Just In: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Hyundai has made great strides in the last few years. Cars like the Azera, Elantra, Sonata, and Santa Fe consistently exhibit all-around competence. (Follow links for ratings and road tests.) Even in the very competitive upscale sedan segment, the Genesis luxury sedan manages to impress; it scores very highly in our tests.

But there is one nut that Hyundai hasn’t cracked yet: building a car that is fun to drive. Previously tested Hyundais lack the steering feel and agility that makes a car truly entertaining.

Enter the Genesis Coupe. Based loosely on the Genesis sedan’s architecture, the Coupe aims at a wide range of sports car competitors – everything from pony cars like the Mustang/Camaro/Challenger (See muscle car showdown video) to upscale luxury sports coupes such as the Infiniti G37. We bought a Grand Touring V6 with the six-speed manual transmission; well-equipped, our car listed at $28,375.

First impressions: the 3.8-liter V6 revs freely, pulls strong, and sounds great. The steering is better-weighted than the light Hyundai norm and gives good feedback. Visibility is relatively generous for a sports coupe. But complaints are universal among the staff about the high-effort bulky clutch and awkward shifter that together makes the car hard to drive and shift smoothly. (Some wrote that the automatic would be less frustrating--a big concession for a traditional sports coupe.) The stiff ride makes us happy we didn’t buy the even-more-tightly-suspended Track version.

We’ll see how the Genesis coupe stacks up against its competition in our upcoming tests.

—Tom Mutchler, photo by Mike Leung

Comments

[ConceptVBS]

Make sure to change out the transmission oil to a better quality one. It will improve the shift feel quite a lot.

[Jason]

If you plan to test this car as a true sports car competitive to Camaro SS, Mustang GT, 370Z, G37 etc, you should have bought a Track version. Although I didn't think its clutch was "bulky" by any means during a test drive, this is subject to personal preferences, IMO.
Looking forward to reading your review!

[w steinhauer]

Camaro SS or Mustang are true sports cars ??? Please!!!

[Keith Willis]

I've driven the Grand touring and the Track Model, I'm thinking you should have people test sporting cars who actually enjoy them. The grand touring model is for those who want a sporty looking, quick car but don't really care about or understand the finer points of driving a performance car. The comment about the automatic being a better choice simply reinforces this. Yes the 6 Speed manual is quirky but after a few runs a real driver adjusts to it and can make the shifts just fine. Bulky clutch? It's stiff, as the clutch in a car in this class should be. Any one who believes the Grand Touring with an automatic is a better choice than a Track with a clutch should be driving an Altima Coupe or a Solara. So far as a comparison test goes Can I suggest $30,000.00 + Shipping as a maximum price point.

[David Moles]

Any plans to review the Altima coupe, or the Accord? Or the 370Z, for that matter?

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

We do not have plans to test an Accord or Altima coupe in the near future. However, we are currently testing the Nissan 370Z, along with several other sporty coupes.
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/04/just-in-nissan-370z.html

[coolcar]

clearly Hyundai's best effort yet at a sporty coupe. :)

[Chris R. Vassas]

Purchased 2010 genesis coupe--HID headlights are terrible.....visibility at night is extremely poor. In my opinion unsafe to drive on dark roads. I consider the genesis coupe the best daytime car ever made....

[david]

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is truly a world-class automobile for value, safety, style, comfort and performance. This car took my breath away and all I can say is, “Have you driven a Genesis Coupe Lately”? I have no regrets for trading my 2005 Mercedes Benz E350 for the Genesis Coupe.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe

[Auto chart]

I also find the choice of the Genesis name curious for this sports car
Whatever – I like the car, and I like what it says about Hyundai. I’d like to see a try at a real sports car from the other Korean companies.

[E.V.]

I test drove a Genesis Coupe GT yesterday. Altough I liked the car, there was this feeling that something was missing. It wasn't as fun to drive as I tought it would be. They need more refinement on this car. It is good enough for most people but not a true sports car yet. The ride at around 75 mph was a bit shaky, maybe a flat spot on the tires since these cars are on the lot for several days before a test drive. I hope they address some of the issues for the 2nd generation genesis. If they finish polishing some of the details then I will consider geting me one.

[TG]

I own a Genesis Coupe and am not pleased at all with the car and the service from Hyundai. There is a lot of fit and finish issues with the car especially the hood. It does not fit properly on the car and bounces under most speeds. Hyundai has refused to fix the issue so far. Most Genesis Coupe owners are complaining but it is falling on deaf ears. A lot people are complain of manual transmission issues after only a few thousand miles. Some requiring total replacement. I caution all current or potential owners to look closely at the hood..around the drivers side headlight.