Hyundai has been making adjustments to the Genesis coupe since it launched, and dare I say this is the best car I've ever experienced from the manufacturer's lineup. The reworked engine and suspension - power is up by 42 hp, while torque increases by 29 lb-ft, with stiffened springs and dampers and reworked antiroll bars and suspension bushings - have transformed this Genesis coupe into a legitimate driver's car that is, finally, true fun to drive hard.
Indeed, the normally aspirated V6 is quite torquey, and it rumbles with a deep voice at every prod of the throttle. The car is quick, and has more than enough power to make it a throttle-steering delight if you deactivate traction and stability control fully. The steering has a nice weight to it, and I found it quite easy to place the car precisely where I wanted it to go.
The R-Spec reminded me several times of the driving experience in the first-gen Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G35s, the engine note being similar, at least based on my memory. The controls feel similar as well, which means relatively heavy clutch effort and a somewhat notchy (still) shifter. Hyundai says it worked on those items as well, and while I don't doubt the claim, I think there is still room for noticeable improvement. The clutch takeup in particular is abrupt, and I actually stalled the engine a couple of times simply because the pedal is heavy and so quick to spring back to a point just past the engagement zone. I don't think I've stalled a manual-transmission car in years, the last time being in a Volkswagen Jetta we tested that had the worst clutch feel (read: zero) I remember ever experiencing in a relatively modern car; it was so bad I still question if it was seriously out of spec. But anyway, this Hyundai's clutch actuation does not need to be so abrupt to keep it feeling good. It's a small issue, minor even, but it's also a silly thing to contend with as its driver.
Meanwhile, the interior is quite sporty with its two-tone, well-bolstered front seats, and the rest of the controls are simple and easy to use on the fly. I wasn't thrilled with the gauge-cluster mounted on the center stack, with gauges for fuel mileage, torque and oil temperature. That's right; a gauge that supposedly displays how much torque the engine is producing at any given moment. I remain unsure as to how, exactly, I was supposed to use this gauge, but as needless gimmicks go, at least it's sort of interesting. Regardless, the interior package comes together well to complement the performance-oriented drivetrain and chassis, speaking of which, finally feels fun to play with. The abysmal body roll so familiar to Hyundai owners has been well dialed out, and the Genesis maintains a solid footprint during spirited cornering. That alone tells you how far Hyundai's nonstop tinkering has brought what is now a mighty competent V6-powered sports coupe.
DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: I'm glad to see Mac's notes here, as I found the 2013 Hyundai Genesis coupe 3.8 R-Spec to be a challenging car to drive smoothly around town. As noted, the more you open it up, the better it gets, but I had the misfortune of getting stuck in a 45 minute backup. I recommend something other than an R-Spec Genesis coupe for those involved in heavy stop-and-go driving.
Fortunately, the inside is a pleasant place to be: The blend of leather and fabric, both red and black, coupled with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces offer an outstanding driving environment. Genesis coupe buyers, likely to be of the younger set, will appreciate the seamless Bluetooth phone pairing, and my iPod was synced and playing within 30 seconds of entering the car.
Once you have some room, this thing defies all preconceptions about Hyundai. The V6 sounds fantastic, the fat wheel feels just right in your hands and the jiggly sports suspension reminds me of blasting around in a good Japanese sports coupe from 15-20 years ago (my old Mazda RX-7 springs to mind).
That's not a criticism: Too many cars now have the drive character engineered out in favor of safety and smoothness. The Hyundai Genesis coupe has plenty of safety, but it demands an attentive driver actively involved in the piloting process - and, ideally, a passenger who doesn't suffer from motion sickness.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR SHERRICE GILSBACH: I have to agree with everyone regarding just how tough this car is to get used to driving. I only had it for one night and had been warned about the difficult clutch. Driving the Hyundai Genesis does feel a bit like trying to break a green horse with it's lurching and jerking all over the place.
Still, you get a sense that within a couple of days of driving and with the right road conditions (long, open roads free of traffic and spiced with a nice curve here and there), you could really have some fun in this head-turning Hyundai. Admittedly, the first time I saw it resting peacefully in our parking garage, I stopped and stared.
Still, there are plenty of power-loaded sports cars out there offering both looks and somewhat bridled giddy-up to keep the driver looking like they have the car under control. After all, there's nothing cool about being the one in the flashy car stalled out at the stoplight.
ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: Seems like there hasn't been a model year where Hyundai hasn't done something to improve the Genesis coupe. Credit the Koreans for keeping at it, because when this car first landed, it wasn't all that good. It was just sloppy and an overall letdown from a drive standpoint. It certainly looked the part, though.
Now for the 2013 model year, it's got new fascias, hood and a rejiggered suspension. Instead of flopping around corners, it's much more composed. Steering feel is also much better probably thanks in no small part to the wide Bridgestone tires on this test car.
Then there is the V6 with 348 horses. That's a lot of power in a car that comes in at under $30,000 - and it is a smooth engine. Throttle response is fairly good, and there's lots of power throughout the band. The gearbox is easy to work through, but I have to agree with everyone above about the abrupt clutch takeup. Driving this car smoothly requires a little more concentration, but once you become acclimated to the equipment, driving it smoothly isn't a problem.
If you're looking for a style and horsepower on a budget, I have no problems pointing you toward the 2013 Hyundai Genesis coupe now. That's something I wouldn't have done a couple of years ago.
2013 Hyundai Genesis coupe 3.8 R-Spec
Base Price: $29,625
As-Tested Price: $29,625
Drivetrain: 3.8-liter V6; RWD, six-speed manual
Output: 348 hp @ 6,400 rpm, 295 lb-ft @ 5,100 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,433 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 18/27/21 mpg
AW Observed Fuel Economy: 23.6 mpg
Options: None
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