Genesis Coupe Review: Still Good Enough To Take On The G37 And Win?

If there ever was a reason to believe in second chances, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a prime example. I briefly drove a Genesis Coupe 3.8 with an automatic last Spring, and while I liked it, the car didn’t leave much of an impression on me. All that would change the second time around. After a week with a 3.8 Grand Touring with a proper 6-speed manual, I am impressed, and have a deep admiration for a car that would have been unthinkable to have come from Hyundai even just a couple years ago.

At first glance, one might dismiss the Genesis Coupe as a copy of the Infiniti G37 Coupe (as I did), but the more time I spent looking at the car, the car seemed to come into its own. Sure, the basic architecture-a rear-drive, 2+2 sports coupe is common, but the Genesis takes some risks where the G37 is restrained. The Hyundai has a racier, more aggressive and slightly more youthful appearance, yet still presents itself as a serious driver’s car.

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BMWRU - 2/12/2010 12:21:19 PM

+5 Boost

"At first glance, one might dismiss the Genesis Coupe as a copy of the Infiniti G37 Coupe (as I did)..."
The above quote just totally undermines the author's automotive journalism credibility and disapprove whatever good things he had to say about the Genesis coupe. Besides that, a nice car with better paint quality (like the KIA's commercial) than Merc.
On a side note, I am relieved that the author doesn't write reviews for baby products because oeuf cribs, netto cribs, and IKEA cribs all seem similar to him; BabyJugger, Uppababy and Bugaboo are exactly the same strollers to him as well.

PerformanceGuy - 2/12/2010 1:08:08 PM

+4 Boost

It's a nice car, but it can't compete against the G37. It is a different class. The Genesis competes with lower level Mustangs, Camaros, Eclipses.

M35MT - 2/12/2010 1:15:30 PM

-1 Boost

Eclipse is FWD

tattedtwice - 2/12/2010 3:26:15 PM

-3 Boost

It wasn't designed to fight the nissan, but it could easily be an alternative, if they wanted to make it so. It sounds better, looks better, and handles about the same. It gives up nothing but a few advertised ponies, and is a better value, now that nissan is full of themselves thinking the g is actually worth more than $40k.

M35MT - 2/12/2010 4:42:53 PM

+7 Boost

Actually CarandDriver picked the Mazdaspeed3 over the Genesis in a comparo test saying that the Genesis is a GT car and the speed3 is a true sports car - that says alot when you consider the speed3 is a FWD hatchback.

I believe your assessment of the Genesis bettering the G37 in terms of handling is a bit off.

SHOWTIME - 2/12/2010 2:47:10 PM

+3 Boost

They need to do something about that tiny not so attractive grill.

bimmer - 2/12/2010 3:20:46 PM

+2 Boost

Yeah... and they should make it bigger than AUDI's. It is the only way they can take on the G37.

tattedtwice - 2/12/2010 3:29:08 PM

0 Boost

It only seems tiny, now that we're used to huge, ridiculous grilles like audi and most of the japs.

Lexus - 2/12/2010 5:43:05 PM

+5 Boost

No, it is NOT on par with the G37 coupe. Genesis will always be a lesser than a G37 coupe. The follower of the G37 is big and is still growing at a very fast pace. I am Lexus fan and thinking about trading my car in for either a G35 coupe or G37 coupe.

I really don't care how good the Genesis has become I wouldn't buy it over a G37, IS350, 335i, A5 or a MB C-Class. Genesis were compare several time in different auto journalist and the G37 coupe came on top.

BMWRU - 2/12/2010 11:17:17 PM

0 Boost

Even though the Genesis is still in a different class of its own - albeit an underdog, I think we should give it some credit for trying to catching up to its competitors.

tkindred - 2/14/2010 4:10:11 PM

+2 Boost

"At first glance, one might dismiss the Genesis Coupe as a copy of the Infiniti G37 Coupe(as I did), but the more time I spent looking at the car, "

Hmm, what substances have you gotten yourself into having hallucinations?