2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Single-car reviews put a better focus on the pros and cons of the Hyundai Genesis coupe. The styling is universally lauded. Edmunds.com calls the new Genesis coupe's appearance "handsome and sporty," adding that it's "the best-looking Hyundai ever." Critics also say the car has a very driver-focused interior. TheTruthAboutCars.com's Mike Solowiow comments that the Genesis coupe's interior generally offers "rich textures and a solid build," though he points out that some areas aren't quite up to snuff: "Melted Barbie doll crept up the door panels and the center tunnel, awaiting their fate of permanent scuffing."

Autoblog.com's Sam Abuelsamid echoes that basic sentiment, calling the Genesis coupe's cockpit "well laid out and generally attractive" but adding that the materials used "don't match their upscale appearance."  Edmunds.com says the front seats are "superbly shaped." Jalopnik.com's Wes Siler calls them "surprisingly nice and supportive" with either cloth or leather upholstery. No one has anything particularly good to say about the back seat, which is "useless for adults," according to Edmunds.com. Autoblog.com calls the back seats "an afterthought." They are kid-sized, though; MotherProof.com's Kristin Varela carted around her two daughters in the back of the Genesis coupe, but noted that it was "tricky" for them to climb in. She favors driver-side entry for her kids, but the Hyundai only supplies easy back-seat access on the passenger side. The practical-thinking mom also adds that a load of groceries and sleepover gear fit fine in the cargo bay, but that large, bulky items like bikes are a no-go.

The driving position and outward visibility are both described as being very good, and a very rigid chassis contributes to extremely sporty handling. In fact, reviewers think the top-tier Track trim may be a little too sporty for the average driver in terms of ride quality. Car and Driver's Barry Winfield calls the Genesis coupe "unexpectedly hard core," adding that the ride "gets jumpy when it gets bumpy." Autoblog.com's Abuelsamid says the Track package's suspension is so stiff and punishing, "even a simple run to the store can become tiresome." He recommends opting for the more forgiving base or grand touring models if you're going to use the car on regular, flawed, public roads most of the time. Unfortunately, the critically beloved Brembo brakes that are standard on the Track trim level are not otherwise available. More than one tester complains that the manual gearbox in the Hyundai Genesis coupe does not like to be shifted quickly, which runs contrary to the car's sporting bent. Opinions differ on the optional Infinity audio system, which Edmunds calls "mediocre," but CNET's tech-centric reviewers list it as one of the Hyundai Genesis coupe's most appealing features.

Hyundai offers two different engines for the Genesis coupe. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder is turbocharged and generates 210 horsepower via either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Environmental Protection Agency mileage estimates for the four-cylinder Genesis are 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined with the six-speed manual. (Subtract one mpg each from the highway and combined figures with the automatic.)

Reviewers generally find the 2.0-liter turbo four to be underwhelming, preferring the step-up engine, a 3.8-liter V-6. It produces 306 horsepower but is also less fuel efficient, managing 17 city, 27 highway and 21 combined with the automatic transmission. With the stick shift, take away one mpg from the highway and  combined estimates. Both engines in the 2010 Hyundai Genesis coupe run on regular unleaded gas.

A complete suite of safety features is standard on all Hyundai Genesis coupes, including front, side and curtain airbags; antilock brakes; traction control; and electronic stability control. In government safety testing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awards the Hyundai Genesis coupe five-star ratings for side-driver and rollover protection, but tests for the front driver and passenger, as well as the side rear passenger, have not been conducted yet. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not yet crash tested the Hyundai Genesis coupe at the time of this writing.