Remember when you had to think hard about saying “Hyundai,” before you said it out loud — to make sure you were getting the pronunciation right?

The car company even came up with their own unofficial slogan — “Hyundai like Sunday” — to help with the pronunciation troubles people were having with the “new” car company on the block.

Things have changed.

There may be a people out there that still that need some phonetic assistance, but Hyundai very firmly knows who and what they are — a reputable and smart car company that knows how to make excellent auto products.

The new 2012 Hyundai Genesis is an exceptional example of how far the company has come in the last decade. With a design and quality build that surpasses most of their competitors, the Genesis is ready to kick some butt in the luxury sedan segment. There is no other entry-level luxury car that offers so much for so little.

Don’t get me wrong, with a base price of $34,200 — it’s not a little price tag. I’m speaking relative to other price tags in this segment.

I recently got to test drive the refreshened 3.8 Genesis model and the new R-Spec model which is the new-to-the-lineup 5.0-liter V8-powered sedan.

The 3.8 and the third member of the Genesis family, the 4.6, both got increased horsepower for the base V6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission is now standard across the board.

The Genesis 3.8 gets a 3.8-liter direct-injected V6 that produces 333 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. The 4.6 features a 4.6-liter V8 good for 378 hp and 324 lb-ft of torque and the R-Spec commands a segment leading 429 ponies and 376 lb-ft of torque.

The mileage for the 3.8 is the best of course at about 22 mpg combined.

On the outside, the Genesis got a few tucks and nips and a sportier rear-end. I thought it was a little strange there is no badge on the front, but I’m sure a lot of design experts weighed that decision and have a good reason for it.

On the inside, you won’t find a nicer interior in any competitor — that’s including standouts like the Lexus GS, an Infiniti M or a Volvo S60.

The silent and spacious cabin has been swathed in high-quality leather that covers the dash, doors and consoles. Soft, plush seats keep the driver and passengers cradled in comfort.

The price for the mid-level trim Genesis, the 4.6, starts out at $44,500, which is a good price for all you get.