Weekly Top 3: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe -- A G37 In Korean Clothing
I hadn't done my research on the new 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track before nabbing the keys for the weekend, so I didn't know that Hyundai had benchmarked Infiniti's G35/37 coupe. Then I pressed the ignition button, and suddenly my ears were filled with the unmistakable quasi-exotic baritone bark that any enthusiast would recognize as the G coupe's exhaust note. Hyundai really sweated the details on this one: in addition to the dead-ringer soundtrack, the Genesis Coupe drives eerily like the G in most respects, and it does it for thousands less. Not to be outdone, this week's WT3 post will be eerily like its predecessors -- three random observations about the Genesis Coupe, coming right up.
It's called "Genesis Coupe." And here's why that's a problem: the Genesis Coupe is absolutely nothing like the Genesis sedan, other than being a really good car. The Coupe is pretty serious about performance; the sedan is a cushy luxobarge. The Coupe competes with frisky rear-wheel-drive sporty things; the sedan is trying to be a low-budget Lexus (quite successfully, I might add).
Save for the largely shared 3.8-liter V6 -- it's been tarted up a bit for Coupe duty -- these are wildly different vehicles. Also, there's the uncomfortable fact that the turbocharged four-banger Coupe starts under $23,000; what's that going to do for the much more expensive sedan's brand equity?
It's got decent steering. Noteworthy because I had never before driven a Hyundai of which this could be said with a straight face. In fact, I actually coined the phrase "Hyundai steering" for use around the office -- inspired by pretty much every pre-Coupe Hyundai I can remember, it's shorthand for completely lifeless, overboosted steering with a spooky on-center dead spot and pronounced yaw delay (i.e., the lag time between input and response). I don't know if it was all that seat time in the sharp-steering Infiniti or what, but Hyundai's engineers clearly, erm, reinvented the wheel for the Coupe. If the Genesis sedan had steering remotely like this -- responsive, adequately weighty, a tad numb but still plenty accurate -- I'd like it even more.
It's the real deal.
If the Genesis Coupe were a Honda, people would be wondering what happened to Honda's manual-shifter wizardry (the Coupe's shifter is a little rubbery and ropy for my taste), and they might grouse about how Honda engines used to sound a little smoother near redline (though recent Honda/Acura V6s have not been particularly impressive in this regard). But otherwise, they'd be gaga over Honda's new performance coupe -- "Honda Beats Infiniti At Its Own Game!" the headlines would howl. Of course, the Genesis Coupe is in fact a Hyundai, which means there are still going to be lingering negative associations in some buyers' minds. But it's products like this that will make people forget about Hyundai's shaky stateside beginnings once and for all. The 2010 Genesis Coupe really is that good.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor
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- Josh Sadlier February 27, 2009, 3:00 AM
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I pre-emptively love this car... if it weren't for my horse-sized dog I'd be at the dealer bugging them to drive one. It's a real looker, better than the G37 IMO.
I've also wondered about the Genesis name, being that it is so different from the sedan. Maybe "Genesis" will be a new brand name a la Lexus and Scion?
Hey Josh, can you tell us if you guys are planning to delve into the 2.0t version of the Genesis Coupe at some point? Maybe a comparo between it and the Civic Si coupe, and the GTI coupe? I know those aren't rear wheel drive but they are all close in price.
I'm very interested in seeing some detailed observations from you guys on the base model coupe. Thanks.
@crowb,
We're getting a four-cylinder Genesis Coupe in pretty soon, so stay tuned for our impressions. I'm interested too. If it's got the same interior and overall feel as the 3.8, it'll be a serious bargain. Not a bad idea on the comparo either.
-JS
It does look better than the Infiniti.
Can't wait for more comparisons and write-ups on these new Hyundais.
Thanks, Josh. Looking forward to all the forthcoming info.
This Hyundai is impressive looking, and I am really excited to read about the 2.0T. The face on the Genesis is a little out there for me. I bet some aftermarket pieces could really clean that up. This car has good potential to look much more expensive than it is.
I find it quite humorous that Hyundai is doing the exact same thing to Infiniti that Infiniti did to BMW. Create a similar car for thousands less. Hyundai could steal Infiniti's playbook, and just tell the public you are getting 90% of the car for thousands less.
I don't know how the Hyundai's interior will stack up, but I don't think the difference will be worth the 6-10k difference.