Clifton writes:
“My friend at [Hyundai Motor Company] was as excited about having me sample the new Genesis Coupe as I was to slide behind the wheel. I finished my official Hyundai factory tour, stepped off the bus (within the plant confines) and there she was: the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Bewildered Korean tourists gawked as I was formally introduced to South Korea’s next big thing. They hope.
I’d taken the same tour a few months before. I’d had a private walkthrough of the world class Genesis plant (supposedly the first non-Korean to be through the factory) while the rear wheel-drive sedan was in being prepped for stateside export. That’s when I had my first glimpse of the sports coupe, as it drove passed our bus. I’d seen the concept, but up until this point, a production rear-wheel drive Tiburon replacement was just a rumor. My first thoughts were “Lexus/Infiniti love child.”
Although it’s based on the same BH platform (shortened) as its big brother Genesis, the coupe is made in a separate plant, alongside, believe it or not, the Santa Fe. (The extra capacity in the Genesis plant is reserved for the new up and coming Equus executive sedan.) My “friend” had always insisted that the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a “BIG” car, and it’s true.
We walked up to a sexy “Interlagos” yellow sports coupe, donned with the 2.0 Turbo badge (perhaps European spec, as this color is reserved for 3.8 track models in the U.S. according to sources). I was a little disappointed, wanting a taste of the 306 hp beast. But who was I to complain? Strings had already been pulled. The first thing I noticed were the proportions: taut with never before tried lines and wheels pushed to the corners.
The first thing I noticed were the front buckets. (Several days later, I hopped in a Ferrari F-430 Spyder, and the sensation—backside wise—was quite similar) The silver and black center stack had two main knobs to control just about everything. They did a good job on this one, making sure it wasn’t too busy and flowed nicely into the five-speed auto-cog shifter.
The Genesis coupe is first and foremost a driver’s car. The back seats are snug; they keep you in place as you lean against drab plastic walls and peer out the oval-ish rear windows. I’m not sure what it’s usually like in the back of a 2+2 coupe, but the Genesis Coupe reminded me of a stint as a passenger in a Chevy Cobalt coupe. The Hyundai’s sleek profile certainly cuts into rear headroom (I’m 6 ft, and my crown got intimate with the headliner/rear glass).
Like its big brother, the Genesis coupe starts at the push of a chrome ringed button, just right of the steering wheel. The engine is VERY quiet at idle. It generates a melodious drone in the moments before the turbo awakens. Floor it, and the acceleration is . . . predictable.
When the turbo kicks in, there’s no real KICK IN THE PANTS moment. You can feel all of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe’s 217 lb·ft of torque come on stream, but the shove arrives in a smooth surge—rather than a 90s Saab-like explosion. Steering feel is excellent, as you’d hope for a rear wheel-drive coupe.
As we drove along what I consider the “terrain course,” we surmounted a gamut of road surfaces and conditions. Even on the bumpiest roads, Genesis Coupe remained calm and composed. Props to Hyundai’s engineers for finding the right suspension and dampening balance between control and comfort.
Unlike most non-ultimate driving machines, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe’s transmission’s Sport mode created an appreciable difference in feel and performance. The shifts arrive sooner, keeping the Korean in the meat of the power curve. Before Sport-age, I barely crested 100 mph on the slalom course. In Sport mode, I easily drove over the ton. The brakes inspired confidence—especially after the barricade at the end of the course appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
My stint behind the wheel was short but sweet. If I had $20Gs and a craving for fun, it would certainly be my pick over comparable sports compacts. The strange thing: not many can compare. Whether or not there’s a good reason for that remains to be seen.
Sounds good, shame it’s so ugly.
Korea is up and coming, according to today’s Wall Street Journal. The Japanese cannot produce and sell sexy cars anymore in the US and domestically, apparently.
TrueDelta, Edmunds, and brochures don’t lie, but I went direct to the source: Chicago Auto Show. Nothing at Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infiniti, or Toyota/Lexus has anything on the new Genesis Coupe, save the Infiniti G37, at a much higher price point. I sat in the Genesis Coupe interior. Not bad at all, and apparently Hyundai has gotten rid of that awful cheap-plastic smell that their cars have had for years.
