This distinctive three-door compact coupe became one of Hyundai’s most recognizable modern design exercises when it debuted for the 2011 model year. Its asymmetrical body layout—one long door on the driver’s side and two doors on the passenger side—gave it a practical twist on the coupe formula and helped it stand apart from conventional hatchbacks. The model was positioned as a youthful, style-led alternative with a strong emphasis on individuality, urban use, and accessible sporty appeal.
The car’s early years established its reputation as a niche enthusiast choice rather than a high-volume mainstream seller. Hyundai later expanded the lineup with turbocharged performance variants, which sharpened its image and broadened its appeal among drivers who wanted something more energetic without moving into a full sports-car price bracket. In North America and Korea, the performance-oriented N-badged version became especially important, showing that the platform could support serious hot-hatch character as well as design flair.
A major redesign arrived for the 2019 model year, marking the second generation. It kept the original concept’s unusual door arrangement and coupe-like silhouette, but brought a more mature look, updated technology, and a stronger focus on driving dynamics. That later era also coincided with the model’s most performance-focused development, including more aggressive N variants that became central to its enthusiast identity.
Production ended in 2022, closing a run that lasted for more than a decade. The nameplate is remembered for being one of Hyundai’s boldest experiments in compact-car design and for proving that practicality, personality, and performance could coexist in a single, unconventional package.