When the funky Hyundai Veloster
hatchback first debuted, it had practically everything going for it except
speed. But these are power-hungry times, so scribes like us were quick to jump
on Hyundai for not offering more horses under the hood. That's no longer an
issue, however, because the 2015 Hyundai Veloster boasts not one but two
turbocharged variants: the regular Turbo and the sporty R-Spec. Not
surprisingly, we're struggling to find anything amiss these days with Hyundai's
hot hatch.
The Veloster Turbo is a big deal because
it's both fun to drive and remarkably affordable. It undercuts the price of
comparably equipped rivals such as the MINI Cooper S and Volkswagen GTI by
thousands. Like every Hyundai, it's backed by a stout 10-year/100,000-mile
powertrain warranty, so if you're skeptical about turbo reliability, Hyundai
has your back.
Opt for the Turbo or
R-Spec, and you'll get a spunky turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder rated at 201
hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual is standard, while a 6-speed
conventional automatic is optional (the automated manual is only offered on the
base model). The manual returns 24 mpg city/33 mpg hwy, while the automatic
gets 24 mpg city/31 mpg hwy.
Cargo space in the
hatchback Veloster measures 15.5
cu ft. by default and 34.7 cu ft. with the rear seatbacks folded down.
The Veloster's
standard 7-in touchscreen really sets it apart when compared to other
affordable hatchbacks. Hyundai knows its target buyers want to be on the grid
at all times, so virtually every imaginable connectivity feature comes
standard. You can also crank tunes from Pandora if you've got an iPhone. The
one notable disappointment is that the optional navigation system isn't
hard-drive based, so you can't store your music on it.
The Veloster Turbo is a big deal because
it's both fun to drive and remarkably affordable. It undercuts the price of
comparably equipped rivals such as the MINI Cooper S and Volkswagen GTI by
thousands. Like every Hyundai, it's backed by a stout 10-year/100,000-mile
powertrain warranty, so if you're skeptical about turbo reliability, Hyundai
has your back.
Don't sleep on the even
more affordable base Veloster, though, because it's fundamentally the same car
minus the turbocharger, so you get the same sporty handling and surprisingly
refined high-speed demeanor, plus extra fuel economy. Either way, it's getting
harder and harder to nitpick with this happy-go-lucky Hyundai.
What's
New for 2015?
The Veloster is unchanged this
year.
What
We Like
Energetic optional
turbocharged motor; solid fuel economy; fun to drive; lots of technology;
innovative rear door; great warranty
What
We Don't
Base engine lacks punch;
automated manual transmission could use refinement; firm ride
How
Much?
$18,825-$23,425
Fuel
Economy
The base Veloster is powered by a
1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque
with the 6-speed manual transmission. If you specify the optional 6-speed
dual-clutch automated manual, output drops to 132 hp and 120 lb-ft. Fuel
economy is pretty good, checking in at 26 miles per gallon in the city and 35
mpg on the highway with the stick shift and 27 mpg city/36 mpg hwy with the
automated manual.
Opt for the Turbo or
R-Spec, and you'll get a spunky turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder rated at 201
hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual is standard, while a 6-speed
conventional automatic is optional (the automated manual is only offered on the
base model). The manual returns 24 mpg city/33 mpg hwy, while the automatic
gets 24 mpg city/31 mpg hwy.
Standard
Features & Options
The 2015 Hyundai Veloster is offered in
base, RE:FLEX, Turbo or R-Spec trim.
The base Veloster ($18,825) comes with a robust roster of standard
perks, including 17-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior accent lights, a
center-mounted trapezoidal exhaust outlet, air conditioning, cruise control, a
tilt-telescopic steering wheel, a trip computer, a height-adjustable driver
seat, and a 6-speaker audio system with a 7-in touchscreen (including a
rearview camera), Pandora radio capability and iPod/USB and Bluetooth
connectivity.
