Driving Impression

Editor:

New Car Test Drive

“”

The base 1.6 is perky and revs easily, although there’s not much torque at low rpm. It’s maneuverable, although you’ll never mistake it for a VW Golf. The ride is often harsh, although it’s as comfortable as any car with such a short wheelbase can be.

The 201-horsepower Turbo brings 195 pound-feet of torque, bristling with power with either the 6-speed manual gearbox or 7-speed paddleshifting twin clutch.

The Turbo has stronger brakes and stickier tires, so the handling is sharper, as long as the road is smooth. The cornering is generally flat and crisp, and grows unsettled only if it’s pitched over patchy pavement. But the 18-inch wheels turn the ride brittle, and the electric power steering lacks feedback, and is weighty when it doesn’t need to be.

The R-Spec packaged hatchbacks have an even stiffer suspension, different steering tuning, and a B&M sport shifter. The ride is significantly less comfortable.

Walk Around

Editor:

New Car Test Drive

“”

With even the stylish Civic hatchback copying Hyundai, the Veloster still looks fresh. With two doors on the passenger side and one driver’s door, you can’t really tell from looking at it what’s going on. The one rear door is short, allowing the curvaceous roofline.

The Turbo stands out with LED lighting, piano-black grille, and side skirts.

Interior Overview

Editor:

New Car Test Drive

“”

The cabin is stylish, classy and sporty, going easy on the trim. Its innovative layout is enough. Hyundai says it has hints of motorcycle design, and we’ve looked and looked, and we guess so, if you have a big imagination. The center console maybe suggests a motorcycle seat, and the vents maybe look like motorcycle exhaust tips.

A big start button lies at the bottom of the center stack on some models.

The Veloster is narrow like a compact car, but there’s good headroom in front, even with the optional panoramic sunroof. Tall drivers will be fine in the seats.

Back seat passengers might be miserable. It’s a tight fit for even medium-sized people. The single door isn’t very wide, so entry and exit to the rear can be awkward. If there are only two of you, you’ll be likely to keep the rear seat folded, in which case it makes great and easy-to-reach cargo space, from the side or rear, which, however, is relatively high. And there are plenty of bins, cubbies, and nooks for stowing away smaller items.

Parking sensors are available on the base version and standard on the Turbo; they’re a big help, since the low-slung Veloster has huge blind spots rearward, a consequence of its innovative door arrangement.

Summary

Editor:

New Car Test Drive

“”

We are fans of the Veloster, either the base 138 horsepower or turbo 201 horsepower. You have to be ready to accept the compromises, namely a tight rear seat and ride quality that borders on stiff. But you can get a whole lot of style and quickness for $20,000, a bit more money with the paddle-shifting twin clutch. For just one or two people, it works.

Sam Moses contributed to this report.

Model Lineup

Editor:

New Car Test Drive

“”

Standard equipment includes all the basic power features, cruise control, fabric upholstery, AM/FM/XM/CD sound system with Bluetooth audio streaming and USB port, steering-wheel audio controls, and 17-inch wheels. For 2017 the infotainment system adds HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system is also standard on all Velosters. Like GM’s OnStar, BlueLink uses existing databases to provide directions and information for drivers via voice requests, and also includes safety services like automatic crash notification including emergency assistance, and roadside assistance. Turn-by-turn navigation is available on higher subscription levels. As part of the BlueLink suite of services, the Hyundai Assurance Connected Care service is included for three years regardless of the level of subscription.

Veloster Turbo models get 18-inch wheels; heated sport seats; keyless ignition; a 450-watt audio system; and leather seats.

Veloster Turbo R-Spec loses some features, such as keyless ignition and heated leather seats.

Major options include automatic climate control; parking sensors; navigation system; and a panoramic sunroof.