Hyundai Veloster 2021 Review

I guess you’d call the 2021 Hyundai Veloster a coupe-hatch. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it’s a hot hatch, although its polarising styling suggests that it could and probably should be.

The low-slung roofline looks aggressive and it’s hard to imagine that it’s a genuine four-seater with respectable boot space.

Some clever packaging and design thought has gone on here because at first glance there’s no way it looks like it could pull one, let alone both aspects off.

The unique asymmetrical three-door design that caused a stir when first introduced still incorporates one long, coupe-style driver’s door with a pair of shorter doors on the passenger side.

The Veloster’s main competition perhaps comes from within as it shares its mechanical package with the Hyundai i30 but stands alone in sporty style.

Here, we’ve got the 110kW/180Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol entry-level model that replaced the 1.6-litre unit in the previous generation, bringing a modest 7kW/13Nm increase.

For those after more performance, there’s also the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol in the Veloster Turbo and Veloster Turbo Premium, delivering a more substantial 150kW/265Nm.

With that said, the Veloster’s days are numbered in Australia, and all variants are currently in runout after Hyundai decided late last year to pull the pin on the model.

The decision to discontinue the model in Australia sees all variants of the 2021 Hyundai Veloster given a ‘Runout’ tag, but the drive-away pricing listed on the Korean brand’s website looks to be in line with the manufacturer’s list price.

The base Hyundai Veloster tested here will set you back $32,110 plus on-road costs with the six-speed automatic, or $29,780 plus ORCs with the six-speed manual – which I suggest is the way to go, unless your budget can stretch to the Veloster Turbo that’s priced from $35,840 (manual) or $38,870 with a seven-speed DCT.

The torque-converter automatic transmission has a hard time of it and the modest powerplant needs all the help it can get!

Standard equipment across the range includes multi-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 rubber (including tyre pressure monitoring), a reversing camera and LED daytime running lights.

Our base example gets a smaller 7.0-inch display down from the 8.0-inch unit in the other models but still offers a six-speaker sound system, climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, a leather-appointed multifunction steering wheel and sports bucket seats.

On the safety side, the Veloster is equipped with six airbags and a variety of driver assist systems including forward collision avoidance assist and forward collision warning, lane keeping assist and driver attention warning.

Hyundai offers a lifetime capped-price service plan on the Veloster 2.0L costing $279 every 15,000km or 12 months, $365 at 45,000km/36 months and $459 at 60,000km or 48 months.

Regardless of whether there’s any left in the showroom, the Veloster is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty with a complimentary 1500km service when serviced at a Hyundai dealer, 10 years of free roadside assist and sat-nav map updates.

You should buy the 2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0L automatic for its sports car looks and chassis dynamics while still offering hatch practicality.

As previously mentioned, with a 110kW normally-aspirated engine it’s by no means a hot hatch – more of a warm one – but you can pull the wool over everyone’s eyes with its ‘fast’ styling.

That’s not to say it’s slow but its chassis can definitely handle more poke as it displays a manageable understeering balance and more than enough grip without even a slight hint of wheel spin.

Hyundai Australia execs have said that they evaluated 15 front and 28 rear dampers before settling on a package compromising the best mix of comfort and performance, and it’s clear they have done a pretty good job.

‘Fast’ looks almost always compromise practicality and I think the Veloster is masterstroke in design.

The boot has a reasonable 303-litre capacity with the rear seats upright (extending to 1081L when folded), and unlike most hatches, has given up on the idea of putting three people across the back.

Instead, it concentrates on making life a bit more comfortable for two. I’m 6ft tall and would be happy in the second row for a decent trip.

If a ‘conventional’ hatch just doesn’t cut-it style wise, the Veloster is the answer.

Style-conscious, sports-coupe-wanting, hatch-needing buyers are the people the 2021 Hyundai Veloster ultimately appeals to.

There’s something to be said for having a rear seat option with the ease and functionality of rear doors – even if it has only one.

The Veloster has that but goes out of its way to hide it and does it without too much compromise.

Cars are increasingly looking more and more similar, and the Veloster absolutely bucks the trend and I applaud Hyundai for giving it a go.

Stopped at the lights, people don’t give i30s a second look but they can’t take their eyes from a Veloster.

It epitomises the phrase ‘champagne tastes on a beer budget’ – just don’t try and drag race it!

With rear headroom increased by 15mm, front shoulder-room up 11mm, rear shoulder-room 9mm and the tailgate hinges moved 450mm further back, the Veloster’s cabin dimensions are bigger than the previous generation but still limits its appeal to small families, couples or singles.

With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto featuring, along with Bluetooth phone and music streaming plus a USB port, it pretty much covers off most needs or wants.

There’s plenty to like about the 2021 Hyundai Veloster in its base 2.0-litre auto form, but there is a ‘but’.

It’s probably a bit unfair but its aggressive sports-coupe styling lowers you into a false sense of speed that unfortunately isn’t there.

Compared to a ‘hatch’, its look and dynamics exceed expectation with only a minimal, if any, loss of practicality – it only gives away roughly 30 litres of boot space to the i30, for example.

It wouldn’t be the vehicle you’d take on a track-day but it does offer respectable performance and handles pretty well.

I’d look to the manual version in the base model to sharpen up the engine performance and to avoid one of my auto-trans ‘pet hates’ – the manual shifter that operates the wrong way.

Yep, pushing the lever forward changes ‘up’ gears and pulling back changes ‘down’ gears.

I’m sure manufacturers probably surveyed a heap of people about this or they thought that it sounded logical, but it goes against physics and is totally unnatural.

Weight goes back during acceleration, so it’s easier to work with it and pull rearward – the opposite applies for the down change.

That aside, I very much enjoyed my week of testing and I would happily recommend it as a perfect daily driver that offers a little more panache than the ‘average’ hatch.

I was lucky enough to sample the Veloster Turbo the following week and, yes, ever the racer, both examples may have found their way onto the Norwell Motorplex circuit.

For those that follow my articles, or those who are interested, the Veloster 2.0 automatic covered our test track in 68.89 seconds versus 66.49sec for the 1.6 turbo manual.

Disclaimer: Luke Youlden is a Bathurst 1000 champion, 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup series competitor, Tekworkx Motorsport mentor and chief driving coach, deputy chief instructor for the Porsche Experience and also works for Pilota Sportiva, whose clients include Audi Driving Experience and Volkswagen Group Australia.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Veloster cost?
Price: $32,110 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 110kW/180Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 162g/100km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

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