HEELS ON WHEELS: 2010 HYUNDAI GENESIS 3.8 REVIEW

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel

INTRO TO THE GENESIS VEHICLE
The 2010 Hyundai Genesis coupe offers muscle car aficionados a trifecta other competitors cannot match – cheap, fast and good. The Genesis has a 312-horsepower V6 engine under her hood, a sleek design, and generous interior features. Hyundai has thrown down the speed gauntlet with this vehicle, stepping outside of a careful carmaker box that is known for offering more functional daily rides.

I drove a 2010 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 in the Track trim, featuring the 312-horsepower 24-valve DOHC 3.8-liter V6 tuned to 266 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm. Standard highlights on any 3.8 include Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Traction Control System (TCS); foglights; trip computer; leather seats (plus leather-wrapped steering wheel); keyless entry; XM and CD player; Bluetooth; and steering wheel audio controls. The Grand Touring trim adds Xenon headlights; heated exterior mirrors; sunroof; Infinity Premium audio system; power and heated front seats with lumbar support; and Homelink. My manual-only Track trim takes it a step further by adding above plus track-tuned suspension; rear spoiler; aluminum pedals; Torsen limited-slip differentials; and the Brimbos and 19-inch alloy wheels. Total vehicle price for my Track came to $30,375.

The Genesis also offers a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which comes in 2.0T, 2.OT Premium and 2.0T Track trim. Also, the coupe comes with a smaller 210-horsepower 16-valve DOCH 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 223 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rmp.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA

Stylish But Comfortable Results:
Heavily bolstered seats are a new experience if you've never tried them before. You'll feel like a racecar driver, wonder where the seat harness is (and the visibly as this type of seating makes it hard to see behind). No navigation is available; just an annoying and elongated single warning beep every time you stick the car in reverse. Competitors can learn a lesson from Hyundai about all-exclusive packing. With just three all-inclusive trims offered, it is easy to see and understand what you're paying for.

Reliability & Safety Factor:
The Genesis is loaded with everything you'd need safety-wise: Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); Traction Control System (TCS); plus front, side and roof-mounted airbags. Also, front seatbelt pretensioners reduce slack in case of impact and better position the body in preparation for airbag deployment. Hyundai offers a warranty a bit above the regular with a 5-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Warranty, which also includes Roadside Assistance.

Cost Issues:
The 6-speed manual or automatic Genesis 3.8 coupe ($25,000) is available as is or in a Grand Touring ($27,500) or Track ($29,500) trim. Any hidden costs are easy to find (ie. delivery, carpet mats, iPod cable). You really can negotiate a loaded Genesis for these prices.

Activity & Performance Ability:
If you have been running the stats in your head against competitors, you'll figure out the 3.8 Genesis Track pretty much out-builds the rest. That 312-horsepower V6 is a fast beast of a drive; but you need to get on the good side of the 6-speed Aisin manual transmission so it doesn't feel more like struggle than a pleasure to dance with this animal. Shifting can be stiff and third gets lost a lot. This is also a vehicle that is not a lot of fun to drive in traffic situations. To get that track-tuned suspension feeling a little tighter on the Track trim, you'll notice firmer springs and shock absorbers along with larger stabilizing bars.

The Green Concern:
With 17-city/26-highway driving on the V6, you'll get an average of 20-21-mpg. The 2010 Camaro with the 304-horsepower V6 gets 18-city/29-highway; and the 2010 Mustang 210-horsepower V6 gets 18-city/26-highway.

FINAL PARTING WORDS

The Genesis 3.8 coupe has thrown a monkey wrench into both the Camaro and Mustang's game. Affordable muscle car price, great rear-wheel driving and all-inclusive trims means Hyundai has come out to play hard with this market.

Š2009 Katrina Ramser