Cute to a fault, you get your money’s worth with the Veloster and then some. It’s an all-new Hyundai model and the competition sits with the other hatchbacks of its ilk, the Honda hybrid CR-Z, the Scion tC and the Mazda 3. Only this one is modern and sleek and offers a three-door design that I found more than a little appealing (aka a coupe-door on the driver’s side and two sedanish doors on the passenger side).
A four-passenger ride, the 2012 Hyundai Veloster is offered in only one trim. That’s okay though because this trim includes just about everything on your wish list anyway.
Standard on this hatchback are 17-inch alloy wheels, LED accent lights, heated side mirrors, a rear spoiler, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, full power accessories, height-adjustable driver’s seat, split-folding rear seats, and audio goodies like Bluetooth and an auxiliary audio jack and USB/iPod connectivity. You also get a seven-inch touchscreen and Hyundai's BlueLink telematics system.
There are some option packages; the Style package with 18-inch wheels, chrome grille with black highlights, fog lights, panoramic sunroof, and leatherette upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel or the Tech package, in addition to the Style package with automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, a navigation system, rearview camera, keyless ignition/entry, and a 115-volt outlet in the center armrest bin.
Under the hood the Veloster has a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine offering 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. With that a six-speed manual transmission is standard, but an automated dual-clutch manual transmission is available too.
Safety offering are the standard antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side and full-length side curtain airbags, and there is Hyundai's BlueLink with SOS assistance and crash notification.
Inside you will find plenty of room in the front seat albeit the back seat is a bit cramped. The bells and whistles are easy to use and navigate and the interior is a modern and fresh design with good texture and styling.
Even with the backseat being a bit cramped for headroom, there is a fair amount of legroom. The seats also fold down for added cargo space when needed, but even more kudos is the trunk size coming in at 15.5-cubic-feet.
A fun car to drive even if economical and while you won’t be able to win a race against a Ferrari, you will still find a strong and easy ride and that will make you feel in control.
Should You Need to Know: Take note of Hyundai's BlueLink telematics system that offers a number of safety standards and outbound text messaging and turn-by-turn navigation, to name a few.
Miles Per Gallon: The 2012 Hyundai Veloster that I drove came in at 28 miles per gallon in the city and 40 miles per gallon on the highway.
Cost: The price tag for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster M/T is a mere $18,120. Sign me up for two.
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