In a Nutshell: An superb-driving sports-coupe and serious BMW-fighter, but saddled with some cheap interior and trim materials.
There seems to be widespread CL interest in the new Hyundai Genesis coupe, and I received several requests from CL members for a full-length review. Why Hyundai did not bring a regular, street-version Genesis Coupe to the D.C. Auto Show last month beats me. The car was very soon to be introduced at local dealerships (they just started coming in a few days ago), and, IMO, Hyundai should have had a normal, production model on the floor, unlocked. Normally, Hyundai is one of the best auto companies in the buisness at displaying new models for public access at auto shows without restrictions, but not this time. All they had was a Coupe painted an odd, military-style, gray/green camoflauge….up on a stand, and locked. Go Figure.
Well, no matter. The Coupe is now at Washington-area dealerships, ready to go, but not in large numbers. Most local Hyundai shops only have one or two in stock right now, but more are on the way. Still, even in the tight auto-buying market right now, I would only expect minor discounts for new Genesis coupes….and that’s with some bargaining. Often, new sport-coupes and sports-cars can command a mark-up, and the Genesis coupe probably would too, if there were normal auto-buying times. But this year is clearly NOT buisness as usual. Dealerships will HAVE to discount and/or offer credit if they want to sell cars this year, but with the strong public and auto-press interest in this car, there still are not a lot of incentives for heavy discounts.
Hyundai is introducing the Genesis Coupe as a sequel to the Genesis sedan, but the two models, in my view, couldn’t be further apart. About all they share is the Hyundai badge on the grille and the 3.8L V6 engine block (a 4.6L V8 is optional on the sedan). Not only the exteriors, but the interiors are radically different as well. I was very impressed with the Genesis sedan’s interior, but far less impressed with the Coupe’s, which seemed much more cheaply-done (more on that below). But the coupe makes up for it, at least in the 3.8 Track version, by being an superb-driving sport-coupe…one of the best moderately-priced Drivers’ cars I’ve seen outside of BMW (also more on that below).
6 different Genesis Coupe models are offered, for now (or will be offered), in the American market. These include the 2.0T, 2.0T Premium, 2.0T Track, 3.8, 3.8 Grand Touring, and 3.8 Track. All 2.0T models come with a turbo 2.0L four, with 210 HP and 223 Ft-lbs. of torque….it is somewhat similiar to the one that VW/Audi uses with the same displacement. The 2.0T and 2.0T Premium come with a choice of a close-ratio, 6-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed paddle-shift Shiftronic automatic; the 2.0T Track comes only with the manual. All 3.8 versions, including the Track, come with a 3.8L V6 with 306 HP and 266 Ft-lbs. of torque, and the choice of the 6-speed manual or a 6-speed ZF paddle-shift Shiftronic automatic. Both the 2.0T and 3.8 Track versions also include a Torsen limited-slip differential.
As I mentioned above, not many Genesis Coupes are in stock right now. A Hyundai shop fairly close to my house had an automatic, silver/Black leather, 3.8 Track model ready to go, and offered a solo test-drive, without a salesman riding along, so I jumped at the chance (I knew a number of several CL members were waiting for a review).
I really enjoyed this test-drive….as much as I do with BMWs (and the controls on this car were far less complex than many BMWs). The 3.8 Track is an absolute blast behind the wheel, although, of course, as a responsible driver, I didn’t abuse it, or red-line the engine.
So, what is this remarkable (for the price) sport-coupe really like? Coming right up.
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