Vehicle Tested
2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec (3.8L V6 6-speed Manual)
Driven On
2/21/2012
Ratings Summary
Hyundai has proven with its Genesis Coupe that it can produce a truly capable sports car. The V6 model has gobs of power, and all versions come with plenty of standard features, making this a lot of car for the money. It just lacks comfort versus some competitors. And personality.
B
Performance
This is a performance machine, and its numbers, which are competitive with other sport coupes, back that up. Things like 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. Lateral grip of 0.89g. And a 67.4-mph slalom time. All rather impressive.
| Acceleration |
A
|
With 0-60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, the Genesis Coupe V6 is quick. Has nice, linear power all the way to redline. The six-speed manual has long but positive throws. |
| Braking |
B
|
Decent brakes, but not awesome, especially considering the R-Spec's summer performance tires. Pedal could be firmer, but no fade or loss of power during our panic-stop tests. |
| Steering |
B
|
Steering is precise but the weighting is on the light side for a performance machine. |
| Handling |
A
|
A slightly loose rear end makes handling a bit twitchy at the car's limit, but there's good grip here. The Genesis Coupe can fly up a canyon road with aggression. |
| Driveability |
B
|
Throttle calibration isn't perfectly precise, and the clutch takeup point isn't intuitive. But, the clutch and shifter both have a light action. |
C
Comfort
You don't buy a sport coupe like this one (specially with low-profile 19-inch tires) for cushy comfort. Which is fortunate, because this Hyundai is on the harsh side, even for sport coupes. The tradeoff is exhilarating handling.
| Seating Comfort |
C
|
The front seats have good lateral support but are fairly hard. You won't want to spend all day in these buckets. It's just a two-seater in the rear, with very limited headroom. |
| Ride Comfort |
C
|
The ride is pretty harsh, which you can blame largely on 19-inch wheels and tires and the stiff suspension of the performance-oriented R-Spec package. |
| Quietness |
C
|
The engine isn't overly loud, but the exhaust does have a burly V6 note. Wind noise is minimal, but there's a definite thrum and occasional boominess from the tires. |
B
Interior
There's no doubt from the Hyundai's interior that the Genesis Coupe is an entry-level sports machine. There's nothing real fancy going on here, but also nothing particularly wrong. Materials could be better, but it looks nice and it works.
| Ergonomics |
A
|
The gauges are easy to read. Climate control is a simple knob layout, and it works. Power mirror controls are in a logical, high position. Excellent driving position. |
| Ingress/Egress |
B
|
Easy to get in and out of the front seats. The front passenger seatback folds/moves forward with the touch of a lever. Still, it's difficult for an adult to get in back. |
| Space/Room |
B
|
Excellent headroom up front, especially considering this is a sport coupe. Good elbow room, too. Rear seat is cramped and adults will find their heads jammed into the ceiling. |
| Visibility |
C
|
The A- and B-pillars are fairly narrow, but the thick, upswept C-pillars give some blind spots. And this car doesn't have parking sensors or a backup camera. |
| Cargo/Storage |
C
|
Door pockets are reasonably large but feel cheap. Average-size armrest bin, no front bin. Cupholders have slippery surface. Average trunk room, but rear seats do fold down. |
A
Value
There's some good value here. We're talking about a sub-$30,000 sport coupe with serious performance. The interior isn't fantastic and the ride is a bit harsh with the 19-inch wheels, but there's a lot of car here for the money.
| Build Quality (vs. $) |
B
|
This is a well-put-together car. Tight panel gaps, nice stitching on the leather. A mix of soft-touch textures but also some cheap-feeling plastics. But very good for the price. |
| Features(vs. $) |
B
|
The R-Spec comes with things like Bluetooth, iPod controls and a limited-slip differential. But it's missing niceties like a backup camera and front/rear parking sonar. |
| Cost |
A
|
Pricing for the 2.0T model starts at $24,250, while V6s start at $28,750 for the 3.8 R-Spec, like our test car. With 348 horsepower, this is a lot of car for the money. |
| MPG |
C
|
The EPA rated the Genesis Coupe V6 R-Spec at 18 city/27 highway/21 combined mpg. We averaged 17.2 mpg in varied driving. |
| Warranty |
A
|
The Genesis Coupe has a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty plus 10 years/100,000 miles for the drivetrain. No competitor even comes close to Hyundai's drivetrain warranty. |
| Ownership |
B
|
All Hyundais come with complimentary roadside assistance for 5 years. The Scion FR-S comes with free maintenance for 2 years/25,000 miles, while the Hyundai does not. |
B
Fun To Drive
This is a fun car to drive, especially if you like a thrilling run on a twisty two-lane ribbon of asphalt. The V6 engine provides more than enough power and the handling makes for big grins. Commuting is another story.
| Driving Experience |
B
|
The around-town experience is marred by a harsh ride. The Genesis Coupe is at its best when driven with vigor, when its sporting abilities can show through. |
| Personality |
B
|
This is an area where the Hyundai suffers. It's not just the V6's lack of a melodic sound. But there's nothing particularly soul-stirring about the way the Genesis Coupe operates. |
