Hyundai Genesis Coupe History, Generations, And What It’s Worth Today

Hyundai may not be the first automaker that you think of when you hear the words ‘sporty coupe’, you’ll probably be thinking of automakers such as BMW, Chevrolet, and Ford for that. You are probably more used to hearing about the South Korean automakers’ huge range of vehicles from other segments, such as new Hyundai pickup trucks, a vast lineup of ultra-modern Hyundai electric cars, and their dedication to cross-over SUVs. But, Hyundai was the maker of the long-missed and adored Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which took the coupe segment by storm and remains a legendary coupe that is available at an affordable price.

We have brought you information from a range of sources to give you the best information about the history of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the multiple Hyundai Genesis Coupe generations, and how much one of these awesome sports coupes is worth today.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Hyundai, and other authoritative sources, including Classic.com, Hot Cars, NHTSA, Repair Pal, Car Survey.org, and Fuel Economy.gov.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe Story

Since production started in 2008 in South Korea, and in the United States in 2009, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe has become a firm favorite of gas monkeys thanks to its sporty exterior, rear-wheel drive set-up, loads of potential to upgrade, and because of its successful motorsports career.

Originally released to rival other Asian-designed sports coupes such as the Nissan Z, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is not only a sporty little car, but it also shares the platform of the Hyundai Genesis luxury car. Designed for performance and comfort, it has earned a place in the hearts of many drivers.

What You Get From A Genesis Coupe

There are plenty of reasons to love the Hyundai Genesis Coupe!

Boasting rear-wheel drive, a choice of three powertrains (we will cover this a little lower down though), a choice between a manual or automatic transmission, a sporty and aerodynamic exterior design, ample technology (for each generation and for the time), renowned reliability, and optional extras such as Brembo brakes and a limited-slip differential, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe was designed, marketed and sold as a coupe that would cater for most driver’s wants.

A Legend Is Born

According to Repair Pal, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe scored 3.5 out of 5 for reliability and has an average yearly repair cost of $621, which is about average for a car of its class.

That, along with the fun that can be had with vehicles that boast rear-wheel drive and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe’s very good owner reviews on Car Survey.org, with one previous owner saying:

this Genesis is a great combination of comfort, handling, and power

These good reviews have helped it to achieve status among some of the motoring community that a lot of automakers can only hope for. It is just a shame, not just our words, that Hyundai didn’t make one more Hyundai Genesis Coupe to go up against the newer Nissan Zs and stopped making the Genesis Coupe, as we know it, in 2016.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Generations

There are two generations of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe with model years in the U.S.A. from 2010 to 2016. In 2011, a face-lift edition was released in South Korea and subsequently for the American market in 2012.

Between Hyundai Genesis Coupe model years 2009 and 2011, 6 trims are available. The 2.0T Base trim, 3.8 Base trim, 2.0T R-Spec trim, 3.8 R-Spec trim, 2.0T Premium trim, 3.8 Gran-Touring trim, and Track trim. Apart from the differences in trim, the 2.0T and 3.8 start of the name denotes what size engine is boasted.

What Each Trim Of The Genesis Coupe Gives You

The base trims feature a keyless entry, tire-pressure monitoring system, ABS, stabilizing strut-bar, and 18-inch wheels. This trim also gives you the choice between a 6-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed automatic transmission.

The next trim up, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec, features Brembo brakes, firmer suspension, an optional rear spoiler, 19-inch wheels, and a limited-slip differential made by Torsen. This trim was originally marketed as the enthusiast’s trim of choice by Hyundai and was designed for a racier ride.

Both the Premium trim and Grand-Touring trim of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe were designed to be more luxurious and boast touch-screen infotainment systems, heated seats, push-button start, leather interior, and parking sensors. If you look for one of these models, you are getting the sporty with the comfy. The Track trim was designed as the best of everything that Hyundai could offer of the Genesis Coupe, and it features aspects from Premium, R-Spec, and Grand-Touring trim in one awesome package of comfort, speed, and technology.

Between 2011 and 2016, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe was released to be available with the same amount of trims, named the same thing, except for the Track trim that was renamed the Ultimate Plus. The face-lift version of the Hyundai Coupe also boasts a more fluid-like appearance with smoother lines and a softer look overall to fit with changing trends.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Performance And Specifications

The model years between 2009 and 2011 featured either a Theta 2.0-liter inline-four or a Lambda MPi 3.8-liter V-6 paired with either automatic or manual transmission, whilst model years from 2011 to 2015 boasted the Theta inline-four or a Lambda GDi V-6. From 2015 to 2016, the only powertrain available was the Lambda GDi V-6.

(Data was collected from Hyundai)

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe Today

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe only disappeared from production in 2016, so there are still plenty still on our roads, but buying a Hyundai Genesis Coupe from between 2009 and 2016 in the U.S.A. is becoming quite difficult. In fact, there are currently only 4 available for sale online (at the time of writing). We just hope it doesn’t end like some of the best-forgotten coupes out there.

If you want to buy an underrated gem of a sports coupe like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, you need to be quick!

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe As A Collectible Car

If you are looking for a Hyundai Genesis Coupe to own as a collectible car, the good news is that, as mentioned earlier, they are relatively cheap to run per year compared to other similar cars. Also, though rarely sold, they have not quite yet reached collectible status among the auto community and can be purchased at a relatively cheap price (more on that below though). Maybe the original owners have kept hold of them because they enjoy them so much?

Though the NHTSA has not given the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe an overall safety rating, they did rate it 4 out of 5 stars for front passenger side safety and 5 out of 5 stars for front passenger safety, but, it is worth noting that there have been 155 complaints about the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which include problems with the electrics, problems with the steering, and problems with the powertrain losing power.

There was also an investigation into models between 2009 and 2012 where the brake reservoir did not contain brake fluid that would inhibit the breakdown of zinc components in the brake system. If you are looking at buying one of these model years, make sure to have this checked. However, after all this time, the brake fluid should have been changed and the brakes serviced anyway!

As an everyday commuter car, it may not be the most suitable, depending on your commute, of course, but for a car to hit the winding canyon roads, open country, or put around a track, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe does have some decent credentials for doing so. Unfortunately, there is nothing to suggest at the moment that it will become an expensive classic car one day that you can retire with.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Pricing And Running Costs

According to Classic.com, the average used price for a Hyundai Genesis Coupe is $13,012. There have only been 5 sold in the last 5 years with $22,000 being the highest price paid and $7,600 being the lowest price paid. Also, according to Classic.com, there have not been any earlier generations of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe sold in the last five years, the oldest example being produced in 2011.

For a car that can give you a sporty ride and looks the way it does, you may be surprised to hear that, according to Fuel Economy.gov, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which features a 3.8-liter V-6 and six-speed transmission, can achieve a combined MPG of 20 MPG. The newest version of the Genesis Coupe, the 2016 model, can achieve a combined MPG rating of 19 MPG and can drive an estimated range of 327 miles.

So, though not as gas-savvy as some hybrid cars of 2024, which have a huge range, in some model-year cases though, it has a better combined MPG rating than the 2023 Nissan Z, which can achieve 20 MPG. On average, you will spend around $2,555 per year on gas. Over 5 years, that equates to $3,750 more than you would spend on gas for running a modern car. Bear that in mind if you are looking to buy one.

According to Repair Pal, there are a few common faults with the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which include unwanted downshifts from the automatic transmission, a whining noise from the power-steering, no sound from the speakers, and a ticking noise from the sunroof. A noise diagnosis for a Hyundai Genesis Coupe has an estimated cost of between $88 and $111, the same price for an electrical problem diagnosis, between $544 and $902 for a power-steering pump replacement, and between $148 and $205 for spark plug replacement.

If you are looking for a cheap car to run all year round, there are plenty of small cars for 2024 that are renowned for reliability and frugality, but if you are looking for a car with some more character, sporty specs, at a relatively cheap price, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe could well be worth looking at.