2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe with Navigation

When we arrived at the Hyundai America Technical Center (HATCI) outside Ann Arbor, MI, we were greeted by Electronics Engineering Manager John Robb, along with three Genesis Coupes and one Sedan, each fitted with Hyundai's new navigation setup. Robb gave us a thorough overview of the Coupe's system and explained that Hyundai opted for a touch-screen unit on the two-door model, versus the console mounted iDrivesque knob employed on the Sedan, due to the tighter interior packaging of the Coupe.

The screen replaces the audio system controls in the upper part of the center stack, with the AM/FM/SAT/AUX switches pushed to the upper edge of the console and seek and track switches to the left. Most of the audio controls are now contained within the screen, and since the touch screen is capable of displaying audio system information, the small display nestled into the pod on top of the dash of non-nav Coupes is superfluous.

The touch screen measures 6.5 inches diagonally, making it larger than most portable units, but smaller than some of the latest systems, including the nine-inch unit offered by Ford. While the Sedan's nav system offers real time traffic data, it doesn't have the ability to automatically re-route around blockages. The Coupe, on the other hand, can detect traffic on the current route, offer a detour and then reroute if the driver chooses.



However, the problem with real-time traffic is that it isn't exactly real-time – at least not yet. Currently, the traffic monitoring infrastructure isn't built up to the point of providing complete information, causing a delay in data transmission to vehicles. We had the chance to experience this firsthand when we drove from Ann Arbor to the Cedar Point amusement park near Sandusky, OH. There were several construction zones in the Toledo area that the system warned us about and asked if we wanted to re-route. When we approached the affected area, traffic was moving along freely, so we were able to decline the detour and proceed along as planned.

One handy, and incredibly simple, feature we enjoyed with in Coupe is the mute button displayed in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. While all modern sat-navs provide voice prompted directions, some have a tendency to pester you a bit too often, breaking up conversation in the vehicle and interrupting the dulcet tones of your favorite podcast. Unlike other systems that require you to trudge deep into the menu structure to mute the audio alerts, with the Genesis Coupe, you just tap the screen to toggle the voice prompts on and off. Easy peasy and something we'd like to see employed on every system out there.



While Hyundai does have a voice recognition engine built into the system, it's not as robust as others on the market, particularly the industry standard set by Ford's SYNC system. Voice commands in the Genesis generally worked well when inputting basic navigation, point-of-interest (POI) categories and higher level functions, however, one key feature – specific POI input – is missing. So if you want to speak the name of a restaurant, you're out of luck. And while you can use the voice commands to pull up POI categories, then make a selection by speaking the number corresponding to the destination, it requires you to take your eyes off the road, somewhat negating the benefit of voice commands in the first place.

Another minor issue we encountered – and something we've experienced in other sat-nav equipped vehicles – is the screen's lack of clarity when wearing polarized sunglasses. When viewed from behind the wheel, the angle, combined with the touch technology, causes the screen to fade and the text becomes harder to see. It's not a deal-breaker, but other systems don't have this problem, causing us to wonder how the screen technologies differ between brands and suppliers.