Author Topic: First Drive: 2012 Hyundai Veloster (Read 26773 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** September 19, 2011, 04:04:31 am »

This three-door hatchback coupe, which starts at $19,000 offers a 'fresh take on affordable and fun transportation,' says Paul Williams.

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JohnnyMac · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2011, 07:21:30 am »

I think it's a great design and a great idea by Hyundai. The price seems to be fairly good for what you get. The big problem for me is that it just doesn't have enough power for my tastes. Sure it will compete with the base mini, Fiat 500, and honda CRZ, but no way does it compete with the Scion TC. I think what they should have done is at the very least offer it with the engine out of the Elantra, but a better option further would be the 2.0L GDI engine out of the new Kia Soul, that makes 160 Hp and would compete a lot better with the higher Hp coupes. I'm really hoping the turbo version will match or beat the Mini turbo.

vasyapirh · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2011, 07:46:10 am »

My short list:
1) Scion TC
2) Veloster

CanuckS2K · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2011, 08:44:30 am »

That is seriously a fantastic looking hatch! Also, talk about bang for your buck. Virtually loaded for under $19k?? Wow! I can see this doing extremely well for Hyundai, and I can only imagine that it's going to blow the CR-Z out of the water!

richink · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2011, 08:48:05 am »

Finally!!! Although I am still holding on for the "casually mentioned" turbo version. Hyundai has gone so far as mentioning 208hp/195 lb-ft for it so I figure we're about a year away before seeing that beast. I figure that's the one to REALLY wait for.

I have seen a couple of these at dealers last week. What a great looking car sure to give it's competitors a run for their money. Fantastic value!

The writer's comments about the autobox doesn't carry weight with me. I've driven most of these "manu-matic" trannys with the exception of Porsche's PDK gearbox and none of them impress me. Even the much touted VW DSG unit never does exactly what I wanted it to. I say that if you want a stick shift, buy one.

Vasyapirh - go drive a TC. I for one was not impressed with it's roughness and overall unrefined nature.

redman · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2011, 11:14:24 am »

I'd like to be a fly on the wall of the Japanese executives when they see what Hyundai is offering and at this price point. I'm sure the 2012 Scion FR-S / Toyota FT-86 / Subaru Coupe will be a decent car if rumors are true; but can they do it at around 19k ? Doubt it. Thanking Hyundai for wakening up the establishment and bringing back affordable cars to our market. (I recall shaking my head years back balking at what little the likes of Toyota was offering i.e. Matrix and the price they were asking). Glad the bubble finally broke !!!

I could see future engine availability in this car in order to make it compete with the likes of Mazda3. Either a turbo 1.6 or better yet the reg asp. 2.0 found in the Sonata. Way to package the car by the way and showing the new Subaru impreza how it's done (like the Impreza car but ridiculous options)

greengs · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2011, 11:17:57 am »

Quote from: richink on September 19, 2011, 08:48:05 am

Finally!!! Although I am still holding on for the "casually mentioned" turbo version. Hyundai has gone so far as mentioning 208hp/195 lb-ft for it so I figure we're about a year away before seeing that beast. I figure that's the one to REALLY wait for.

I have seen a couple of these at dealers last week. What a great looking car sure to give it's competitors a run for their money. Fantastic value!

The writer's comments about the autobox doesn't carry weight with me. I've driven most of these "manu-matic" trannys with the exception of Porsche's PDK gearbox and none of them impress me. Even the much touted VW DSG unit never does exactly what I wanted it to. I say that if you want a stick shift, buy one.

Vasyapirh - go drive a TC. I for one was not impressed with it's roughness and overall unrefined nature.

I found the VW DSG to be excellent when driven hard. At low speeds it was pretty rough around the edges. The Mitsu unit is excellent. Ford's twin clutch unit has also drawn a lot of negative comments. So If Hyundai's unit is anything like that I can see why the author didn't like it. A proper twin clutch transmission should be a lot of fun to operate when in manual mode.

Blueprint · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2011, 01:00:33 pm »

A neighbour on my street got a black veloster last week. Car looks terrific in that shade, and seems way more expensive than it is. This will sell like hotcakes, and kill what few sales the rwd Genesis Coupe got up here in snowyland.

Oldsguy · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2011, 02:44:17 pm »

Not a fan of the styling but then again, with the exception of the Elantra, I don't care for most of what Hyundai is designing these days.

