The redesigned 2013 Genesis 2.0T is better in a big way, with more power and a retuned suspension, though an unflattering-sounding engine hurts the otherwise improved driving experience.

What may be even more damaging, though, is that the competition has stepped up in the form of two new rivals, the 2013 Scion FR-S and the related 2013 Subaru BRZ.

The Genesis Coupe is available with a four- or six-cylinder engine, both of which get power increases for 2013. I drove the four-cylinder 2.0T Premium with the new eightspeed automatic transmission on regular roads and the 3.8 R-Spec with a manual transmission on a racetrack.

The 2013’s standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine got one heck of a power increase: 64 more horsepower. Now making 274 hp when using premium gasoline, the bump is hugely noticeable in the form of a rush of acceleration that the old engine never came close to delivering.The 2013 Genesis Coupe offers stoplight-tostoplight gusto that the modestly powered FR-S and BRZ can’t match.The added power for 2013 comes from a new, more-efficient turbocharger and a larger intercooler.

More power doesn’t solve all the 2.0’s problems; it’s still an unrefined sounding engine. I’d like to see additional insulation used to quiet the harsh engine noises. It’s a potential deal breaker when cross-shopping against other cheap-speed coupes. The 3.8-liter V-6, which gets 42 more horsepower for 2013, for a total of 348 hp, is still the more refined engine option, by far.

The new four-banger squeaks out a lower 260-hp rating when running on regular gasoline. I can’t say for certain that my test car was running on regular fuel when I started driving, but the car’s performance became more consistent after filling up with premium. Before then, the engine fell flat half the time I punched the accelerator, like it was being held back by engine management and not delivering the power it should have. Once it was filled with premium, the car consistently squealed the tires and accelerated with surprising urgency.

A new eight-speed automatic transmission helps the 2.0T get an EPA-estimated 20/31 mpg city/ highway, which is 1 mpg better on the highway than the previous 2.0T automatic, despite the increased power.The automaticequipped FR-S and BRZ are rated 25/34 mpg with automatic transmissions, 22/30 mpg with manuals, but neither car has the Genesis Coupe’s quick acceleration.

The eight-speed transmission is always upshifting and searching for gears. The loud engine makes the constant upshifting and gear hunting even more noticeable. A Sport mode and paddle shifters are standard with the automatic, though I don’t think they made the driving experience any sportier. In Manual mode, the transmission automatically upshifts when approaching redline; many performance cars let the engine bounce off the rev limiter, like a real manual transmission does, if you don’t change gears.

The standard transmission is a six-speed manual with mileage ratings of 21/30 mpg. The automatic is optional on base models and can be had for an extra $1,250. It comes standard on the 2.0T Premium that I tested, which goes for $29,625, including an $875 destination charge.

The coupe’s inside won’t be mistaken for the more luxurious Genesis sedan, but it’s an improvement over the previous interior, which felt outdated even at its introduction. A redesigned center dash and added stitching along the upper dashboard contribute to a more contemporary look. The material quality of our 2.0T Premium was similar to the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ.

A welcome new feature is the telescoping steering wheel that adds adjustability for comfort and safety; the 2013 Mustang still doesn’t have one.

The Genesis Coupe isn’t a people-hauler, unless the people are relatively small: The backseat couldn’t accommodate my 6-foot frame. Backseat room, though, likely isn’t a priority for sporty-coupe shoppers