Hyundai Genesis Coupe V6 beats out Infiniti G37 in first comparison test
by Damon Lavrinc on Feb 27th 2009 at 7:59PM 
While we're working on our own shoot-out between the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and a yet-to-be-named contender, the crew at Inside Line put Hyundai's new rear-wheel-drive two-door against one of its strongest opponents: the Infiniti G37.
IL's 3.8-liter V6 Genesis Coupe tester came equipped with the Track pack, which includes a stiffer suspension, limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes and 19-inch wheels, along with the standard six-speed manual. The sticker? $30,375, or $6,625 less than a base model Infiniti G37. For the extra scratch, the Infiniti is a more luxurious package and carries a bit of badge snobbery, but performance and driver engagement are the metrics we're interested in and the Hyundai proved to be a serious contender.
The G is packing more power from less displacement (330 vs. 306 hp), a bit more torque (270 vs. 266 lb-ft) and revs higher (7,600 vs. 6,800 rpm). But it's also packing the pounds. The Infiniti tips the scales at 3,709 pounds, while the Genesis Coupe comes in just under 3,500 pounds.
IL performed its usual battery of tests, along with a dyno run, and deemed the G37 a better vehicle on the road from both a driving and livability standpoint, but gave props to the Genesis for its competence on the track and predictable handling characteristics. Both cars were remarkably close in the performance department, with the Hyundai taking the win on the skid-pad, while falling short on the sprint to 60, quarter-mile time and slalom run.
IL's conclusion: For two-thirds the cost of the Infiniti G37, the Genesis Coupe 3.8 gives you more bang for the buck and deserves a place on any enthusiast's short-list. Look out for our own review – including the 2.0T model – soon, but in the meantime, read IL's full comparo here.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 13)
paul 8:04PM (2/27/2009)
and you dont get the ricer boy label when you drive one. genesis ftw.
Reply
Skipper 8:11PM (2/27/2009)
I don't care for either vehicle. But the comparison test doesn't seem fair. The infiniti won the performance and luxury aspects and lost because of price? If the main criteria were price then the infiniti was going to lose from the beginning. What would be the point of have the comparison in the first place?
Pokey 8:12PM (2/27/2009)
Um, yes you do.
The Luigiian 8:23PM (2/27/2009)
People who drive luxury sports cars are considered "ricer boys"? Since when did this happen?
Johnny 8:42PM (2/27/2009)
you get what you pay for.
you get a better exterior
you get a better interior
you get a more hightech engine
you get more hp
you get more torque
you get more prestige
you get faster 0-60
you get faster 60-0
you get a better driving feel
and you pay 6,000 more. so whats the problem here? if it was a price review then dont review at all.
with the genesis you get a 7/8ths G37 for 7/8ths the price.
Alex 9:17PM (2/27/2009)
This may sound dumb but what does ftw mean?
Owain Ozymandias Buck 9:25PM (2/27/2009)
For Alex--
FTW = For The Win
I date back to the old bulletin board days. I had a Compuserve account too. Believe me, I have a hard time deciphering all these kids forum-speak. I guess you don't call it 1337 speak any more, anybody know what you call this stuff now?
jv2k 11:06PM (2/27/2009)
From what I gathered they just stated that the Infinity is slightly better, but not $10k better than the genesis.
Randy915 11:59PM (2/27/2009)
HA! Trust me, within a few years the Genesis will be the new Integra. The car's not even out and you already see all these Fast and the Furious versions being shown off at these car shows with their ridiculous kits and decals.
The word "meh" comes to mind when I see a G37. The word "meh - $6,000 + rice" will come to mind when I see the Genesis.
Jrejre 1:06AM (2/28/2009)
"I guess you don't call it 1337 speak any more, anybody know what you call this stuff now?"
Annoying.
Andrew 1:27AM (2/28/2009)
So lets re-trace some steps.
1. Hyundai goes on a multi-million dollar advertising spree on web, print and TV.
2. The economy is in the dumps and magazines, blogs and TV stations are dying for cash.
3. Hyundai gets hailed as the best in all shoot outs covered by these magazines, websites and TV shows.
Zip 1:46AM (2/28/2009)
@hakuta
Hyundai only worst car in Japan.
Xbox360 is only worst game machin in Japan.
Motorola is only worst mobile phone in Japan.
That is the Japanese problem.
Zip 1:49AM (2/28/2009)
Hyundai engine listed as 2009 world 10 Best Engines.
http://wardsauto.com/reports/2009/tenbest/best_engines_2009_081205/
Where is nissan? LOL
Hyundai : Rising Sun
Nissan : Declined Sun
Valentino Amoro 4:32AM (2/28/2009)
I dont why folks are hating, slicing and dicing the guts out of this car.
