A charmingly curious crossover’
The sporty charisma’s laid on quite thick with the fastback profile and mid-mounted duet of exhausts, while a styling curiosity is the asymmetrical passenger doors – with two on the left side but just one on the right.
Inside the cabin the charm offensive continues with hi-tech styling, contrasting black and brushed silver surfaces, and a centre console that Hyundai compares to the design of a motorcycle fuel tank (although I couldn’t see it). A 7” touchscreen interface is standard and controls the functions of the phone and the CD/MP3/USB/Bluetooth audio system.
The seats are leather and the well-stocked spec sheet also comes with climate control, cruise control, onboard computer and a multifunction steering wheel with height- and reach-adjustment. Although rear passenger space is rather tight, the Veloster has a reasonably large boot at 440 litres which can be further expanded by folding the seats down (the spare wheel is a skinny spacesaver).
The velocity side of things is a new-generation 1.6-litre, 16-valve GDI engine. It’s the first Hyundai petrol mill to have direct-injection, a system that boosts power while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption and emissions (respectively claimed at 8.4 litres per 100km and 163 g/km).
It’s a refined engine but with 103kW and 167Nm it offers perfunctory 1.6-litre performance, neither sizzling nor sluggish, with a claimed 200km/h top speed and 0-100km/h time of 9.7 seconds for the manual and 10.3 for the auto. Those wanting more adrenaline should wait for the 1.6 turbo version arriving later this year, but be prepared for a steeper pricetag too.
On last week’s media launch where I drove it, the Hyundai’s handling felt well mannered, and the steering pleasantly wellweighted for an electrically-powered system. The manual sixspeed version shifts with precision and for me it’s a better choice than the more expensive automatic, which isn’t the best dual-clutch system I’ve encountered as there’s a bit of hesitation during gearshifts.
As per my opening paragraph, the Veloster doesn’t leave you shaken and has a reasonably comfortable ride even though its suspension’s on the firm side. The low-profile 18” wheels don’t make good friends with rough dirt roads, however.
Six airbags, stability control and ABS brakes make up the safety package and the Veloster’s sold with a five-year/50 000km warranty and five-year/90 000km service plan.