Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 GT

[Autos_Editor]

Jonathan tests the top-trim Genesis Coupe, the 3.8 GT with a V6 and all the goodies.

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[WRX_Pilot]

I guess I'm too shallow, but I couldn't get over the ugly front mug to purchase this one.  Typical overwrought Hyundai IMHO.  I mean come on, fake hood vents?  Didn't the automakers learn that was a no no back in the 90s?

[ChaosphereIX]

one of my pet peeves is all the fake hood vents and fake brake cooling ducts etc. on many modern cars. If the car doesn't have twin intercoolers, even as an option, then why does your car have fake intakes that might suggest it would? I hate this trend in auto design.

Anyways, this coupe might be a good value and might perform well, but I couldn't get over the lack of panache or soul it has. It is a box ticker, but leaves me empty. Mind you, I only drove a 2.0T, but I cant imagine a 3.8 would change that fact.

[evil_twin]

The Genesis makes more sense at the 2.0T price level IMO.  At almost $40k I'd be looking at the Mustang GT.  V8 or bust

[Snowman]

The Genesis makes more sense at the 2.0T price level IMO.  At almost $40k I'd be looking at the Mustang GT.  V8 or bust

I agree.

[carcrazed]

^ +1 on the Mustang over the 3.8 GT.  And also on the fake hood scoops.  WTH are they thinking?

[Fobroader]

The 2L R Spec makes sense, this is touching GT Mustang territory, no way. Besides, Ive driven both, the 2L is much more engaging, responsive and fun to drive. Yeah, fake hood vents....you should offer some sweet Lambo doors and neon underglow as well...maybe a chain link steering wheel.....

[nlm]

+1 on all the above. The fake hood scoops and vents is odd for something that is better suited as a cruiser/tourer.

[DriverJeff]

I'd also choose a Mustang GT over a Gen Coupe 3.8GT.  But if performance wasn't the number one consideration, the Genesis really comes into its own.  It is a very rewarding car to drive and sounds really good (I didn't notice any of Jonathan's "bad vibrations" when I drove a Gen Coupe last year).  Plus it comes well equipped and fake vents notwithstanding, looks pretty good.  I find Gen Coupes always catch my eye on the road.

When compared to a G37 Coupe (or Q60 or whatever the heck they're called now), the Hyundai looks like a stellar value without a semi-snob brand. 

[rrocket]

I'd also choose a Mustang GT over a Gen Coupe 3.8GT.  But if performance wasn't the number one consideration, the Genesis really comes into its own.  It is a very rewarding car to drive and sounds really good (I didn't notice any of Jonathan's "bad vibrations" when I drove a Gen Coupe last year).  Plus it comes well equipped and fake vents notwithstanding, looks pretty good.  I find Gen Coupes always catch my eye on the road.

When compared to a G37 Coupe (or Q60 or whatever the heck they're called now), the Hyundai looks like a stellar value without a semi-snob brand.

Drop the 429 HP V8 into the coupe....and many would be all over that!! 

[Threader]

I was excited to to take a closer look at the picture of the 3 gauges until I saw it
http://www.autos.ca/galleries/2013/index.php?level=picture&id=16134
  OK who proofs these?

[Railton]

When compared to a G37 Coupe (or Q60 or whatever the heck they're called now), the Hyundai looks like a stellar value without a semi-snob brand.

Sounds like you're saying it's a bag over the head story here. She's got a great personality but...
Railton

[ArticSteve]

Best Genesis coupes ever.  But the market for these have left the building.  The value purchase for the ladies would be the 2.0 T auto in premium trim.  That's about it.  3.8 would be just a fantastic waste of $$$ because 40K for a HYUNDAI "coupe-pay", as the Brits says, just doesn't shake it for the professional metro sexual.  The BRANDING is non existence and branding is where it's at.  Ask BMW, MD and Lexus and now Audi about BRANDING. 

