Hyundai Genesis Coupe Review: Performance and Comfort Analysis

While the new Toyota 86 has brought back affordable rear-wheel driving motoring to the masses, causing even Nissan to drastically cut the price on their 370Z, people seem to forget that Hyundai has offered the Genesis Coupe. While it may not be the last word in handling precision, it is capable of daily driving and provides quite a lot of fun for weekend enthusiasts.

The model was updated for 2013 with a price tag of AED 123,000, placing it just below a fully specced Toyota 86 and about AED 20k less than a basic automatic Nissan 370Z. Does the Genesis Coupe cut it as a sports car in this market? Is the low price justifying inherent shortcomings? The only way to find out is to get our hands on it and find the answers ourselves.

Style

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a visually appealing car, showcasing all the features indicative of a true performance car. The silhouette leans more towards that of a grand tourer, with its long nose and sizeable proportions, but it maintains a strong presence on the road.

The front design has become a bit fussier compared to the previous model. Hyundai has included the customary daytime running LEDs integrated into the front bumper, along with some questionable fake bonnet air scoops. If it's not functional, why include it, Hyundai? This aspect contributes to a somewhat pretentious feel that the Genesis Coupe does not need.

The rest of the car looks fantastic, defined by two distinct character lines running down its side. The first line starts behind the front wheel arch and ends at the kink in the car’s window, while the second begins at the door handle and flows to the rear lights and boot lip. The dual exhausts at the rear clearly indicate the car's performance orientation.

Completing the package are 19-inch five double-spoke alloys that house red calipered Brembos. The white color of our test car is not the most flattering; we've seen the Coupe in red and blue on the roads, which look much better.

That said, I am eager to see if this car has the performance to match its impressive appearance.

Interior Space and Comfort

Upon opening the long driver’s door, you are welcomed by an attractive two-tone interior. The dashboard, steering wheel, and tops of the doors feature black soft-touch plastics, while the seats and center armrests are clad in red, creating an inviting atmosphere. The semi-leather seats are visually appealing but offer only average comfort and below-average support for tight cornering. The real issue is that the seats do not drop low enough to provide a proper legs-out driving position, likely due to the driver's seat being electric, while the passenger seat achieves a nice low position.

Interior Finishing and Technology

The materials used are average, which is why Hyundai still struggles to match its rivals. Many hard, scratchy plastics are distributed throughout the cabin. The unnecessary acceleration percentage, torque, and oil temperature dials on the center console detract from the experience. At no point did I care to know what percentage of the accelerator pedal I had left to depress. If they wanted to emulate the Veyron and show how much torque is still in reserve, it should be placed in the driver's line of sight on the dashboard, not low by the gear lever.

The steering wheel, intended for a performance model, feels uninspired, resembling those found in ordinary saloons from the Korean company. Although the dials are bright and easy to read, options are limited, and a small screen with a light blue background is nearly illegible in daylight. The sound system is decent, but radio reception is subpar. The illuminated sill plates with ‘GENESIS’ glowing as you open the door add a nice touch to the overall quality.

Overall, Hyundai could have done more to distinguish its performance model by incorporating special touches.

Drive Performance

Push the start button beside the steering column, and the 3.8-liter V6 rumbles to life. With 300bhp and 400Nm of torque, the car is easy to drive around town. The steering feels heavy, requiring some shoulder strength at low speeds, but otherwise, the throttle is not overly sensitive, and the brakes are progressive. This fulfills the mini-GT tag by being a practical car, until you try to fit passengers in the back. The rear legroom is not the issue; rather, it’s the headroom, which is abysmal—only children under 5 feet tall could fit back there.

Fuel Consumption

While driving, one may wonder about the accuracy of the claimed power figures. The engine pulls adequately from low RPMs but never feels particularly powerful. Coupled with an 8-speed transmission that shifts up at the earliest opportunity, excitement is somewhat lacking. The benefit of those ratios is improved fuel efficiency over the previous model. Highway driving can achieve 8-10 liters/100 km, but average consumption tends to be about 12-13 liters/100 km when considering city driving.

Suspension

The suspension is on the firm side and can feel crashy over uneven surfaces, likely due to the large, heavy-looking rims. However, it remains forgiving enough for regular use, allowing for comfortable highway cruising. The car does not ride too low, enabling it to navigate most speed bumps without fear of scraping.

The Genesis Coupe may not win any awards, but it performs its duties in an unoffensive manner.

Power and Acceleration

Referring to the Genesis Coupe as a sports car is somewhat misleading. It is fast—300bhp and 400Nm of torque allow it to reach 100 km/h in just under 6 seconds—but it lacks the precision typically associated with sports cars. While the UAE model retains the previous engine, other regions receive an upgraded version of the V6 with 348bhp, which would certainly enhance performance.

Transmission

The power delivery can feel peaky, with horsepower and torque building up at the upper end of the rev range. This makes the 8-speed automatic transmission a challenge, as it often requires dropping 4 or even 5 gears when you press the accelerator, leading to frustration. A manual transmission would have been preferable; with 8 gears, the car constantly searches for the right one, shifting up at every opportunity.

The Genesis Coupe feels heavy, whether accelerating or cornering. The steering lacks consistent feedback, varying between heavy and light as you turn the wheel.

Handling

High-speed cornering often results in understeer, largely due to the car's weight. However, being rear-wheel drive allows for some excitement if you accelerate hard, although traction control cuts in sharply, dampening the fun. While Hyundai claims to offer a limited-slip differential, its effectiveness is questionable. The fat tires provide sufficient lateral grip, but once physics takes over, there is limited chassis finesse to rely on. The Brembo brakes, while visually appealing, deliver average stopping power, requiring a firm push to bring the car to a halt from highway speeds.

The upside is that you can easily wear out rear tires if you turn off traction control; those rear wheels will spin every time you press the accelerator. Opt for a manual if available, and you’ll have a drift racer straight from the showroom. While it may not be the most mature driving style, it certainly adds to the fun.

Verdict

In summary, let's dispel any misconceptions: the Genesis Coupe is not a sports car. It is a fast coupe—akin to a boxer who didn't quite make it, strong but a bit out of shape. This allows us to dismiss the Toyota 86 and Nissan 370Z as direct competitors to this heavier Korean model.

This is a handsome coupe with a robust engine suitable for everyday use and spirited driving when the mood strikes. It serves as a rear-wheel-drive alternative to the Renault Laguna Coupe, Honda Accord Coupe, and Nissan Altima Coupe. While the Genesis Coupe may not boast the best materials, its competitive pricing makes it a promising contender for those in the market for a coupe at this price point.