Hyundai COUPE SIII A For Sale

LOGIN REGISTER NEWSLETTER Home NEWS REVIEWS PRODUCTS COMPARE CARS VIDEOS BUYING USED CARS NEW CARS MOTORSHOWS COMPETITIONS 6 ISSUES FOR £1 Search Car Reviews: You're in - Car Reviews: First Drives Hyundai Coupe Hyundai Coupe SIII Hyundai produce one of the last compact Coupes just as the platform begins to show its age Auto Express Car Reviews By Chris ThorpJanuary 2007 Rating: Buying a new Coupe for less than £20,000 is not as easy as you might think. With Toyota's Celica consigned to the history books and the likes of the Ford Cougar long gone, Hyundai's Coupe is one of the few remaining 'budget' sports cars available. Our biggest complaint concerns the steering wheel, which adjusts for rake only, while we found that the headroom on offer is also very limited.But does that simply make it one of a kind - or a dinosaur fighting extinction? To provide its sleek three-door with a new lease of life, Hyundai has given the Coupe a full makeover. Badged the Coupe SIII, the newcomer is the third incarnation of the car, and has recently arrived in the UK. We've already tried a Korean model in Issue 937, but in Britain, the Hyundai's styling will be an acquired taste.Hailed as a Ferrari lookalike when it was first unveiled in 2000, the model was then refreshed in 2005. But the latest changes represent the most sig-nificant of all, as the Coupe now features new angular headlamps. A letter-box grille also gives the nose a more aggressive appearance, while the rear has been generally tidied up with new tail-lights and a reshaped bumper.ModernInside, the upgrades are equally extensive, with the firm updating the cabin to give it a more modern feel. Santa Fe-style blue dials have been added, and build quality appears excellent. Our biggest complaint concerns the steering wheel, which adjusts for rake only, while we found that the headroom on offer is also very limited.With engines carried over from the outgoing Coupe, mechanical modifications are relatively limited. Entry-level models now get a 103bhp 1.6-litre powerplant, mid-range variants come with a 141bhp 2.0-litre, while the range-topper doesn't change, and retains its 162bhp 2.7-litre V6.Our model was equipped with the 2.0-litre. Although it's not particularly characterful, this motor provides decent acceleration from low speeds, but it's not exactly a top performer. Mated to a snappy five-speed man-ual gearbox, the four-cylinder engine takes the Coupe from 0-60mph in 9.3 seconds, with a top speed of 129mph in reserve. The biggest problem with the powertrain is actually engaging gears - the clutch has a high biting point and an awkward pedal, taking all the fun out of changing ratios. At higher revs, the engine also becomes strained and breathless.On the road, the Coupe's chassis soon shows its age, too. While the compact dimensions and low-slung seating position make the Hyundai seem nimble, the SIII can't change direction with the same agility you'd expect from a modern hot hatch. And the steering feels numb when compared with cutting-edge rivals.However, few buyers will have any complaints about their Korean car's list of standard equipment. If you opt for our 2.0-litre model, you'll get the full leather trim, climate and cruise control and 17-inch alloy wheels all thrown in. This version is priced at £17,995, while entry-level examples cost £15,745, with V6 variants available from £19,495.Even though there are very few Coupes available for this money, you have to ask what the Hyundai can offer that similarly priced hot hatches can't. The likes of Renaultsport's Clio 197, the forthcoming Vauxhall Corsa VXR and even Volkswagen's Golf GTI all provide stronger performance, better practicality and a far more modern package at SIII prices.So although Hyundai now has the budget Coupe class all to itself, we reckon most buyers will be better off spending their money in the blooming hot hatch market instead. What Next COMPARE CAR LOANS COMPARE CAR INSURANCE For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift! < Previous Next > 0 Comment Be the first to comment on this article You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join. Email: Password: Sponsored Results More HYUNDAI COUPE articles Car ReviewsDriver Power 2007: Hyundai CoupeFirst Drives: Coupe gets freshFirst Drives: Hyundai CoupeFirst Drives: Hyundai CoupeLong Term Tests: Hyundai Coupe V6Long Term Tests: Hyundai Coupe V6Long Term Tests: Hyundai Coupe V6Long Term Tests: Hyundai Coupe V6Used Car Tests: Hyundai CoupeNewsAuto Express News: Hyundai CoupeSpy Shots: Hyundai Coupé revealedAuto Express News: New Hyundai CoupeAuto Express News: Hyundai's new CoupéSpy Shots: Hyundai’s ‘Mustang’ hits road Related Index Pages Hyundai Hyundai Coupe Social Bookmarks Link to this article: For more details about purchasing this feature and/or images for editorial usage, please contact the Dennis Syndication team on pictures@dennis.co.uk Email a Friend Print this Pictures - Advertisement - Sponsored Results FIRST OPINION Hyundai’s newcomer is one of the last compact coupés – but its platform is now showing its age. Performance is reasonable and you get lots of kit for your money, yet a number of modern and seriously swift high-performance three-doors are available for a similar amount. While