Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai Veloster review

Hyundai's new coupe has a unique three door layout, but can it pose a real threat to rivals like the Volkswagen Scirocco?

Evo rating
Price
from £17,996
  • Well built, well priced, decent to drive
  • Lacks punch, looks odd, struggles when you turn up the pace

What is it?

Hyundai’s new three-door quasi-coupe, and a possible answer to the question ‘show me an interesting Korean car.’ Ever since the Hyundai Coupe was quietly killed off a couple of years ago the company’s range has been devoid of anything in the way of the excitement – and the Veloster is certainly different. It gets a unique ‘three door’ layout, only having a rear door on the passenger side, along with reasonably sporty proportions. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Technical highlights?

Apart from the door layout there’s not much new or novel about the Veloster. Suspension is entirely conventional, and derived from Hyundai’s duller mid-sized models with McPherson struts at the front and – disappointingly – a torsion beam axle at the rear instead of a proper independent set up. 

The only engine available from launch is a 1.6-litre direct injection petrol unit, which combines 138bhp with a relatively anaemic 123lb ft of torque – the latter delivered at a peaky 4850rpm. Buyers can choose between six-speed manual or a six-speed DCT – Hyundai’s first ever dual clutch. Kerbweight is a respectable 1236kg, but it takes the manual Veloster an unsporting 9.7 seconds to drag itself from rest to 62mph, on its way to a 125mph top speed.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

More reviews

What’s it like to drive?

Decent. If you’ve not driven a Korean car since the bad old days you’d likely be pleasantly surprised how close to class competitiveness many of them, including the Veloster, now get. The light steering gives only sketchy feedback, but the Veloster certainly gives off a decent impression of enthusiasm – changing direction keenly and with a pliant, well-damped ride at everyday speeds.

Increase pace and the Hyundai’s case wanes in direct proportion. The front end lacks grip when you start to really press on, and as the limit approaches so you find yourself stuck in safe, boggy understeer. Asking the chassis to digest rougher surfaces at higher speeds can also cause some evident confusion as the springs and dampers struggle to keep up.

The engine lacks any sort of low-down enthusiasm. Extracting performance requires use of a big stick, and although (once woken up) it’s keen to rev both to and through the 6300rpm that peak power arrives at, sounding good as it does so, quicker progress means keeping busy with the gearstick. Fortunately it’s a nice, accurate change action, even if a bit on the light side.

How does it compare?

Here’s where it gets interesting – the basic Veloster 1.6 GDI that we drove weighs in at £17,995 and comes with generous standard kit. That’s £1800 less than the most basic 122bhp 1.4 TSI Volkswagen Scirocco. Perhaps more pertinent to potential punters is the fact it undercuts the entry price for the Vauxhall Astra GTC as well – being £500 less than the most basic 118bhp 1.4 Sport.

Anything else I need to know?

We’ve heard that a turbocharged version will follow, which should remedy the lack of punch, and which also gets a far more aggressive visual treatment. 

Specifications

Engine1591cc four-cylinder petrol
Max power138bhp @ 6300rpm
Max torque123lb ft @ 4850rpm
0-609.7 secs (claimed 0-62mph)
Top speed125mph
On saleNow
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Veloster

Modified Hyundais to go on display at SEMA
Modified Hyundais for SEMA 2018
News

Modified Hyundais to go on display at SEMA

The electric Ioniq and Veloster N have undergone some thorough upgrades to help compete in the Ultimate Street Car series
13 Sep 2018
New Hyundai Veloster and Veloster N revealed in Detroit
Hyundai Veloster N - front
News

New Hyundai Veloster and Veloster N revealed in Detroit

Hyundai reveals all-new Veloster and Veloster N, its first follow-up N model after the excellent i30 N hot hatch
15 Jan 2018
Hyundai Veloster Rally Edition debuts in Chicago
News

Hyundai Veloster Rally Edition debuts in Chicago

Not-for-Europe range-topper joins the Veloster range
13 Feb 2015
Hyundai Veloster Midship
Hyundai Veloster Midship concept
News

Hyundai Veloster Midship

Hyundai has created a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive Veloster concept. Details and pictures here
2 Jun 2014
Hyundai Veloster Turbo Night Racer
Hyundai Veloster Turbo Night Racer
News

Hyundai Veloster Turbo Night Racer

A tuned Hyundai Veloster Turbo is primed for night racing and a SEMA show appearance
1 Oct 2013
Hyundai Veloster Turbo review
2012 Hyundai Veloster Turbo front view
Reviews

Hyundai Veloster Turbo review

We drive the turbocharged version of the Hyundai Veloster coupe. A value alternative to the VW Scirocco?
13 Aug 2013
Hyundai Veloster Turbo priced
Hyundai Veloster Turbo priced
News

Hyundai Veloster Turbo priced

Hyundai unveils full price and spec details of its new 184bhp Veloster Turbo coupe
28 Aug 2012
Hyundai Veloster Turbo
Detroit motor show: Hyundai Veloster Turbo
News

Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Hyundai has given the recently launched Veloster a turbocharger, boosting power to 201bhp. Details and gallery here.
10 Jan 2012
Hyundai Veloster rally car video
Hyundai Veloster rally car
Videos

Hyundai Veloster rally car video

Hyundai Veloster rally car is put through its paces in this video, staking a claim to the 2011 U.S. Rallycross Championship title
26 May 2011