Popular Mechanics Names 2015 Hyundai Genesis Lux Car of the Year

Two names not always associated with premium sedans—Popular Mechanicsand Hyundai—both had something to say about the segment at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. That's where the publication recently honored the 2015 Hyundai Genesis as its luxury car of the Year.

According to the Popular Mechanics' editors, the completely redesigned 2015 Hyundai Genesis "ought to have the Germans and everyone else worried. This time around, Hyundai knows that intangibles make all the difference in the realm of luxury sedans, where all the cars are good.

"The Genesis, right now, is in a sweet spot.”

If you needed further proof, consider this: The 2015 Hyundai Genesis also received an ALG Residual Value Award at the L.A. event, with ALG's president, Larry Dominique, declaring that: "Hyundai is becoming a legitimate player in the luxury market with the Genesis. Not only is it a great value on the showroom floor, but with the model's first Residual Value Award, this new generation should be quite desirable on the used market as well.”

Further, those two honors are just part of a growing list of third-party recognitions for the 2015 Hyundai Genesis, also including the Best Luxury Sedan trophy from Ruedas ESPN, the country's top Spanish-language, auto-oriented radio show.

And remember, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis is on the short list for the North American Car of the Year Award, too. That honor will be presented in January, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and while the competition is fierce, folks may remember that the first-gen Genesis did earn the NACOTY trophy in 2009.

The 2015 Hyundai Genesis jumps into the fray this year with enhancements like:

• Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design
• HTRAC all-wheel drive, the first AWD system ever offered in a Hyundai passenger car
• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind-spot detection
• Lane-keeping technology
• A head's-up display
• Second-generaton BlueLink telematics and infotainment
• An in-cabin CO2 sensor
• More passenger volume than rivals like the Cadillac CTS, BMW 5-Series, Lexus GS or Mercedes E-Class

Also packing Hyundai's most powerful engine--a 420-hp V8—along with an MSRP of $38,000, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis is available now.