• Unique styling. • Turbo performance for less. • Plenty of standard equipment.
• Not as sporty on the road. • Limited to two rear occupants.
The Veloster is a sporty hatchback from Korean automaker Hyundai and was one the company’s first attempts at being perceived as able to deliver exciting cars as opposed to the blander but sensible family cars it was solely known for in the days leading up to its 2011 debut.
How ever the design brief was drafted, Hyundai took a stab at merging seemingly disparate ideas - a low coupe-like roofline, the practicality of a hatchback, and an odd third door to improve accessibility for rear passengers.
Whether the decisions made for the Veloster managed to change Hyundai’s image toward aid or detriment, we might never know for sure. The car is a polarising topic, but it is certain to get people talking and, while being driven, people to look.
In some ways it defies categorisation. Calling it a coupe, a warm hatch, or even a sports car would all be misnomers for the Veloster.
It has been tweaked over the years to offer a better drive, more equipment, and a more potent powertrain, but its status as a proper alternative to the many quick hatches that litter the automotive landscape is still in question.
It might have been a risky experiment when originally launched but the Veloster, now with quite a few improvements under its belt, has matured into a better overall package that does manage to pull off its tricky balance of style, performance, and practicality - but only if you’re adequately forgiving of its compromises.
Exterior
“The Veloster is a sporty-looking four-seat coupe that has helped Hyundai shake off its dowdy image,” - WhichCar
On the higher-tier Veloster SR Turbo, it kicks off at the front with a big and bold maw of a grille that takes up the bulk of its fascia, much like an Audi’s would. Its rather tastefully tapering bonnet scoops into the swooping headlamps and below that sit the fog lamps and faux air inlets.
The standard Veloster, though, is naturally more conservative, reflecting its lower output engine and generally reduced performance and dynamic ability. The car's ride height here isn’t lowered, there’s no body kit, and the wheels aren’t showy.
It’s a striking look and a more aggressive take on the Hyundai face we know today, albeit curvier and less angular, which is ironic seeing as how this is meant to be the sporty choice. Approach it from the rear and it looks rather brawny, factoring in those dual exhaust exits in the centre.
The car’s unique 2+1 layout means that there’s a second door on the passenger side of things, so people you drive past facing you side won’t be any the wiser. Hyundai tries to obscure 3rd door's presence by hiding the the handle at the edge of the window kink.
Engine and Drivetrain
“Despite what you may think of its outward hints of performance or its Turbo branding…does not quite deliver the out-and-out grunt to match the established hot hatch contenders.” - Carlist
You’ll be getting either a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder from Hyundai’s GDi family should you opt for the standard Veloster. The direct injection motor should be a fine in-town performer but don’t expect much performance from the 103kW and 167Nm available under foot.
The Veloster SR Turbo, though, does fill this need adequately if not exceptionally. The same 1.6-litre engine has been fitted here with a BorgWarner K03 twin-scroll turbocharger to produce a meatier 150kW and 265Nm.
There’s a definite linearity to the way the earlier atmospheric motor goes about its business, but the turbocharged version has a surprisingly calm demeanour too, and its relatively low-pressure nature becoming evident as it never really chases the redline with any kind of manic veracity, though it can seem a little too unenthusiastic at higher RPMs.
Each Veloster allows buyers to choose from a manual or an automatic. The same 6-speed DIY shifter is handed to both variants but the dual-clutch automatics are not. The standard Veloster's DCT transmission has 6 forward ratios but the SR Turbo's get 7. This difference notwithstanding, they behave quite similarly.
The DCT definitely isn’t as fast as the more established mob in this arena, but the shifts are noticeably quicker than older standard auto box and near imperceptible at high speeds. This characteristic is also true during low speed driving, an uncommonly strong showing, particularly for Hyundai’s first attempt this type of transmission.
Interior
“…the Veloster still marries Hyundai's angular interior design theme over from other models, but with a few unique twists,” - Drive.com.au
Of course, the most notable aspect of the Veloster’s interior is the manner in which the rear passenger(s) gain access. That third door really does define this car. If nothing else, people know the Veloster because of this one distinguishing feature.
It’s truly is a subjective matter. Some think it’s a clever way to inject more practicality to something that would otherwise inconvenience the front passenger, others maintain it’s a gimmick that spoils what could have been a more attractive side profile.
Still, despite the airiness of the standard panoramic sunroof, life in those rear seats isn’t all that great. Even tall passengers won’t be able to see much out of those steeply angled windows and while the seats themselves are fairly comfortable there isn’t much rear legroom or headroom. Another important consideration is that a third rear passenger simply isn’t possible. There are ISOFIX child seat anchor points on the two rear seats you do get, though.
