Hatchbacks aren’t exactly a dime a dozen these days, but Hyundai is sticking with the Veloster.
Look, by now we all know the Veloster’s game. It’s an odd one in the hatchback field, with its asymmetrical doors, out there styling, and so on. Under the skin, it’s still a hatchback. And while the field it competes in is admittedly shrinking, the players who are still in the field are, for the most part, pulling out all the stops to vie for your hard-earned cash. If the 2019 Hyundai Veloster wants to make a statement, it doesn’t just need to be quirky. It also has to be good. So is it? At this point, we aren’t able to impart our driving impressions. However, we can show you what it’s like. On top of that, we at TFL can give you ten things you need to know about this new model.
10) It still has its party piece
Much like a mullet these days, the 2019 Hyundai Veloster has a “2+1” door setup. By that, we mean that it has two doors on the passenger side to accommodate passengers, like an ordinary hatchback. However, there’s just one longer door on the driver’s side, to make it feel more like a sporty coupe. Is this design element strictly necessary? Nope, but then again neither was the mullet. This quirky feature has aged better than the mullet has, though, and will carry on into the Veloster’s new generation.
9) It’s gotta have swooping, flowing lines
The 2019 Hyundai Veloster has a much more steeply raked roofline, making it look sporty, youthful, and full of vigor. The company redesigned this hatchback in South Korea and California to show you, the car buying public, it means business. Against the likes of the rather more conservative Volkswagen Golf and straight-roofed Mini hatchback, it does look different. Even if that sloping roof does eliminate headroom for taller passengers in the back.
8) Where’s the hatch release?
Where is the button to open the hatchback? Is it integrated into the badge or tucked under the bottom edge of the tailgate? Nope, you’re wrong – the button is actually right underneath the rear wiper.
7) The doors say “party”, but the hatchback brings some business
Again, this is a hatchback, so we expect some degree of practicality. And you do get it in the 2019 Hyundai Veloster. While it’s not hugely commodious, it does offer 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats in place. Hyundai does not list the cargo capacity with the seats folded, however the total interior capacity is listed at 109.8 cubic feet (including passenger space).
6) Small footprint
The 2019 Hyundai Veloster is only 0.8 inches longer than the outgoing model, which puts it up against smaller hatchbacks like the Mini Cooper, the Fiat 500.
5) Would you like forced induction with that?
Hyundai offers up two engine choices in the new Veloster. In the base models, you can get a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. Alternatively, you can buy a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine in the R-Spec, Turbo and Turbo Ultimate models. That one puts out 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, putting it on par with the recently-departed Ford Fiesta ST in terms of power. The full-on 271 horsepower 2019 Hyundai Veloster N is coming later this year. From June 2018, the Turbo will be the most powerful model available.
4) Do you even handle?
The 2019 Hyundai Veloster has multilink rear suspension, moving away from the torsion beam setup of yesteryear. This makes the handling more responsive as it allows each rear wheel to act more independently of the other. In proper hot hatch fashion, it should stay planted in the corners a bit easier.
3) Modes to fit your mood
As with most modern cars, hatchbacks included, the 2019 Hyundai Veloster has selectable drive modes. Push a button, and the experience varies between Normal, Sport, and Smart modes. Not only that, but the Veloster also lets you select the sort of intake noise enhancement you’d like piped into the cabin. You can choose from options to enhance the car’s sound, or you can disable it through the car’s infotainment menus.
2) Safety tech
Forward collision assistance is now standard across the range, but the feature is enhanced with pedestrian detection on the Turbo Ultimate. Driver Attention Alert is also standard across the range, as is Lane Keep Assist. Rear Cross Traffic and Blind Spot Collision Warning is available on all trims except the 2.0-liter base model and the R-Spec.
Wireless charging is standard on the 2.0 Premium and the Turbo Ultimate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported across the range. However, there’s only a 7.0-inch screen on the base model, while the other trims get a larger 8.0-inch infotainment screen.
1) It’s a new Veloster
Let’s not forget that Hyundai brought us the original Veloster way back in 2011. It’s been nearly eight years, and we had yet to see a new model emerge. That’s a lifetime for most models, so the most significant thing you need to know about the 2019 Hyundai Veloster is that there is one. Sales will start next month from $18,500 and rise up to around $30,000 depending on the model (excluding an $885 destination charge):
2.0-liter models:
- $18,500 – 2.0-liter M/T (6-speed manual) (Base)
- $19,500 – 2.0-liter A/T (6-speed automatic)
- $22,750 – 2.0-liter Premium
1.6-liter turbo models:
- $22,900 – Turbo R-Spec M/T (6-speed manual)
- $25,400 – Turbo DCT (7-speed dual-clutch automatic)
- $26,650 – Turbo Ultimate M/T
- $28,150 – Turbo Ultimate DCT
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