"Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds my Hyundai together" – Unknown.  As I turned 17, I had close to $1,800 saved up in the bank that I could spend on a car. Yes, I was off to purchase my first car and like most of us, will never forget it although sometimes I’d like to.

My first car was a 1991 Hyundai Scoupe SE. It wasn’t a junker, yet was a junker not long after I had driven it 35K and at 85K miles total on the car, it was time to retire it. However, since that time, Hyundai has had a new “genesis” in building cars. Now, even I, wouldn’t mind to drive an Hyundai again. With the debut of their Genesis Coupe, Hyundai is raising some eyebrows.

Hyundai has seemed to finally get it right. With the entry of the Hyundai Genesis into the market, they are gaining ground on such companies as Infiniti, Lexus and others. THMotorsports decided to take a stroll over to a local dealership in Chicago to find out what the buzz is all about.

To start the Hyundai Genesis Coupe S has a 3.8 litre engine putting out a generous 306 HP, a limited slip differential, and Brembo brakes.

Now I never would thought I’d see the day that I would compare a Hyundai to an Infiniti G37 S, considering that my second car was a 1995 Nissan 240 SX SE, but that day has come. So, here’s a little rundown and comparison of the two:

For $29,500 you can have a Hyundai Genesis with a 3.8-liter V6 and the Track package, which adds a stiffer suspension, a Torsen limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes and 19-inch wheels. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and complete with its floor mats, iPod connector and destination fee, it costs $30,375. This number, by the way, is $6,625 less than the base price of the Infiniti G37.

The Infinit G37 S starts out at $37,000, which is startling higher that the Hyundai Genesis and when you start adding features up, it’s clear to see that you’re going to pay much more for the Infiniti: 

If you want a spoiler on your Infiniti G 37 S, you have to add the navigation system, which immediately adds $2,200 and of course the cost of the spoiler ($550.00)



 

Test Results

	Base Price / As Tested	Powertrain	Curb Weight (lbs)	0-60 (sec)	0-100 (sec)	1/4 Mile	Braking 60-0 (ft)	EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy) (mpg)	PM Fuel Econ. (mpg)
HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE 3.8	$27,250 / $31,750	306 hp 266 lb-ft 3.8-liter V6, 6A	3480	5.8	14.25	14.06 sec @ 99.82 mph	112.44 ft	18/26	22.74
INFINITI G37s	$37,465 / $45,045	330 hp 270 lb-ft 3.7-liter, 7A	3760	5.69	13.77	13.90 sec @ 101.2 mph	119.37 ft	18/26	23.00

Now if you’re looking at the two cars on paper, the Hyundai Genesis comes out the clear winner, however we all know that if you spend 7-10K more, you will get it somewhere. Where you’ll get it is on the inside of the G37. Here’s what it packs.

The G37's center stack offers two additional knobs that are universally more expensive and offer more expedient, rapid control than buttons. In this case, there's another knob for the G37's passenger temperature, because dual-zone climate control is standard on the Infiniti and not available on the Genesis. There's also another knob for radio tuning. The radio and ventilation controls for both cars operate with quality feel, but with few exceptions, the Infiniti offers a slightly improved level of precision and control from its knobs.

The Infiniti's $2,200 Navigation package provides one of the best nav systems in the business as well as XM Nav Traffic, 9.3GB of hard-drive storage for music and a compact flash slot for MP3 playback. Navigation won't be available on the Hyundai until mid-model year.

Hyundai has cut no corners on the seats of the Genesis, however. In fact, the only way we can think to realistically improve them is to put a non-slip surface on the seat bottom. Otherwise, they are supportive, adjustable, even good-looking. And they're superior to the G37's seats in every way except there is no easy-entry release for either of the front seats, a feature the G offers.

Once in the backseat, passengers 5-foot-10 and taller will have to duck down in the Genesis but will still fit in the G37. Both cars make compromises in their rear seats, which is to say, don't plan on riding in the back of either one for very long.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is truly a beautiful machine with lines and angles which will catch everyone’s eye. Hyundai managed to knock off the G37's elegant proportions and then add some much-needed shape. At first glance, you’d never think it was a Hyundai. but perhaps, that’s not such a bad thing ... to look and feel like a Hyundai afterall!

Click below for Hyundai Genesis performance parts

July 1, 2009 - HKS has a new Hyundai Genesis performance product line. - Click here