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One thing that need not be changed is the Coupe’s interior. The 2-door body style and low ceiling should make it clear that it isn’t a practical car. But the hair messing ingress is a small price to pay for the Coupe’s racy snug-fit interior that fits one like a tan-colored glove. The color reference denotes the car’s 2-tone tan/black interior that does a good Audi TT impression. Meanwhile, the general driver interface resembles that of the Nissan 350Z down to the 3-dial auxiliary gauges. That said, it easily equals any Japanese car in terms of ergonomics and control placement. The ventilation controls are easy to decipher, while the gear selector and handbrake remain in close proximity. The seating is spot on with ample adjustment. Of course, the vestigial rear seats are a different matter with the Coupe’s ultra-low ceiling. In addition, the rear hatch poses a real danger of inflicting head injuries to the rear passengers when slamming it shut. The materials used in the Coupe are mixed, but it feels well screwed together overall. The leather is top notch, as are the metallic accents and the dash. However, the door handles and the audio controls need more improvement. Still, you have to give credit to Hyundai for plopping in a superb 6-speaker sound system. Speaking of sound systems, the best one is actually located in front of the driver. The 140 horsepower engine sounds muscular and refined. Car-philes would be pleased to know that this Mitsubishi-sourced power plant is the same one that’s found in the Lancer Evolution sans hardened parts and the turbocharger. The 4-speed automatic is the same one found in the Evolution GT-A complete with the manual shift override feature. As a driver’s package, the components work well in unison providing a spirited experience without any sort of discomfort. The linear performance is complimented by how it handles the twisty roads. The well-sorted chassis offer crisp handling with good driver feedback. That said, the sporty orientation of the car means that comfort plays second fiddle. The Coupe exhibits a very stiff ride. And unlike the stiffness, of say, the BMW Z4, the Coupe soaks up all sorts of humps, bumps, and ruts. It continuously shocks the driver when going over road joints. A trip from Ortigas to Alabang can prove to be torturous if your pain threshold proves to be too low. Still, as you get out in Alabang, you can’t help but realize that the Hyundai Coupe is one good car. And unlike other Korean cars, which rely on kitchen sink kit and warranty to sell, the Coupe can genuinely count on pure driving excitement and good looks as its trump cars. It may not be the most practical choice out there, but it’s one of the perfect weekend getaway cars out there. People say that the Hyundai Coupe is the best thing to come out of Korea ever. And it is. In fact, it’s one of the best automotive surprises in the past decade. |
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