Vehicle Tested
| 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Grand Touring
Base Price: $28,500
At-Tested Price: $29,425
Built in South Korea.
Options
Floor mats
iPod cable
Engine: 3.8-Liter V6
Transmission: Six-Speed Manual
Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive
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Hyundai is trying very hard to become a mainstream automaker--and recent sales successes indicate that the South Korean company has succeeded. In 2009 Hyundai introduced it first-ever rear-drive luxury sedan. Called Genesis, it received wide praise from the automotive media and raised Hyundai's image in the eyes of many shoppers.
For 2010 Hyundai hopes to maintain that momentum with the release of the Genesis Coupe. Sharing an engine and basic rear-drive chassis with the significantly larger sedan, the Genesis coupe sheds two doors and has unique styling. It competes not against luxury coupes, but against sporty coupes like the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, MINI Cooper, Nissan 370Z and Volkswagen GTI.
All Genesis Coupes seat four on twin front buckets and a two-place, split-folding rear bench seat. Two engines are offered, a turbocharged 210-hosrepower four-cylinder or a 306-horsepower 3.8-liter V6. The four is offered on the 2.0T, 2.0T Premium and 2.0T Track. The V6 comes on the 3.8, 3.8 Grand Touring and 3.8 Track. All models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Optional on four-cylinder models is a five-speed automatic. Optional on V6 models is a six-speed automatic.
Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, front-seat active head restraints, tire-pressure monitor, and dual-front, front-side and curtain-side airbags. A rear-obstacle-detection system is available on certain models.
The 2.0T manual lists for $22,000 and includes air conditioning with interior air filter, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with iPod adapter, Bluetooth cell-phone link, trip computer, variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, automatic headlights, theft-deterrent system, 225/45VR18 front and 245/45VR18 rear tires and alloy wheels.
The $24,250 2.0T Premium adds to the 2.0T power driver seat, Infinity sound system, keyless access and starting, sunroof, universal garage door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror and compass.
The 2.0T Track stickers for $26,750 and adds to the 2.0T Premium limited-slip differential, uprated brakes, sport suspension, leather/cloth upholstery, rear spoiler, fog lights, HID headlights and 225/40YR19 front and 245/40YR19 rear tires.
The 3.8 lists for $25,000 and adds to the 2.0T automatic climate control, leather upholstery and fog lights.
The $27,500 3.8 Grand Touring adds to the 3.8 rear-obstacle-detection system, heated front seats, power driver seat, heated power mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators, keyless access and starting, sunroof, universal garage door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass and HID headlamps.
The 3.8 Track lists for $29,500 and adds to the 3.8 Grand Touring limited-slip differential
Safety, uprated brakes, sport suspension, rear spoiler and 225/40YR19 front and 245/40YR19 rear tires. However, it deletes the rear-obstacle-detection system.
Later this year Hyundai will offer a racing-inspired version of the turbo four called the 2.0T R-Spec. It lists for $23,750 and comes with limited-slip, sport suspension, uprated brakes and 225/40YR19 front and 245/40YR19 rear tires. However, it deletes steering wheel radio controls, cruise control, Bluetooth cell-phone link and trip computer.
A navigation system is available on the 3.8 Grand Touring and 3.8 Track. The Genesis Coupe is assembled in South Korea and has a destination charge of $800.
Get Up and Go Kudos to Hyundai for offering two completely different engines in the Genesis Coupe. The turbo four offers a visceral growl and a lot of pop for the buck. The V6 is smooth and refined and potent when prodded. Most scribes peg the 2.0T model at seven seconds from 0 to 60 mph. 3.8 models shave more than a second off of that time.
With either engine, the Genesis Coupe accelerates quickly. The 2.0T motor suffers from Turbo lag--a delay in power delivery--but feels strong once up to speed. You won't experience any such hesitation with the 3.8-liter V6 as it provides ample power at all speeds.
