Generate a summary

Subscribe

Find a car

If you want a cheap, reasonably pretty two-door with real personality — and you don’t mind a few quirks — the early-2000s Hyundai Coupe suddenly looks like one of the cleverest small buys on the market. It wears surprisingly grown-up proportions (some critics even compared it, politely, to a Ferrari 456), has decent room up front, and the V6 version actually drives like a car that wants to be enjoyed rather than merely moved.

The essentials
The Coupe arrived as a proper step up from Hyundai’s earlier budget machines: handsome, balanced proportions, tidy wheel placement and none of the styling awkwardness that killed so many low-cost coupes. Inside you get a surprisingly thoughtful dash, sculpted vents, a trio of centre dials and a crisp instrument cluster with an LCD readout — a touch of flair in an era when many rivals looked utilitarian.

Engines and driving feel
Pick from 1.6- and 2.0-litre four-cylinders for everyday use, or hunt down the V6 if you want the best of the breed. The 2.7-litre V6 (the best-known unit) makes around 163bhp and 182lb ft, good for 0-62mph in about 8.2s — not supercar quick, but brisk enough and genuinely enjoyable. Handling is pleasantly sporty for the era: it won’t match a modern hot-hatch for razor-sharp responses, and the steering is a touch woolly, but the Coupe is nimble and rewarding in the corners.

What it gets right

• Looks: cleaner and more composed than most contemporaries — there’s a quiet elegance to the lines.
• Packaging: more front-seat room and a decent boot for a 2+2.
• Driving: the V6 gives you a real sense of purpose; the chassis rewards a keen driver.
• Value: excellent — prices are tiny for what you get.

What it doesn’t
No car is perfect. Even the V6 lacks a properly rorty, tuneful exhaust note — it’s more workmanlike than evocative — and none of the engines are particularly frugal. Push the V6 and you’ll see fuel economy fall off a cliff. Some later models also suffer from the usual age-related niggles: trim wear, tired electrics and the like.

Versions and the best buys
Hyundai kept the Coupe interesting with mid-life updates and limited editions. The SIII (swept-back headlights) and the final TSIII — which added quilted leather, quad outlets, stiffer suspension and a rear spoiler — are the desirable late variants. A handful of special editions (Atlantic, that yellow V6 run-out) make the search more fun for collectors.

Classic potential and prices
Right now the Coupe is an underappreciated bargain. You can find running examples for around £1,000 if you’re patient; well-preserved V6 TSIIIs and limited editions reach about £3,000. That’s tiny money for a car that looks the part, is enjoyable to drive and is starting to feel collectible. In 10–20 years, it’s easy to imagine the Coupe being remembered as one of Hyundai’s rare hits.

Verdict
If you want a cheap, characterful two-door that’s fun to own and has a shot at classic status, go look for a Hyundai Coupe. Buy carefully (check service history and rust), choose a late V6 example if you can, and enjoy one of the few Hyundais that actually invites a second look.

Get started now

Find your next car with Netmotors.

Start now