Sometimes I wish Hyundai would go back to making crappy cars, just so that people will stop accusing me of being on their payroll every time I post a positive Hyundai review. Fire up your email clients, Hyundai h8rs, because the Genesis Coupe is yet another winner. This time, they've created an affordable coupe designed around that holy-of-holies of performance cars, rear-wheel-drive. But, as always, there's more to the Genesis Coupe story -- and it ain't all sunshine and roses. Check out my 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe test drive and review.
If it's photos you want, it just so happens that I went a little overboard with the camera -- you'll find a couple dozen new snaps in my 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe photo gallery. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
Dare I say it? This Hyundai looks pretty darn good! The base engine delivers great power with a formidable amount of torque and a 25mpg average. Handling of course is subjective, but Aaron has never been off base there. Also, the warranty is downright unbeatable. At about 24k for the base car, I’m definitely taking this car for a test drive. I’ve knocked the big boy Genesis, because of price, but this one is right on budget for us. Best of all my wife loves its looks!!!
Admission: unlike Aaron, I am admittedly biased against Hyundais.
Having said that, I wanted to like this car. Strong engine, rear drive, actual (not just pretend) performance engineering, decent transmission, good brakes. Seems like a good recipe.
I have two major problems with it. It looks too much like an updated Tiburon which simply is not a serious vehicle. For some reason, in spite of excellent power, acceleration tests apparently show that it can’t seem to put it down to the ground. 0-60 in the high 5’s for a 300+ HP coupe? In the 7’s for the 4 cylinder? Why?
In the end, this car competes with the Mitsubishi Eclipse, not the Nissan 370Z. In other words, fail.
Aaron: Am I wrong (as usual) but isn’t the Genesis 4 dr sedan what KIA promised several years ago? Look back in your records for the photos of the furure KIA sedan w/rear wheel drive! But isn’t these cars (4 dr & coupe) what we hoped USA manufacturers were going to make for the middle aged and older “Yanks” to downsize and replace the Gran Marquis, Towne Cars and Buick Centurys? One other thing that will increase sales is raise the front seats slightly so us oldtimers can slide our rear ends into the seat instead of dropping them into the “buckets???”!!!
IGB:
Why are you comparing a 2 seater sports car with a 2 + 2 Grand Touring Coupe?
Do people compare the 370Z with the G37 Coupe? Does the 370Z destroy the G37 in performance test? HELL YES. The Genesis Coupe is the same size as the G37, a GT coupe.
Genesis Coupe and G37 is the right comparison, NOT the 370Z. Disregard the price and “image status” of a brand, and compare the specs only.
IGB — I thought about the Eclipse comparison. In many ways, the Genesis is like the original AWD Eclipse — great affordable performance. But the Eclipse has totally jumped the shark since then. But here’s the primary difference: Put your foot down coming out of a corner, and the Eclipse will spin its wheels and go straight. The Genesis Coupe will bring its back end around. That’s why I think it compares (favorably) to the 370Z. Who knows… maybe I’ll have to schedule a back-to-back comparison.
Billie Joe: Not sure, but it’s possible — Kia is a division of Hyundai, and they share many things, including engineering personnel. Not sure if a rear-drive Kia is in the works, however. — Aaron
Uh, Aaron… jumping the shark is no longer the staple for when things go bad. We now use “nuked the fridge”.
Aaron, I agree from the performance perspective that it is a better car that the Eclipse without a doubt.
But because of its other deficiencies, in terms of the most likely market however (young females in South Jersey) they are very comparable.
Concept: Agree with your back seat comment but although three or four people will actually cross shop the G37 with the Tib…Genesis Coupe, only one will actually purchase the Genesis if they are truly shopping in the G37 price class.
Yesterday I got my copy of Motor Trend and on the cover was this Hyundai Coupe…they’re obviously impressed, so much so, they did additional stories comparing it to the Mustang and 370Z. Even if this car is in fact a 4+ star rated car as Aaron has rated it, Hyundai’s stigma is going to be this car’s biggest problem. That will hurt its resale value, but with such a great warranty, maybe this one is worth keeping for a long time…in the meantime maybe its reputation will improve and resale will be high by the time we’d be ready to trade in 5 or 6 years!
Yes..this IS the problem with HYUNDAI and KIA
RESALE/TRADE IN..My 2002 KIA Sedona was a great vehicle! My neighbors thought it was great BUT when I was ready for a 2006 KIA SEDONA even at the Dealer’s I got damn little!What is needed? Perhaps these present models of Hyundai and Kia will change the picture! My month (February) in Florida I noticed more of Hyundais and Kias on the streets/roads! These are pleasant vehicles to drive but worth little when it is time to trade! What a shame!
Having the most powerful engine only available with an automatic certainly doesn’t help its performance car credibility. I prefer it when the top performance model comes only in manual, thank you very much!
I test drove this car for 30 minutes and I 90% agree with this review. 1 thing I find different is trunk space. I’m in a wheelchair and I folded and stored it in the trunk fine. And there was still room for a large duffle bag. An amp n a component sub like a basslink 2 would have also fit. But another thing he failed to mention is that as quick as the coupe is. You don’t feel the power when behind the wheel. Its to smooth for a sports car. But the flipaide is the engine rumble is brolic. I luv it. And the handling is on par with expensive euro gt cars. The interior does not look cheap. But the grand touring interior is better looking than the track. G37 has slightly higher quality leather and a smidge less plastic. The BMW is the best interior but looks torturingly dull n yester year. So I would say the genesis is perfectly balanced in interior quality for the price. As far as retail value. Remember there are only 25000 coupes in America vs. 100,000 a year productions that camaro and mustang produce. As far as the warranty goes? Who cares? Are you really buying this car as a mode of transport? Cuz this is NOT a commuter. It might be rated suitable but these cars are for guys that do things like install intakes headers and supercharge cars. This is designed for real drivers. This is the kind of car people hate today and luv tomorrow. Like the 240sx. And if you care that its still a hyundai? Good. Cuz enthusiasts hate posers after the “cool” car. Car guys care about quality and potential. Not brand and image. Could you imagine the 1st time someone suped up a civic in 85? I’m sure everyone laughed until they saw a guy take a mustang out n won the pink slip. Lol. That’s how it happened. Civics and Toyota corolla twin cams. Then people wanted the sport versions for these cars. Supra, 300zx, and ex 7. All these cars were considered p.o.s. To the American public until they were getting burned at the track. Now here’s genesis and preliminary chatter is the same. In 2 years you will be that guy trying to buy a used genesis coupe cuz guys are Dustin you at the track in ur mustang gt with tuned 2.0t track n spec-r models. For me. Its the 3.8 track cuz it has the auto for my hand controls. But I’m gonna find a way to get grand touring broen leather in my track n bolsters black leather for a unique and individualized look. And genesis monogrammed on the head rest. If you ever see it on a car? If its not me? They stole my idea. And you will know cuz the guy will most likely not be Latino. Lol. Thanks for reading my input. Luv to all enthusiasts with all types of cars.
Test drove the V6 Grand Touring this week and it was fantastic. Everyone needs to shut up and drive this car. I was up at 100mph shockingly fast and it is a nice smooth ride. I loved the handling.
Besides being very good looking, it was fun to drive. Watch out – this is a winner!