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Picking the Fastest Hyundai Genesis: More Is More

When you describe the fastest Hyundai should you look at strictly 0-60 times or should you measure things like horsepower and torque? One website has declared the definitive winner and it probably won't surprise most folks but some might find it wrong.

WallStCheatSheet.com, in a profile of the fastest 40 cars for every brand in the United States, has proclaimed the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec as the fastest Hyundai sold in the United States. As the site explains, "This car makes 348 horsepower from a 3.8 liter V8 engine, and can hit 0-60 in 5.6 seconds. Not bad for a company that traditionally builds consumer sedans not really tailored for road performance."

It further explains, "Top speeds are governed by Hyundai’s internal systems, but the Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec is capable of reaching terminal velocity in the neighborhood of 152 miles per hour. Though cars like the Equus sedan are more powerful, the Genesis Coupe is the car you’ll want if you’re trying to get somewhere in a hurry."

But what about the 2015 Genesis sedan with a V8? According to MotorTrend.com, "Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.2 seconds, up from that last-gen Genesis' 4.8-second time." Sure, the sedan is slower than its predecessor but it appears to be faster than the coupe by a full four-tenths of a second. (The V6 sedan is rated by various publications and websites in the 6.6 to 6.8 second range for 0-60 times.)

Don't consider the Veloster Turbo a competitor. It's rated at 7.7 seconds for 0-60, which is respectable coming from a 2.0-liter, 200 hp engine. The 2014 Hyundai Equus just loses the 0-60 competition by a mere tenth of a second to the Genesis coupe and a half-second to the 2015 Genesis sedan.

So, when it comes to outright 0-60 times the winner is the Hyundai Genesis sedan – not the Genesis Coupe. How is that possible?

Keith Griffin has been writing continuously about new cars since 2002. He used to be the guide to used cars at former About.com as well as a contributor to The Boston Globe and Automotive Traveler. He is founder and president of The Internet Car and Truck of the Year, where "Internet Pros and Average Joes" pick the car and truck of the year. Currently Keith is the managing editor for American Business Media. Follow Keith at @indepthauto on Twitter.

Comments

John (not verified)    June 16, 2014 - 12:11PM

You do know that the 3.8 is a v6, not a v8, right? There's no credibility here when the Sedan that comes with the 5.0 v8 is definitely faster.

Gunslingerxxxl (not verified)    November 9, 2020 - 11:30PM

In reply to by John (not verified)

I will have to argue the obvious belief that just because it’s a larger size, does not automatically qualify the 5.0 v8 as being the typical logically answer when in most cases larger and bigger equals faster simply because of the larger displacement vs a standard 3.8 sedan , so hear me out there’s a potential sleeper amongst the ranks , I personally own can attest too and believe that what I’m saying as being the honest credible truth it’s the overlooked 2015 3.8 Awd sedan it’s Source being the lambda II V-6 3778 cm3 @231 cui, 231.9 kW @ 315 PS @311 hp (SAE net) of power, 397 Nm @ 293 lb-ft of torque, the 8-speed automatic SHIFTRONIC manual shift mode powertrain offered from mid-year 2014 for North American . Specifications listing with the outside and inside dimensions, fuel economy, top speed, etc ... the supplied data from performance factory data and ProfessCars™ estimation: this Hyundai would accelerate 0-60 mph in 6.2 sec, 0-100 km/h in 6.6 sec, 0-200 km/h in 26 sec and quarter mile time is 14.5 sec. Specs review in automobile-catalog.but we’re forgetting the obvious what do we do when we wanna beat the breaks off of that show off in the other lane if we wanna push the limits and risk the added dangers of disabling safety systems we do all that then drop it in manual mode 1st gear and tap sport mode then we disable safety systems V-6 3778 cm3 / 231 cui, 231.9 kW / 315 PS / 311 hp (SAE net) of power, 397 Nm / 293 lb-ft of torque, 8-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC manual shift mode powertrain offered since mid-year 2014 for North America . Specifications listing with the outside and inside dimensions, fuel economy, top speed, performance factory data and ProfessCars™ estimation: this Hyundai would accelerate 0-60 mph in 6.2 sec, 0-100 km/h in 6.6 sec, 0-200 km/h in 26 sec and quarter mile time is 14.5 sec. Specs review in automobile-catalog. I also like to put it in park after I turn off turn off traction control and I turn off any of the lane assist or the pre/post departure lane assist I like to give Genny some gas pre launch by rapidly depressing the peddle as fast and as quickly as I can and remove the pressure just as fast so that the engine begins to rev but it never makes it actually accelerate its like a Erving it in neutral but in gear instead reason is it will open the electronic dampers in air box if not already being forced open and the naturally aspirated 3800 loves that air I removed the under panel and I get better mileage and faster track times but she kills the file sometimes I get as low as 2mpg but I have posted online photos of as high as 33mpg but after all that cockpit work she’s one bad ass genesis that 6.4 is now reduced drastically and your possibly somewhere closer I the range between 4.x or 5.x seconds she drinks gas and eats tires now in a 10% torque to front tires and 90% @ the rear in manual sport mode and sport mode opens the air restricting valve open full time and she will break loose at launch but rarely has the time too chirp unless she’s sitting some 245/45/R18 front and backs at 33psi but track time I over inflate to about 35or 36 but never surpass 49 psi when there heated this is not a suggested action to take it just makes the less play between the rubber and the road no lag just jet force and if your able to have a safe closed track with some slight mods we have had my genny pushing over 200 mph it was too fast and the system shows error in heads up when you surpass 199 there is no program for 200 that’s how we know we broke 200 it took a few try’s and a some adjustments like switching traction control on or off depending on conditions because your not gonna need all that torque at the wheels you need the engine and the and transmission etc to sync and give it all and she will haul ass I also have ran it against a 500 hp genesis 3.8 and got schooled real quick 160 happens reall quick so all you have to do is get past them before the max at 139 o144 mph the awd stock will push 160 any day if allowed non of this governed top end it’s already a 5000 rpm vehicle so that 8 speed sounds like it’s saying wow wow wow wow wow once you pass 140 I raced a police suv the Ford that thing beat a helcat but it can’t keep up with the 2015 awd the awd is lighter then the v8 and is really not that much less hp when it comes to the burly v8

