We review the Hyundai Genesis from price to economy and all its features

PARKED alongside a private jet, the Hyundai Genesis looks every inch the executive limo.

It has shades of the Audi A8 about its deep, shiny chrome grille and piercing LED headlights, as do the sleek, sculptured side profile and rear view.

Lift-off... Ken drives the Genesis

Slip inside the Genesis and the rear doors close softly and silently behind you, like a genuine limo.

Once inside you could be in the back of a German executive car.

The plush, hand-stitched perforated leather back seats recline and have both hot and cold temperature settings to suit the weather.

The car is big on rear legroom and headroom for tall executives.

Execmotor... Hyundai have pulled out all the stops

It looks and feels the part too, with a rich alcantara suede lining to the full-length twin panoramic roof.

At the front, the driver or chauffeur gets all the gadgets you would expect in an executive car, plus the latest safety technology - including autonomous braking, automatic cruise control, 360°parking cameras and much more.

The refined drive of the 3.8litre petrol engine sounds the part too, as does the smooth ride, although Hyundai knows it needs a big diesel engine to really compete. The firm is working on that.

Put everything together and you realise that Hyundai's ambitious targets are based on real substance.

Ambitious... The motor can be a major player say the carmaker

The Genesis is light years away from the old Sonato model - Hyundai's first attempt to move up the motoring ladder. Remove the badge on the new Genesis and replace it with Audi's four rings or the three pointed star of Mercedes and people would be queuing up.

There were plenty of doubters when Hyundai came to Europe with plans of becoming an established player. But no one doubts it now.

That is why only a fool would dismiss its ambitions to add genuine executive cars to the line-up.

It may take some time but don't rule it out.

Initially Hyundai are looking to sell only a few hundred Genesis in Europe this year and only 20 in the UK, so buyers will have an ultra exclusive motor.

But, as European boss Allan Rushworth points out, the Koreans don't do things by half - and the Genesis is a model that is here to stay.