2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Overview
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
Safety
Standard safety features include:
- All-disc antilock brakes with brake assist
- Electronic stability system
- Side-impact airbags for the front seats
- Side curtain airbags
- Active front head restraints
2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
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.
The tuner-focused R-Spec models have the operative Track components and lower prices but fewer features.
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:
An options-free GLS sedan comes sparsely equipped, lacking air conditioning, power windows or a radio. All three are optional. 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