Review: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
March 22nd, 2009
Quick Info:
- 212HP 2.0L turbo-4 / 299HP 3.8L naturally aspirated six cylinder
- 3, 439lbs (4 cylinder) / 3, 549lbs (6 cylinder)
- $24,495 base 2.0T / $34,995 3.8 GT
This year has seen the death of import performance (Honda axing the S2000, Nissan cancelling its upcoming Silvia replacement, GM killing the V and SS models). In fact, the recent recession and dismal economy are only compounding a trend that’s been continuing for the last little while: fun to drive and sporty cars are, at least as far as the big manufacturers are concerned, not a priority.
That leaves us with limited selection for a sports car that won’t break the bank: the proverbial Ford Mustang, Nissan 370Z, Mazda RX-8, and Infiniti G37. Even then, the pricing on some of those vehicles places them out of reach for many people. Other import rockets, such as the Subaru WRX/STI or Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart/Evo, are more hopped up compacts than true sports cars.
Then, out of the blue, Hyundai releases a concept in 2007. The concept, a hot-orange coupe with a low-slung roofline and a wide stance, was received with open arms and open cheque books. Now, as we enter spring in 2009, the rear-drive Hyundai Genesis Coupe has landed.
Initial Impression
I was lucky enough to find myself test-driving a red 3.8GT. Its low, with a sexy profile thanks largely to gorgeous 19” rims. The rear looks menacing, with dual exhaust and sharp taillights. If you were to remove the Hyundai badge you’d hardly know that this car was made by a Korean car company.
Maybe that’s a good thing, as shaking the reputation of the past has been Hyundai’s biggest challenge and is something that they have been quite successful with. If this car is any indication of things to come (okay, perhaps the last generation Tiburon and Sonata were good indications) then it may be safe to assume that Hyundai is about to become a real tuner favourite.
Cosmetically, if you were to place a G37 coupe and a 3.8GT beside each other, there is little difference. To the untrained eye, the 3.8GT may very well be a G37 coupe. I see the small differences in the headlights, rear quarter, and tail, and I appreciate them completely.
Inside, the 3.8GT Genesis Coupe is comfortable and surprisingly luxurious. The leather sport seats are firm and supportive; the leather wrapped steering wheel and audio controls are soft to the touch; the dash itself does not feel of hard plastic. Aside from cramped rear seats, the interior of the 3.8GT is actually a comfortable place to be. There is a lot of black, but I appreciate that and enjoy it- I’m not a fan of wood-grain, overused brushed aluminum, or shiny plastic pieces.
The car comes with a host of standard features, many of which are available on cars costing thousands of dollars more. It’s no surprise either, as Hyundai has made it its mission to offer all the gizmo’s for less than what everyone else is charging. Good for them, as Bluetooth and aux inputs are great features to have.
Driving Impressions
It was a touch over zero degrees when I put the car on the road, and the snow had retreated enough to keep the roads clean and clear (gravel and dirt aside). Leaving the dealership I kept my foot restrained and controlled. With 300 horses on tap I knew that the 3.8GT would have plenty of go, but I sure didn’t want to be the guy that wrapped a brand new car around a light post.
In traffic the 3.8GT behaves as you’d expect: it’s calm and composed, with big brakes that are a tad touchier than I’m used to. The six speed transmission is smooth and easy to operate, with great clutch feel. I find that a lot of performance-oriented vehicles have heavy clutches, but the 3.8GT seems to be an exception.
Merging on to northbound Deerfoot traffic, the 3.8L V6 really shines and all of that go-juice that I knew (and prayed) the car had demonstrated themselves in all of their glory. True, this car is not a 500 horsepower Viper killer, but its 300 horses get this car moving in a hurry. Having driven vehicles with turbochargers for the last five years the feeling of linear power delivery was odd, but it was also very much appreciated and welcomed. It’s like switching from blonde’s to brunettes: each is attractive in their own right, and both are fun to operate. In the Genesis Coupe, the 3.8L V6 is very clearly more than happy to oblige.
I am curious about what the four cylinder turbo will be like, as I’ve always had a preference for boosted cars- especially in Calgary. However, the V6 is strong and capable, with a great exhaust note. Since the weather was warm (for the season) I had my window open as I roared down Deerfoot.
It was an experience that I hope to soon recreate. I had been recently shopping for a sport coupe and had my mind set on a Porsche Cayman S, and while I recognize that the Hyundai is not in the same league, it is also less than half the price and still a ton of fun to drive. When the weather clears and I am given an opportunity to flog the car around a bit more seriously I will jump on the opportunity. For now, I am content knowing that this car seems to be living up to the hype and allure that Hyundai had created when they released the concept a few years ago.
Things to Note
There is a fair bit of demand for these vehicles. In fact, the sales person I was dealing with wouldn’t even talk pricing with me during the ride. A lot of people are hungry for a sport coupe that isn’t a four door turbo-hatch and won’t cost them their limbs to own. Hyundai seems to have struck gold with this one.
It is priced a fair bit more than the Tiburon that it is replacing, but you are also getting so much more car. The Tiburon was, at best, a 175 horsepower front-driver with a six-speed. The Genesis Coupe is, even in its base form, a 215 horsepower turbocharged rocket with great looks and solid driving dynamics. At $35,000 for a 3.8GT there isn’t much out there that offers more bang for your buck.