Keith Griffin    June 16, 2014 - 2:25PM

That's why it is in direct quotes. I know it's a V6. I should have put "sic" next to the error. But my point is the Genesis V8 sedan is still the fastest Hyundai - not the Genesis coupe as the other site argues.

Auto Motive (not verified)    July 20, 2014 - 8:18AM

We have a 2011 Kia Optima Turbo and the 0-60 numbers from 1/4 miles times on line says its 6.1 second car. I agree. Its a sports sedan at $30k. My 95 vette with 300hp and 340 ft.torque hits 60 in published 5.1 seconds. The qtr mile in 13.5 only 1 second faster than the 1/4 mile time of the Optima Turbo. So much power can be generated from a 2 liter engine and the AMG 45 does it at 355 hp. Pricing is $55k which is rich considering the new corvette base is $53k with 450 hp . The next gen Genesis coupe should get the v8 to compete with the Camaro and Mustang.

colemaz123 (not verified)    January 26, 2015 - 1:38PM

Veloster is a 1.6 not 2.0 with 201hp. I wish my little VT had a 2.0T... would be blowing WRXs out of the water with that kind of power to weigh ratio.

Jm24 (not verified)    August 21, 2016 - 10:55PM

In reply to by colemaz123 (not verified)

Yeah the power to weight ratio would be prett nice. Although, Even with the hypothetical 2.0 came with direct injection like the WRX.
You won't have AWD.
Or a full four door sedan.
What you get from the WRX for the price is amazing.

J Baker (not verified)    May 1, 2015 - 10:12AM

Your whole article is wrong... I've owned two genesis coupes and it took me about three seconds to tell that you didn't double check your sources.
My 2015 3.8 has the same 348hp, and the same 0-60 times as the 2013-2014, which is 5.1 on a slow day. - and thats the automatic. Saying the 5.0 sedan can take the 3.8 coupe is hilarious, and I would seriously reconsider your whole article.

Chris (not verified)    April 17, 2016 - 6:30PM

In reply to by J Baker (not verified)

I agree with the last statement said. My 2015 Genesis coupe R spec 3.8 manual hits 4.9 0-60 stock....once I put on better tires I was hitting 4.7...now with a few simple mods im pushing 405 hp 350 ft/lbs with a 4.0 0-60 time.....your figures are way off. A 2.0T R Spec is 5.7 0-60 and even one with a tune and intake couldnt keep up with my stock 3.8. Lots of magazines either bash companies because they are paid too or their drivers are amatuers who cant drive stick.

