2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: What's New

Vehicle Overview

A year after rocking the U.S. with its Genesis luxury sedan (Cars.com’s 2009 Car of the Year), Hyundai launched a sport coupe of the same name for 2010. Though the cars seem utterly different in character, they share a rear-wheel-drive platform and an engine. Positioned as an affordable sports car, the Genesis coupe is in a price class with the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Nissan 370Z. Like the luxurious Genesis sedan, however, Hyundai hopes it will go toe-to-toe with the Infiniti G37 coupe, one of the benchmarks used during the new car’s development.

The coupe comes in two basic models, each named for its 2.0- and 3.8-liter engine, in three trim levels apiece. The base turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is the 2.0T, and there are pricier 2.0T Premium and 2.0T R-Spec versions. Models with the 3.8-liter V-6 are the new-for-2011 3.8 R-Spec, the 3.8 Grand Touring and 3.8 Track.
 
The tuner-focused R-Spec models have the operative Track components and lower prices but fewer features.

New for 2011
Hyundai has added an R-Spec model with the 3.8-liter V-6 and eliminated last year’s base V-6 model. A navigation system and automatic climate control are now standard on the 2.0T Premium, and the interiors on all models have new materials and softer leather for the steering wheel.

Exterior
Onlookers might mistake the Genesis coupe for another model — but likely not the Genesis sedan. The coupe has sleek lines, and the projector-beam headlights flank a small upper grille that’s marked with the Hyundai badge, unlike the sedan. Exterior features include:

• Standard 18-inch alloy wheels
• 19-inch alloy wheels (R-Spec, Track)
• Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights (3.8 Track)
• Red Brembo brake calipers (R-Spec, Track)

Interior
The Genesis coupe has a “2+2” seating, which means two front seats and two small rear seats that are best left for children or parcels. Though it’s not as luxurious as the sedan, the Genesis coupe has comparable blue-backlit gauges, pleasant materials and upscale touches, like a leather-wrapped shift knob and a steering wheel with audio and cruise-control buttons. Interior features include:

• Standard remote keyless entry
• Standard Bluetooth, iPod connectivity
• Available leather upholstery
• Available automatic climate control
• Available touch-screen navigation system

Under the Hood
The Genesis coupe’s base engine, not offered on the sedan, is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that generates 210 horsepower. The upgraded engine is a version of the sedan’s base 3.8-liter V-6, but tuned for higher output: 306 hp vs. 290 hp. Hyundai claims a zero to  60 mph time of less than 6 seconds.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard on all models except the 2.0 Premium and 3.8 Grand Touring and your only choice on R-Spec models. A five-speed automatic is standard on the 2.0 Premium and optional for the 2.0T. A six-speed automatic is standard on the Grand Touring and optional for the 3.8 Track. Both automatics include steering-wheel shift paddles.

The four-wheel independent suspension employs stabilizer bars, front and rear. The Track model has larger bars, along with firmer springs and shock absorbers. Mechanical features include:

• 210-horsep, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
• 306-hp, 3.8-liter V-6

Safety
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard, and the Track replaces the lesser trim levels’ single-piston brake calipers with four-piston Brembo-brand calipers and larger rotors. A sonar backup warning system is optional.

Standard safety features include:

• Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist
• Electronic stability system
• Side-impact airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Active front-seat head restraints