2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T Track Pack

Unfortunately, the Genesis Coupe 2.0T falls far short of expectations. A rear-wheel-drive coupe always sounds appealing and conjures up dreams of some of the best-driving cars. But in this Hyundai, the engine is slow-revving and coarse. The turbocharger conveys very little character and punch. Shifter feel is quite mediocre and the steering belongs in a numb crossover. Were this car wearing a different body style, these crimes might be much less severe, but I was definitely expecting much more from the low-slung coupe. Plenty of cheaper cars use materials just as hard as those in the Genesis Coupe yet leave a much better impression. The key is cleverly softening the few places that you regularly interact with. The Civic Si is an excellent example. With a great steering wheel and generous padding on both the center and door armrests, the driver always feels comfortable. The Genesis, by contrast, will beat your elbows over every bump, and the steering wheel is just as hard as the rigid dash. It's certainly not very comfortable to grab, but at least it makes a convincing argument to wear your seatbelt. Despite the material quality, I do think the cabin looks decent and sporty, and - as with the Genesis sedan - the knobs and buttons exude quality when touched thanks to solid, damped responses. Eric Tingwall, Associate Editor