What's the happiest day in the life of Toyota/Lexus?  The day Hyundai got really cheap and declined to BRAND and SELL their premium line as "GENESIS" and thought they could just push that metal out of a regular Hyundai store amongst the Elantra crowd.




 

[Snowman]

The day Hyundai got really cheap and declined to BRAND and SELL their premium line

IMO the biggest mistake Hyundai has made. The only way to make high margins is go upscale.

[EV Dan]

I dont see how it would be cost efficient for H to start a new brand with just two luxury cars they now have (not counting Kia). The coupe is not quite there in refinement and "pedigree" to be compared to Q60 and the Germans. So giving it a luxury badge would probably backfire while doing all the mechanical and interior upgrades to bring it to infiniti level would entail a luxury price tag which would at least initially scare the potential customers.

[ArticSteve]

I dont see how it would be cost efficient for H to start a new brand with just two luxury cars they now have

In 1989 Lexus was launched in the USA with JUST 2 vehicles:

In 1989, after an extended development process involving 60 designers, 24 engineering teams, 1,400 engineers, 2,300 technicians, 220 support workers, approximately 450 prototypes, and over US$1 billion in costs, the F1 project was completed.[27] The resulting flagship, the Lexus LS 400, had a unique design that shared no major elements with previous Toyota vehicles, with a new 4.0 L V8 gasoline engine and rear-wheel drive.[28][29] The LS 400 debuted in January 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit,[14] and officially went on sale the following September at a network of 81 new Lexus dealerships across the U.S.[30] The LS 400 was sold along with a smaller sibling, the Toyota Camry-based ES 250.[17] The launch of Lexus was heralded by a multimillion dollar advertising campaign in both television and print media.[31]

Hyundais are trapped in "THE CHEAP" as in, "you should check out a Hyundai; they're cheap".  Consequently, good luck selling a $40K coupe-"pay".   

[ArticSteve]

The Koreans make good quality products.  I have one of their front loading washing machines and a cell.  First calls so far.  However, the are not innovators.  Tend to take technologies and copy them.  Ask Apple.

[aquadorhj]

The Koreans make good quality products.  I have one of their front loading washing machines and a cell.  First calls so far.  However, the are not innovators.  Tend to take technologies and copy them.  Ask Apple.

 They copied US and Germans early on as well .   of course, being island nation they had some imperialistic tendencies early on, but everything they r famous for, they learned from elsewhere then refined.   



Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[EV Dan]

I dont see how it would be cost efficient for H to start a new brand with just two luxury cars they now have

In 1989 Lexus was launched in the USA with JUST 2 vehicles:

In 1989, after an extended development process involving 60 designers, 24 engineering teams, 1,400 engineers, 2,300 technicians, 220 support workers, approximately 450 prototypes, and over US$1 billion in costs, the F1 project was completed.[27] The resulting flagship, the Lexus LS 400, had a unique design that shared no major elements with previous Toyota vehicles, with a new 4.0 L V8 gasoline engine and rear-wheel drive.[28][29] The LS 400 debuted in January 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit,[14] and officially went on sale the following September at a network of 81 new Lexus dealerships across the U.S.[30] The LS 400 was sold along with a smaller sibling, the Toyota Camry-based ES 250.[17] The launch of Lexus was heralded by a multimillion dollar advertising campaign in both television and print media.[31]

Hyundais are trapped in "THE CHEAP" as in, "you should check out a Hyundai; they're cheap".  Consequently, good luck selling a $40K coupe-"pay".   

Touche. Goes to show how good LS really are. Genesis? Last time I checked the outgoing G sedan it had a ventilated seat (1) as part of Tech Pack. It was also criticized for a "nervous" ride, as in not planted due to suspension tuning.
I will agree on Korean product quality. I took my dad's 2008 tucson for service and my mechanic (a bmw guy) complimented it on built quality and how it was rust free, in comparison to even some much younger cars he's seen. Granted, that generation of Tucsons were Korean made.

[dirtyjeffer]

Granted, that generation of Tucsons were Korean made.

they still are.