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2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track A/T Review By John Heilig


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2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track


THE AUTO PAGE
By John Heilig

Model: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track A/T

Engine: 3.8-liter Turbocharged V6

Horsepower/Torque: 348 hp @ 6,400 rpm/295 lb.-ft. @ 5,100 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic with Paddle Shift

Wheelbase: 111.0 in.

Length x Width x Height: 182.3 x 73.4 x 54.5 in.

Tires: P245/40YR19 (R)/ P225/40YR19 (F)

Cargo: 10.0 cu.ft.

Economy: 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/24.1 mpg test

Fuel capacity: 17.2 gal.

Curb Weight: 3,437-3,562 lb.

Sticker: $35,290 (includes $895 inland freight, $145 options (carpeted floor mats, iPod cable))

The Bottom Line: There’s no question that the Hyundai Genesis Coupe ranks among the better sports coupes around. It has power, very good handling and great looks, all at a reasonable price.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe creates a great first impression, but then it’s a Hyundai, and in my mind ALL Hyundais create great first impressions. True, the Gran Premio Gray exterior color didn’t exactly turn me on, but you learn to take the bad with the good.

The good becomes apparent as soon as you push the start/stop button and crank up the twin turbo V6. There’s a nice throaty exhaust note that’s apparent even from inside the vehicle.

Shift into drive (yes, it’s an 8-speed automatic transmission, but you can use the paddle shifters when the road gets interesting) and the Genesis takes off with alacrity. Take that first corner gingerly, because you never know, but subsequent corners you can take at greater and greater speeds because you can trust the suspension.

That suspension is firm for handling. You tend to feel most of the unevenness in the road. It isn’t a harsh suspension that can make you uncomfortable; it’s just good for spirited driving.

The paddle shifters behind the steering wheel have a nice feel to them. It seemed odd at first to go beyond “5” or “6” when shifting.

Steering is precise, which is a requirement for a sports coupe. Not only did we travel over winding roads, but we maneuvered through some parking lots that had tight spaces.

The front seats are very comfortable with very good side support. The bolsters tend to hold you in place when you get into that spirited driving mode. They’re also heated. In between the front seats is a nice center console/arm rest that is well located.

That’s a feature that we have noticed in most Hyundai vehicles; the controls and things you tend to use are where you expect them to be.

I liked the fact that the front seat belts have “presenters,” so you don’t have to be a contortionist reaching back to find the belts.

As expected, the rear seats have tight knee room, but they are useful. After all, there IS knee room, something some sport coupes don’t have.

Instruments are fairly standard, except the tachometer is on the right and the speedometer on the left. Most vehicles have them reversed. There’s an information panel between the two major gauges. It did indicate that we had very good fuel economy on the few long runs we took. My one complaint was that the fuel gauge was hard to read, especially when you’re wearing sunglasses.

Three accessory gauges in the center stack supply information on instant mpg, torque (essentially turbo boost) and oil temperature. There’s a USB connection in a cubby at the base of the center stack. The audio system is very good, with the standard assortment of AM/FM/XM and Media.

Since we traveled over known roads we didn’t need to use the navigation system, but programming it for destinations was easy and intuitive.

I was impressed by the volume of the trunk. It held one golf bag without having to fold the backs of the rear seats, and probably could have held another.

Overall, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a fun car to drive. It isn’t so overpowered that you feel intimidated, yet there’s enough power to do almost anything you want to do. Handling is near sports car good and the economy is great.

© 2013 The Auto Page