Vehicle Overview
Positioned as an affordable sports car, the rear-wheel-drive Genesis coupe is in a price class with the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Nissan 370Z. Like Hyundai’s upscale Genesis sedan, however, Hyundai hopes the four-seat coupe will go toe-to-toe with the Infiniti G37 coupe, one of the benchmarks used during the car’s development.
The coupe comes in two basic models, each named for its 2.0- and 3.8-liter engines, 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 3.8 R-Spec, the 3.8 Grand Touring and 3.8 Track.
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The tuner-focused R-Spec models have the operative Track components and lower prices but fewer features.
New for 2012
There are no significant changes for the 2012 model year.
Exterior
The coupe has sleek lines, and the projector-beam headlights flank a small upper grille that’s marked with the Hyundai badge, unlike the Genesis 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-brand brake calipers (R-Spec, Track)
Interior
The Genesis coupe has “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 Genesis 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 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that generates 210 horsepower. A 306-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 is available. Hyundai claims a zero-to-60-mph time of less than 6 seconds. Mechanical features include:
- Standard six-speed manual transmission
- Available five- or six-speed automatic with steering-wheel shift paddles
- Four-wheel independent suspension
- Available track-tuned suspension
Safety
Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes are standard, and the Track replaces the lesser trim levels’ single-piston brake calipers with four-piston Brembo-brand calipers and larger rotors. Rear parking sensors are optional. Standard safety features include:
- Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist
- Electronic stability system
- Side-impact airbags for the front seats
- Side curtain airbags
- Active front seat head restraints
