Hyundai Genesis Coupe test drive
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-HOW IT LOOKS:
I think the Genesis coupe is a great looking car, period.
Sure, it doesn’t have the visual heritage of the Camaro, or the Mustang. But it is a truly modern design that does get noticed.
It has a strong presence on the road and looks great from every angle.
I even really like the rear side window that many people are complaining about.
My test model was the 3.8 Liter Track, which unfortunately, includes an ugly spoiler in the back.
It carries its name proudly, spoiling the rear view of the car.
The 19 inch wheels included in the track package look great.
-HOW IT IS INSIDE:
The interior is often compared to the Infiniti G37 coupe.
As a matter of fact, the whole car is…
The one thing that really stands out, at least for me, is the silver painted plastic on the console.
It is bright, and does look cheap. And it’s right in front of you. All the time.
In a black interior, you can’t miss it.
I am not a big fan of the Infiniti interior, but at least, the trim is metal.
Otherwise, the plastics are mostly fine. Of good quality and the whole interior feels well put together.
The seats feel and look great. (I just wonder why the backrest adjustment is manual when you get the “power seats”…)
But I noticed that the navigation system does get washed out in the sun. There is nothing to hide it. Like a hood.
It does get pretty hard to read sometimes.
As you can see, the iPod USB plug is where it is supposed to be: under the armrest, hidden.
So you don’t have to unplug your iPod and hide it every time you leave the car.
A nice touch. Not everyone does it.
But wait, there’s more!
Hyundai just released a picture of the slightly revised interior for 2011.(below)
And, guess what. The console is now finished in a very dark grey color.
The cheap looking silver is gone.
While they were at it, they even improved the plastics in the cabin.
I really thing these small changes now put the Genesis interior on par (at least) with what Infiniti offers with the G37 coupe.
-HOW IT DRIVES:
-Ride.
With 19 inch wheels and a sport suspension, it won’t ride like a Lexus.
It is very firm. But it never got too hard for my taste during my week long drive on various roads around L.A.
-Steering.
It seems pretty “twitchy” sometimes. Responding to every single irregularities on the road.
But I got used to it and actually enjoyed it a after a while.
The Nissan Z has a similar feeling.
The Camaro’s steering feels a bit more refined, and easier to drive.
-Engine.
The engine is also on par with the Nissan V6. The exhaust sounded as good as anything .
Sporty and refined.
And of course, with over 300hp, it never feels slow.
The 3.8 Liter with 6 speed manual is rated at 17 city and 26 Hwy.
I got 18 in the city but also reached 30 on the Hwy.
Which is quite good for such a sporty and powerful car.
-Transmission.
Shifting was on the “sporty’ side.
But not as much as the Z37. And not as buttery as the G37.
Kind of in-between.
Which is actually how the whole car feels.
-SO?
The Genesis coupe has been compared to the Infiniti G37. Over and over again.
Fair enough.
My test car was a top of the line, including everything except the automatic and retails for $31 250.
Which is quite a bargain for a car with leather, GPS, sunroof, etc…
A similar G37 Sport is over $45 000!
A Z with a sport package (but no sunroof) is over $40 000.
The real competition, at least pricewise, is the Altima Coupe V6 manual, still over $31 000.
And that is without GPS, because navigation is not available with a manual transmission. (!)
The Genesis coupe is a great car that I would not hesitate to recommend.
It put a smile on my face every time I was behind the wheel.
It is priced far below similar models from the competition. But drives and feels as good or better.
I would say, for those who have driven these 2 cars, it fits between the Z and the G coupe.
It almost feels like a 4 seater Nissan Z. But not quite as brutal.
My only wish would be for more interior color choices. As of now, of you get the track version, it’s black.
And that’s it.
The brown/black combo is only on the Automatic 3.8.
And what’s wrong with a great looking cream/black combo?
Still.. A great looking and great driving car at a great price.
I will try to get my hands on a 2.0 Liter soon and report on it.
What is a Z37? Did you mean to make the same statment twice about a G37 or were you talking about a 370Z? Or were you talking about a Z28? Confused. . .
What is a Z37? Did you mean to make two references to a G37, or did you mean 370Z. Or were you referring to a Z28 Camaro? Confused.
