Topic: First Drive: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

[Autos_Editor]

The Veloster Turbo addresses James Bergeron's only complaint about this Hyundai compact: a lack of power.

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[mixmanmash]

Seems like a very good bang for the buck.  It really could use an LSD.  Surprising that they didn't include it or have it as an option.

[JohnM]

What about the ride quality and "planted" feel.  I think these were the knocks on the non-blown Veloster as well as its Elantra and Accent cousins.

Cheers,
John M.

[hemusbull]

Hyundai is first in listening to the cusomers! Hello Honda, is anybody there?

[dragonfly]

 Man, I must be getting old..This looks like a car that has just been spray painted from an aerosol can in prime, awaiting a real paint job.
  Maybe I have to see it in person...Your comment on the high price of 18 inch tires for winter snows...How much more are they than 17s?
  My guess is not much more than 100/200 bucks a set...You're buying a splashy car, spending 26 grand on it, and you're going to downsize the tires so the car looks dowdy to save 100/200 bucks? This seems like nit-picking.  I really like this little car..It seems to have everything going for it, including gas mileage...room for 4...hatchback...really spiffy looking, great warranty... It seemed as though you were begrudging in your praise of this car....Thanks  Jack

[Snowman]

I don't understand why Hyundai could not make a 200 HP NA engine. Many have and I don't fully understand the logic of a turbo when 2.0 engines put out the same or more with good fuel economy. If I was car shopping in this range I would be stuck between a BRZ which is more of a sports car and a GTI which is more practical.

[Ontariodriver]

What a horrible colour.

[dirtyjeffer]

I don't understand why Hyundai could not make a 200 HP NA engine. Many have and I don't fully understand the logic of a turbo when 2.0 engines put out the same or more with good fuel economy. If I was car shopping in this range I would be stuck between a BRZ which is more of a sports car and a GTI which is more practical.

they do make one, but the 2.4L is likely either too large or heavier/bigger than they want to put in this car...like the late 80's, Turbos are all the rage now...while i agree the 2.4L is a great engine, i can assure you the 1.6 Turbo has more "appeal" and is easier to market...i mean, why didn't Audi use a 3.5L NA V6 in your car??

[Jaeger]

I don't understand why Hyundai could not make a 200 HP NA engine. Many have and I don't fully understand the logic of a turbo when 2.0 engines put out the same or more with good fuel economy. If I was car shopping in this range I would be stuck between a BRZ which is more of a sports car and a GTI which is more practical.

I'd choose either of those over a Veloster - though I don't see the Veloster as a BR-Z competitor - for that, Hyundai has a pair of Genesis Coupes. 

The Veloster is a tough car for me to peg in terms of market segment.  I get it as an attractive option to a younger buyer looking for a stylish ride - the guy or gal that may find the GTI about as aesthetically appealing as a bar of soap.  But according to my Hyundai dealer, they sell a bunch of these things to older empty-nesters.  Go figure.  I'm not a likely candidate for a Veloster - but I think Hyundai will find plenty enough of them to make the car a success.

[dirtyjeffer]

^^ agreed.

like the Cube and the Honda Element (when it was around), despite trying to sell them to the "younger generation", i see most of them driven by the very opposite...a coworker here owns a Juke...she is 45-50.

[JRM]

It's a welcome increase in HP, but the car is soooo overstyled inside and out.   The word class or any of it's derivitives would never enter a conversation about this vehicle.  I would take a GTI over it for that reason alone, although I realize young drivers will like the wow factor of such a radical design.  I would likely take a BR-Z over either as I prefer rear wheel drive and sports car looks in a vehicle with "sporty" pretentions. 

[Northernridge]

^^ agreed.

like the Cube and the Honda Element (when it was around), despite trying to sell them to the "younger generation", i see most of them driven by the very opposite...a coworker here owns a Juke...she is 45-50.

Good point, It's surprising how often car makers get the demographic wrong for their own cars...so much for market research.

[SaskSpecV]

I would take a GTI over it for that reason alone, although I realize young drivers will like the wow factor of such a radical design. 

