Car Reviews

Honest John Reviews Hyundai

Hyundai Coupe (2002 – 2009) Review

Hyundai Coupe (2002 – 2009) At A Glance

3/5

+Good-looking coupe that's packed with kit. Drives well, particularly the V6 model. All offer keen value.

-Other coupes offer a sharper drive. Reports of rear brake pipe corrosion on 2002-2003 cars.

Insurance Group 23
On average it achieves 90% of the official MPG figure

First it was dubbed the "swoopy coupe", launched in 1996. Then, in January 2000, it grew bulbous protrusions, like an early nineties Celica GT-4. Then, in January 2002, it became the seriously good looking car of today.

I admit the Bank Holiday Grey sky made ideal photographic conditions. But that rear three quarters view is one of the best of any sports coupe ever. Including Ferraris. The design team must have studied the form of exotic sports coupes a bit like Quentin Tarantino studies movies. It's got heart. It got passion. There isn't any way it could be improved. It's a stunner.

And the only real competition from this era is the Toyota Celica.

That's the slightly worrying bit. Volkswagen didn't cancel the Corrado, Ford didn't chop the Cougar and Vauxhall didn't curtail the Calibra because the cars were selling too well. The market moved away from that kind of car. Instead of climbing down into their low-slung cabins, punters clawed their way upmarket into more upright saloon-based coupes, like the BMW CI and the Mercedes CLK. Which, of course, are much easier to get in and out of for anyone past the age of 60.

Hyundai Coupe 2.0SE 2004 Road Test

Reviews for Hyundai Coupe (2002 – 2009)'s top 3 rivals

Alfa Romeo GT
3/5
Roomy, five-seat cabin, capable JTD diesel and gorgeous looks.
Volkswagen Scirocco
4/5
Good to drive, with strong performance and keen handling, improved from 2014 with up-to-date equipment....
Vauxhall Astra Twintop
4/5
Smart looks. Drives well, especially the 2.0 Turbo. Keen pricing.

Hyundai Coupe (2002 – 2009) handling and engines

Twin exhausts sound very sporty without going over the top. The car accelerates with a fair bit of alacrity, grips and handles well, and has excellent ride quality for a sports coupe. Nothing to fault there. They have got everything right. I can't tell you how much harder the V6 goes with its extra 24bhp and six-speed box. Not sure how relevant that is anyway. The 2.0SE goes well enough not to be a sheep in wolf's clothing and driving very fast on public roads doesn't impress anyone any more.

I do have to ponder who will buy the car, though. Four years ago I went on the launch of the protrusive Mk II Coupe in Majorca and I thought it was a car for divorced men in their late 40s to drive divorced women in their late 30s back from nightclubs. The Mk III is a much better car and a truly great looker. But who's going to go for it?

Perhaps former owners of Ford Probes, Ford Cougars, Mazda MX6s, old-shape Toyota Celicas, Vauxhall Calibras, Volkswagen Corrados, Volvo 480s.

If that's you, you won't be disappointed. And until a more knowledgeable neighbour puts them right, at least one person on your street will think you've won the Lotto and bought yourself a Ferrari.

 

Engine MPG 0-62 CO2
1.6 37 mpg 11.9 s 182 g/km
2.0 35 mpg 9.3 s 193 g/km
2.7 V6 29 mpg 8.3–8.4 s 236 g/km

Real MPG average for the Hyundai Coupe (2002 – 2009)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

90%

Real MPG

23–39 mpg

MPGs submitted

83

Hyundai Coupe (2002 – 2009) interior

Dimensions
Length 4395 mm
Width 1760 mm
Height 1330 mm
Wheelbase 2530 mm

Full specifications

It is a very long way down to the driver's seat. You sit low and encased, like a racing driver. The seats are fully adjustable and very comfortable. Yet the sight lines are good, with big sensible door mirrors. The dashboard is fine too, apart from the usual fiddly DIN-fit CD radio and the unpleasant, un-sports-car like column stalks. Leather is standard in the £16,495 2.0SE and the £18,495 V6. There's a very neat cupholder for the passenger. The back seats fold individually creating a decent flattish area for golf clubs or for a pooch to snooze on. Be warned the turning circle is surprisingly large: bigger than the Santa Fe which I had parked in exactly the same place the week before.

