Hyundai has made a host of midcycle updates to its rear-wheel-drive Genesis coupe sports car. The base turbocharged four-cylinder engine receives a significant horsepower increase, and the car’s front-end styling has been heavily revised. The four-seat 2013 Genesis coupe competes against sports cars as divergent as the Ford Mustang and Honda Civic Si.
Exterior As face-lifts go, the 2013 Genesis coupe’s is more substantial than most. The result is a fresh look that works well with the rest of the design, which is largely unchanged.
The sports car’s grille has always looked a little small, but for 2013 it’s gigantic, mimicking the shape of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid’s grille. The gaping hexagon, combined with new headlights and fog lights, makes the car look more menacing. That’ll likely appeal to sports car enthusiasts, though they might despise the faux vents on the restyled hood. Additional exterior features include:
Newly designed 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels
LED taillights
Available xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
Available LED daytime running lights
Interior The Genesis coupe’s cabin looks much the same as before but Hyundai has revised the center control panel, adding supplementary gauges including oil temperature and gas mileage, above the climate controls.
The stitched dashboard is another problem. This was once a luxury-car detail — usually in conjunction with a leather-wrapped dash — but the Genesis coupe’s stitching punctures a traditional urethane dashboard. Additional interior features include:
Electroluminescent gauges
Front sport seats
New walk-in feature for driver-side rear passenger
Additional low-gloss trim
USB input for iPod or flash drive connectivity
Available heated front seats
Available Infinity premium audio
Available subscription-based Blue Link communications service (90-day trial included)
Under the Hood Both the standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the available 3.8-liter V-6 engine make more horsepower for the 2013 model year. A new twin-scroll turbocharger and a larger intercooler help bump the four-cylinder’s output to 274 hp and 275 pounds-feet of torque. The V-6 now features direct injection and is rated at 348 hp and 295 pounds-feet of torque. These ratings were achieved using premium gas. Additional mechanical features include:
Six-speed manual transmission available for both engines
Eight-speed automatic with shift paddles available for both engines
Suspension revisions include new spring and damper rates
