2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Coupe rebirth keeps Hyundai’s oldest platform fresh

"It is a great daily driver, but only for the driver and one passenger. The tight rear seat is pretty well next to useless."

Is the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe aimed at youngsters, young-at-hearters or those heading into a mid-life crisis? We turn to our oldest and youngest critics to draw up conclusions.

Search available trim options for the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

GLEN: The new Genesis Coupe is less like the company’s old front-drive 2+2 Tiburon, and more like the rear-drive sporty cars it was designed to compete against - Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

Nowhere is that more evident than in the available powertrains where both the 2.0L turbo four and the 3.8L V6 get significantly more giddy up. Horsepower ratings now are 274 and 348 respectively, using premium fuel, but drop slightly to 260 and 344 if you burn regular gas.

The changes made to Genesis Coupe tell you all you need to know about Hyundai and why it is such a success story. After just four years, the Coupe’s unique RWD platform is the oldest in the Korean manufacturer’s line-up, but with the engine upgrades plus some advanced technology and revised interior and exterior styling, it feels like a brand new car.

DANIEL: Although everything you say about this new Genesis Coupe is true, it’s important to remember that at the end of the day, this vehicle has the same basic purpose as the Tiburon - to provide drivers with a sporty-out-of-the-box coupe that won’t break the bank.

While the price does near the $40,000 mark for your top-of-the-line V6 model, you can still get one for well under $30,000, and even the “cheapy” version offers all kinds of bells and whistles.

Compared to your 3.8GT test model, the Genesis Coupe I’m testing has a smaller engine under the hood and one less pedal in the footwell, but there’s no doubt this thing can move like nobody’s business. I love Hyundai’s turbocharged “four,” and I’m also a fan of the still-forgiving suspension that makes the vehicle a great daily driver.

GLEN: It is a great daily driver, but only for the driver and one passenger. The tight rear seat is pretty well next to useless. That said, the trunk is a reasonable size for this class - 332 litres - and the rear seatbacks fold flat to expand cargo space.

There’s no denying the 3.8 is fun to drive, but with a 56/44 weight distribution I’m not sure how well this car will handle Canadian winters.

However, the V6 sure does send great music out the twin tailpipes when you wind it up - something that I doubt is as pleasing with your turbocharged four-banger.

DANIEL: I agree once again - one of those rear seats can barely hold my friend’s petite wife, and getting in and out is somewhat of a chore. More memories of Tiburon ...

I like the overall look of the vehicle, and one the exterior styling touches makes this vehicle easier to see out of, as the beltline swoops slightly downward aft of the B-pillar, which improves visibility a notch.

The cockpit is a pleasant place in which to park myself, as it has a high-quality feel throughout, lots of leather, and plastic pieces that don’t look plasticky. A turbo boost gauge and paddle shifters add to the sporty demeanour, but the eight-speed automatic feels a little like overkill, as the top three gears are really just to improve fuel economy while cruising on the highway.

GLEN: Speaking of fuel economy, my average is 10.4 litres per 100 km, which ain’t great.

I like this car as much as you do and the six-speed stick is okay, but not as snick-snickety precise as that in the competing Ford Mustang.

However, if I were a younger guy, like you, it’s a car I could buy and live with.

DANIEL: When it comes to cars like these, I’d say it’s most important to be young at heart. The new Genesis Coupe will work equally as well (or not so well) for an assortment of people, regardless of age, sex, size, or financial situation. Hyundai did good, all things considered.

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