Bad to the bones: Chevrolet Camaro vs Hyundai Genesis Coupe

by Paulo Rafael Subido 12 Jul 2010

Photos by Charles Custodio and Hazel Beltran

Source: Top Gear Philippines, July 2010

There is no doubt that the Chevrolet Camaro will remain a desirable automobile regardless of the outcome of this battle. However, within the context of this month’s Big Test, the price difference between this car and the Genesis Coupe is just way too much.

 

Basic technical specifications	Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS	Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 V6 AT
Engine	3.6 DOHC 24V V6	3.8L DOHC 24V V6
Type	Naturally aspirated, gasoline	Naturally aspirated, gasoline
Capacity (cc)	3,584	3,778
Maximum power (hp @ rpm)	304 @ 6,400	303 @ 6,300
Maximum torque (Nm @ rpm)	371 @ 5,200	361 @ 4,700
Transmission	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic
Brakes (front/rear)	Vented disc/vented disc	Vented disc/solid disc
Front suspension	Independent multilink	Independent McPherson
Rear suspension	Independent 4.5-link	Independent multilink
Wheels	20in alloy	19in alloy
Tires	245/45 (front); 275/40 (rear)	225/40 (front); 245/45 (back)
Dimensions L/W/H (mm)	4,836/1,917/1,376	4,630/1,865/1,385
Power-to-weight ratio (hp / ton)	178.82	192.38
Fuel tank capacity (liters)	72	65
Wheelbase (mm)	2,852	2,820
Curb weight (kg)	1,700	1,575

GALLERIES

Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS	Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 V6 AT
Click on thumbnail to view more photos	Click on thumbnail to view more photos

 

