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

- 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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Coupe RWD 3.8 GT | 182.3 in | 73.2 in | 54.7 in | 111 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 3,589 lb | 55/45 |
| 4dr Sedan AWD 3.8 Premium/3.8 Lux/3.8 Tec | 196.5 in | 74.8 in | 57.9 in | 118.5 in | 64.6 / 65.7 in | 4,295 lb | 52/48 |
| 4dr Sedan AWD 5.0 Ultimate | 196.5 in | 74.8 in | 57.9 in | 118.5 in | 64.6 / 65.7 in | 4,687 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 22 | +4% | $3,050 | 411 |
| Genesis Coupe | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | -20% | $4,350 | 455 |
| Genesis AWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | -10% | $3,550 | 460 |
| Genesis Coupe | 3.8L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -20% | $4,350 | 456 |
| Genesis RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | -15% | $4,550 | 502 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Hyundai Genesis (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2016 Ford Mustang | 25 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Honda Accord | 30 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 Toyota Camry | 40 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Camaro | 25 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Nissan GT-R | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Passat | 29 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
Recalls (6)
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.
Not every 2016 Hyundai Genesis is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Hyundai Genesis buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- 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.
- Electrical System — 30 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 27 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Exterior Lighting — 12 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 42,200 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Genesis | 22 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 10 | 306 |
| 2014 Genesis | 22 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 3 | 44 |
| 2013 Genesis | 24 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 162 |
| 2012 Genesis | 24 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 5 | 229 |
| 2011 Genesis | 24 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 6 | 116 |
| 2010 Genesis | 24 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 5 | 85 |
| 2009 Genesis | 21 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 3 | 98 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →