Used 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Even with its sharp looks, abundant features, and impressive performance, the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe leaves us wanting. Hyundai made a lot of improvements last year, and even more this year, but we still think that the car’s suspension and driving feel are areas where Hyundai could really improve the 4-seater. It’s especially glaring on a rear-drive car designed to deliver visceral thrills. If you want a high-value, high-style, high-power, high-grip 2-door, definitely check out the Genesis Coupe. If you demand driving feel and related intangibles, check out your local Scion, Subaru or even your Ford dealer.

Despite its hot import sports coupe design, the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe drives more like a muscle car. Both the turbocharged 4-cylinder and the V6 engines are terrific, but the Genesis Coupe lacks the refined man-machine interface and nuanced feedback that separates mere performance cars from true driver’s cars. On a racetrack, the Genesis Coupe is a blast, but dial things back to your daily drive routine, and the car’s steering, shifter and suspension shortcomings amounted to a language barrier. For our money, the Genesis Coupe is at its best when outfitted with the V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission – and driven with a smooth, fast, grand touring mindset.

Last year’s interior upgrades came just in the nick of time, as the Genesis Coupe was starting to look dated next to the more contemporary designs it shares the showroom floor with. The interior carries over largely unchanged, with only an upgraded navigation interface to separate it from last year’s design. That’s fine, as last year’s comprehensive freshening included a restyled center stack and the addition of electroluminescent gauges. It doesn’t go pound-for-pound with stretch competitors like the Infiniti G or BMW 1 Series, but it definitely offers a richer environment than non-lux foes like the Ford Mustang and Scion FR-S.

The 2014 Genesis Coupe has styling that would look right at home on a less familiar European exotic brand. Don’t believe us? Take a look at the curving sheet metal, and that bold new grille. If you want an affordable, powerful sports coupe that’s big, bold and without a hint of retro influence, the Genesis Coupe is it.

BLUELINK
Find the cheapest nearby gas, dictate and send a text message, get an alert if someone’s driving your car somewhere they shouldn’t… Hyundai’s BlueLink system is full of cool features.

STRIKING STYLING
Can we count sheet metal as a feature? Clearly, one of the Genesis Coupe’s strongest selling points is its hot look.

The 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe lineup starts a little above $27,000 including destination, a bump of about $2,000 from last year. The Genesis Coupe 2.0T gets a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission, plus Bluetooth. New for 2014 are standard fog lights, cruise control, heated mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a hill-hold feature for manual transmission cars. There are also iPod/USB and auxiliary audio inputs, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and automatic headlights. Every Genesis Coupe is covered by a full complement of active and passive safety features, as well as Hyundai’s 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The top-of-the-line Genesis Coupe 3.8 Ultimate with an automatic transmission lies right in the $35,500 range when you include destination. In addition to the traditional upgrades – leather seats, moonroof, upgraded audio – upper-tier models offer high-intensity-discharge headlights and LED running lights, proximity-sensing unlock and push-button start, touchscreen navigation, and BlueLink telematics. The racier R-Spec models offer an even stiffer/sportier suspension, a Torsen limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes and 19-inch wheels. The new Ultimate trim throws all the luxury and performance gear into a single, somewhat expensive, package.

Thanks in part to a new turbocharger, the Genesis Coupe’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine cranks out an impressive 274 horsepower. If that’s not enough, the 3.8-liter V6 now puts out 348 hp. While power is still king, these engines are surprisingly fuel efficient, too, when you consider the power output. Both engines now offer the choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or a new 8-speed automatic.

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
274 horsepower (260 w/regular gasoline) @ 6,000 rpm
275 lb-ft of torque (260 w/regular gasoline) @ 2,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 mpg (manual), 20/31 mpg (automatic)

3.8-liter V6 engine
348 horsepower (344 w/regular gasoline) @ 6,400 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque (292 w/regular gasoline) @ 5,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 mpg (manual), 18/28 mpg (automatic)