The Genesis Coupe, Hyundai’s first foray into the sports car world, has been updated constantly since the first year of its release. Every year, it gets slightly better. The 2015 model is leaps and bounds of an improvement over the 2010. At first glance and comparison of spec sheets, it doesn’t look like too much of a difference, but this is a perfect example of why simply reading spec sheets and press releases isn’t enough. Being in the rare position to drive the 2010 and the 2015 models back to back for extended periods of time, I can see the quality of materials and build quality of 2015 car’s interior is in another world compared to the 2010. The transmission and clutch system feels like it came in a different car altogether. The culmination of all the improvements made from 2010 to 2015 model years makes the 2015 Genesis Coupe a bona fide sports car worthy of any enthusiast’s consideration when contemplating a sub-$35K sports car. While it’s no BMW 335i, it never pretends to be. The R-Spec is unapologetically bare bones but fun as hell to whip around and bang through the gears. If you want to initiate some all-out hooliganism with a wicked exhaust note, the Genesis Coupe will do that for you on command, the same way it will behave like a confident, quiet, solid highway cruiser with ample seating room and comfort for the two front seat passengers when you want it to.

As far as fuel economy goes, the 2015 Genesis Coupe is rated at 14.4 L/100 km in the city, 9.9 L/100 km on the highway and 12.4 L/100 km combined. I saw an average of around 13.5 L/100 km with my heavy foot. (That’s still noticeably better than my 14.5 L/100 km average in my 2010 2.0L Genesis Coupe.)

Warranty:
4 years/80,000 km; 4 years/80,000 km powertrain; 12 years/unlimited distance corrosion perforation; 4 years/unlimited distance 24-hour roadside assistance

Competitors:
Chevrolet Camaro
Ford Mustang
Nissan 370Z
Scion FR-S
Subaru BRZ

If the R-Spec is too bare bones for you, there’s always the noticeably heavier Grand Touring (GT) model. It has all the performance goodies and all the creature comforts. For my money, I would skip over the Premium Edition entirely, and go with either the wonderfully elemental R-Spec or the GT model.

Pricing: 2015 Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec
Base Price: $27,999 (after $1,500 factory discount)
Options: None
Destination: $1,695
A/C Tax: $100
Price as Tested: $29,794

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