Nissan’s interiors really aren’t that great. The ones in upmarket Hondas and Toyotas are pretty nice. Hyundai really has surpassed Nissan – they are top tier now.
My biggest problem with the Genesis Coupe is that to get a LSD you have to buy the “Track” trim level, which means spending at least $26K for the turbo and $29.5K for the V6.
I don’t know if not having a LSD will be a problem or not, but I’m going to wait until I see a test of a manual non-“Track” V6 car before I get too excited about the Genesis Coupe.
Launch control would have been nice too.
Interlagos yellow? BMW has an Interlagos blue paint. I am getting confused, and Interlagos is very close to my home. Looks grey most of the time…
I was looking forward to this car for a while. When I sat in it during the Detroit Auto Show, I was disappointed by the materials they used for the interior, and the ergonomics of the thing. I will wait to make a final decision until I drive the car, but for now I’m not impressed.
I’m still curious as to what the Genesis coupe looks like, but every article about seems to have a picture of a Tiburon posted my mistake…
What?
I am so proud for the editors of this blog to still attempt to write auto reports such as this in the midst of turmoil. It must be tough, but you are doing a great job.
now enough of hyndai product crapola, gimme the scooby on how much shit their in from their stance on buying back the cars from the unemployed. !!! That’s the juice :)
While for the most part I enjoyed this article, I don’t think it belongs under capsule review,…i sensed a slight fanboy slant throughout:
“Lexus/Infiniti love child.”
“..but we did get to see the Genesis sedan, coupe, and Santa Fe at speed. A glorious sight to behold!”
mtypex :
they can of course but chose not too because of cost and profit margins in a very small segment
I’ve always been a fan of small sport coupes, unfortunately the market for such a car is tiny in the USA. The average American is too old, and/or too fat, to be comfortable in such a car. Now that we’re officially in the middle of Great Depression II, $20K may as well be $20 million as far as the average 20 something is concerned — the only demographic that can actually get in/out of such a thing. I can’t imagine more the a few thousand being sold in the US for the 2010 model year.
They took the ugly lines off the sides of the Z4 and put them on windows. The result: ugly window lines. How miraculously unsurprising.
WHAT HAS BEEN SEEN CANNOT BE UNSEEN!!!
Oh, who am I to talk? I’ve always thought WRX’s have a unique quirky sort of charm about them..
@skor: As an old, fat American who has to use Crisco and a shoehorn to get into my 911, I appreciate the completely nonstereotypical comments… but the Genesis Coupe is a pretty big car and I think the Cheetos Generation will fit just fine.
LOL Ill keep waiting for the 5.4L HEMI Sebring.
This is by far the most positive review I have read on this site after coming here daily for the past ~2.5 years
I’ve gained weight, but I’m still driving my Integra. Demographic segment marketing only goes so far. Unless, of course, you are selling Volvos – and even then, you shouldn’t write off men. You should never write off an individual prospective buyer if they have the money.
The Genesis sedan might be impressive for the price, but the world has plenty of large sedans. The Genesis Coupe, on the other hand, will blow Honda/Nissan/Toyota out of the water, just as they did to Cry-sler, Ford, GM, and VW.
Hasn’t Hyundai specifically stated that this is not a Tiburon replacement?
According to my Hyundai rep, a new Tiburon is coming next year.
While I have not driven one with gusto yet (so far >50mph), it is pretty impressive overall in terms of value. It’s big enough, fast enough and striking enough to look $10,000-$15,000 richer than it retails for and I think all things considered, it will sell okay and set the table very well for the next version which will hopefully be …prettier.
If I were in this market, I would give the Genesis coupe’ a chance at my business, but I would probably buy a 370Z or a (FWD) Honda Accord coupe or maybe even a Camaro for differing reasons obviously, but maybe I’m bit old-fashioned.
still don’t think it should be called Genesis
Maybe Hyundai can finally get some respect. The Sonata has developed into a great car, a better deal than Camry or Accord, and to have a RWD true sports car that lives up to the promise for under 30K is pretty impressive
“Unlike most non-ultimate driving machines, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe’s transmission’s Sport mode created an appreciable difference in feel and performance.”
I totally agree about the BMW part. That’s what makes BMWs so much better than all other cars overall: their sport mode on their automatic transmissions. Not enough people know this.
