Hyundai's youthful hatchback, the Veloster emphasizes style and features, if not actual performance. Buyers are sure to appreciate the crafty three-door layout, which makes the Veloster a lot more practical than it looks, but they'd best look elsewhere if they want performance that matches its looks.
What's New for 2017
The heavily equipped Veloster Value Edition joins the lineup.
Choosing Your Hyundai Veloster
The Veloster certainly looks the part of a sporty two-door hatchback, but there's more to it than that. The passenger side cleverly conceals a full-size rear door that provides easy access to the rear seat and cargo area. With the seat folded, the Veloster can handle up to 34.7 cubic feet of stuff. While that's less than a conventional hatchback, it surely beats a small coupe or sedan.
The standard 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine produces 132 horsepower and 120 lb-ft of torque, and comes with a six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic. The Veloster is EPA-rated at 31 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving with the automatic, or 30 mpg with the manual.
A turbocharged 1.6-liter is available on the Veloster Turbo R-Spec and Turbo, and delivers 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque for dramatically improved performance. The turbocharged engine is available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic. EPA ratings slip just a bit to 29 mpg combined with the automatic, and 28 mpg with the manual.
Engine and transmission availability varies by trim level:
The new Value Edition offers an incredible load of features for the money, so long as you can live with the mild performance of the base engine. If you decide to go the turbocharged route, the well-rounded Turbo is a better choice for daily driving than the less civilized Turbo R-Spec.