it’s the only competitively priced coupé about, the SIII now feels old-fashioned. AT A GLANCE Price: £17,995 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 141bhp 0-60mph: 9.3 secs Top speed: 129mph Economy: 35.3mpg Torque: 186Nm CO2: 193g/km*Standard equipment: Leather trim, climate control, 17-inch alloys, metal pedal trim, front and side airbags, cruise control, heated front seats, iPod stereo port On sale: Now! - Advertisement - Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs Info | Voucher Codes | SitemapOur Other Websites: The First Post | Custom PC | Evo | IT Pro | IT Pro India | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals | Competitions | Health & Fitness | CarBuyer © 2010 Dennis Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.Licensed by Felden || LOGIN REGISTER NEWSLETTER Home NEWS REVIEWS PRODUCTS COMPARE CARS VIDEOS BUYING USED CARS NEW CARS MOTORSHOWS COMPETITIONS 6 ISSUES FOR £1 Search Car Reviews: You're in - Car Reviews: First Drives Hyundai Coupe SIII Can a bargain price make Korean sports car even more tempting? Auto Express Car Reviews By Dean GibsonSeptember 2009 Rating: It’s the credit crunch coupé! Hyundai is currently riding the crest of a sales wave, thanks to the Scrappage Incentive Scheme. Its range of small cars has proven popular with buyers, thanks to their mix of great value and decent kit. But what about drivers on the hunt for sporting thrills on a budget? Well, there’s the Coupé SIII, which has a huge £5,000 knocked off its list price. What’s more, you don’t need to trade in an old banger to take advantage of the cut. The range now starts from £12,995 – that’s £2,600 less than when the Coupé was introduced in 1996! – which places it firmly in supermini territory. So what do you get for your money? Well, it looks sharp, with a low-slung profile and smart 17-inch alloys, although that sporty shape does limit cabin space. There’s plenty of standard kit, though, including air-con, heated leather seats, cruise control, an electric sunroof and iPod connection. Blue backlighting adds a classy touch, but the hard plastic finish and aftermarket stereo are a bit of a letdown.Under the bonnet is a 141bhp 2.0-litre engine that gives the Coupé a 0-62mph time of 9.3 seconds. Performance isn’t particularly impressive; you need to work the motor and five-speed box hard to make progress, and the Coupé’s buzzy engine lacks refinement at motorway speeds.Things improve on twisty roads, though. The handling isn’t the sharpest around and the steering is rather numb, but it’s still entertaining, and the stiff suspension means there’s minimal body roll in corners. If you’re in the market for a budget coupé, then the Hyundai genuinely is the last of the breed. And it, too, will soon disappear, as production in Korea has already finished.Rival: MG TF 135The TF matches the Hyundai for value with a £13,511 price tag, but the basic design is 15 years old and it lags behind for standard kit and dynamics. Only the prospect of top-down motoring could win it fans. What Next COMPARE CAR LOANS COMPARE CAR INSURANCE For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift! < Previous Next > 1 Comment I am a real petrol head - but how can you give the new Porsche 911 Club Sport 5 stars and this amazing value and stylish coupe just 3 - just because it wears a Hyundai badge does not make it not worthy of more considering of what you get for your money and the whole ownership experience that Hyundai gives with its JD rating, great full warranty and good after sales service. Hyundai are not becoming one of the big world players for nothing. By MCFCDaytona on 24 September, 2009, 11:07am You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join. Email: Password: Sponsored Results Social Bookmarks Link to this article: For more details about purchasing this feature and/or images for editorial usage, please contact the Dennis Syndication team on pictures@dennis.co.uk Email a Friend Print this Pictures - Advertisement - Sponsored Results FIRST OPINION At its original list price, the Coupé SIII made little sense – there are plenty of hot hatches for similar money that can run rings around it. However, the £5k price cut puts it in a different league with no direct rivals. If you want a sharp looking sports car loaded with kit for the cost of a mundane supermini, nothing comes close. AT A GLANCE Price: £12,995 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 141bhp 0-62mph: 9.3 seconds Top speed: 129mph Econ./CO2: 35.3mpg/193g/km Standard equipment: Leather heated seats, air-con, cruise control, six-speaker stereo with iPod dock, electric sunroof On sale: Now - Advertisement - Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs Info | Voucher Codes | SitemapOur Other Websites: The First Post | Custom PC | Evo | IT Pro | IT Pro India | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals | Competitions | Health & Fitness | CarBuyer © 2010 Dennis Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.Licensed by Felden || Models Gallery Tuning DIY Forum Mine Owners welcome to ukHCS On this page Home Latest News Brief Coupe History Me and my Coupe Main Menu Links News Events Downloads Ads Original 'Underground' template by: styleshout Welcome to the UK Hyundai Coupe Site The number one UK