I had questions too on why it’s called the Genesis coupe… I was informed that there was a rumor amongst H.M.C. higher ups that eventually “Genesis” itself would become separate of Hyundai America and be its own entity as a luxury/performance manufacturer… sort of like Toyota/Nissan did with Lexus/Infiniti back in the day… looks like plans could be on hold while this economic “slump” struggles by…
Glad to hear from this review that it’s a real-deal sports car, even if it was the four-cylinder with a slushbox. Good for Hyundai.
I’m really excited about it. When it comes time to buy my next car (hopefully later this year, barring future economic disaster) it’ll come down to this or a used 350Z.
Wow, that price point is enough to soften the hardened heart of this used car buyer. Sounds like it’s worth a look when it arrives in dealers.
This is a pretty sexy car. Saw one at the dealership the other day. Tsukuba Red.
I think they’ll sell well. There’s not much competition and Hyundai is past Nissan and passing up Honda/Toyota as far as reliability goes. Much better warranty and bang for your buck, as well.
My Elantra is coming due for an oil change at the dealer – checking this out will make the wait worthwhile…
I reckon this car looks a riot and it’s right up my street.
It almost certainly won’t be coming to the UK however, so I’m told.. boo.
Oops, I probably should clarify – do you say ‘Right up my street’ in the US of A?
I mean, “It’s the kind of thing I like”.. not literally there’s one up my street ;)
Yes, “Right up my street” is used in the same sense here as well.
The apple doesn’t fall that far from the tree!
Actually, saying “Right up my street” to an American is akin to saying “Easy as cake” or “Simple as 4, 5, 6.”
I’m 41 and the American version of this phrase has, to my recollection, always been “Right up my alley.”
They shouldn’t be using “Genesis” for both the coupe and sedan. They have far too little in common. Different exteriors, different interiors, different price points, different markets.
The Genesis Coupe can be configured and compared here:
http://www.truedelta.com/prices.php
Note: it’s a 2010.
This car will do well, but more importantly it will put the Japanese on notice.
-Where is the 240sx?
-Where is the RWD Corolla/Celica?
-Where is the turbo pison engine in the RX-8? (I will trade slight balance for reliability, and the rotary’s low end sucks)
There are rumors that Nissan will do a low priced 2+2 coupe on a modified FM platform, and the Toyobaru project was basically confirmed before it was confirmed to be cancelled; if Hyundai starts stealing the youth this will wake them up. Mazda has the car and they have the engine, it’s almost legos foro them at this point.
The Genesis Coupe competes very close in spec against the base Camaro coupe, coming in a bit lower in price and power. It also competes against the Mustang, but at a slightly higher price, although with a much more advanced engine and suspension.
The Genensis Coupe is fully loaded for $22,000. No options are required. ABS, six air bags, power windows and doors, cruise control, air conditioning, 6-speed manual. That’s really cheap for a RWD turbo-4 car, and Hyundai is still dealing on financing.
The competition might become even more closer since it is likely that the both the Camaro and Mustang will be getting turbo inline-4s.
Hopefully that competition will convince Hyundai to turn up the boost a bit and impliment direct injection.
Are young people going to buy this in this economy?
Well, if they live in Southern California or some other really nice area it’s possibly a good time to buy a massively discounted house. If it snows where you live, on the other hand, you’re fucked, rent until you can get out.
A house is just an anchor that won’t go up in value for the next 10 years, that involves huge transaction costs to unload, requires constant maintenance, and will make you a slave to a retarded homeowner’s association if you cheap out and buy a condo or townhouse. Remember, California is the only state with non-recourse mortgages by law, in every other state you will be held as an indentured servant to the note even if you give back the shitty house.
I know of no mortgage companies that will forgive the note and leave your credit alone if you lose your job (i.e. Hyundai assurance).
Sure there might be stagflation/hyperinflation, but right now we are staring more at a lost decade of deflation than at hyper inflation. The stock and housing markets just lost what is likely more than 5 trillion, so the money supply has been drastically decreased, that generally points against inflation.
Looks like renting and buying a Genesis Coupe might be the way to go, even with nothing down it will be under $500 a month. That’s the property taxes you would pay if you’re dumb enough to buy a house.
