Hyundai Veloster 2011 Review - International

What we liked
>>> Quirky but cute styling
>>> Intelligent packaging
>>> Comfy and supportive seats

Not so much
>>> Dynamic style let down by performance
>>> Engine lacks low-rev torque, high-range character
>>> Unsufferable noise from sunroof

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 2.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0 (price TBA)
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

Hyundai has discovered an untapped niche in the automotive market with its Veloster
— a car that is sporty and practical, but offering something beyond the norm.

That quality is the small car's asymmetric body construction. When people refer to 'three-door hatches', they're typically counting the tailgate as one of those three points of entry. That's not the case with the Veloster, which features two conventional doors on one side (the passenger side) and one long door on the driver's side. The tailgate is an extra...

The Carsales Network recently drove the Veloster in South Korea, at Hyundai's proving ground located on the same site as the Namyang R&D centre. Two variants were on hand, one with a conventional six-speed automatic and the other with dual-clutch transmission and shift paddles. Both cars are powered by a 1.6-litre direct-injection ('GDI') four-cylinder engine developing 103kW and 167Nm.

We're familiar with Hyundai’s excellent six-speed auto but it's unlikely to be offered with the Veloster, in Australia. According to HMCA's PR spokesman, Ben Hershman, the Veloster will come here with a choice of six-speed manual transmission or the DCT. Hershman would not reveal anything else about the Veloster's specification for local delivery so far in advance of the car's local launch at the end of the year.

For the cursory drive program, both variants were sampled on a straight length of road — measuring a couple of kilometres up and back — and a 1.9km ride and handling circuit. Neither test was particularly telling, but it is clear that the engine is a peaky unit happy to rev to the redline. It's not unrefined, but lacks the sporty soundtrack that would have been a bonus in car such as the Veloster. Whether HMCA lobbies the factory for a wilder exhaust note before the car arrives here is uncertain, but such a move could consolidate the Veloster's market appeal.

The engine's character is much the same whether driving through the epicyclic box or the DCT, but power delivery and performance seem marginally better in the latter variant, which is to be expected. While the 1.6 is a sufficiently willing performer, the Veloster would be improved further with more torque, from something a larger (or even turbocharged) engine.

One journalist complained that the DCT was very slow to shift, but that wasn't our experience; and certainly not when using the shift paddles. In fact the DCT seemed very adept for a unit that was still, according to the engineer accompanying us for the drive, undergoing final calibration.

While it may not be prudent to draw too many conclusions about the Veloster's dynamics, based on a 1.9km flogging around Hyundai's track, the little coupe/hatch provided generally safe cornering with practically no understeer. The steering was light, but lacked feedback — in the bespoke electrically-assisted manner.

According to HMCA, the vehicle fitted with the conventional automatic was a production car built for Korea, whereas the DCT variant was a pre-production vehicle built to North American specification. The difference in cornering was significant, with the pre-production car steering better than the production car. Turn-in was demonstrably better. We expect that the Australian-market cars will match the US car’s liveliness at the very least..

Adults of average height will find the Veloster's rear-seat accommodation is light on for headroom, but it's adequate for legroom. It's the sunroof that poses part of the problem for the headroom (in the front too, albeit not to the same degree as in the rear).

Furthermore, the sunroof left open creates a rush of noise from the airflow over it at any sort of speed. Unless cruising along a winding country road at 80km/h or less, it's unlikely that occupants will enjoy having the sunroof open while they conduct a conversation.

On the subject, the shade blind inside the sunroof is a cheap fixture that is only held in place by a sliding bar at the leading edge. It hangs loosely at the sides when it's pulled closed. It wouldn't surprise at all should HMCA choose to sell the Veloster with the sunroof fitted optionally, although that may detract from the upmarket look of the car.

From the driver's seat, the Veloster's dash and instrument layout are highly reminiscent of the Ford Fiesta's and it shares with the Ford's design a combination of function and style. There's a little give in the dash plastic, which is harder without looking cheap. The same can't be said of the shift paddles, unfortunately; they're lightweight and offer the same level of tactile sensation as paddles in a computer game.

Hyundai is to be commended for the cleverness inherent in the Veloster's design, however. The car is attractively styled and has many of the accoutrements associated with a sporty hatch, but there's still that additional access to the cabin on the passenger's side. Mums with a young child don't have to choose a bland four-door just to accommodate the child in the rear without backstrain. The Veloster provides that additional utility without major detriment to its style.

Sticking with the kids theme, they will fit quite comfortably in the rear of the car right up until teenage years, but can't exit the vehicle from the rear any way other than on the footpath.

Hyundai actually builds the Veloster with the additional door on the left side for right-hand drive markets like Australia or the right side for LHD markets elsewhere. It's testament to rational thinking that hasn't been applied in the case of the Mini Clubman, but must cost the Korean manufacturer more in terms of R&D and manufacturing.

Another point where the Veloster has it all over the MINI is the way the rear door opens. It's not a suicide door – ie: it is hinged at the front edge. This means unlike the MINI or Mazda RX-8 the door is operable at all times -- kids can enter or exit while the driver remains seated. Nor is there any need to open up both doors simultaneously on the passenger side to facilitate access.

In short, if you have to have an asymmetric body style — and kids' safety is a valid enough reason — there's nothing to approach the Veloster's design for common sense.

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