The four cylinder unit is very responsive coming out of a light, and the turbo works nicely to increase responsiveness when cruising at a good highway clip too. It's not a high-boost application, and Genesis 2.0T runs just fine on regular unleaded. Watch your right foot, as it can get thirsty when pushed.
Unfortunately, the engine is no pinnacle of refinement. It sounds a little uninspired, and can get noisy when pushed. Overall though, it's fun to put through its paces.
Q: Is that rear-wheel drive?
A: Yes! If you're looking for an affordable rear-drive sport compact with a back seat, it's one of your only options.
Many folks were waiting for somebody to build this car, and Hyundai got to it first. It's cheap, quick, sexy and rear wheel drive. Think of it as the Nissan 240sx reincarnated as a Korean.
Rear-drive is a novelty in this market as much as it's a very real criteria for some shoppers. It has benefits in handling and performance potential. Plus, your friends with Civics and Cobalts will secretly be jealous that your car can drift-- like in those YouTube videos.
Q: What's the interior like?
A: Hyundai's created a genuine coupe cockpit in here. It's nice to look at, driver-centric without being crowded, and surprisingly roomy. The wide body and thoughtfully designed door panels mean plenty of knee and shoulder room, and the back seats can actually be used by human beings.
Most of the right materials are used, and the tester had comfy leather seats, a CD-changer, a sunroof, and a Bluetooth phone interface. Relatively quiet, too.
Q: What about the Camaro?
A: At the same price as the Genesis Coupe tester, the Camaro gets just as many looks and another 100 horsepower or so. It's a matter of taste-- though the Genesis uses nicer cabin materials and has better outward visibility. Test drive both, just to be sure.
Q: What's the handling like?
A: A nice balance between sportiness and comfort, though not quite an ultra-precise asphalt scalpel. The Genesis rides commendably and delivers the feel of balance and sharpness that attracts enthusiasts to rear-drive cars. Genesis even rides nicely on rough roads and proves quite enjoyable to toss around corners, too.
Q: Do you like it?
A: Yes! But it's not perfect. The trunk opening is small, the rearward visibility is somewhat limited, and the turning circle is pretty clumsy. Also, the engine sound starts to invade the cabin at higher speeds.
Q: OMG, I like, totally want one. How much?
A: With the 4-cylinder, pricing starts at $24,495, while the V6 starts at $32,995. As tested the 2.0T with premium package and automatic came in around $29,000.
photo:Justin Pritchard
Unfortunately, the engine is no pinnacle of refinement. It sounds a little uninspired, and can get noisy when pushed. Overall though, it's fun to put through its paces.
Q: Is that rear-wheel drive?
A: Yes! If you're looking for an affordable rear-drive sport compact with a back seat, it's one of your only options.
Many folks were waiting for somebody to build this car, and Hyundai got to it first. It's cheap, quick, sexy and rear wheel drive. Think of it as the Nissan 240sx reincarnated as a Korean.
Rear-drive is a novelty in this market as much as it's a very real criteria for some shoppers. It has benefits in handling and performance potential. Plus, your friends with Civics and Cobalts will secretly be jealous that your car can drift-- like in those YouTube videos.
 |
| It's nice to look at, driver-centric without being crowded. |
Q: What's the interior like?
A: Hyundai's created a genuine coupe cockpit in here. It's nice to look at, driver-centric without being crowded, and surprisingly roomy. The wide body and thoughtfully designed door panels mean plenty of knee and shoulder room, and the back seats can actually be used by human beings.
Most of the right materials are used, and the tester had comfy leather seats, a CD-changer, a sunroof, and a Bluetooth phone interface. Relatively quiet, too.
Q: What about the Camaro?
A: At the same price as the Genesis Coupe tester, the Camaro gets just as many looks and another 100 horsepower or so. It's a matter of taste-- though the Genesis uses nicer cabin materials and has better outward visibility. Test drive both, just to be sure.
Q: What's the handling like?
A: A nice balance between sportiness and comfort, though not quite an ultra-precise asphalt scalpel. The Genesis rides commendably and delivers the feel of balance and sharpness that attracts enthusiasts to rear-drive cars. Genesis even rides nicely on rough roads and proves quite enjoyable to toss around corners, too.
Q: Do you like it?
A: Yes! But it's not perfect. The trunk opening is small, the rearward visibility is somewhat limited, and the turning circle is pretty clumsy. Also, the engine sound starts to invade the cabin at higher speeds.
Q: OMG, I like, totally want one. How much?
A: With the 4-cylinder, pricing starts at $24,495, while the V6 starts at $32,995. As tested the 2.0T with premium package and automatic came in around $29,000.
photo:Justin Pritchard
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