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Test Drive: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T

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August 14, 2009

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Turbo. Click image to enlarge

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First Drive: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

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2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

North Vancouver, British Columbia – Canadian car-buyers were no doubt surprised when the all-new 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan walked away with the Canadian Car of the Year Award, the North American Car of the Year Award, and Consumer Reports’ Top-Rated Luxury Sedan awards last year. The only people that weren’t surprised were the journalists and critics who’d already driven it – although even they – myself included – could hardly believe that Hyundai could build such a sophisticated luxury sedan and sell it for such a low price.

Now the Genesis two-door coupe has arrived and it’s also very impressive, in its own way. Rather than the sedan’s choice of 3.8-litre V6 or 4.6-litre V8 engines, the Coupe offers a turbocharged 2.0-litre four or optional 3.8-litre V6 engine, and starts at a lower price point than the sedan: $24,495 (turbo 4 coupe) vs $37,995 (V6 sedan). Once again, Hyundai is stressing the value proposition by pricing the base Genesis Coupe Turbo below competitors such as the Honda Civic Si and Mitsubishi Eclipse.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Turbo. Click image to enlarge

The Coupe’s styling is genuinely attractive – its rear-wheel drive architecture allows a longitudinal engine placed further back in the chassis, thereby allowing a lower hoodline than typical front-wheel drive sporty coupes. To emphasize its speedy nature, the hood features wind-sculpted V-shape character lines flowing from the lower front bumper into and over the hood. The coupe’s low, wide stance is accentuated by low-profile 45-series 18-inch tires and alloy wheels, while its rakish, wedge-shaped profile is enhanced by unique overlapping character lines in the doors and unique rear side windows that drop down into the rear fenders. The rear end features a high trunklid with a sharp cutoff, wraparound taillights, and a black bumper insert with protruding twin exhaust tips.

While it’s true that Hyundai has a habit of borrowing certain styling elements from already successful cars – in the Genesis Coupe, we can see a bit of Infiniti G37 and Altima Coupe – it’s the way they combine those elements with their own original styling features, such as the sculpted hood and door character lines – that creates an attractive and original package. The Genesis Coupe has presence, and that’s important in a vehicle category where buyers place a high priority on styling.

Pricing and standard equipment

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Turbo. Click image to enlarge

The base 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T starts at $24,495 plus a rather hefty $1,565 “Delivery and Destination” charge. Standard equipment includes rear-wheel drive, a 210-horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged DOHC four-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing, six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake force distribution, stability control and traction control, 18-inch high-performance all-season tires (225/45VR18 front/245/45VR18 rear), alloy wheels, and front fog lights.

Inside are standard cloth seats and four seating positions, leather wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, air conditioning, AM/FM/XM satellite/CD/MP3 stereo with iPod, USB and auxiliary jacks and six speakers, Bluetooth hands-free telephone system, power windows with automatic up and down feature, power door locks with keyless entry, tilt steering wheel, outside temperature display, heated wiper de-icer and heated outside mirrors, and six standard airbags.

An optional five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is $1,500, and a “Premium Package” adds black leather seats with front seat heaters, premium 360-watt Infinity stereo with in-dash six-CD player and ten speakers, and power tilt/slide glass moonroof with sunshade for $3,000.

To the base model, the Genesis Coupe 2.0T GT ($30,745) adds 19-inch high-performance summer tires with alloy wheels, Brembo brakes with red four-piston calipers, stiffer suspension with front tower strut bar, limited slip rear differential, HID headlights with autolevelling, front seat side bolsters and red cloth seat inserts, and metal foot pedals.

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