Nissan GT-R19 MPGNot rated1
2016 Volkswagen Passat29 MPGNot rated5

Recalls (6)

Safety advisory: 3 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Oct 8, 2026 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 26V664000 · 94,622 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Genesis) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Hyundai Genesis, and 2017-2020 Genesis G80 vehicles. The front power seat motors may overheat due to a stuck power seat control switch, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the repair has been performed. The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 7, 2026. Owners of Hyundai vehicles may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Genesis owners may contact Genesis customer service at 844-340-9741. Hyundai recall number for this recall is 308 and Genesis' recall number is 035G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 13, 2026.
Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Solenoid · Feb 13, 2024 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 24V107000 · 90,907 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis, 2017-2019 Genesis G80, Genesis G90, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. Water may enter the starter solenoid and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a remedy relay kit in the engine junction box, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 254(H) and 018G(G).
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module · Mar 10, 2021 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 21V160000 · 94,646 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis and 2017-2020 Genesis G80 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit.
Risk
An electrical short circuit inside the ABS module could cause an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Fix
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2021. Owners can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 201 and 006G.
Air Bags › Frontal · May 4, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V248000 · 1,295 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016 Genesis Coupe vehicles. The mounting bolts securing the driver-side frontal air bag may have been insufficiently tightened, potentially causing the air bag to detach from the steering wheel.
Risk
A detached driver's air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the mounting bolts and retighten them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 192.
Parking Brake › Indicator Light · Jun 5, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V359000 · 161,074 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch.
Risk
If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 164.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Oct 7, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V722000 · 84,500 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Genesis Coupe vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, to June 11, 2016. The electrical harness connector for the front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) may dislodge when the seat is moved.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, the disconnected OCS would, by default, cause the first stage, and only the first stage, of the air bag to deploy, whether there is a child seat in the front seat and the bag should not deploy or if the crash is severe and both stages should deploy. Either scenario increases the risk of injury to the front seat occupant.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will secure the OCS connector to prevent it from disconnecting, free of charge. Parts are not currently available and a second letter will be sent to owners when parts are available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 151.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Hyundai Genesis is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

104Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
4Involved a fire
8Injuries reported
42,200 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System30
Engine27
Unknown Or Other13
Exterior Lighting12
Power Train11
Steering8
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Structure › Body6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/12: 124/01: 124/02: 124/03: 124/04: 424/06: 224/07: 224/08: 124/09: 224/10: 324/11: 224/12: 125/02: 225/06: 125/10: 125/12: 126/01: 326/02: 326/03: 326/04: 126/06: 126/07: 126/08: 126/10: 123/1224/0324/0724/1025/0225/1226/0326/07max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Hyundai Genesis buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Electrical System — 30 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Engine — 27 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Exterior Lighting — 12 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 42,200 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Genesis. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Genesis years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2015 Genesis22182.3 inNot rated10306
2014 Genesis22182.3 inNot rated344
2013 Genesis24182.3 inNot rated4162
2012 Genesis24182.3 inNot rated5229
2011 Genesis24182.3 inNot rated6116
2010 Genesis24182.3 inNot rated585
2009 Genesis21182.3 inNot rated398

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →