By Oliver Marriage

February 2003

Town driving isn't the natural environment for any coupe, but the Hyundai is kicking up more of a fuss than most when confronted with city centres. You see, its clutch has taken a dislike to low-speed manoeuvres. While it's never felt robust, over the last few weeks the set-up has become increasingly juddery.
Jerky getaways are par for the course, not helped by the clutch's weight and a throttle that's unresponsive at the top of its travel. So what's the solution? Well, with the first service due in less than 1,000 miles, we'll get the dealer to have a look and hopefully put it right.
Apart from that, there's plenty to enjoy about the way the Hyundai drives. With more than 9,000 miles under its 17-inch alloy wheels, the 2.7-litre V6 pulls well, sounds good and delivers plenty of driver appeal. However the 165bhp unit has a frightening thirst for fuel. Hyundai claims a Government combined figure of 27.2mpg, but over the last 2,000 miles it's averaged 20.7mpg, which is only 0.5mpg better than its initial consumption - even the 340bhp Audi S6 Avant on our fleet fares better, yet it's twice as powerful.
The fuel gauge doesn't help - not only does it head south at an unseemly rate, but the range indicator gives up when there's a quarter of a tank left. There are other interior gripes, too. The indicator and wiper stalks are on the wrong sides, a colleague described the ugly gearknob as looking like a plumber's tool and the metal cover on the throttle pedal has come loose.
The three dials on the centre console are also a bit pointless. Initially, they're a novelty, but you have to look a long way from the road to see them. Below them sits the stereo which, as is the case with all customer-fit head units, is hopelessly complex - I can't even see the writing on the buttons, let alone hit the correct one on a bumpy road. Maybe our seething frustration eventually caused it to pack up. Whatever the reason, the stereo gave up the ghost and was replaced under warranty by Lex West End in London.
There's good news elsewhere, though. Gearshifts are pleasingly accurate, the seats are great - cupped to fit the back - and the doors shut with a reassuring thunk. In fact, the fit and finish are almost to German standards.
Having taken over the running of the Hyundai from our 6ft 3in consumer editor Kim Adams - and being less vertically gifted than him - I don't share his problem of limited headroom even if, at 5ft 9in, I'm still not perfectly comfortable. The pedals are possibly to blame - they could be mounted too far up the footwell. Or maybe it's just that the steering wheel could do with reach adjustment. Either way, the driving position isn't ideal.
But the cabin is surprisingly practical - there are plenty of cubbies, while rear seat space is generous by class standards. I've fitted two adults in the back without any complaints. The 419-litre boot is a bonus, too - it takes masses of luggage, all held in place by a strong, elasticated net. And with the back seats folded over, there's even room for my mountain bike, albeit with the front wheel removed. However, the Coupe does have some limitations, as there's no external boot release, nor one on the key fob. You have to go through the palaver of inserting the key in the boot lock - not easy with armloads of shopping.
But the Hyundai gets the crucial aspects of coupe ownership absolutely right. It is entertaining to drive - despite the hard ride - and looks superb. The lines are elegant and the proportions spot-on. Even the alloy wheels look great, although they're a bit fiddly to clean. But that won't put me off. Hyundai has won another convert.

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