Hyundai Coupe

Hyundai Coupe V6

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Kim Adams

October 2002

Ten years ago, I hired a car while on holiday in Spain. It was a Hyundai Pony and I can safely say it was one of the worst motors I have ever driven. By the time it went back to the airport, so many bits had fallen off, there was barely room in the boot for my luggage. If you had told me then that in only a decade Hyundai would be a major player in the car industry and the first manufacturer to offer a five-year warranty deal on all its new models, I'd have eaten my Bermuda shorts.
But here we are, 10 years on, and Hyundai is worrying some of the big names. While many of its products earn their keep at the non-glamorous end of the budget market, the Coupe has been the jewel in the firm's crown since its 1996 launch.
Having spent a happy few months with the old-shape Coupe, which graced the Auto Express long-term fleet three years ago, I've been very impressed with its replacement - and reading through the comments in our logbook, it seems that I'm not the only one falling for its charms.
The first and most obvious improvement can be found under the bonnet. When the old model arrived, it was up against the likes of the Ford Cougar and Peugeot 406 Coupe - both of which had a V6 option. Good though the Hyundai's 2.0-litre four was, there was a ceiling to its ability to entertain on the open road. The new Coupe's 2.7-litre V6 is therefore very welcome. It develops 165bhp and, although that's only 28bhp more than the old four-cylinder, the difference is enormous. There's so much more in the way of low-down pulling power and flexibility, which in real terms means less rifling through the gearbox to find the right ratio. The big downside is the horrendous fuel consumption. We were expecting it to be worse than the old model, but at only 20.3mpg, the new car is much more thirsty than we anticipated.
Inside, the Coupe has had mixed reviews from those who've sampled it. Although most reckon it marks a big improvement over the old car, tall drivers haven't been quite so impressed. The seat is mounted too high, while the headlining - which incorporates a sunroof - is on the low side. Combined, they make for a cabin that is seriously tight for six-footers - which is a big disappointment in a car that's nearly four and a half metres long.
Elsewhere, the interior quality has been upped considerably. Our previous Coupe returned to Hyundai with almost every dashboard panel creaking - but thankfully the new version is much sturdier. The seats are more supportive with bigger side bolsters, while the plastics have a classier feel. Visibility - something the old car had a real problem with - is also much better. Although there's no obvious reason for the improvement, parking in tight spots is no longer the guessing game it once was. Perhaps that over-tall driving position has its advantages after all. One thing that has united all of those who've driven the car is the handling. In short, everybody loves it.
The steering and suspension system is first class and perfectly suited to the Hyundai's nature. The Coupe slices through bends exceptionally well and is one of those cars that urges you to shun the motorway and take the twisty route home. Only the hyperactive traction control takes the edge off an otherwise top notch driving experience.
Finally, there's the looks. I wasn't too keen at first, but the Coupe's lines have grown on me. It's a shame Hyundai hasn't invented its own style rather than copy the Italians, but when it turns as many heads as this, does it really matter?