- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
1.6i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
103kW, 167Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 6.6L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
The sweet spot: Hyundai Veloster
What is it?
Hyundai's vision of an affordable coupe. The design-led Veloster blends eye-catching (if a little dated) styling with humble hatch-based underpinnings and strong value. Second only to the Ford Mustang on Australia's affordable sports car chart, the Veloster has proven more popular in 2017 than the likes of Mazda's MX-5 and the Toyota 86.
Hyundai pitched it as "cool coupe meets clever hatch", owing to an oddball layout that features an elongated coupe-like single door on the driver's side and a pair of more practical sedan-like doors on the passenger side.
How many models can I choose from?
Hyundai rationalised the Veloster range in 2016, reducing it from four to two models (Veloster and Veloster SR Turbo).
The brand offers the Veloster with a choice of 1.6-litre engines with the standard model getting a four-cylinder with 103kW and 167Nm while the Veloster SR Turbo has 150kW and 265Nm.
Each engine is available with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto available for a further $2500.
Both cars feature 18-inch alloy wheels, body kits and a sporty interior with well-bolstered leather seats. Each has a touchscreen infotainment system loaded up with Apple CarPlay connectivity as well as a reversing camera, voice activation features and more.
The revisions saw Hyundai drop some equipment from the model, which is no longer available with a CD player, heated and ventilated seats, a premium stereo or multi-mode "Flex Steer" system. If those are important to you, have a look around for the discontinued Veloster Street limited edition coupe, easily identified by its black-painted multi-spoke alloy wheels.
What do they cost?
Veloster 1.6 manual $29,590
Veloster 1.6 DCT auto $32,090
Veloster SR Turbo manual $30,650
Veloster SR Turbo DCT auto $33,150
(plus on-road costs)
Any options that I need to know about?
Both models are well equipped as standard, with metallic ($595) and matte ($1000) paint the only options to account for.
Is it expensive to own?
Hyundai has a capped-price servicing plan in place for the Veloster. The standard model requires maintenance every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, while the Turbo needs attention every six months or 7500 kilometres, making it much more expensive to run. Factor in $1812 to service the Turbo over the first 60,000 kilometres of ownership, while the regular model costs just $1096.
Both cars feature a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for peace of mind.
Which is the most economical model?
That would be the non-turbo version equipped with an optional dual-clutch auto transmission, which uses 6.6L/100km of petrol.
Which is the safest model?
Either one. They have the same suite of airbags and driver aids such as electronic stability control, though advanced stuff such as autonomous emergency braking is not available on the Veloster.
The Veloster holds a five-star ANCAP crash rating earned through a test performed back in 2013.
Which is the best model to drive?
That has to be the SR Turbo in manual form. While it's not quite a hot hatch capable of matching wits with a Volkswagen Golf GTI or Ford Focus ST, the turbo's reasonably punchy motor offers strong mid-range torque to make the model feel effortlessly brisk.
Customers keen on a genuine performance car will be better off waiting for the upcoming (and no doubt more expensive) Hyundai i30 N or perhaps Toyota's 86, as the Veloster lacks the precision and engaging dynamics of some rivals.
Should I buy one now?
Hyundai has been spied testing a second-gen Veloster expected to share its underpinnings with the new Hyundai i30. Expect more tech, additional grunt and – possibly – a high-performance 200+kW version courtesy of Hyundai's N Performance division. But it won't arrive this year.
Customers ready to commit to the car in June 2017 can take advantage of a promotion that offers the Veloster from $28,990 drive-away including 12 months of free comprehensive insurance.
Where's the sweet spot?
That depends on what you're looking to get out of the car. Enthusiasts won't be able to look past the Veloster Turbo, but its higher running costs and additional upfront purchase price will rule the premium model out for budget buyers. If you're looking to make in impression for minimum outlay, the current $28,990 drive-away deal for the base model is difficult to beat.