With a notchy feel and touchy clutch engagement, the manual shifter will disappoint enthusiasts. Still, it's serviceable in all but heavy stop-and-go traffic. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly and always seems to be in the right gear, regardless of the terrain.
Being rear-drive, Genesis Coupe can be a handful to drive on slippery roads. Even though traction control is standard, Chicagoland owners will want to slap on a set of all-season, or better yet snow tires, in the winter months.
The 3.8 is EPA rated at 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway when equipped with the available manual transmission. Those numbers are class appropriate and Hyundai says that both engines will run just fine on regular-grade gasoline.
In routine driving, expect to average between 19 and 25 mpg depending on how much rush-hour commuting you do. Straight highway driving yields an impressive 30 mpg.
On the Road As you might expect, Genesis Coupe has a firm and active ride. When compared to other sports coupes it seems to ply on the firm side, but isn't overly harsh. Track models have a stiff suspension that's somewhat off-putting on Chicago's pothole-strewn roads.
Genesis Coupe feels nimble and athletic when the road grows twisty, though it's more of a touring coupe than a sports car. The steering is direct and lively and the brakes strong with a nicely tuned pedal. Again, Track models gain the upper hand from the enthusiast's perspective, but aren't necessarily to everyone's tastes.
Tire noise can be a problem on coarse roads, but otherwise the Genesis Coupe has fairly, for a sporty coupe, serene interior noise levels. Both engines growl heartily in hard acceleration but cruise quietly. The 2.0T has an appropriately throaty exhaust and turbo whistle.
Overall, the Genesis Coupe finds a middle road between overt sportiness and comfort. It's a fine balance that plays well against racy competitors like the Nissan 370Z and Volkswagen GTI.
Behind the Wheel The driver-orientated interior is more business than luxury, but does have enough sporty touches to maintain the right image. 2.0T models have a bit too much hard plastic, but opting for the 3.8 gives a nice upgrade in overall ambiance.
Gauges are simple white-on-black--easy to see day or night. Audio and climate controls are placed high on the center stack. They are clearly marked and easy to use. Bluetooth and steering-wheel controls are a nice touch on the base model.
The firm front seats are somewhat confining and taller drivers might want a bit more headroom. Overall, the feeling is snug, but not tight. The seating position is low and the view of the road is somewhat obscured. Thankfully, roof pillars are thin and there are large rear-quarter windows helping visibility when parking or changing lanes. The available rear spoiler blocks view directly aft.
As in most sport coupes, the rear seats are a token gesture. Though nicely fitted, there's scant leg and head room and getting in and out is best suited to a gymnast.
Trunk room is class adequate, but the opening is quite small and there's not much height. Also, the folding rear seats don't have a very large opening. There's scant small item storage up front and occupied cupholders interfere with operation of the manual transmission.
Bottom Line Genesis Coupe is a fine performance car with extremely appealing pricing. It's a great alternative to hulking V8-powered competitors and offers enough luxury to be comfortable as a daily driver.
With two distinct engines, Genesis Coupe really offers a split personality and that's probably preferred by most buyers in this segment. With pricing starting at just $22,000 the Coupe is an affordable alternative to most competitors that doesn't disappoint.
Specifications, 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Grand Touring
| Dimensions
| 2-door coupe
| Engine
| DOHC V6
| Wheelbase, in.
| 111.0
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 3.8 / 232
| Length, in.
| 182.3
| Horsepower @ rpm
| 306 @ 6300
| Width, in.
| 73.4
| Torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm
| 266 @ 4700
| Height, in.
| 54.5
| Transmission
| 6-Speed Manual | Weight, lbs.
| 3389 | EPA Estimates, mpg
| 17 city / 26 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 10.0
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| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 17.2
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 4
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 5 years / 60,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 39.2
| Powertrain
| 10 years / 100,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 44.1
| Corrosion
| 7 years / 100,00 miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 34.6
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 5 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 30.3
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
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