Turn Japanese (i.e. rent and buy a relatively nice car) with a Korean car.
Looked the car over at the Chicago Auto Show.
It was not very moving…looking like earlier and cheep Hyundais.
And everybody there was confused as to the name.
It had nothing in common with the larger Genesis.
I gotta give Hyundai credit. They are determined to keep the Genesis in our conscious and they are determined to make it succeed. Even if that means selling them at a loss of profit.
I wonder what people would say about the Genesis if it was the exact same car but had a Lexus badge on it?
I personally couldn’t buy one because it has less interior space than my S550. I also don’t like the use of “Genesis” for both styles of car. They shoulda called it something else – even “Exodus”
Seems like it’ll be a good value…definitely eat up what little sales go to the Eclipse and other FWD compact coupes over $20k (except maybe the Civic Si). I’d imagine it might even take somes sales out of those considering a 370Z (mainly due to price) or a CPO 350Z, as well as the V6 Mustang.
@ no_slushbox: Good thing the world doesn’t revolve around the shithole called Southern California. (been there, done that)
@flashpoint: the Genesis isn’t really competing with an S550…but I’d imagine it has more room than the CTS Coupe with lambo-doors you’d want to bling out.
I saw it in person at the autoshow when it was in town. Nobody paid any attention to it. In contrast the Genesis sedan did have some people gawking at it. But the coupe drew none of the attention the new Camaro and refreshed Mustang garnered at the show. Even Chrysler had a trio of Challengers out with crowds around them.
This coupe is horrificly ugly and bland at the same time. I’m sure it looks right at home on Korean roads but it will be pretty much invisible on ours.
It’s also going to have a hell of a time when you can get a 304hp Camaro and the upcoming turbocharged Mustang for the same price. Both cars are legendary icons and provide a huge amount of classic standout style the Genesis can’t match.
For such a lauded car I hardly ever see any Genesis sedans on the road either. I kind of doubt the cheaper coupe is going to fare much better.
TEXN3:
I said Southern California or some other really nice area (i.e. Vegas, Austin).
I live in Illinois, so this is not bragging.
My point is, a couple years ago every young person was doing everything they could to buy a house. Now I think they are going to say fuck it, xyz car (possibly this Hyundai) is pretty nice, I’ll buy that and rent.
Hell, a Hyundai can’t depreciate any worse than a house in the US rust belt, and there are no property taxes on it. It’s also very easy to move.
The hardware is fine. The body is ugly. For that reason alone, this is not a serious competitor to the Mustang or the Camaro.
Note also that the 4-cylinder Genesis competes with the 6-cylinder versions of those two cars. The Camaro V6 is on par with the Genesis V6 and costs 4K less. The Mustang’s V6 is comparable on paper to the Genesis I4 at the same price, but sounds better, responds faster, and and has superior torque delivery in real life.
I can’t imagine anyone choosing a RWD sport coupe would so concerned about gas mileage to prefer the I4.
“Really nice area” is very subjective. My point was that a place like SoCal or Vegas is not “really nice” to alot of people…just overhyped and overpriced, and that is why such areas are seeing a huge downfall in house prices. You stated Austin, and that is a really nice place and the housing market has held pretty steady (like the rest of Texas).
Problem with many (younger) people’s ignorance on buying a more expensive car is that it is often at the limits of what they can comfortably afford. And then when the price of housing drops within their range, they’re still saddled with a 5-year car note on a 3-year old car. And can’t swing both or can’t give up the lifestyle they’ve started to become accustom to.
I spend time on the Volvo and Mazda forums, and while Volvo owners never change, the Mazda owners are constantly changing vehicles and taking hits on depreciation (while still financing). Some people essentially owe over $30k on a Mazdaspeed3 because they had to trade-in and take a hit on their Mazda3…now a new car, like the Genesis Coupe, comes out and they’ll want to trade for that since it’ll be the next hottest tuner ride. So, they’ll owe even more on a Hyundai which will have worse depreciation than a Mazda.
Financial sense, unfortunately, was left out of my generation.
TEXN3:
Anyone that was prevented from buying a house during the last five years because of a car payment is a very lucky person.
