Back late April, I scheduled a test-drive of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Finally, I got the call from the nearest Hyundai dealership last week, and I went for a test drive today. Of course I had to stay on my best behavior in the dealership, and while driving because, of course, I'm not test driving to buy! Either way, the salesman was very nice and wasn't sales pitching at ALL.
The model I drove was the 3.8 V6 with the 6 speed automatic. The dealership had gotten a total of 4 models, and this was one that they held back because they needed at least one demonstrator. Goes to show they're selling quite fast. The salesman told me that they were getting orders left and right, and no unclaimed car stays on the floor for more than 3 or 4 days.
Acceleration:
First thing you notice when you set off is the throttle feels very light. I prefer cars with a little throttle feedback, but this one felt pretty numb during acceleration. Another thing I noticed was the exhaust note- MUCH deeper than the G35 or the G37. The 0-60 rough acceleration I did gave a time in the vicinity of the late 5's. Given that traction control was on, road surface was slippery, and the driver lacked talent, that is a very quick time. Hyundai had a torque limiter put on the first round of cars, but due to Inside Line's opinion against it, Hyundai went back and reflashed all the ECU's to kill it. I didn't feel any sort of lag between gears, although there was a time when I shifted from second to third (using the manual mode), there was a bit of an "idle" noise.
I got a bit brave and turned the traction control off. From a standstill, the tail waded off to the left. A bit of countersteer, and the fact that the car switched from 1st to 2nd, saved me from any disaster.
Drive Quality:
This particular model went up to Moroso Motorsports Park for a show-off session (if you've seen the Top Gear episode when they go to America, it's the race track fat stig tested the cars on), so it had an upgraded aftermarket suspension, and a roll cage. So obviously, this made the car a bit flat and killed all traces of body roll during normal boulevard cruising. It definitely felt a bit skittish on bumpy roads, but nothing too serious. I weaved a bit at about 55 mph, and felt no body roll. The steering was spot on. Can't complain. The transmission shifts weren't jerky at all. Didn't feel very much like a violent sports car that it's shown to be.
Styling:
Now, I haven't been a fan of Hyundai's styling; quite frankly I don't know anyone who is. But this is a good looking car. The sweeping hood, mesh grill, and low ride height make for a good look. Because this car went for a show off session to it's targeted market, it was only fitting they add some rather ugly vinyls on the side. They also upgraded the tail lights to some aftermarket ones. I like the stock ones much better. Plus, this car was black, and IMO the Genesis Coupe looks better in a lighter shade. If I'd get one, it would be in white.
Liveability:
I went into the dealership with the mind to test this car for this ultimate category. You can drive a car as fast as you want, but if it's kills your back everytime you sit in it, it's not worth a dime. The seating position was great. The seats really hugged me, but weren't uncomforatble at all. The center console is perfectly positioned. It sweeps all the way to the back seats. I love that it's so high up. Perfect arm resting position. The back seats, however, wouldn't even be comfortable for someone with polio. I'm a little shorter than 5'8, and I couldn't even get into the back, let alone sit down, with my driving position. So this has the coolest connection with a "4" seater Porsche, in that, it isn't really a 4-seater.
The sound system is really good. The 360-watt Infinity sound system sounds perfect. I properly tested that out! 
Lil' Wayne FTW!
Complaints/irks:
i) Paddle shifter. It's a button type paddle shifter, which is annoying because I had to keep moving my hands in order to move them down to shift up or down. So I just shifted with the gear stick. You have to put it into S in order to switch to manual mode, unlike other cars where the "-" paddle automatically makes the car enter into manual mode.
ii) Gear shifting. While we're on the subject of paddle shifters, or lack thereof, I didn't feel as if the car was really in manual mode. The car had a mind of it's own and didn't let me redline. I guess Hyundai's reflash kept the rev limiter on.
iii) Back seats. There aren't any.
iv) Engine bay. Flare it up!! It's "genesis" for proper Hyundai sports cars, so make it shout out.
v) You feel like you've lost power after 5000 rpm. The last 1500 revs are just there to make you go a bit faster.
vi) I hate that Hyundai's copied the Civic's steering wheel. It never looked good in the first place.
vii) Brake pedal travel. There's hardly any. I braked from 60 to zero normally, and the ABS still came on no matter how lightly I tried to press it. I guess I'm used to my Camry which has miles of pedal travel.
Note:
The dealership is getting in a 2.0L Turbo model in next week, and they said they'd call me to come over and drive it. That one is sure to impress. It's the same 4B11T engine, but lower boost pressure.
