It’s seems we’ve inadvertently arrived at the discussion of value. Good. Components of the warranty program are fairly rich (not being all that sexy, warranty talk rarely makes it into review copy, so if it bores you, please skip to the next paragraph): five years or 100,000 km bumper-to-bumper with a few specific exceptions; same time and distance for powertrain, basic emissions and anti-perforation, which means no corroding of the body. But wait, there’s more! Eight-year ‘major’ emissions coverage protects the catalytic converter, engine control module and onboard emissions diagnostic device; three years of unlimited km 24/7 roadside assistance; three years or 60,000 km replacement of dealer-installed accessories; finally, a year or 20,000 km of replacement parts. Whew, see what I mean? Let’s all take a breath and make those impatient readers who skipped ahead wait up for us.
  2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo. Click image to enlarge |
At just 4,250 mm long, 1,805 mm wide and 1,399 mm tall, this car is great for zipping about the city, but despite the aforementioned 440L of trunk space, no one’s accusing it of being roomy. Fortunately, this model includes a panoramic sunroof. It’s not actually ‘panoramic’ because it’s only overhead, but it is really big, taking up most of the roof. On a sunny day it’s a treat. But don’t worry, that doesn’t supplant the air conditioning, which is also baked, or cooled, into the one price.
With that hatchback you don’t have much need for a camera when reversing, but you get one anyway and I got quite used to it fast. Then it got clogged with snow after three days and conditions were too miserable to leave the car and wipe it off with my tie or bare hand. Fortunately the beeping sonar co-alerted me to the solids I was backing towards as indicated by the mirrors.
It’s great to be slung so low – its ground clearance is a charming 143 mm – because you genuinely appreciate speed when your perspective is akin to a turtle’s. However you do want to be visible. The side mirrors have turn signal indicators built in. These don’t just look cool; they attract the attention of those idiots who love your blind spot. Furthermore, the ‘marathon blue’ of the tester is a great name for its impossible-to-ignore hue. It’s not far from the bright purple a marathoner suffering a massive coronary exudes.
Overall, it’s a purchase worth considering if you’re not packing a lot of passengers or freight and enjoy a throaty fun ride. Two last words about all the simplicity of Hyundai pricing and accessories. For $135.45 you can purchase a rubber cargo tray for the floor of your trunk. Get it.
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Pricing: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo
Base price: $26,249
Accessories: Cargo tray – $135.45
Freight: $1,495
A/C Tax: $100
Price as tested: $27,979.35
Competitors:
Fiat Abarth
Honda Accord Coupe
Scion FR-S
Subaru BRZ
Volkswagen Golf R
Crash Test Results:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