Leather appointed seats are also standard and overall, the materials are of decent quality and well put together. Hyundai interiors have come a long way in recent years and the Veloster's cabin mirrors the smart-looking but price-oriented direction that the brand has taken. It’s certainly a match for anything Japanese, but mainstream European marques still have a clear edge here.
Hyundai livens things up with accent colours and embedded ‘Veloster’ or ‘Turbo’ logos, a start button right in the below the infotainment/HVAC stack, and alloy pedals, but the cabin still feels rather pedestrian compared to car’s unique and more liberally styled exterior.
For more practical concerns, the boot is a respectable 320-litres, which is in the ballpark for most hatchbacks (albeit those with 5 doors) of similar size. This, of course, can be expanded by laying the 60:40 split rear seats flat.
Behind The Wheel
“In tuning the Veloster’s chassis for Australian conditions, the local Hyundai engineering team evaluated 49 spring, sway bar and damper combinations. The result is a slightly softer set-up than the previous version and while the ride is more comfortable, there is a tad more body roll.” - The Motor Report
The body-hugging seats do give a sense of sportiness not typically associated with that Hyundai badge staring at you from the steering wheel, and the driving position corroborates this narrative too. But that’s where the excitement ends for the standard, non-turbo Veloster.
There’s certainly more eagerness to the SR Turbo’s tuned chassis. The standard car is left wanting should one be expecting a fun drive. It could certainly benefit from the SR Turbo’s better sorted suspension and could even be an amusing thing to wring out should that be the case.
Still, the Veloster SR Turbo isn’t quite a contender to the likes of a Volkswagen Golf GTI. It’s dreams of hot hatch supremacy is held back by its deficit in out-and-out power as well as the kind of intuitive sharpness that gives driver’s more confidence around corners. It’s a fine handling car, to be sure, and there is a lot of mechanical grip, but just one that is perhaps promising a tad more than it can deliver.
Safety and Technology
“…more convenience features than some $60,000 European cars, and it’s no surprise that the Veloster is closing in on the Toyota 86’s sales lead in the Sports car segment.” - Motoring
ANCAP tested the Veloster by running it through their gauntlet of safety tests and gave it their maximum 5-star rating. In the event of a collision, protection is provided via the six standard airbags, the side curtains even extends to the rear of the car so all occupants are covered.
There’s a standard reversing camera that relays its feed up to the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display which supports Apple CarPlay, hooked up to a six-speaker audio system. Notably there’s no Autonomous Emergency Braking; there is cruise control, however, though not adaptive.
Verdict
The Veloster was Hyundai’s gamble on a novel approach to the sporty two-door hatch. It’s more than “that car with the 3 doors”, and for the most part it manages to blend the coupe and hatch, but to mostly mixed results and resulting in a car that doesn’t really excel at being either.
There’s really no other car like this, and if you’re looking for stylish, reasonably quick, unique (even quirky) hatch that has some coupe tropes thrown in, all for a reasonable price, the Veloster should definitely be on your shortlist.
CarsGuide - 3.5/5 - “…,the Veloster SR + fails to match performance with many of the so-called hot hatches of today. What it does have is looks to carry it off. And there's the sub-30K turbo tag.”
Drive.com.au - 6.5/10 - “There’s still a lot to like about the Veloster, from its style, practical cabin and the amount of kit for the money. The ownership incentives cannot be ignored either, and its long-term retained value belies the perception of the Hyundai brand.”
The Motor Report - 3.5/5 - Though we’re tempted to give the Veloster SR+ a ‘four star’ verdict, the behaviour of the dual-clutch transmission and the intrusive nature of the traction control dropped it slightly to a strong three-and-a-half. Styling-wise, the new Veloster continues to turn heads and promote questions from interested passers-by.”
WhichCar - 3/5 - “Without a doubt, the SR Turbo makes the best fist of being an entertaining car, thanks to its stiffer suspension and perkier engine. But if it’s mainly the equipment, value and look you want, then the cheaper version, with either transmission, delivers in spades.”
Carlist.my - 3.5/5 - “Driving the Veloster garners more eyes turning your way in curiosity and intrigue, and while it isn’t all that special to drive (quickly), it does make you feel refreshingly distinct on the road.”
Motoring - 78/100 - “The Korean-made Hyundai Veloster Turbo won’t get the adrenaline pumping like a Ford Focus ST, but it’s a step in the right direction from Hyundai.”
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