Hyundai Veloster 2012 Review

The Hyundai Veloster is pitched at the same people who buy the Fiat 500, Mini, Honda CR-Z and perhaps even VW Golf. They want a small car that stands out from the crowd. They'll get that with the Veloster, but as yet we don't know at what price.

DESIGN

We've seen the gimmicky addition of a small suicide door as the third one on the right-hand side of the Mini Cooper Clubman. But on the Veloster it’s front-hinged, wide and for us will be on the left-hand side.

The body manages to wrangle a jumble of curves and angles into a surprisingly cohesive result around the rear. Hyundai says the interior design is inspired by high-performance sport bikes, and you can see some of that in the centre stack and ‘panic handles’, but overall there’s a sharp-looking dash, plenty of storage nooks, and quality materials and accents.

TECHNOLOGY

The engine is an all-new 103kW/167Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder – the smallest the carmaker has offered with direct injection to improve performance and economy.

Drive goes to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or the optional six auto slots of Hyundai’s first dual-clutch transmission (with steering wheel shift paddles) which the company says is as fuel-efficient as the manual, claiming 5.9L/100km.

SAFETY

With stability control, six airbags and ABS with brake assist and brakeforce distribution, Hyundai hopes to get a five-star result when the Veloster undergoes crash tests.

DRIVING

While we only drove about 10km in the Veloster, it didn’t take long to confirm that the car is fairly agile and refined – but not at all performance-focused. The engine is happy to hit high revs, but there’s no hot snarl from the squared off twin-exhaust tips, and it responds smoothly rather than snappily.

However a few laps of the handling track showed the benefits of the Veloster’s light weight, and the taut suspension. It changes direction neatly and sits level through the corners, with steering that seemed quick enough but needed more weight at speed.

The cabin is quiet under city speeds, but getting up above 100km/h brings wind rush, and opening the optional sunroof raises the racket.

The rear is easy enough to climb into from either side, and there’s plenty of legroom, but the headroom is mainly accommodated by the bowled glass and your head will hit the front edge of the hatchback if you lean forward – or the driver hits the brakes.

HYUNDAI VELOSTER

Price: from $22,000 (est)
Warranty: 5 years/unlimited km
Resale: N/A
Service interval: 12months/15,000km
Safety: N/A
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder 103kW/167Nm
Transmissions: 6-speed DSG; 6-speed man; front-wheel drive
Body: 3-door hatch
Weight: 1172kg; 1205kg (DCT)
Thirst: 5.9L/100km.