First Drives, Hyundai

First Drive: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

April 6, 2009

The separate cost of these brakes if purchased aftermarket is greater than the cost of the entire GT upgrade, making moving up to a GT package a no-brainer for both daily drivers and enthusiasts.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Click image to enlarge

Speaking of costs – I’m sure you’ve all been waiting for this – the 2010 Genesis Coupe starts at $24,495 equipped with the turbocharged four-cylinder and a six-speed manual transmission. Standard equipment at this level is not spartan, not at all. It includes some desirable features usually found only on more expensive cars or in expensive option packages such as front windshield wiper de-icer, automatic light control and fog lights, power up and down windows for both driver and passenger, steering wheel mounted cruise, Bluetooth and audio controls, paddle shifters with the automatic transmission and 18-inch alloy wheels and high performance all-season tires. A six-speaker AM/FM/XM/MP3 audio system is standard. Also standard are stability control and the full complement of front and side air bags.

Seats in the base model are cloth, but they are comfortable and supportive sport buckets that will not disappoint. Most of our morning was spent driving a base model and comfort was not an issue. The car, equipped with the 1-4, was quiet and smooth on the highway. The robust sound of the smaller engine was neither intrusive nor bothersome, but a pleasant muffled roar under hard acceleration.

Rear seat room in this 2+2 was more generous than I had expected. Although the slope of the roof over the rear seat limits head room for taller passengers, leg and foot room was even larger than some four door compact sedans I’ve tested recently.

On 1-4 models a premium package adds heated front seats, 10-speaker Infinity audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer, power sunroof and leather seating, priced at $27,495.

V6 models start at $32,995 with the same level of equipment as the I-4 with premium package, plus automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror and mirror-mounted turn signal indicators. A smart key and push-button starting is also included. Interestingly, the U.S. models that we drove were all equipped with this feature as standard equipment, but unlike Canadian models, fog lights were an optional extra.

GT upgrades are primarily limited to the suspension and wheel upgrade. However, the four-cylinder model also received a unique black leather interior with red cloth inserts. GT Genesis Coupes are priced at $30,745 and $34,995.

A six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is available across the model range for V6 models at an additional $1,800, while a five-speed auto can be ordered for the base and premium four-cylinder models for an additional $1,500.

The wing you see in the photos on GT models is part of the Trac package in the US, but in Canada it will be a dealer installed accessory. Personally, I’ve never liked gargantuan rear spoilers that rarely spoil anything other than the car’s design.

The Genesis Coupe arrived in Canada in late March and is on sale now across the country.

Pages: 1 2 3