website for all Hyundai Coupe and Tuscani owners and enthusiasts! I created ukHCS, as a lover of the Hyundai Coupe, to provide a unique resource of information for other owners. Here you will be able to read about the latest news on new models and to discover what potential the car has, particularly in aftermarket modifications and to identify and fix common and simple problems (of which there are very few!). Although this is a UK site, all information is relevant to other countries, some of whom know the Hyundai Coupe as the Hyundai Tiburon or Tuscani. Latest Hyundai TSIII We know Hyundai like to update their Coupes regularly, so here we have the new TSIII, a slightly tarted-up version of the SIII Coupe. View Hyundai Coupe Spy Shots Yes, it's another new Hyundai Coupe! Due out in 2009 we've barely had chance to familiarise ourselves with the SIII. The full story is on Auto Express, but you need to be registered to see it, so read all about it here! Interview with the Owner A new section has been launched for 2007, whereby forum members are interviewed about themselves and their Coupe. Two new ones have been added, have a look in the Owners section. 2007 Hyundai Coupe SIII My review of the new Hyundai Coupe SIII is now available, along with pictures of the new beastie. The general consensus on the ukHCS forums is that the back is great and the front is 'could do better' - have a look for yourself. Hyundai Coupe history, in a nutshell The launch of the gen1 Hyundai Coupe was a huge success and even out-sold the Fiat Coupe in its homeland of Italy. Hyundai didn't stand still and released a limited edition Hyundai Coupe F2 model in 1998 which was followed up in June 1999 with the Hyundai Coupe F2 Evolution . February 2000 saw the new 'facelift' next generation , also known as the RD2 Hyundai Coupe. A bigger change occured in January 2002 when Hyundai completely re-invented the Hyundai Coupe with the 3rd generation (GK) model, or 'Tuscani'. In line with their regular updates, this was soon followed by the facelift gen3 , in 2005. 2006 saw the very latest Hyundai Coupe go on sale in the UK, the 'SIII', the design is still based around the gen3 model, but with exterior changes. For a full listing of all the models have a look here and don't forget to check the gallery too! Me and my Coupe... I used to own a Hyundai S-Coupe (terrible car!), then in 1996 Hyundai made an amazing move by transforming the square shaped S-Coupe into the fantastic shape of the first generation coupe or RD to give it its correct designation. Having been an admirer of the Hyundai Coupe since its UK launch in 1996, trips to the Hyundai garage would always lead to my drooling over the new Coupe. In September '98 I had the great pleasure of purchasing my own Hyundai Coupe , a 2 litre SE in Cobalt Blue, it was beautiful in its standard trim, but after a year the modifications began... If you love your Hyundai Coupe as much as me why not have you very own Hyundai Coupe owners Page? || || VerdictOnCars HomeNewsRoad TestsSearch ToolsFeaturesBuyers GuidesCalculatorsSpecial OffersVideo Clips New Cars First Drives Used Cars Supercar Tests Search Search Again Competitors You can see how this car fares against its competitors by clicking on the car's name below.Alfa Romeo GTCaterham SevenHonda CR-ZLotus EliseMazda MX-5Renault WindVolkswagen Scirocco What next? Search for news stories Manufacturer video Manufacturer special offers Read user reviews Write your own review Rate this car Hyundai Coupe Siii Tested 2004-09-01 Rating Quick Summary Average. Decent mid-sized coupe combines handsome looks with tough construction - but it's not particularly thrilling to drive. Full Road Test Sporty two-doors without premium badges are now a minority interest, with Hyundai being one of very few companies to keep the faith with the current Coupe. It's a fine, unpretentious car - and if you can't quite stretch to a Nissan 350Z it's pretty much the only cut-price alternative left out there. The handsome looks have always been the best feature of this generation Coupe. When it first came out it was likened by many to the Ferrari 456, and there's certainly something pleasingly predatory about the sharp styling. Inside the cabin the Hyundai's case takes a knock, though. The interior feels very cheap and insubstantial with plasticky components and some nasty supplementary dials stuck to the middle of the dashboard. The seating position is cramped for front seat occupants, while only the smallest and most flexible can be sent into the even tighter rear. Boot space is reasonable, though. On the road the Hyundai has plenty of raw charm, although it never manages to muster much in the way of finesse. The ride is firm to the point of harshness, crashing over potholes and undulations, although the pay-off is some impressively sporty driving dynamics when the going gets twisty. The entry-level 1.6 litre petrol engine can't provide the firepower you'd expect for a coupe, although the 2.0 litre unit is respectably brisk (although loud). At the top of the range a 2.7 litre V6 provides decent performance and a nice, rorty soundtrack. About us | Commercial Opportunities | Privacy Policy | Terms and conditions | Recommend this page to a friend Site by RedSpy Copyright 2003-2006 VerdictOnCars.com