Decision 2008: Genesis Grille Design Up for Debate

Hyundai brought two grille designs for its new flagship Genesis sedan to the Detroit auto show, and it hasn’t yet decided which it will use when the car goes on sale this summer. On the left is a traditionally styled grille with Hyundai's “H” badge, and on the right is the other design, with wing-like slats only.

We're wondering which one KickingTires readers prefer. Who knows — maybe Hyundai will check out this post to gauge reaction before making its final decision?

Comments

[Troy in Ft Walton Beach]

I like the wing like slats grill. It gives the car a higher end appearance. The honeycomb looking one on the other car looks cheap.

[MSS]

I like the traditional grille. Sure the other one has no badge to say its a Hyundai but unless they are planning on doing all of their new cars like that it just seems stupid.

You can't make cars seem more luxurious by taking off the badge, every car needs a brand.

Besides, people will ask what kind of car it is and you'll have to answer "Hyundai" anyways. Don't pretend to be nothing. Design a new slanted H on the new grille.

[Paul]

That slat grille looks like a kitchen utensil.Some sort of slicer/dicer.While the other one looks a lot like a Ford Windstar/previous generation F150 type grille.Maybe something in between these with an emblem would be better.Or how about going radical and go with a vertical Edsel style grille? That would get noticed.

[drew]

i like the concept grille, but it needs a logo. It would look fine if placed on the hood. I could understand from a marketing standpoint to leave it out so that people will ask about it, but if the product is as good as they promise, why wouldn't they have enough pride in their creation to put their name on it.

[hitman1970]

How about a vehicle unique logo like the Monte Carlos and Rivieras of the past. No logo tells me you are ashamed of who you really are. I have also never understood the love of badge removal in some circles.

Be proud of your over-louvered Civic!

[Kevin]

They already have a vehicle specific logo for the Korean version, but I guess they decided not to use it. I like the wing-grille better than the traditional one.

[Infosaur]

Personally? I'd go with a chrome ring around the edge with a black grill recessed into the grillport and either the Hyundai badge in the center or on the leading edge of the hood. (but not dipped down into the grill space like the Toyotas and Mazdas)

[LM]

The H grille is ugly and generic. They should incorporate their logo into the slat grill...maybe make the H smaller or even put something off to the side or on the hood. It would be cool if the logo were indented into the hood and made flush with the hood's surface...I dont know how much this would cost, but it would be cool.

[MSS]

I CHANGE MY VOTE!!!

I like the new grille better, after seeing the old grille as a whole to the car. It really does look more luxurious and far better than the other.

My vote is for the new no badge grille!

[trainer]

If it's either/or, slats rule (see Mercedes Benz). But I agree with all who think there needs to be some brand identidy. Maybe forget the downmarket logo and incorporate the full Hyundai name in separate gold plated letters across the top of the grille opening, spaced evenly on the top trim piece. I'm also a fan of a small name placard recessed into the slats on the driver's side of the grille.

[G. E. Kim]

I like the wing grille WAY better than the traditional grille. But I agree it needs a logo. The traditional grille looks like a grater AKA kitchen utensil.

[HMMA Employee]

Need to keep the clean slats, this blends with the front of the vehicle and keeps a streamline look. The Detroit design is more traditional and harder to keep clean.

[Brian Cordak]

I like the wing span grill. it has an upscale appearance, and helps to diferentiate the genesis brand from traditional Hyundais. I believe part of the challenge for hyundai in attracting buyers to the genesis, will be to differentiate betweeen the two brands. Most BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, or Infiniti buyers will not want a Hyundai badge on their car. the inpelementation of the Lexus and Infiniti brand differentiation from their respective lineage proves the need to do so.