Feb 28, 2019, 12:02 PM by Mike Blake

Launched for the 2012 model year as a coupelike, economic, subcompact hatchback to attract college-age drivers, the Hyundai Veloster has been redesigned for its second generation, and in the words of Mike O’Brien, Hyundai Motor America’s vice president of Product, Corporate and Digital Planning “Our new 2019 Veloster represents an even more compelling offering for young and young-at-heart automotive enthusiasts with more expressive design, involving dynamics and cutting-edge infotainment features.”

The fresh design was a collaborative effort of Hyundai designers from Seoul, South Korea and the U.S. design center in Irvine, California. The new Veloster features a new roofline, a new platform, a slightly larger exterior, increased power, enhanced safety, generous cutting-edge infotainment and connectivity features, and it retains its unique two-plus-one door asymmetrical bodystyle configuration (one large door on the driver’s side and two smaller doors in the passenger side).

Available in six trims -- Veloster 2.0, 2.0 Premium. Turbo, Turbo R-Spec, Turbo Ultimate and N -- each of the trim level is identifiable by different upholstery and pops of color on its seats and dashboard. Outside, the Veloster merges the design appeal of a sport coupe with the versatility afforded by the additional passenger side rear door. 

From the front, available LED headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights flank Hyundai’s signature cascade grille shape with a strong, three-dimensional design. The rear spoiler with LED Center High Mount Stop Lamp, rear diffuser and functional air curtains add both a visual design cue and an active aerodynamic function. 

Much of the redesign is derived from enhanced proportions and volume; the new shape suggests dynamic performance in a more muscular costume, with higher-volume fenders and wheel arches. The roofline has been lowered for a unique profile and a distinctive coupe-inspired essence. The fender line is also more coupe-like, and the rear now has a more aggressive integrated diffuser design. 

The all-new Veloster bow measures 166.9 inches in length, 70.9 inches in width and 55.1 inches in height on a 104.3-inch wheelbase. Curbweight for the 2.0 is 2734 in AWD, while the turbos run above 2900 lbs. The 2019 Veloster is 0.8 inches longer and 0.4 inches wider than Gen-One, and it stands out with its own personality in the world of crossovers.

The asymmetrical design carries through to the interior, with a driver-focused interior layout and each trim level has unique colors, materials, and accents, further differentiating each model with varying hues and textures.

Inside, if you opt for a sunroof, Veloster gives you only 36.9 inches in front headroom and 35.9 inches in the rear seats. No sunroof gains you 1.2 inches in front and nothing in the rear. Legroom is 42.6 inches on tow one and 34.1 in row two; and shoulder room is a roomy 56.0 up front and 54.3 in the rear.

While rear sightlines are less than optimal, and rear seats are best left for children due to the tight accommodations, the cabin is packed with enhanced safety features, and such accouterments as a 6-way adjustable driver seat with seat height adjustment, power lumbar adjust for driver’s seat, heated front seats, 8-inch color touchscreen audio, Infinity® Premium Audio System with external amp and 8 speakers including a subwoofer, Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, speed-sensitive automatic volume control, air conditioning, automatic temperature control with auto defogging, cabin air filter, 4.2inch color TFT instrument cluster, proximity key entry with push button start and much more.

Performancewise, Veloster is tons of fun. The base 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine uses the Atkinson-cycle for superior efficiency and lower emissions and delivers a peak output of 147 horsepower, maximum torque of 132 lb.-ft. and is EPA rated at 26mpg/city, 33mpg/highway and  28mpg/average. My Turbo was powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder engine that produced 201 hp and 195 lb.-ft. of torque (overboost can pop it to 202 lb-ft.) and is EPA rated at 28/34/30; and the Hyundai N  gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with up to 275 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. My 1.6 got me an average of 29.9mpg in mixed use tests and was a beast at the track. 

The MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs, gas filled hydraulic twin-tube shock absorber and stabilizer bar combined with a Multi-link rear suspension with Hydraulic twin-tube gas-filled shock absorber gave me great road feel while smoothing out highways and in-town irregularities; and the Motor Driven Power Steering Rack and pinion steering was attentive, predictable and auto-cross worthy.

Acceleration was rocketlike, albeit, with a turbo beat to engage, and I managed a hand-timed 6.8-second zero-to-60 sprint and a 15.3-second quarter-mile. And the get-up, maneuvering and highway in-and-outs of traffic were a joy.

Base priced at $18,500 for the Base 2.0 and $26,900 for the top-speed and top-scale Veloster N, my test Veloster Turbo started at $25,400.with a wide sunroof, perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats,18-inch alloy wheels, and Blind-spot Collision Warning. In Sonic Silver, my Veloster came loaded with standard trim items and only optioned up with $125 carpeted floor mats and a $70 rear-bumper appliqué to minimize rear scratches below the liftgate. Adding a $920 freight charge, my 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo stickered at $26,515, but $1750 incentive discounts may be available in your area, so check with your local dealer.


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Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>