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DRIVEN: Genesis Coupe Reveals Sporty Character
Hyundai's latest boosts image with value-packed, fun-to-drive sports coupe at modest price.
Bob Golfen  |  Posted December 08, 2009   Phoenix, AZ
Hyundai Genesis Coupe boasts style and performance that goes beyond its modest price tag. (Photo: Hyundai)
Hyundai caps a banner year for sales and market share with the sporty Genesis Coupe, once again hitting the mark with a new kind of affordable yet brilliant driver’s car.

With its expressive styling and taut drivability, the rear-drive Genesis Coupe steps out from the pack as a true sports coupe that competes with those costing many thousands more.

The Coupe is quite a different animal from its namesake Genesis sedan, a roomy luxury ride that also vies against much-more expensive cars from the established luxury brands.

The Coupe is built on a shorter wheelbase and with tighter suspension, quicker steering and stronger brakes, targeting performance rather than upscale amenities.

Genesis Coupe's head-turning styling looks good from every angle. (Photo: Hyundai)
Pricing starts at just $23,000 for the base Coupe powered by a 2-liter, 210-horsepower turbo four. Next up is a 306-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6, with pricing topped out at a fully equipped Track version like the one that I tested for $31,000.

This is a clean slate for Hyundai, and I didn’t really know what to expect from the Genesis Coupe. I’ve been disappointed by plenty of sporty-looking poseurs over the years, but I’d heard good things about the new Hyundai and my expectations were running high.

Happily, the Track-version Coupe that I drove turned in a fine performance, displaying the kind of power, balance and handling that one might expect from a pricey German car, but not from a lowly Hyundai. Did I say lowly? Scratch that. Hyundai is on a roll.

During 2009, when nearly every automaker doing business in the United States has been suffering, Hyundai and its captive Kia brand have scored significant gains due to smart marketing and value-packed products.

Hyundai reached its best U.S. market share ever during 2009 at 4.2 percent, compared with about three percent a year earlier, that raised it to sixth largest automaker in U.S. sales. Its cars and SUVs have been winning prestigious awards and scoring high marks for reliability.

Quite a difference from 23 years ago when Hyundai first entered the U.S. market with a lineup of low-priced compact cars that rattled apart in short order. Hyundai has shed its tarnished reputation and now stands with the best brands in quality and consistency.

Still, those who stopped to admire the Genesis Coupe were universally surprised that such a cool little sport coupe could come from the South Korean brand.

Hyundai continues to push the envelope with its Genesis lineup, and evolving from a maker of budget vehicles to one that emphasizes style, luxury and performance as well as value.

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