Hyundai Coupe (2002 – 2009) models and specs

Dimensions
Length 4395 mm
Width 1760 mm
Height 1330 mm
Wheelbase 2530 mm
Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight 1256–1424 kg
Boot Space 418 L
Warranty 5 years
Servicing 10000 miles
Costs
List Price £15,145–£19,625
Insurance Groups 23
Road Tax Bands I–L
Official MPG 28.5–37.2 mpg
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult -
Child -
Pedestrian -
Overall -

On sale until June 2009

Coupe
Version List Price MPG 0-62
2.0 3dr £18,030 35.3 mpg 9.3 s
2.0 3dr Auto £18,030 - -

On sale until October 2008

Coupe
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.6 3dr £16,095 37.2 mpg 11.9 s

On sale until January 2008

Coupe
Version List Price MPG 0-62
2.7 V6 3dr £19,625 28.5 mpg 8.4 s
2.7 V6 3dr Auto £19,625 - -

On sale until March 2006

Coupe
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.6 S 3dr £15,145 37.2 mpg 11.9 s
2.0 SE 3dr £17,170 35.3 mpg 9.3 s
2.0 SE 3dr Auto £17,170 - -
2.7 V6 3dr £19,190 28.5 mpg 8.3 s
2.7 V6 3dr Auto £19,190 - -

Model History

February 2002

Much improved Hyundai Coupe launched in the UK, with prices starting at £14,000. Two engines available at launch: a 2.0-litre and 2.7-litre V6. The entry level powertrain has 137PS at 6000rpm and 133lb ft (180Nm) torque at 4500rpm. Zero to 60 takes 9.1 seconds and top speed is 126mph. Transmission options are five-speed manual or four-speed H-tronic automatic. Tyres are 205/55 R16s.

The 2.6-litre V6 develops 171PS at 6000rpm and 181 lb ft (245Nm) torque at 4000 rpm. Zero to 60 takes 7.9 seconds and top speed is 136mph. Transmission options are either a six-speed manual or a four-speed H-tronic automatic. Tyres are 215/45 R17.

Standard kit on all models includes:- twin front and side airbags, ABS, electric windows and mirrors, seat belt pre-tensioners, front fog lamps, six speaker radio/CD player, air-conditioning, leather gearknob and steering wheel, alloy wheels and engine immobiliser. In addition, the 2.0 and 2.7 have keyless entry and alarm, cruise control, leather seats and a sunroof.

July 2002

1.6-litre launched with 105PS at 5800rpm, while torque is 106 lb ft (144Nm). Zero to 60 takes 11.6 seconds and top speed 114mph. Howrever, there’s no automatic transmission, with just a five-speed manual available.

February 2005

Entire range gets facelift

July 2006

Coupe 2.0 Atlantic launched, based on SE but with special colours, six disc CD multiplayer, climate control, auto-dimming mirror and automatic lights. Prices start at £17,170, same price as SE Coupe.

March 2007

Range facelifted again as 'new look' SIII for 2007.

April 2008

Limited edition TSIII joins the Coupe range, priced at £19,595. Styling enhancements and special colours are included as standard, along with sports suspension, quilted leather seats and anthracite finish alloys.

Four paint colour options of Stone Black, Rose Red, Crystal White or Carbon Grey are available. Crystal White and Rose Red have never been offered on the Coupe before and are exclusively available on the TSIII in very limited numbers. To complement and contrast with these colours, the 17-inch alloy wheels have a special anthracite finish. At the rear the quad exhaust pipes deliver a sportier engine note, while a larger boot spoiler with integral brake light gives the TSIII a more purposeful look.

Inside the cabin, TSIII featured quilted leather sports seats offering more support and comfort to enhance the driving experience. Matching quilted door trims complete the look. Elsewhere in the interior, chrome sill guards with a TSIII logo, metal trimmed pedals and footrest add to the sporty feel of the cabin. Air conditioning with climate control, heated front seats and cruise control all come as standard on the TSIII, along with iPod compatible stereo and metal-look finishes on the steering wheel, centre console and air vents. To increase road holding the TSIII came with Eibach sport springs which also give the Coupe a lower, more aggressive stance.

To keep the car affordable and insurable the engine and transmission remain unchanged in the limited edition, offering a mix of affordability and outright performance. The TSIII is powered by a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC petrol engine, developing 141PS. It can crack the 0-62 mph sprint in just 9.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 129 mph.

What to watch out for

01-01-0001:

Check rear brake pipes for corrosion.

05-11-2014:

2009 Hyundai Coupe SIII suffered failure of parking brake. Cables tightened while still under warranty, but fault found to be with the rear callipers and with the car out of warranty dealer asking £750 to replace.