2008 HYUNDAI Genesis Coupe 3.8L V6 6MT FWD (350 HP)

Vehicle Overview

When Hyundai unveiled the Genesis Coupe, it surprised the market with a rear-wheel-drive sports car.

The Korean carmaker aimed directly at the Nissan Z370 customers when it introduced its sports car in 2010. It provided more from almost everything, including a 3.8-liter V-6 engine with 100 ccs more displacement than its Japanese competitor. And, as usual, it offered the car at a lower price.

From the outside, the sharp lines of the vehicle were just un-Hyundai style. The striking styling with triangular, swept-back headlights and a small grille above the bumper was unseen on the Korean carmaker lineup. Its bumper featured a lower, broad grille flanked by triangular, vertically mounted fog lights. But the surprises didn’t stop there. Its sculptured body panels and the waved window line were unique on the market, but at the back, the quarter panels resembled those from the already known Hyundai Tiburon (Coupe).

Inside, the carmaker installed high-bolstered bucket seats at the front and a narrow bench in the rear. The dashboard was rather dull than daring on the base trim level but gained some charm points as the customers ticked more boxes on the options list. While the base version featured a simple CD player and air-conditioning, the upper trim levels received three almost useless gauges for the instant fuel consumption, available torque, and oil temperature.

Under the hood, Hyundai offered a choice for two engines: a turbocharged inline-four and a V-6. Both versions were paired with a six-speed manual as standard, with an option for a six-speed automatic. In 2013, the carmaker improved the automatic gearboxes and the turbocharged 2.0-liter powerplant.