Financial sense hasn’t really mattered for this generation. Stocking up on index funds or exchange traded funds in an IRA or 401(k) would have left one fucked, and buying a house, even in a conservative market, would have left one either losing money or, at best, flat, all while paying interest and property taxes that are much more than rental. Anyone that has done the right things financially is about even with someone that pissed it away trading through cars.
I drive my cars into the ground and always buy used, but in most parts of this country buying a new car, with a decent amount down, and keeping it for a long time, is a better call than buying a house.
That’s why I think the demand for this and other RWD sports cars coming on the market could be better than people expect. It’s not like people have anything better to spend their money on.
You don’t lose money on a house until you sell it!
Nice. There comes a time for every emerging brand when building reliable cars just won’t do any more and they look for motoring respect. Datsun did it with the 240Z, Toyota with the Celica, Mazda with the RX-7 and this is Hyundai’s turn with the Genesis Coupe. Chances are they won’t make much money on it but that’s not what they want – they want to give their brand a boost by delivering a product with street cred. Anyway – they can make plenty of money 20 years from now by which time the now middle age first time buyers of this car will be ready to relive their youth and buy what will invariably be an overweight, over soft and over priced shadow-of-its-former-self 2029 Genesis Coupe. In the meantime, however, enjoy the performance bargain.
Too bad it looks like a Tiburon that was left out in the sun a bit too long. I honestly can’t see amany folks buying this car as a 4 banger because that defeats the entire purpose of this rear drive sports coupe- performance. I’ll take the much better looking, performing and cheaper Camaro (actual transaction price) please with it’s superior 3.6 DI 304 HP V6.
The autoshow attendees Trishield mentions aren’t showing up at the dealers apparently. Hyundai isn’t staring at C11.
I think Mustang/Camaro fans are forgetting (or willfully not acknowledging) that there are some buyers who simply will NOT consider a Mustang or a Camaro. Theses people buy used Infiniti Gs coupes, RX-8s, Accord coupes and Zs. Not Mustangs. Just like there are some that will simply not buy imported.
It always confused me as to why Hyundai markets this car against those two…or at least the Mustang, I don’t recall Hyundai officially listing the Camaro as a target. The Japanese have the most to fear from this rig, especially Nissan. Not to mention the usual FWD suspects (Si, GTI, WRX, etc…), they go for the same MSRP as the Genesis Coupe.
I could care less about the heritage of the pony cars to be blunt. I didn’t grow up around Mustangs, Camaros, or etc. and I could care less about their history. Its not for lack of effort. I wrote a paper in high school about the virtues of the Stingray over the E-type; however, the new pony cars simply do nothing for me.
To me this car is really the second coming of 240Z. Mustang and Camaro owners snickered at that car, too.
________________________
@ponchoman49:
Yeah! I mean WHO buys Miatas and S2000s?! Oh, and RX-8s before anyone says, “Hey, those are two seaters!” I see at least 3 of those things per day.
WRX isn’t FWD.
@Ayoub:
Correct. My bad. My point was its in the same class as those FWD cars.
Another tough pill for Korea-bashers to swallow.
The Genesis Coupe 2.0 strikes me as the 240SX that shoulda been. Stay tuned for the inevitable comparisons between the 3.8 and the 350z or G37… should make for some lively forums.
As for the looks, like many Korean cars there is an abundance of asymmetrical curves. Although not my favourite, this design theme is a heckuva lot better than the Transformer-like abominations coming out of Honda/Acura these days.
Just got one at our dealership yesterday. For some reason, we get a totally anonymous white on black V6 automatic as our 1st car. Exterior is hit or miss. Great rear and rear 3/4. Weak, droopy and cheap looking front end. Interior is very nice, no cheap bits, everything where it should be. The V6 is has a lot of power, but the ESC kicks in weirdly. You can’t just plant the gas pedal and wind it out. The ESC kicks in and out, creating a choppy arc through the rev range. I didn’t try it without the ESC. The chassis is tight, steering firm and ride well controlled without being too stiff.
Would I buy one? Maybe. When I can drive the turbo 4 with the stick, I’ll let you know.
The non car people at the dealer (sadly, mostly everyone) have been annoying me on purpose, saying it is just a Tiburon.
Of course, my manager slapped a $2k ADM sticker on it. ::sigh::