Hyundai had a lot of ground to break before rolling out their first four-seater sports coupe. The brand makes cars that measure up to other luxury brands but at a significantly lower price. Genesis has since become a brand of its own, with Hyundai as the umbrella company, to further its mission of making luxury cars that offer just as much for less the price. They have gone on to make a name for themselves even as they remain unknown to many.
As Hyundai has been in the business of sticking their nose everywhere, gladly so, it came as little surprise when pictures of the Genesis Coupe first surfaced online in 2007. However, it came as a relief to many who wanted to own a sports car but could not afford it; Hyundai made their dreams of owning a sports coupe more realistic.
It's exceedingly rare for a sports coupe to successfully tick the boxes of “affordable” and “gearhead must-have” such as the North Korean automaker did with the Genesis Coupe. They must have done everything right for it to turn heads in the manner it does, especially in the fiercely competitive sports car category.
Let’s take a deep dive into the coolest features found in the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and what makes it a luxury car killer in this era of overpriced sports cars.
8 Stylish Looks
You can’t talk about the Genesis Coupe without using a good portion of the time to gush over how stylish and premium it looks. This was especially true in 2009 when the model first made its debut priced significantly lower than its direct competition. For some, this is what they love best about the Genesis Coupe. With this design, Hyundai acknowledges in a not-so-subtle manner that you can brag about how fast your car can go and how beautiful it looks.
The Coupe is not easy to miss. You just can’t overlook the predatory feel the front grills, low noise, wide stance, broad tires, and low center of gravity give off. On the sides is a sizeable Z-shaped line unique to this car model, and the dip at the rear makes the car appear spacious. The dashboard features a 7” touchscreen for map displays and info input some other functions. The curvy and spacious interior, dashboard, and seats give you a near-feel of the luxury Mercedes owners enjoy.
7 Excellent Value And Performance
The Genesis Coupe was the first of its class to have an 8-speed automatic transmission. It remains one of the few sports vehicles that effortlessly transfers its performance from track to road driving. You don’t have to worry about handling, particularly in uneven terrains. The steering wheel is fitted with dual-link MacPherson struts, and the rear suspensions put you on the good side of handling.
The aerodynamics of its frame make it adaptable and much more responsive to sudden steering. You also get to feel little to no extra vibrations because of the Coupe’s steel chassis. Its gas-pressurized shock absorbers give you better control, irrespective of the terrain. Cars priced around $25,000 usually disappoint in the build-quality segment, but this is where the Genesis Coupe shines.
6 Power Gearheads Can't Resist
It would be foolhardy to think design alone is enough to get automobile enthusiasts turning heads and staying interested. A vehicle will have to hit the trinity of sweet spots in design, power, and performance. The Genesis coupe doesn’t disappoint. The 3.8 Lambda II RS GDI model can spew as much as 348 horses.
The North Korean automakers built the Genesis Coupe as a ridiculously potent marketing strategy in itself; the design gets you onboard, and the power gets you to stay.
5 The Powerful V6 Engine
Three hundred and forty-eight horses power the Genesis Coupe. For the US market, it’s 310 horses. This stylish monster hits over 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds with the 6-speed manual variant or 0.2 seconds faster with the 8-speed automatic variant.
The 3.8-Liter six-cylinder Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine hidden beneath the gorgeously sculpted body produces a torque of 295 pound-feet, a top speed of 162 mph. The Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing helped Hyundai create an engine that effectively marries low-end torque and high-end power.
4 Snug Seats
Seats play a role in driving performance and a driver’s control. You need the perfect blend of comfort in a well-textured seat cloth to want to drive a car for long. It can be tough negotiating bends in high-speed vehicles.
As such, Hyundai thought it wise to provide you with snug seats that hands you a better appeal and mirrors the feeling of being in a race car.
3 Smart Key System With Push-button Starter
For some, a vehicle without a smart key system isn’t worth their attention. This feature particularly comes in handy for people who have a lot of handling to do. Let's say you go shopping often and have a lot to carry, or you’re in a hurry and can’t wait to fish out the key from your purse. In these scenarios, the proximity sensors allow you to unlock your vehicle by pushing the button by the driver’s door handle—the keyless entry feature.
Even if you're one of those who have mixed feelings about the keyless entry feature, the fact that you don’t have to empty your bag in the parking lot to find your keys may change your mind. Another fantastic thing the key fob can do is remind you that you are in the wrong. You get a warning alarm whenever you leave your key in the car or step out of the car with your key while the engine is still running.
2 Blue Link Technology
Blue Link is an AI-based technology that acts as a medium to communicate with your car. It allows you access to features that improve your safety and overall driving experience; features like navigation, emergency assistance, car health and diagnostics, and notification against collision.
Think of your interaction with Blue Link as the one you have with Alexa. With Blue Link, you get voice-assisted dialing, interactive voice recognition, stolen vehicle tracking, and immobilization.
1 Power Sunroof
The sunroof makes the already versatile Genesis Coupe more versatile. It serves you the near-convertible experience, but with a roof structure. If you are a party monster this might just be the icing on the cake, especially on days you need to get crazy with the boys.
You may never know how amazing this feature can be until you go for an evening drive and need an adequately ventilated cabin but don't want to wind the glass down.