Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T

[Bob_Defly]

I was gonna post this in the Hyundai section, but I couldn't find it!

Anyway I know this car isn't in the UK yet but I thought you might like to read my review and see the pics anyway. Like the 2011 Sonata probably will be, the Genesis Coupe has been very well received over in North America.

Hyundai 2011 Sonata

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

I moved to Canada from the UK about 2 years ago. I've only had the car a week or two now and and very impressed to say the least. Coming from the cars in my past (MR2, BMW Z4, Lotus Exige) I was fully expecting to be slightly underwhelmed by the GC. I sat in one last year at the Toronto Auto Show, then test drove a 300bhp V6 a while later, it was quick, slightly out of my price range, but it had me hooked nonetheless.

After drawing up my list of sensible practical family cars (to join our current Mitsu' Outlander) I included it alongside the standard Civic, Lancer, Golf etc. But after driving some of the competition and weighing up the whole RWD thing I came to the only sensible conclusion, GC wins.

The deal I got from Alpine Hyundai in Kitchener was awesome, and their service seems great to, I look forward to dealing with them for a long time to come. It came to $23K before taxes, no idea what that is in pounds anymore, but the spec list is incredible for the price!

On the car itself: The handling is fantastic, the torque can easily push out the back end when the TC is switched off, and it's very predictable too. The cabin is very well spec'd for the price, iPod integration, Bluetooth, XM Satellite radio, steering wheel controls, it is so far ahead of the competition in this respect.

I remember commenting to my friend when we drove the V6 that the driving position was perfect, exactly like the Z4, my wife has since said the exact same thing!

The clutch can be a bit juddery when really cold as the biting point is very low and the pedal travels about twice what it needs to, but this doesn't bother me too much. I haven't driven a manual for two years so it may just be me acclimatising to a clutch again and getting used to a new biting point.

In time I think I will add larger wheels, more power, better brakes and an uprated clutch, but I am certainly very happy with the performance out of the box, this is one amazing car for the money.

So some pics... (it was -8C when I took these today, froze my nuts off!)

Yes they fit in the back, who needs a frickin' people carrier!


Some snow


Front Qtr


Rear Portrait


Black & White


Rear


Dash


Far


Logo


Rear Light


Rear 3 Qtr


Front Light


Front

Edited by Bob_Defly on Sunday 7th March 12:57

[marcosgt]

Great photos.

M.

[Bob_Defly]

Thanks Mark, fixed that last pic.

[EDLT]

$23,000 is £14,700. So roughly the same price as a Mini Cooper, I need to emigrate.

[Olivera]

Nice, far better than the joke of a Hyundai Coupe we get here.

[Qwex]

I do like this car. Fantastic photos .

[Bob_Defly]

EDLT said:

$23,000 is £14,700. So roughly the same price as a Mini Cooper, I need to emigrate.

I know, RWD, 210bhp, easily tunable detuned Mitsu Evo engine, very well made, plus a budget price. What's not to like!

For $23K (although taxes add $3K and delivery PDI is $1K so $27K all in when comparing to the UK), the base model spec list is:

RWD
210bhp/223 lb-ft tq
6spd Manual
Fog Lights
Tinted Glass
Body Coloured Heated Mirrors
Outside Temp Display
Air-con
XM/MP3/iPod integrated Audio System
Bluetooth Integration
Two 12v Outlets
Cloth Seats
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Active Head Restraints
ABS
ESC
TCS with One Push Defeat
Front/Seat Mounted/Side Curtain Airbags
Dual Chrome Exhausts
Steering Wheel Controls for Audio/Cruise/Bluetooth
18" Alloys



I am back in driving heaven, yay!

[Chris71]

IIRC the Genesis is coming to the UK shortly. Should be good - will keep the likes of the 370Z on its toes.

[Chris_w666]

How much would one of those be in the UK though? Cracking looking car and enough power for most situations even without tuning, but based on the Canadian price it would be 20k + and given Hyundai's lack of kudos in the UK market depreciation on new ones could be eyewatering.

[Blue Meanie]

The Genesis is a lovely car. very nice looking in the flesh. It is designed to be a rival to the G37, 3-series, etc, and in my mind it is doing a great job.

[Motorrad]

It's a great car, test drove one when I was looking to spend $30K US on something and only passed because I got a V8 Mustang with some tasty options for 2k less than the Genesis V6.


edit to add: the 2.0T shares a basic engine design with the Mitsubishi Evo doesn't it? When I was looking into buying one I was considering the 2.0 Track and tuning upto 300bhp plus.

Edited by Motorrad on Sunday 7th March 14:21

[Bob_Defly]

Yeah I had the new V6 (300bhp) Mustang on the list too as that is also a lot of car for the money, but all the domestic manufacturers (North America) have ridiculous finance rates. The Japanese and Koreans can still offer in the 0%-3% range, Ford, GM et al are all up at 7%+. The banks won't even go near them for leasing.

[Wacky Racer]

Olivera said:

Nice, far better than the joke of a Hyundai Coupe we get here.

Have you driven one?

(serious question)

[m4tt]

That's very nice, not seen one before. Would seriously consider one when they reach the UK.

[TotalControl]

That is very good value for money! Especially with that Mitshu engine it should be a good drive. Looking forward to seeing these around as they are very pretty cars.

[Motorrad]

Bob_Defly said:

Yeah I had the new V6 (300bhp) Mustang on the list too as that is also a lot of car for the money, but all the domestic manufacturers (North America) have ridiculous finance rates. The Japanese and Koreans can still offer in the 0%-3% range, Ford, GM et al are all up at 7%+. The banks won't even go near them for leasing.

Ford here in Texas gave me 0% which is the only reason I'm not in a Genesis or a $21K MKVI Golf GTi.

I guess Canada is a different story.

You got a great car though which makes all the Hyundai jokes redundant.

[Bob_Defly]

Motorrad said:

Bob_Defly said:

Yeah I had the new V6 (300bhp) Mustang on the list too as that is also a lot of car for the money, but all the domestic manufacturers (North America) have ridiculous finance rates. The Japanese and Koreans can still offer in the 0%-3% range, Ford, GM et al are all up at 7%+. The banks won't even go near them for leasing.

Ford here in Texas gave me 0% which is the only reason I'm not in a Genesis or a $21K MKVI Golf GTi.

I guess Canada is a different story.

You got a great car though which makes all the Hyundai jokes redundant.

Wow you can get 0% down there! I've no idea why they don't do it here, not only is it finance so much lower risk than leasing, but also Ford are doing much better than the other two, and didn't even take the handout.

At some point I will upgrade to a red GT500 with white stripes!

[XJSJohn]

They have just started selling them here (or at least have started seeing them on the roads) and TBH they do look like a very nice car with, i am sure, great tuning potential.

People just have to get past the whole badge thing!

Great review adn pictures BTW

[Nash_wrx]

Never been a big fan of Hyundai, but that is actually nice.

[Blue Meanie]

Hyundais are getting a pretty good repuation over here. The new Sonata is as good a buy as an accord, and the coupe is a very nice buy, certainly better than the Pontiac G6, and on par, I think, with the G37, 3 series, as I said earlier. They also do the stonking 10 year warranty. You really can't argue with that.