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COMMENTS

• enzofroilan says yeah, i'd go for the camaro. the aggresive design, the colour and the legend it has. the genesis lacks what the camaro has, and in my imho the genesis's grille looks like a bummer. (12 July 2010)
• maklo02 says I'm impressed with the specs of the genesis but i'd still go with the camaro. Looks pa lang pamatay na! I think specs should come with looks for overall appeal. I'd rate the genesis a 7 but the camaro a 9. (12 July 2010)
• freistil16 says genesis has good specs and relatively cheaper but at the end of the day you would choose for a car that is will some kind of elevate your status in society :D and not look out of place when there are a couple of lambos, porsches even super saloons like isf, impreza sti and lan evo (12 July 2010)
• freistil16 says so id got for the camaro! (12 July 2010)
• feeter says I'm biased toward Hyundai Genesis coupe, I rode one and I'm a believer. Plus it's almost 1.2M cheaper. I will revise what Clarkson said. This Camaro was 2 BHP more but almost twice the price, heck. Hehehe. Way to go Hyundai! (12 July 2010)
• pat says Regardless of everything, I think everyone will go for the Camaro. It's the obvious choice; I think it's the first time the Camaro will be sold here, ever? Or I might be wrong. Anyways. (12 July 2010)
• docmart70 says Not everyone will go for the camaro and its not the obvious choice. This just shows that a lot of people are badge snobs and are not true car enthusiasts. MOst of you chose the camaro just because of its looks and its popularity. You just cast aside the performance of the Genesis which will leave the heavy camaro. So am guessing a true driver will go for the genesis bec of its performance regardless of the price and a poser will go for the camaro bec of its looks. . . (12 July 2010)
• redcat says the camaro is great but genesis will sell (12 July 2010)
• BOOGIECAT says The Camaro is much better..Hoping na ilabas ng Hyundai dito ang Genesis Coupe 5 Liter V8! (13 July 2010)
• maklo02 says I disagree that only "true drivers" would go for the gen and "posers" for the camaro. Yeah a car performance is great but for a car enthusiast, it's not only the performance that's important. what if I'm a very die hard car enthusiast and I still pick the camaro? does that make me a poser? yes the camaro made a mark by starring in a sci-fi robot film, but for some it's not only the brand/icon/looks that got them to choose the camaro over the gen. Don't generalize dude. (13 July 2010)
• jbits says I really like the Camaro for its mean-aggressive looks ... but i'd rather have the Genesis, way much cheaper. but not the yellow one please.. hehe (13 July 2010)
• docmart70 says I apologize if I had ruffled the feathers of some "very die hard car enthusiast", but am just commenting on some of the posts which "generalize" that "everyone will go for the Camaro. It's the obvious choice". If "it's not only the brand/icon/looks that got them to choose the camaro", I wonder what other reason is there? I have to agree it really looks stunning from a commercial point of view, but I take into consideration the steering feel, the handling and the power to weight ratio that, you know, "a very die hard car enthusiast" looks for in a car. But that's just me, I just "generalize" and its my opinion. . . (13 July 2010)
• Lee17 says People are badge snobs for a reason. aspirational value is still the name of the game. its like this, Starbucks Coffee and home made Nescafe offer the same nutritional value if you want it to, and it'll take a jar of nescafe to match to price of a grande latte at Starbucks. But why do people still go to Starbucks instead of buying boxes and boxes of Nescafe? Its the thought of having to purchase from a brand with aspirational quality. In this car class, it doesnt matter what the specs are, or what the price is. What matters is the bad-ass image it exudes. I love the Genesis, might even get one this year. but compared to the Camaro? Its no contest. (13 July 2010)
• iancmv says For this comparison, I'd definitely go for the Genesis Coupe, even if I have the money to buy the Camaro. But if I do have that much money, why go for the V6 Camaro if you can have the bad *ss V8. (13 July 2010)
• oLiVeR says I tested the Genesis Coupe on the SIR Short track last July 3. The perforamce and the handling was very good. Ang ayoko lang po sa Genesis coupe, you cannot downshift hanggang 2nd gear on the first turn. Kailangan daw imeet niya yung speed para maibaba yung gear sa second. Sorry po, pero noob po ako sa ganun technology.. hehe.. Pero the response of hyundai was very good. I cannot actually choose whose better because di pa ako nakasubok ng camaro, pero wish ko sana.. hehe.. Pero kung papipiliin ako, id go for the chevy.. just my worthless cents.. :D (13 July 2010)
• robenson says Mag susunog ka na lang ng pera, edi itodo muna. (13 July 2010)
• NovitecRosso says Im taking the Genesis, the Camaro looks hideous! And plus it's american, so it cant turn. (13 July 2010)
• tgpfan says ang hirap naman pumili...it all boils down nlg cguro kung alin ang mas sexy sa panlasa nyo :D mas gusto ko ang camaro! (13 July 2010)
• TwinTurbo says Both cars are almost the same in specs and in performance but for appeal and heritage they are worlds apart. (14 July 2010)
• sagaraemiru says I choose the Hyundai Genesis Coupe on this one. Specs-wise, they (the Genesis and the Camaro) are almost identical to each other, and personally, they are both in my personal wishlist, Bumblebee or not. But that one thing really stood out for me which made my decision: The sticker price. The Genesis is way cheaper, by more than a million bucks! (15 July 2010)
• Upet says mas gusto ko ang Camaro kasi meron na yatang Camaro wala pa yatang Hyundai noon ehh kaya may pagkaprestige ang Camaro kesa sa Genesis... (15 July 2010)
• krzcuevas says If I had to choose, syempre CAMARO. (15 July 2010)
• v!nci says i will go for the Camaro. although i admit, Genesis is competitive, specs wise. (18 July 2010)
• jetski says I'm for the Genesis for pure driving excitement and Quality time.. Camaro is overpriced by almost a million bucks. (18 July 2010)
• pat says Choosing the Camaro doesn't make you a poser. I think (personally) that those who go for the Camaro (if ever plagued by making such a decision of choosing between the two) has a great appreciation for the heritage that comes with the purchase of the Camaro. It all boils down to personal preferences whenever choosing between the cars; we may not be all in agreement but for me, the Camaro wins. It's still very desirable as it is. Buying cars like these, it isn't always what can lap the track faster, or what's cheaper. You don't buy cars like these with a brain. You buy them with a heart. Which one makes you feel happy. That's why, for me, if I were to choose between the two, the Camaro wins it. No question. (18 July 2010)
• tgpfan says i agree with pat! (19 July 2010)
• feeter says Original american designs, which were inherited into this Camaro, turns me off. I don't like the shape of it's brake lights, I don't like the dashboard and the instrument gauges were located. It's very classic, very classy, but out of touch for me. This is why I'm veering towards Genesis Coupe for this comparo. If only this Camaro get the touch of Chrysler 300C, then it may be it for me then. (23 July 2010)
• johnacha says The Genesis is the winner for me. You get a lot of car for the price. Hyundai's also honest with their pricing in my opinion. Plus the company's on the rise. The Camaro is a muscle car with no muscles. It looks mean which is a good thing if you want to intimidate econo-boxes or attract attention. I just don't like the idea of buying the brand or the image, but that's just me. If the Camaro can transform, then you get your 3 large one's worth. (27 July 2010)