2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track: Telematics And Infotainment

By Anh T. Huynh
published

Hyundai takes a shot at creating a rear-wheel-drive sports car, complete with navigation, infotainment, and telematics. We spent a week with the 2013 Genesis Coupe to gauge whether its technology package lives up to its improved 348 hp Lambda V6 engine.

An Introduction To Hyundai

Hyundai Motor Company has come a long ways since it was established in 1967. The first car it assembled was a rebadged and locally-assembled version of Ford's Cortina just for South Korea. In the U.S., you might remember your first encounter with a Hyundai in the late-'80s Excel (or the early-'80s Pony, if you lived in Canada). The Hyundai Excel was the company’s only offering until the Scoupe arrived in 1991. If you don't remember the Excel or Scoupe, you didn't miss much. Today's Hyundais are completely different animals.

Despite owning a controlling stake in former rival Kia Motors, the two companies operate quite autonomously. Aside from the usual platform and engine sharing (we’ll ignore the Hyundai Entourage, based on Kia's Sedona) they sell completely different vehicles, inside and out. And whereas Ford and Lincoln have SYNC with MyFord/MyLincoln Touch, Hyundai and Kia take separate paths when it comes to infotainment technology.

We recently had a look at Kia’s UVO infotainment system in Kia UVO: Mainstream Infotainment In The 2012 Soul and found it to be an excellent entry-level implementation for playing music from a USB flash drive or Apple iPhone/iPod. Hyundai takes a different approach by focusing on Blue Link, a telematics system that sets its sights on General Motor’s OnStar.

Our platform for testing Blue Link is a 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 in the Track trim. Unlike GM’s OnStar, which is available in nearly everything, Blue Link is only available in Hyundai's mid-size and higher vehicles (Sonata, Veloster, Azera, and Genesis Coupe).

Hyundai refreshed the Genesis Coupe for the 2013 model year, giving the car a fresh face, upgraded interior materials and layout, LED lighting, and of course Blue Link. We specifically picked the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe for our Blue Link evaluation because it’s the newest vehicle in Hyundai’s line-up with the telematics system, though the rear-wheel-drive layout, 348-horsepower V6, and big Brembo brakes only made the evaluation experience much more enjoyable (we love driving).

Anh T. Huynh
24 Comments Comment from the forums
  • shahrooz
    waiting for the Crysis guy
    Reply
  • Nintendo Maniac 64
    I thought at first the car in the thumbnail was a Tesla Model S... I mean, it IS essentially a computer (runs Linux on dual Tegra 3s and all).

    Now THAT'S something Tom's should review. :P
    Reply
  • assasin32
    My stereo which is primitive by comparison has a far faster "boot up" time than any of these "infotainment" systems these cars have. It starts when I turn on the car there is mabey a 1sec delay and another 1sec if I decide to put in a cd as it has to start spinning it.

    And if you want the fancy features I still think an AUX connection from the stereo to the phone is the best bet. If its a smartphone you have the internet/mp3/pandora/gps and if you want an OBD2 scanner like Torque in case your car breaks down. And people usually upgrade these things once every few years and there will be no compatability issues using an AUX connection.
    Reply
  • stellato12
    .....but can it play Crysis?
    Reply
  • cknobman
    Waiting for an STI version of the Subaru BRX or TRD version of the Scion FR-S. From most reviews I have read the Hyundai handles like a pig on the track and those Brembo brakes have issues after a few laps.
    Reply
  • tuanies
    9537403 said:
    I thought at first the car in the thumbnail was a Tesla Model S... I mean, it IS essentially a computer (runs Linux on dual Tegra 3s and all).

    Now THAT'S something Tom's should review. :P

    We're trying to get one in for a week but considering how well they're selling it'll be a while.


    9537406 said:
    My stereo which is primitive by comparison has a far faster "boot up" time than any of these "infotainment" systems these cars have. It starts when I turn on the car there is mabey a 1sec delay and another 1sec if I decide to put in a cd as it has to start spinning it.

    And if you want the fancy features I still think an AUX connection from the stereo to the phone is the best bet. If its a smartphone you have the internet/mp3/pandora/gps and if you want an OBD2 scanner like Torque in case your car breaks down. And people usually upgrade these things once every few years and there will be no compatability issues using an AUX connection.

    They still have aux inputs. However, I have an article idea that'll appeal to smartphone users such as yourself - just waiting for the Windows Phone 8 launch to commence ;) I'm open to any ideas you want to see covered though.

    9537418 said:
    .....but can it play Crysis?

    No but if you want to port Angry Birds or Duke Nukem 3D to QNX and find a way to get them loaded onto the infotainment system, go for it :p

    9537421 said:
    Waiting for an STI version of the Subaru BRX or TRD version of the Scion FR-S. From most reviews I have read the Hyundai handles like a pig on the track and those Brembo brakes have issues after a few laps.

    You and i both. The Hyundai is a fun daily, but that extra weight doesn't help it around a track.

    Reply
  • What is this on Tom's again....?
    Reply
  • travish82
    348 horsepower and 295 foot-pounds of torque... WTF? I feel like I've been living under a rock. I guess this is what happens when you only buy used cars with cash. Suddenly Hyundias are freaking fast.
    Reply
  • xsamitt
    I come here for Commuters not cars.This site has really lost it.
    Reply
  • xsamitt
    Make that computers lol.
    Reply