The radical design is one possible factor for the current sales success of the Veloster (I'm defining current sales success based on days to sale and inventory in stock, I don't know what the actual numbers are yet.  Hyundai can't seem to keep Velosters in stock, but it's still really early on - I'm not willing to call the Veloster an unabashed sales success yet, let's wait until the novelty wears off). 

However, if the Veloster Turbo does sell well into the future, I think the far more logical explanation will be is that young drivers appreciate the 5 - 10K savings versus a comparably-equipped GTI, and the radical design is a secondary factor (or even a detriment).  You can't overstate the importance of price/value in the Canadian marketplace, especially for lower price point vehicles.

[Weels]

The Veloster is a tough car for me to peg in terms of market segment.  I get it as an attractive option to a younger buyer looking for a stylish ride - the guy or gal that may find the GTI about as aesthetically appealing as a bar of soap.  But according to my Hyundai dealer, they sell a bunch of these things to older empty-nesters.  Go figure.  I'm not a likely candidate for a Veloster - but I think Hyundai will find plenty enough of them to make the car a success.

Seems to be true based on what I saw on the weekend, anyway.  Was at Hyundai dealer on Saturday finalizing a deal on a Tucson, and they had 3 Veloster's parked with SOLD signs on them.

The Veloster does nothing for me -- much prefer the Genesis coupe and even the new Elantra GT (even though it's a 4 door, it has a coupe profile) that just came out.  Had a good look at one of those, very nice car, especially for the price.

[5 Wheel Drive]

I think I prefer the look of the front end on the NA Veloster instead of the hexagonal grill on the turbo.  For a few $$$'s more I prefer the Genesis coupe over this.

[Jaeger]

Seems to be true based on what I saw on the weekend, anyway.  Was at Hyundai dealer on Saturday finalizing a deal on a Tucson, and they had 3 Veloster's parked with SOLD signs on them.

The Veloster does nothing for me -- much prefer the Genesis coupe and even the new Elantra GT (even though it's a 4 door, it has a coupe profile) that just came out.  Had a good look at one of those, very nice car, especially for the price.

Same with my dealer.  They had no Elantra GTs at all though - all sold and gone - I was hoping to take a look when I was in for servicing last week.

So who's getting the Tucson?

[aaronk]

I think I prefer the look of the front end on the NA Veloster instead of the hexagonal grill on the turbo.  For a few $$$'s more I prefer the Genesis coupe over this.

   I think I would opt for a base Veloster (fuel economy, affordable) or a Genesis Coupe (performance).

[Fobroader]

I think I prefer the look of the front end on the NA Veloster instead of the hexagonal grill on the turbo.  For a few $$$'s more I prefer the Genesis coupe over this.

I dont mind the looks, but the BRZ/FR-S, Genesis coupe and mustang V6 are way more my cup of tea for around the same money.

[Weels]

Same with my dealer.  They had no Elantra GTs at all though - all sold and gone - I was hoping to take a look when I was in for servicing last week.

So who's getting the Tucson?

Tucson is for step-daughter.  Replacing her 2002 Protege 5 that is in terminal condition.
Started shopping for a 2012 since they have $4,000 off, but ended up with a very good deal on a 2013 GL with 0% financing for 72 months to boot.  Nobody else could touch that...

Cambridge dealer I was at had at least 6 Elantra GT's on the lot... very sharp looking (esp. in red) with a decent amount of room inside.

[MTD]

Picked mine up today.


So far, I'm very impressed. The car is everything I expected. It's not a GTI or FRS, it's not a Speed3 or WRX. But, it is a great comparison to a Civic Si, or a fatter Mini Cooper. I've had both and they are an excellent comparison to the VT.

Steering, clutch and shifter are all very light. Great visibility. Plenty of room for my 6'1 height. Tons of fancy gizmos. Ive already used the 3rd door. It rides and drives excellent over the bumpy pavement even though it has the torsion beam and 18" wheels. Its much more composed then my '11 Elantra was. Pulls great through the gears and there is zero turbo lag.