Used Hyundai Coupe review: 1996-1999

When Hyundai launched its sporty Coupe in 1996 the brand was flying high. Its small cars were dominating the cheap end of the market with drive-away deals that were hard to resist if your motoring needs could be met with a simple set of wheels, but the Coupe took the Korean car maker into another realm. It was one where fashion was just as important than function.

It was a test of Hyundai’s ability to lure buyers through showroom doors with promises other than a cheap no frills deal. That said the Coupe was still cheaper than its rivals in the sports coupe market.

MODEL WATCH

Hyundai had obviously seen the success enjoyed by Toyota’s Celica in the trendy suburbs of Sydney or Melbourne and were determined to follow the Japanese carmaker’s lead when it launched the Coupe.

The Korean carmaker wasn’t new to the coupe segment, it had built a rather bland model called the SCoupe before, but the front-wheel drive two-plus-two Coupe tackled the style-driven sports coupe segment head on.

The Coupe’s generous curves were penned in California instead of Seoul, none the less its slightly exaggerated shape is an acquired taste. It’s elegant and sporty from some angles, but at the same time it’s dumpy from others. Fussy highlight lines down the front and rear guards emphasises the swoopy profile, and add to a visual clutter that confuses and challenges the eye. At the end of day, however, styling is a personal thing and some may find the Coupe attractive.

Hyundai offered three models in the Coupe range, the base SX, mid-range FX and the SFX that had all the bells and whistles you could wish for.

The SX came with a 1.8-litre twin cam fuel-injected four cylinder engine, which boasted a modest 94 kW and 161 Nm. There was a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed auto, which drove the front wheels.

Even though it was the entry level model the SX was reasonably well equipped with an adjustable steering column, power steering, power windows, fog lamps and body coloured bumpers.

Power for the mid-range FX model was a bigger 2.0-litre fuel-injected twin cam which pumped out a more respectable 102 kW and 180 Nm, and there was the same choice of five-speed manual and four-speed auto ’boxes.

Equipment level was quite impressive with smart alloy wheels. remote central locking, alarm, CD player and a rear spoiler over and above the features offered with the SX.

The range topper was the SFX, which had the same power train as the FX, but had standard ABS, cruise control, electric sunroof, leather trim and a driver’s airbag as well as all those goodies that came with the lesser models. Air-con was an option.

On the road the Coupe’s engines were reasonably willing performers and happy to rev out through the range, although their enthusiasm to rev didn’t translate into thrilling on-road performance when they needed 11 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standing start.

The thrill of driving was also somewhat dampened by the rubbery feel of the manual gearshift, which wasn’t sporty in the slightest sense, and the auto was clearly aimed at the hairdresser set.

Handling was predicable and secure up to a point, but if you were too enthusiastic it was easy to have the rear jump out on you. That’s in spite of some tuning work done by Porsche.

IN THE SHOP

With Coupes now having covered around 100,000 km on average it is important to check service records and make sure those that have passed the 100,000 km mark have had the major service scheduled for 100,000 km in which the cam timing belt is changed. If you choose to buy a car that hasn’t had the change as recommended by Hyundai as part of the regular service schedule then get it done. It’s better to be safe now than sorry later on.

Hyundai’s engines and gearboxes are generally rugged and reliable, same with the drive lines and suspension. If they have a problem it is in the ancillaries, which seem to suffer from a lack of refinement that may be due to inadequate development at the engineering stage.

Electrics are a particular problem with poor connections, troublesome wiring, and overall poor quality giving the Koreans a reputation once reserved for British cars with their dodgy electrical systems.

Hyundai trim and plastics are generally hard wearing and stand up quite well to the tough Aussie conditions, but fit and finish is a problem and it’s not unusual to have squeaks and rattles as a result.

Owners report that seats tend to be uncomfortable on long journeys, and there is little room in the rear to carry passengers in comfort or much in the way of luggage. They also complain that the rear hatch is heavy to lift, and the rear compartment lip is quite high which means you have quite a high lift to put luggage or shopping away.

OWNER’S SAY

Angelo Stamboulakis is generally happy with his 1997 Coupe FX, which has done 105,000 km. His only complaint is a problem with the automatic transmission, which is reluctant to upshift when cold.

LOOK FOR

• affordable sports coupe

• reliable engines and gearboxes

• major service at 100,000 km

• cramped interior

• uncomfortable seats