I expect they will sell tons of them to the younger demographics though, who will immediately equip them with all sorts of "tuner" options. It might be a good time to buy stock in fart-pipe exhaust tip manufacturers, "Euro" taillight makers, and "No Fear" windshield shade producers again.

richink · « **Reply #9 on:** September 19, 2011, 03:27:38 pm »

Quote from: Oldsguy on September 19, 2011, 02:44:17 pm

might be a good time to buy stock in fart-pipe exhaust tip manufacturers, "Euro" taillight makers, and "No Fear" windshield shade producers again.

Apparently it has already been done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAEqvEtSM3E

But I hear you, these kids and their so-called upgrades are laughable, kinda like a big 'ole fart with no stank. I for one prefer the blub-blub-blub of an old big block or the near-silent thrust of modern turbo-Euro cars.

ajay · « **Reply #10 on:** September 19, 2011, 03:31:24 pm »

Don't they listen to these fart cans and see how lame they sound !

A little quirk in the auto trans and suspension , the Turbo should be fun .

BernardP · « **Reply #11 on:** September 19, 2011, 04:10:20 pm »

I appreciate the fact that Hyundai is selling the car in Canada for about the same price as in the US. Subaru, Nissan and a few others will have to wake up soon to the fact that our CDN$ is now a strong currency... and no longer worth $ 0.75 US.

(Try to price a Legacy or a 370 ZX on both the US and Canada websites of these manufacturers)

The red color looks great, but I will always be reluctant to get another red car (had a red '88 CRX Si), because the red taillights disappear in the body. It's even worse when the red of the lights is different from the red of the paint. I guess swapping for white lenses becomes mandatory.

JohnM · « **Reply #12 on:** September 19, 2011, 04:32:04 pm »

It's interesting that both the Veloster and the Accent on which it is based get the same commentary on noise levels ie very quiet.

This is a BIG DEAL for most people when buying a car and if the Accent and Veloster punch way above their weight here - I'm thinking of Civics and Corollas and possibly beyond - then these two could really scramble the sub $25k market.

Given the lack of flaws mentioned for either car, a very high ranking in a critical assessment area could take them into higher market segments.

Cheers,
John M.

tortoise · « **Reply #13 on:** September 19, 2011, 04:48:27 pm »

I wonder how many Genesis Coupe buyers will be swayed to the more practical and cheaper Velostar.

Oldsguy · « **Reply #14 on:** September 19, 2011, 05:58:07 pm »

Quote from: JohnM on September 19, 2011, 04:32:04 pm

It's interesting that both the Veloster and the Accent on which it is based get the same commentary on noise levels ie very quiet.

When I have seen such comments it is in the context of "quiet for their class" or similar.

Not necessarily the same as "quiet".

Triple Bob · « **Reply #15 on:** September 19, 2011, 06:23:22 pm »

Quote from: tortoise on September 19, 2011, 04:48:27 pm

I wonder how many Genesis Coupe buyers will be swayed to the more practical and cheaper Velostar.

Completely different cars IMHO. Why would someone wanting RWD fun go for a Veloster? I certainly wouldn't, even though it is a nice little car. The driving dynamics of the GC are far better. And I would bet on the GC being as practical.

2JDM · « **Reply #16 on:** September 19, 2011, 06:24:31 pm »

Looks like an excellent buy for a sporty, fun, and practical vehicle. If I were to buy this, I'd want the base model + sunroof. Too bad you need to get the Tech package for that.

Triple Bob · « **Reply #17 on:** September 19, 2011, 06:24:47 pm »

Quote from: richink on September 19, 2011, 03:27:38 pm

Quote from: Oldsguy on September 19, 2011, 02:44:17 pm
might be a good time to buy stock in fart-pipe exhaust tip manufacturers, "Euro" taillight makers, and "No Fear" windshield shade producers again.

But I hear you, these kids and their so-called upgrades are laughable, kinda like a big 'ole fart with no stank. I for one prefer the blub-blub-blub of an old big block or the near-silent thrust of modern turbo-Euro cars.

You guys...

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #18 on:** September 19, 2011, 06:26:19 pm »

wow...$19k for all that?!...holy crap...this car should be tough for dealerships to keep in stock...while no powerhouse, it is very well equipped and looks to be a very respectable car...i still can't get over that price...it would have been fun to watch the big wigs in the boardrooms of the competition do face palms after seeing this article.

Snowman · « **Reply #19 on:** September 20, 2011, 07:54:18 am »

Nice package but at 138 hp this thing would not be fun at all. It needs a 170 hp plant at a minimum.