The Genesis is the crown jewel of the Hyundai line, and when the Genesis sedan debuted several years ago it made a statement that Hyundai was not only a carmaker for budget-minded buyers. Three years ago, Hyundai introduced the Genesis Coupe, and it has been remodeled for 2013. It should be noted that the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe appeals to a different demographic than the Sedan counterpart, as the two are similar in name only. While the sedan is geared toward matching up against the very best in premium luxury, the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a more value-driven sports car. Despite this, the vehicle certainly offers a number of performance and comfort features that separate it from the rest of Hyundai’s lineup. Consumers have three different trim levels to choose from and the base trim remains quite affordable although slightly underpowered. For the most part, the cost does not escalate substantially on the different trims and buyers should look heavily into the more-powerful higher trim levels.
New For 2013
The Genesis Coupe gets plenty of updates for 2013, including a styling face-lift (with cool LED lights), significantly more powerful—and less thirsty—engines, and three more gears in the automatic transmission. The sedan’s top-of-the-line, eight-inch-screened navigation system has been enhanced, but the overall lineup gets simpler this year, as the 4.6-liter V-8 has been dropped.
Exterior
The 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe has a curved, aerodynamic appearance. Its wide shape and low ground clearance add a sporty look, although very little of its design truly distances it from the competition. The styling looks somewhat indistinct as it borrows from the dramatic visuals of German sport roadsters and the muscle of Japanese performance cars. Hyundai likely relies on the lower price as a means of swaying potential consumers from the car’s more visually striking foreign and domestic competition.
Interior & Cargo
Predictably, the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe offers very little in the way of cargo capacity and interior room and this is a main difference between it and its sedan sibling. The 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe offers a scant 10 cubic feet of cargo space and this limits the customer base to those looking for a sports car to supplement their everyday vehicles. The 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe’s design keeps drivers in mind and the difference in legroom bears this out. Those in the front enjoy an ample 44.1 inches of legroom, while rear passengers will have to settle for a mere 30.3 inches of legroom. Another major inconvenience facing rear passengers is that the windows in the back do not adjust. Suffice to say that only those with great tolerance should ride in the back. Hyundai places great emphasis on ensuring a comfortable ride with bucket seats for both the driver and passenger. The Genesis Coupe features a six-way adjustable driver seat and a four-way adjustable passenger seat. On the base, cloth comes standard, but the highest trim level comes with leather upholstery. Power front windows come standard on all trim levels.
Safety
The 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe offers front, front side, and side-curtain airbags. Anti-lock brakes come standard on all trim levels, as do traction and stability control.
Driving Experience
Drivers have the option of three different trim levels. Still, the base is unlikely to satisfy those who want more performance and the cost escalates quickly while upgrading. Hyundai offers two very different engines. First, a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, and then the option of a 3.8-liter, V-6 engine. Both engines offer three similar trims. These include the base, R-Spec, and Premium trims. For the 3.8-liter, V-6 engine, a Grand Touring trim option marks Hyundai’s attempt to reach the more performance-minded customer base. From a standstill, the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe goes from zero to 60 mph in just under six seconds as estimates range from 5.7 to 5.9 seconds. Drivers can expect 16-21/25-31 mpg city/highway and 274 horsepower to 348 horsepower, depending on the engine.
Those looking to test how fast the vehicle can go feel disappointed. The automatic transmission shifts slowly and makes it difficult to maximize the full power of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Because of this, drivers do not achieve the effect of accelerating fast in relatively slow cars, which is one of the great pleasures of most entry-level sports cars. Drivers who spring for the six-speed manual transmission may have more success in achieving greater acceleration. The R-Spec and Premium do manage to provide a more powerful experience, although even the 3.8-liter V-6 pales in comparison with some of the other, more performance-oriented cars in its category. The Genesis Coupe does a nimble job of turning and a more than adequate job of handling routes that are not too demanding. The rear drive makes the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe a suboptimal option for harsh weather environments and should be considered more of a friendly weather vehicle.
Key Competitors For The 2013 Hyundai Genesis-Coupe
- Subaru Impreza WRX
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
- Honda Civic Si