Keep in mind, in todays economy, with folks cancelling RWD projects all we'll end up is like the UK.
Lots of 'souped up commuter cars', i.e-hot hatches that regular folks can afford while the rich enjoy the RWD goodness.
Here we're lucky to have the choices we do. This car along with the upcoming Camaro are performance bargains. For the price of hot hatches they are delivering more power, sleeker looks and a natural driver-track centric RWD layout.
I applaud Hyundais effors to go out of their way to design this at what probably is a great cost, in a risky market. Plus, they have taken great pains to court enthusiasts and tuners. Can you name many firms that do that???
Eitherway, the G37, 370Z and the Hyundai are slick rides. I personally would take the 370Z (from all accounts that car has the Cayman S and E46 M3 matched if not beaten, and is better than the 135). If money was an issue, the Hyuindai 2.0T track edition is the one to get (R Spec) + a chip and FMIC along with exhaust.
Good job Hyundai. Thanks for considering the car enthusiasts calls rather than bending over backwards like Toyota and Honda and making 'corporate bland vehicles that get you from a to b'.
Valentino Amoro 4:59AM (2/28/2009)
The other thing to keep in mind is the review seems quite fair. Int his economy, a 6-10K difference is a lot. Also, if you're looking at quarter mile times etc, you're missing the point of this review.
Both cars are different. From my understanding, the G37 is better on paper and interior. The Genesis feels more progressive, easy to control and push to the limit. Looking at the video and having driven the G37 (I'm not the biggest fan and would prefer the 370 over it) I'm not surprised. The Genesis definitely seems more controllable with the throttle. It's a fun car thats actually affordable, good looking and can be enjoyed on a twisty road without a) torque steer that comes with Hot hatches b) throttle steer c) no turbo lag d) a hefty price tag e) power to get you in serious trouble f)serious compromises, think Lotus Elise.
Also, this coupe has the same HP as a Cayman and 2001 911. It's a great deal.
Finally, I'd like to mention, as enthusiasts we should support efforts by firms like this for listening to us (along w other firms like Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, GM and BMW, although the latter charges an arm and a leg for the goods!) and giving us something we can actually afford. The enthusiast is the toughest market to enter, satisfy and Hyundais efforts seem to be right on the spot. Especially w the tuner thing that I love!
shadysi 9:01AM (2/28/2009)
if you read the article, its 6K less than the *base* g37. The g37 they tested was 44K.. so there is a nearly 15K difference in price.. not just a 6K difference.
tekd 10:38AM (2/28/2009)
The one the tested against was indeed a lot more money, but it's kind of BS to load it out with a ton of options then compare the pricing between a luxury car and a Hyundai, no matter how similar their powertrains are.
Did they *have* to throw $10K worth of options into the thing?
Anyways, they should do a 370z vs Genesis comparo so they're on more even playing fields as far as pricing goes.
Otherwise by this pricing logic almost anything would win against the Maserati Gran Turismo since it's crazy expensive but no faster than a whole bunch of cheaper cars. But that's not the point since nobody buys a luxury sports car for value. Jeez.
Alex 12:02PM (2/28/2009)
@Owain Ozymandias Buck
thank you i thought it may have meant that.
A.N.E. 12:55PM (2/28/2009)
@hakuta
The header on the site says, "We would like people all over the world to know the fact of Korea" but there's no attempt even at an English translation.
I infer the content here refers to industry "copycatting"? That's amusing because the Japanese have been copying American design and technology from the get-go.
jsjs 1:25PM (2/28/2009)
you get what you pay for.
you get a better exterior
you get a better interior
you get a more hightech engine
you get more hp
you get more torque
you get more prestige
you get faster 0-60
you get faster 60-0
you get a better driving feel
and you pay 6,000 more. so whats the problem here? if it was a price review then dont review at all.
----------------------------------------------
Then all the auto reviewers should never compare the G37 to the 3 Series coupe either since they ALL take PRICE into consideration.
As for better exterior, Infiniti ruined the G35's classic looks.
While the GenCoupe has a badly shaped/sized grille, that can be fixed w/ an aftermarket grille. Other than that. the GenCoupe looks more aggressive and distinctive than the G37.
As for the Infiniti having the more high-tech engine - that's really not the case, considering that Infiniti has always been known for "cheap" power.
As for torque - what really matters is low-end torque and the GenCoupe is considerably ahead of the G37 in that dept.