If you’ve got a negative opinion of the Genesis due to the fact that it’s a Hyundai, well, it may be time for you to shed your inhibitions. Go drive one. Go experience the new Hyundai. It will make a believer out of you, too.
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Awesome, I am going to have to look at one of these. Even though I just got a new vehicle..
Just a reminder that it is NOT its a 2.0L 4 cylinder NOT a 2.9L. You got that specs from Edmunds.com
Also the weight is 3289lbs for the 4 cylinder and 3389lbs for the V6.
[...] Cameron Martel over at beyond.ca has posted his short test drive and impressions with the Genesis Coupe. There is a little misinformation in the article, towards the end me mentions that the Genesis Coupe is replacing the Tiburon. This is NOT the true, but otherwise the article is well written. Check it out here. [...]
Pardon my errors. I didn’t do a lot of research on the background of the car, and ConceptVBS is correct in that I did get the information on th car from Edmunds. However, I feel that my review of the car and my experience are just as relevant despite a few errors on my part.
:)
love the blonde/brunette metaphor
awesome review A790, as usual… even with the factual errors :)
in spite of hyundai’s early reputation, their more recent stuff is IMO damn awesome. although i’m somewhat embarrassed to say it, I have to say that as a value-conscious consumer, i like their lineup better than the comparable toyotas or hondas.
i’ve been admiring the genesis coupe for quite awhile now, but alas at this point in my life, it’s out of my price range and is impractical for me as a daily driver. i’m actually planning to pick up a sonata limited v6 this december.
The Genesis Coupe is targeted towards (and should be driven ONLY by) people who appreciate a minimalist design for a great price. I can’t speak for the 2.0, but my 3.8 is all good looks married to a healthy and aggressive V6. It stands up to its competitors, but definitely needs some work to beat them outright. Nevertheless, it’s hard to justify paying $10,000 to $15,000 more for a car like a G37 that can’t outrun the Genesis despite its slightly better horsepower. Personally, I don’t give a hoot about stuffy things like telescopic steering wheels. I haven’t yet driven a car that required 3-Dimensional positioning in order to achieve comfort, thank you very much.
What it has under the hood is awesome for a company’s first RWD sports car. It takes off like a bolt, and it feels solid and secure. Driving in the rain took some getting used to thanks to the Gen’s heavy torque (save yourself some wheel-spinning embarrassment and just start off in 2nd gear), and it’s VERY easy to throw the ass end out if you’re not careful. But…that’s the whole point in getting a RWD car in the first place.
Learning the gearbox was perhaps the hardest part of this car. My Yellow 3.8 was barely out of the plastic bag and protective packaging before I took it off the lot. It was as stiff as a corpse! It takes 2-3 weeks of constant driving to loosen the car up to the point where you’re ready for some fancy moves, and the gearbox is NO exception. Shifting is harsh at first, but I’m into my fourth month with the car and it’s smooth as butter now. The only minor gripe is a clunking noise that occurs when you hit the clutch pedal in first gear. Something to do with the dual-mass flywheel. This same noise has been known to permeate G37’s as well, but thankfully has gone away as the car loosened up.
Buy it if you like SERIOUS good looks and some fantastic power. Don’t buy it if you’re looking for luxury. The Genesis is all about fun, free-spirited driving…….not hand-holding GPS and an ass-massager built into the seat.
I have been in love with this car since i laid eyes on it. I currently drive a 1999 Mercury Cougar 2.5L V6. I love my cougar and its goign to be a sad day when i have to give her up. If my car has serious acceleration at only 170HP i can imagine what this Genesis can do.
What i am confused on however is why the top speed on the 3.8 v6, is only about 20km more, and the 0-60 is only 1 second less than the 2.0 turbo 4cyl
Can someone give me some differences. are the interiors the same, brakes? rims? how about transmissions?
@ johnny boy:
There is 110lbs on the V6 that isn’t on the 4 banger, which partially explains the acceleration. Also keep in mind that top speed often is drag limited, as opposed to being limited by power. But, honestly, when was the last time you’d have the opportunity to test out a vehicles top speed?
i tried to take this out, im interested in possibly buying one, but the crappy dealer wouldnt let me test drive it unless I filled out a credit application. I was completely offended to I left, they are just discriminating against me because I’m younger. I’m only 21, but this is a Hyundai not a Ferrari, its affordable, and its not like I was asking to take out the 3.8… dumb hyundai
I love it
I know it’s quite a step up performance wise but just let go my vw rabbit and was considering a GTI. My daughter begged me to try the genesis…….wow!!!! Vw just lost a customer. Got the 3.8 GT…:)))
I saw this car after I had bought my second Elantra sport. If I had have known that this vehicle was available I would have saved myself some money and got the car that I wanted. I pick up my new one tomorrow and cant wait. If it has the same track record as my last two Hyundai”s in terms of being a great value car for the money, I cant wait.
I had bought an Acura csx and i was quite happy about it. But then when i saw the Genisis coupe I was shocked that they made a car such as this. It was amazing!!! Acura sucks not gonna lie…….