The Hyundai Genesis outscored four competitors to earn Consumer Reports' nod as the top-rated "upscale sedan."

The Genesis, which achieved an "excellent" overall road test score, now outranks 12 vehicles from Lexus, Acura, Lincoln and others, including the runner-up Lexus ES 350.

Consumer Reports has seemingly been impressed with Hyundai this year, previously naming the automaker's Elantra and Santa Fe as its "top pick" vehicles in the small sedan and midsize SUV categories, respectively.

"The Hyundai Genesis rivals high-end luxury sedans but costs considerably less," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Conn. "Its luxurious and spacious interior and quietness far transcend its relatively modest price."

The Genesis was tested against four other new or redesigned upscale sedans -- the Acura TL, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G8 and Lincoln MKS -- for the February issue of Consumer Reports. Prices ranged from $33,660 for the Pontiac to $40,880 for the Lincoln.

Two other vehicles in the test group also earned "excellent" overall road test scores, the TL and Maxima. The G8 and MKS achieved "very good" overall scores.

The eight other vehicles in the upscale sedans category including the ES 350, Toyota Avalon, Buick Lucerne and Saab 9-5, were all tested previously.

In addition to the five upscale sedans tested, CR also purchased and tested the Jaguar XF luxury sedan. Though it obtained a "very good" overall score, it still ranked near the bottom of the group of 12 luxury sedans.

However, the Acura TL was the only car from the group to actually earn the recommendation of Consumer Reports. The magazine does not yet have reliability data, as measured by its annual Car Reliability Survey, on the Genesis, MKS, Maxima, G8 and XF, and holds off on recommendations until having that information along results from road tests and crash and rollover tests.

Full tests and ratings of all six sedans appear in the February issue of Consumer Reports.