Something's Amiss..

[1speedbike]

...with the Hyundai Genesis Coupe vs 128i Comparison

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..1.*

Okay, well it's a "first drive" not a direct comparo, but they mention the 128i so many times it might as well be.

Right off the bat they say that the Genesis Coupe "Track" configuration is more of a GT than a track car. Fair enough.. But by the end of the end of the article they proclaim "And for $30K, there isn't a better rear-drive sport coupe than the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track" FTW?

The 128i, despite being down 76 HP (Yes, the Genesis has 306!), is faster in a straight line (half a second faster to 60, .2 seconds faster quarter mile), as well as through the slalom (1 mph faster).

I love the Genesis, but even I know that Hyundai's target for the car was originally the luxury of Lexus, not the sportiness of BMW. Why does the 128i "lose" in their eyes? Because "it would probably be tougher to get a 128i the way we want it (i.e., with the Sport package) without straying from the $30,000 mark." I'm completely sure the Genesis is a great GT, but the best 30K RWD sport coupe?? And wait.. what happened to the 370Z that "beat" the 135i?? Someone's playing favorites!

[Robert]

306hp to perform 0-60 in 6 second range? Not putting those horse power to good use

[1ToBeOn2Wheels]

Drivetrain reduction with an "artificial reduction in power" that you'll feel for 3 seconds? What kind of materials are they using in that thing...?

And 0-60 MPH in 6.4 seconds seems glacial for 306hp.

[lib]

I think you're taking that "best" comment too literally. Especially when you consider the content of the article.

Compared to not only these coupes but also the similarly priced BMW 128i, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track reacts to your inputs in slower, softer fashion. Although decently weighted for most situations, the steering feels a bit dull and overboosted when you're running hard. And although the Genesis coupe's 68.2-mph slalom speed is respectable, the others range from 1 mph faster through the cones (128i) to a full 3 mph faster (G37).

Similarly, the 3.8 Track coupe's Brembo brakes are effective, stopping the coupe in 111 feet from 60 mph at our test track. However, pedal bite is less immediate than we'd like on a car with those famous red calipers.

At our test track, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track hits 60 mph in 6.4 seconds (or 6.1 seconds with 1 foot of rollout as on a drag strip) and goes through the quarter-mile in 14.5 seconds at 97.9 mph

Those numbers are fine, but short of Hyundai's "under 6 seconds" 0-60 claim and suspiciously pokey for a car with more than 300 hp. The overweight G37 is over half a second quicker through the quarter-mile at 13.8 seconds at 102 mph, even with 330 hp at its command. Also consider that the 128i, which is 300 pounds lighter than the Genesis but down 76 hp, easily keeps up, recording a 14.3-second quarter-mile at 96.5 mph.

It's also true that we might ultimately prefer the more athletic engine and purer handling of the BMW 128i.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

And wait.. what happened to the 370Z that "beat" the 135i?? Someone's playing favorites!

No back seat, and you'll be hard pressed to keep one under $30k.

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by lib

I think you're taking that "best" comment too literally. Especially when you consider the content of the article.



In the context of that article the "best" comment seems to be in comparison to cars you can buy for under 30k after options such as the Cobalt SS, Civic, Eclipse, GTI.

Possibly.. but a 128i with sport pack only is still 30,700, and that's after options? I understand that the Genesis is a great GT, and even though they mention it's shortcomings, I feel like they skew it slightly to make it seem like a true sports car in the end anyway, despite it's lackluster performance.

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by lib

I think you're taking that "best" comment too literally. Especially when you consider the content of the article.

Haha maybe a bit. I love the Genesis as a GT, but in the end I feel like they said something alogn the lines of, well it's supposed to be a sports coupe, not a GT, and even though its competitors are sportier, we still think it's the best. Plus, isnt a 128i with only sports package 29,400 + 1,300 = 30,700, only 500 bucks more than the Genesis they tested?

And Jeremy, yeah I completely forgot the whole no rear seats thing haha.

[dbtheo]

As I read it, I think they are saying the best in terms of the package & overall value of the car for $30k or less. With the base prices starting in the low to mid $20k's, outside of a mustang, what else is there really?

Besides they admitted they preferred the 128 cpe

[schleppcar]

uck.

A tarted up Tiburon trying to be a G37.

No thanks.