Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
The sporty compact segment seems to be thriving with various entries from the likes of VW, Mini, Fiat, Volvo, Scion, Mazda and Nissan shooting for the fun yet practical market. Hyundai's Veloster Turbo mixes it up with many longtime veterans, but brings a fresh perspective and degree of utility to the segment while continuing Hyundai's revitalization as a brand.
I always thought that the Veloster was a great looking car. It is fresh and unusual and geared towards the youthful segment of the market. The Vitamin C coloured automatic turbo I tested for a week is no different. Severe swoops and angles, that iridescent and pulsing orange sheen, an aggressive and bordering on sinister stance that promises that this ride is something special.
I was delighted to find out Hyundai Canada was lending me the top-of-the-line Turbo version with a 1.6L GDI 16-valve DOHC 201 hp, 4-cylinder Engine with the Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (Dual-CVVT). I was secretly wishing for the standard gearbox, but once I laid eyes on the Veloster, that was soon forgotten.
I've always found the Veloster fascinating. I like the design, which has many unique elements and what seems to me are well-thought touches. The panoramic sunroof looks like it covers almost the entire roof but it isn't.
I wasn't prepared for the level of comfort and the long list of features that the Veloster offers. After all is said and done, this is a sporty and unusual $29,000.00 car, so let's see what it is all about. What I like about the Veloster is that it is based on an econobox platform but completely reinvents the notion of what a passenger car should look like while maintaining the basic requirements of how it should work.
Carmakers like Mini, VW, Fiat have models that harken back to classic and iconic cars. Modernizing the like of the Mini Cooper or the VW Beetle means that they are somewhat tied to the basic look and feel of vehicles that are 40 or even 50 years old, which might appeal to certain buyers because of the nostalgia factor but effects the practicality of the vehicle.
Hyundai didn't have any such scruples to deal with and this allowed them to create their own iconic vehicle in the Veloster while making it as powerful, practical and roomy as possible.
The Veloster is based off the Hyundai Accent and both lines do have some general similarities although the Accent's econobox stylings and plain-Jane appearance do vary from the Veloster's boy-racer appeal. The 2014 Turbo looks like it means business. The front reminds me of a cobra or an angry eel ready to swallow whatever is in front of it.
The Veloster's trademark quirk is that it looks like a coupe but actually has three doors. The driver's door is larger than the passenger's door and this is because there's a hidden third door behind it. This challenged my OCD tendencies, but the design is so well executed that I started to understand and appreciate the practicality of what Hyunda was trying to achieve.
Most cars in this category are full of compromises. The have looks, performance and character but sacrifice space, practicality and comfort to a certain degree. The Veloster is different in that it looks incredulously impractical from the outside but will surprise you with the extent of its dynamism.
The overall feel of this car is solid. Like German car solid. The weight of the doors, the reassuring thunk sound the hood makes when it is closed and the sound you hear when you knock on the sheet metal are all top notch. There's nothing tinny about this car.
Once inside, the dashboard, steering wheel and doors offer a staggering number of controls and options which could be distracting to someone coming from a car with fewer options.
I'm a fiddler by nature and I was overjoyed at all the doodads and thingamabobs before me. The climate control knob is iPod-clickwheel-like intuitive. The 7-inch touchscreen is likewise easy to control and well appointed. It took only ten minutes to pair my smartphone and get music pumping via Bluetooth to the superb 6-speaker soundsystem. Plugging in my iPhone enabled me quick access to my iTunes library. Alternately, the SiriusXM satellite radio was on tap so there's a lot of music to enjoy from there.
The stitched leather seats are firm and can be slid back and reclined but not too much. These are heated seats as well with two levels of heat to keep your tush warm during the colder months. Lumbar support could be better and I was surprised that the seat adjustments weren't electric.
Headroom for a 6 foot one person seems to be the limit and if you sit behind you need to duck when the trunk door is closed. The Veloster will sit four adults somewhat comfortably but rear legroom is at a premium. I was surprised and delighted to discover that a child's car seat can be fitted at the back as well.
The steering wheel is replete with controls for smartphones, stereo, as well as other functions. There are even more controls off to the left side, including the one for traction control.
Visibility is good although I did have some issues with a blind spot on the left side where it's easy to miss a car that isn't visible in the side mirror. The unusual rear window offers limited visibility since the spoiler is swathed right across, making quick peeks problematic in certain lighting conditions.
Hyundai has resolved this by adding a rear mounted camera that allows you to see what's going on through the touchscreen when you're reversing. A common feature for minivans, this is the first time I've seen it on a compact car.
Performance
Pressing the center 'On/Off' button brings the Veloster to life and there's a reassuring rumble from under the hood that this car can be pushed to deliver. I found the intial kickoff to be a bit heavy and sluggish but that's just my impression.
My daily driver is a venerable VW Jetta 20V 1.8 Turbo which is also automatic. My experience with the Jetta (which has 180hp), is that accelerating does result in turbo-lag but the resulting boost in speed is instantaneous and almost explosive.
I expected to find a snarling caged monster under the Veloster (which I lovingly christened Velosteraptor), but while there is power under the hood (201 hp to be exact), it is tapped in a very measured and controlled manner. There's no lag to speak off, and even the sound of the revving engine is like a cute terrier growl rather than a pitbull's roar. Explosiveness just doesn't seem to be there.
Still, the power is on tap and accessible. Driving at 100 kph needing to pass a thundering 10 wheeler, I punched the accelerator firmly and quickly found myself upwards of 125 kph. The brakes on the Veloster are superb, instantaneous and almost telepathic. Easily the most responsive discs I've experienced in a while.
Handling is generally good, with slight oversteer but accurate cornering. The steering can feel a bit marshmellowy at times, but that could just be me needing to adjust to to it.
Interior noise is a bit loud and the stiffened suspension plus the 18-inch wheels with low profile tires give it a good stance, they don't translate to the best ride specially in some of Toronto's inner-city streets where you feel each. and. every. crack. and. pothole. If ride comfort is important to you, you definitely need to reconsider if the Veloster is the right car.
Surprises do abound in other areas. The boot is surprisingly large, even if it looks like there's no boot space at all. Collapsing the two rear seats, which fall completely flat, adds an impressive amount of extra space, possibly one of the largest in its class.
The Hyundai Veloster Turbo is fine car and it seems to be economical while still maintaining a sporty edge and tons of space and functionality for a car that's really geared towards the younger set of drivers who want a fun vehicle that's economical and practical.
The Hyundai Veloster Turbo may not be the zippiest or fastest accelerating sports compact, but its performance will suit and even impress most users. The 2014 model is loaded with some very thoughtful and practical features, which add a rare level of practicality that other carmakers should take notice of.
Personally, the Hyundai Veloster Turbo is one of the most fun cars I've had the opportunity to drive and the pros heavily outweigh the cons. Aside from a stiffer than most ride, which some drivers actually look for, this has proven to be smooth, comfortable and tons of fun to drive.
Rating: 4 out of 5