Nice and thorough write up, thnx vince !
To drive the Genesis Coupe is to truly admire just how far Hyundai has come… Great Drive
It is ok, maybe if they would have used a more interesting color, that grey is boring.
I agree – wings are detriments to 95% of the cars they are on.
i dont like rice burners.
this may be a problem with this car. a lot of people wouldnt want to be caught dead in a ricer…
i DO like the spoiler though. it looks nice on the car. i HATE the tiny and oddly shaped grill though.
WOW!, that looks shockingly poor and old already, yet when you see an original 2003 350z or G coupe they look stunning still! And please, don't degrade Nissan's heritage and pedigree with Hyundai comparisons anymore. ( …Or Kia ,or whoever is really making this garbage)
for the 2011 they got rid of the silver center stack and put more soft-touch plastics in the car.
Like all about the caar except I wish it has the Genesis sedan's grill instead. I can't stand that grill. Otherwise, you get what you paid for.
It was a mistake to call this Genesis. The sedan is excellent; but this sucker is little more than a warmed-over Tiberon. And the Tiberon was a joke!
I've experienced Hyundais, and I will never consider another one. I don't care what anyone says about their improved quality, as of two years ago they still are third-world crapola. But I will say that leaving happy hour tonight, being slightly tipsy, I saw a Genesis coupe. And it looked really damn good. Shame that it's a Hyundai. I'd take a Mustang, a Camaro, a G37 or just about anything over this good looking shoddily built POS.
to Anonymous 7:10pm…
sure, you're entitled to your opinion but don't you feel strange that it's shockingly opposite of what every automotive journal in the past year after extensive comparison- and long-term testing has concluded? True…any Hyundai engineered and built more than 5 years ago is second-rate but their engineering and manufacturing turnaround has been swift and proven, even exceeding industry standard-bearers. I say drop the bias, bigotry and go experience one of the new Hyundais, then make your statement again…if you can.
I own one, and love it! This is a the real deal — a rear wheel drive performance coupe. Having owned two 3 series coupes, I can tell you that the 3 is better, but not MUCH better. Definitely not anywhere $15-20K better, which is what a 3 coupe equipped like my $30K Gen Coupe would cost.
The Genesis looks good everywhere, except for the generic-looking front end, especially the econo-grille. Hyundai should update it along the lines of its more recent hexagonal grille designs.
"Toni Amonty said…
WOW!, that looks shockingly poor and old already, yet when you see an original 2003 350z or G coupe they look stunning still! And please, don't degrade Nissan's heritage and pedigree with Hyundai comparisons anymore. ( …Or Kia ,or whoever is really making this garbage)
August 5, 2010 6:53 AM"
You are an idiot.
This outperforms the old 350Z and it most certainly looks better than that melted bar of soap.
"Anonymous said…
I've experienced Hyundais, and I will never consider another one. I don't care what anyone says about their improved quality, as of two years ago they still are third-world crapola. But I will say that leaving happy hour tonight, being slightly tipsy, I saw a Genesis coupe. And it looked really damn good. Shame that it's a Hyundai. I'd take a Mustang, a Camaro, a G37 or just about anything over this good looking shoddily built POS.
August 5, 2010 7:10 PM"
Shoddily built POS, but then you say you want the Camaro??? Now I know for a fact that you have no idea what you are talking about. The Camaro really IS a POS.
3.8 Track > Mustang V6 and Camaro V6
"Anonymous said…
It was a mistake to call this Genesis. The sedan is excellent; but this sucker is little more than a warmed-over Tiberon. And the Tiberon was a joke!
August 5, 2010 6:14 PM"
Uhhhh what?
The TibUron, not TibEron, was FWD, and much smaller than the Genesis Coupe.
You have absolutely NO idea of what you are talking about. They share absolutely no major or minor parts.
Moronic comment.
Note to Hyundai – love everything you're doing with all the new models, but lose the pinchy little grill on this car now!
Pfft I've read a ton of car reviews over the years. But this one had of been one the WORST!
There wasnt one creative or clever comment throughout the entire review and it was just overall boring. Vince your average and commenting of different things. But reviews like this are really not your forte…
"Vince your average and commenting of different things" – Anonymous
Wow Vince! I didn't know you owned an average! Congrats!