People who know nothing about cars will probably love the Hyundai Coup?. It looks lovely, has an attractive price tag and some decent engines. But for many buyers who think they do know a thing or two about cars the Hyundai badge is a reason not to buy one. Which is a shame, because compared with most of the competition it’s a bit of a bargain.
Introduced to the UK in January 2002, the third generation Coup? was an improvement on its predecessors, which quite rightly never won any beauty contests. The newest generation has changed all that; longer, wider and more muscular, it has more than a hint of the Ferrari 456 about its proportions, and to me its front end boasts a passing resemblance to the new Jaguar XK.
Under the bonnet is a choice of three engines. The smallest 1.6 litre produces 103bhp and takes 11.9sec to reach 62mph. It’s hardly an exhilarating drive but in its favour is a modest group 8 insurance rating and fuel economy that can approach 40mpg in mixed motoring. More satisfying is the 2 litre 136bhp unit. The £2,000 premium you would have paid when new becomes a more reasonable £1,500 on used examples, and for that you not only get a bigger, better engine, but full leather upholstery, an electric sunroof and cruise control.
For many the range-topping V6 2.7 litre 165bhp Coup? will be tempting. It has a top speed of 137mph and a 0-62mph time of 8.3sec, brisk enough for most buyers, but insurers treat the car kindly, giving it a group 14 rating. Married to a six-speed manual gearbox you can expect close to 30mpg and, with second-hand examples fetching just £500 more than the 2 litre, it represents something of a bargain.
The Coup? drives and handles well, the front-wheel-drive chassis feels nimble and the brakes are good. All 2.7 litre models come with larger 17in alloys that look good and enhance grip thanks to the wider tyres. The 2 litre and 2.7 litre models have the option of a four-speed automatic gearbox, ideal if you intend to spend much of your life in traffic, that will set you back around £350 extra on used examples.
The Coup? may come with a reasonable price tag but it certainly doesn’t have a low-rent feel. The leather upholstery looks and feels the part and the fit and finish in the cabin are spot on. It may not be quite a Lexus but you will be unlikely to tell the difference in quality between a three-year-old Nissan or Mazda and the Hyundai.
Those unfamiliar with the badge are often not aware of what many Hyundai buyers consider their greatest asset, the warranty. In September 2002 Hyundai introduced a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty to all models, meaning that all but the first few months of Coup? production will have qualified. Find a used Coup? that has been maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended schedule and you will be buying a car that still enjoys an excellent warranty, particularly good news when you buy privately.
The Hyundai may not tick the right boxes for snob value, but remove the badge and you have a very impressive coup?. And one that is sure to leave you enough money in the bank to buy yourself a decent pair of Chanel sunglasses to prove you know your designer labels.
Gearbox Six-speed manual standard on the 2.7 litre model and a five-speed manual on the 2 and 1.6
Boot The 418 litre boot is large enough to shame many family hatchbacks but because it is shallow it can struggle with awkward-shaped loads
Rear seats Better than in many coup?s but still more comfortable for children than adults
Alloys 16in alloys on 1.6 and 2 litre models and 17in rims on V6 2.7
Facelift January 2005 facelift introduced modified front and rear lights and sharper-profiled bumpers
Warranty New cars after September 1, 2002 qualified for a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty but will have required servicing every 10,000 miles, so check with Hyundai to ensure the car you are buying qualifies. Cars without warranty are worth £300-£500 less
Stereo CD player standard on all models
Air-conditioning Standard on all models, with a more sophisticated climate control fitted to the 2.7
Satellite navigation An option on all models and rarely seen
Safety Front and side airbags are standard
VITAL STATISTICS
Model Hyundai Coup? V6 2.7 manual
Engine 2656cc, six cylinders
Power 165bhp
Transmission Six-speed manual
Fuel 28.5mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-62mph: 8.3sec
Top speed 137mph
THE ONE TO BUY
Hyundai Coup? V6 2.7 manual 2002 02 registration with 30,000 miles and balance of manufacturer’s warranty. Pay £9,350 from a dealer or £8,500 privately
OR FOR THE SAME MONEY...
1997 R Mercedes CLK 230K Elegance
2000 W BMW 318Ci
2002 02 Peugeot 406 3.0 V6 SE coup?
2004 04 Vauxhall Astra 2.2i coup?
Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; ‘Retail’ is what you would pay a dealer