Lady in blue
Veloster N is an ‘elegant competitor in its segment’
The Hyundai Veloster has been around for seven years now and quite a lot has changed since the model’s introduction in 2012. At the time, it was considered a real design feat thanks to its quirky silhouette and three-door layout. Today, the model is fully integrated to the automotive landscape and, while you still get the occasional odd look, most people have now heard of the Veloster. It is. I should know, I’m the proud owner of a 2012 Veloster — I’ve had this conversation countless times.
Because the Veloster has my favours, I like to get my hands on everything Hyundai throws in its three-door family. The Veloster I own is the most basic version of the model with the standard package and a manual transmission which allows me to compare how far the model has come through the years. From the Veloster Turbo, the Rally Edition, to the long-awaited new generation — I’m slowly working my way down the evergrowing family tree. With that in mind, of course, as soon as the opportunity presented itself, I had to try the N, the new topof-the-line Veloster.
The new generation was (finally) introduced in 2018 after a two-year limbo that sparked rumours of the model being pulled from the lineup. But no, Hyundai wasn’t ready to give up on its quirky hatchback and gave it a full overhaul complete with an upgraded platform and a fresh new face. Then, last year, Hyundai launched its new N performance division and unveiled the first model from its lineup to receive the special treatment: the Veloster N.
Compared with the entrylevel Veloster, the N has a slightly more aggressive stance. It is lower by five millimetres, wider by 10 and longer by 25, creating a slightly larger footprint and a better-grounded vehicle. The look is completed with the addition of a small wing on the hatch as well as a set of massive 19-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile, performance tires.
I thought I wouldn’t be crazy about the seemingly baby blueand-red colour scheme but it turns out that “baby blue” is more of a periwinkle (or Performance Blue, as Hyundai calls it) and I think it’s a refreshing choice of colour. It definitely is prettier in person than it is in pictures.
The exterior colour scheme carries over on the inside in subtle hints of periwinkle tastefully spread around the cabin, notably on the safety belts, on the wheel-mounted controls, and in the stitching. The dashboard layout adopts the classic Hyundai look with the eight-inch touchscreen towering above two rows of controls. In that regards, I miss the formerly V-shaped layout of the first generation, which I thought was more original than it currently is. That being said, like the first generation, the car comes fully loaded.
Features include most necessities: heated seats and steering wheel, full infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and satellite radio, wheel-mounted controls, cruise control, drive modes, USB outlets, a rearview camera, proximity key with push-button start, etc. The model isn’t offered with standard navigation and banks instead on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility to provide a GPS functionality.
Seating at the back is accessible via the convenient passenger-side back door. Space is a bit cramped — not unusable like in certain coupes — but functional enough to welcome two additional passengers at the back (the middle seat has been replaced by a pair of cupholders). While your passengers are likely to fight to ride shotgun, the rear space works perfectly well if you need to give a ride once in a while. As for cargo space, I’ve managed to carry surprising things in my own Veloster — including an Ikea queen-size bed. The trunk is deeply set, giving you decent cargo volume when you need it, which can also be extended by lowering the back seat.
The N is propelled by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine rated at 275 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. While I don’t mean to say that 275 is a dull number, in the regular driving mode, the accelerations lack just a bit of breath once you reach the 3,000 rpm mark. That’s easily fixed by waking the car up thanks to the appropriately-named N mode, in case the “boring” Sport mode isn’t enough excitement.
By activating the N mode, you unleash the car’s full potential.
The acceleration becomes more instant, you get more out of each gear, and you get to hear that lovely popping exhaust sound when you release the accelerator. Once you’ve had enough fun, put the Veloster back in the regular driving mode and it turns into a surprisingly manageable little hatch. I expected a nervous car that focused only on performance, but the Veloster N can also pose as a daily commuter without too much effort.
All you have to do is choose the driving mode that fits your mood of the day. There’s even an Eco mode if you need to drive around the city and want to tone things down a little. One thing that remains unchanged and that was true even with the first generation is that the suspension tends to be very stiff. Thankfully, Hyundai swapped that god-awful torsion bar at the back that for independent suspension on all four — a stark improvement between the model’s two generations.
The N trim level is available only with a six-speed manual. The clutch feels a little heavy under the foot compared to the earlier setup, but the throws are smooth and precise. It’s a great transmission that’s easy to use on the daily. Besides, Hyundai added a rev-matching system to protect the transmission during the downshifts. No need to worry about doing the extra legwork yourself, the Veloster does it for you.
The 2020 Veloster N is priced at $34,999 — a $12,000 premium over the entry-level model. If you’re shopping for a hot hatch, the N gets you a foot in the segment for one of the most affordable price tags currently on the market compared with most of its competitors that bust the $40k mark.
I’m happy to see that Hyundai didn’t give up on its little hatch and that it’s given the exciting personality it deserved (promised) when it was first introduced.
The N is a surprisingly elegant competitor in its segment, able to go from a hot hatch to a tamed one whenever you need it to. And as far as my experience of the Veloster goes, it gets my seal of approval — seven years in and I haven’t regretted my choice one bit.
If you want to treat yourself to a little something fun without compromising on daily utility, the Hyundai Veloster N is a solid contender.