John T. (not verified)    April 22, 2016 - 7:09PM

Hey Chris,
How about a little detail on the mods you did to get to 405hp.
Thanks,

Chris Huber (not verified)    March 11, 2019 - 2:21PM

In reply to by John T. (not verified)

Sure. I did a big bore throttle body, throttle body spacer, and K and N cold air intake with catless g reddy exhaust cat back. Ported intake manifold, lightweight pullys, and a tune. Stock with 93 octane you should be around 290 whp. The mods I did brought me up to 357 whp and 290 wtq which is a monster difference. Next thing I want to do is the Brian cower 4.2 stroker kit. Adds around 150 HP. I want this to be an all motor beast like the GT3 Porsche which is pretty close to this engine in specs to what I have now and they are a 4.0 I6 I believe. Imagine the genesis coupe 4.2 V6 550 HP 500 ft lbs all motor? That's orgasmic lol

MIKLO (not verified)    January 3, 2017 - 10:21AM

I bought a new Genesis in 2009 and still have it with only 41,000 miles. Although I drove both the V6 and V8 I went with the V6 and I am still happy that was my choice. To say I like this car is an understatement, I have only had one issue with the car when it was very new about 3,000 miles, an accelerator module went bad. Happily the car didn't stop running it did what it was designed to do and limited my speed to about 35 mph or so. After that nothing, nada, nil it just keeps running. The dealer I got the car from threw in a free oil change every 5,000 mile and I have faithfully had this maintenance done. When the car had about 3500 miles I decided to see what it would do, after I got a little over 150mph a safety issue kicked in and made the car slow down, probably a good thing lol. So I have never regretted getting the V6. My normal gas mileage in town is 22.5 mpg and on highway 27 mpg is not uncommon. Naturally it all depends on whether I'm being heavy footed which is my tendency. With little or no effort this car seems to just glide into action from a dead stop, for sure it’s one of the best riding and smoothest cars I have ever owned, and I've had a lot of em. The funny thing is when I bought the car I really wasn't in the market for a car; in fact it was an impulse buy. Although I had read some ads about the 2009 model I didn't know it was car of the year at that time. The biggest reason I got the car is cuz at that time cars were not selling at all people were scared, when I haggled with the salesman and he gave me a price I almost jokingly threw a number back at him. He refused and as I was going to my car he called me back and came to within $200 dollars of the number I said, so now I had to decide if I really wanted a car as he called my bluff. To me it’s the best deal I've ever gotten on a car and I hope to get many more years of enjoyment from this great car.

MIKLO

Jonathan (not verified)    January 3, 2017 - 6:18PM

In reply to by MIKLO (not verified)

That's awesome. Glad your enjoying your car. And way to not take any bull from the dealer. they take advantage of so many other people that it's good to steal one from them from time to time. They'll survive.

jack (not verified)    July 16, 2018 - 2:50PM

this car the v6 3.8l with its 350hp 24 valves dual head over cam one for enter one for outing..and its gaz direct injection...makes it for its price range a beast...under 5 seconds 0-60 man that's faster than older mustangs gt 5.0....beats completely the genesis 2.t....and the 5.0 v8...man why haven't they added some mod of any kind to gives this car an edge over the v6...its a sedan over weight...makes it slower than the v6...anyways my v6 2015 30 0000 miles...is a joy to drive and race lol...ive raced a few cars that were prolly impressed with the performance of my car one was a Honda si civic...was almost on par at start up but quickly took the lead after a few seconds....man the feeling of changing the gears on sports mode on my pedals on the stering was a thrill....8 speed monster.

What? (not verified)    July 7, 2019 - 1:46AM

In reply to by jack (not verified)

Huh? I read you comment 3 times, still hard to follow. You grammar is horrible, but that's not a big deal. There are alot of different nationalities and people speak /pronounce things differently. I assume you are not English nor American.
The worse thing was the excessive use of "......." And the non use of any periods, commas, or punctuation in general.
Like I said, grammar is no big deal for reason listed above, but try to use periods, if not you have one big run on sentence. Probably is a word, "prolly" is not in any language.

Mad_chad (not verified)    November 26, 2019 - 5:15AM

Bought a 2013 track trim automatic. Cecil county dragway is only 7 minutes away, so off I went. Dragstrip doesn't show 0-60 times, but here are my qmile times...

1st run in sport mode and paddle shift. 14.0...paddles lagged between shifts
2nd run left in manual mode and shifter using stick...13.9 still lagging
3rd run sport mode only let car shift. 13.7
4th run same as 3rd sport mode let car shift 13.67

Car is 100% bone stock with just a drop in k&N filter since CAI and SRI give no advantage in hp gains over just a simple filter change (about 4 to 5 hp)

Love this car, now has 107k miles and only thing is the glitchy touch screen in these cars, kinda doesn't want to listen to you touch spots! Besides that, nothing has gone wrong on this car.