The base model is
eligible for two packages. The Style package adds 18-in alloys, a chrome grille
surround, fog lights, a panoramic sunroof, an 8-speaker Dimension audio system,
piano-black interior accents, leatherette seat and door trim, a leather-wrapped
steering wheel and shift knob, and alloy pedals. The Tech package (which
requires the Style package) tacks on rear parking sensors, different 18-in
alloys with painted inserts, automatic headlights, keyless entry/start and a
navigation system.
The limited-production RE:FLEX ($22,775) is essentially a base
Veloster with the Style
package's features as standard, also adding chrome exterior accents and black
or red leather upholstery.
The Turbo ($23,425) steps up to the plate with a turbocharged engine,
an electronic limited-slip differential, unique 18-in alloys, exclusive
exterior styling elements, center-mounted twin circular exhaust outlets, heated
leather sport seats with Turbo embroidery, a quicker steering ratio and two
thin-film-transistor (TFT) driver-information screens.
A Tech package for the
Turbo combines elements of the regular Veloster's Style and Tech packages,
highlighted by the rear parking sensors, panoramic sunroof and navigation
system. It also throws in automatic climate control.
The R-Spec ($22,425) is an edgier, slightly less luxurious Veloster
Turbo with some aggressive touches, including exclusive design cues, a
sport-tuned suspension, red-trimmed leatherette upholstery and a sport shifter.
Cargo space in the
hatchback Veloster measures 15.5
cu ft. by default and 34.7 cu ft. with the rear seatbacks folded down.
Safety
The 2015 Hyundai
Veloster comes with standard stability control, a driver-side blind spot
mirror, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and six airbags (front, front-side,
full-length side-curtain).
In government
crash-testing, the Veloster received the top 5-star rating overall, including
four stars for front impacts and five stars for side impacts. The independent
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Veloster its top rating of Good
in three of the five tested categories, downgrading it to Acceptable
(second-best out of four ratings) for side impacts and Marginal (second-worst)
in the small-overlap front test.
Behind
the Wheel
Our interior evaluation
of the Veloster left us
impressed with the base model's front seats, as they feature more lateral
support than we're used to feeling at this price. The turbocharged model's
sport front seats are even grippier. Common to all trims is the spaceshiplike
dashboard, which looks so cool that we're inclined to forgive the mediocre
materials employed. The tilt-telescopic steering wheel offers ample
adjustability, while the clean, crisp gauges are complemented in the Turbo by a
pair of graphically dazzling TFT information screens. Ergonomics are
surprisingly good for such an adventurous design, particularly the foolproof
climate controls.
Access to the Veloster's back seat is via a
conventional forward-hinged third door on the passenger side. It's like a
4-door hatchback without the driver-side rear door. That means the rear door
opens independently, unlike the so-called suicide door that some other 3-door
cars have utilized, so rear passengers are free to enter and exit as they wish.
Passenger space in back is mostly fine, but taller riders won't have enough
headroom.
The Veloster's
standard 7-in touchscreen really sets it apart when compared to other
affordable hatchbacks. Hyundai knows its target buyers want to be on the grid
at all times, so virtually every imaginable connectivity feature comes
standard. You can also crank tunes from Pandora if you've got an iPhone. The
one notable disappointment is that the optional navigation system isn't
hard-drive based, so you can't store your music on it.
Under the hood, the
Veloster's base engine needs all the horses it can get, so our preference is
for the satisfying stick shift with its added output. Also, the automated
gearbox could use some more development to sharpen its sometimes clumsy shifts.
Cost being no object, the pick of this litter is undoubtedly the turbo, which
provides most of its ample torque under 2,000 rpm thanks to twin-scroll
technology. The enhanced engine pulls like a train on the highway, even in
sixth gear. It can motor.
On the road, the Veloster's steering feels a
bit artificial, even in quicker-ratio Turbo form, but it's responsive enough to
be entertaining. The Veloster's wide front track is palpable, keeping the car
mostly planted to its handling limits. On the highway, meanwhile, the Veloster
is unexpectedly an absolute champ, tracking straight and true at speeds we're
not allowed to mention. It's downright Germanic, really. We're less enamored by
the way the chassis flexes over rough pavement, but hey, let's be honest:
Hyundai did a darn good job tuning the Veloster's ride and handling.
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