UPDATE: You can now read our first review of the 2019 Hyundai Veloster
The all-new 2019 Hyundai Veloster and Veloster Turbo made their world debuts at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. Instantly recognizable as the quirky coupe, but with all-new sheetmetal, interior, and underpinnings, the Veloster carries on with its polarizing styling, good fun-to-dollar ratio, and even its unique asymmetrical door configuration.
Although the 2019 Veloster is all-new, its styling sticks close to the previous car’s general proportions and design, and you’d never know that it was based on the Hyundai Elantra compact sedan. The front end is much cleaner, with the new-style Hyundai grille flanked by narrower headlights, and rear end proportions that are more pleasing overall. The peculiar passenger-side door configuration–with a conventional front-hinged small rear door to make getting in the rear seats easier–is as much a styling signature of the little hatchback as anything, and remains a love-it-or-leave-it decision.
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Inside the new Veloster is a much nicer interior than before. Driver focused, with an 8-inch “floating” display above the audio controls in the middle of the dash. Infotainment includes modern necessities such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB inputs, and so on. Other high-tech features available on the new Veloster focus on enhanced safety, with lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, automatic high beams, blind spot and rear cross traffic warnings, and adaptive cruise control.
Two engine choices
Drivers can choose between two different engines to put under the hood. Standard is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 147 horsepower, paired with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. While sure to be fuel efficient, we think enthusiasts enticed by the Veloster’s promise of performance will be drawn to the 201-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. Available with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, it promises better acceleration than the base engine.
Helping handling is an all-new chassis enhanced by further electronic aids. The new Torque Vectoring Control is standard, and uses the stability control system to apply braking force to the inside front wheel in hard cornering maneuvers, thus directing more power to the outside wheel in the turn and enhancing grip. Selectable drive modes alter programming for engine, transmission, and steering feel in both turbo and non-turbo models alike. However, the Turbo gets an upgraded suspension and shocks, as well as an option for 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 “Summer” tires.
BONUS: The new Veloster is one of KBB’s coolest cars under $20,000
N Performance model added
The Veloster N is distinguished by an exclusive front fascia and grille with dedicated front air ducts for enhanced brake cooling. The look is continued with side rocker sills and available lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels with a machined-finish dual-spoke design. The rear is fitted with a large spoiler, unique fascia with integrated diffuser, and high-flow dual exhaust tips. Inside, Veloster N features front cloth sport seats with aggressive bolstering, N-design steering wheel, shift knob, sill plates, and instrument cluster. Interior details are accented by an N performance blue accent theme.
The Veloster N is equipped with a larger 2.0-liter, direct-injected turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making an estimated 275 horsepower and up to 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a close-ratio, short-throw six-speed manual transmission with downshift rev-matching capability. The suspension employs multi-mode electronically-controlled shocks with a track-focused N mode available. An N Corner-Carving Limited-slip Differential improves launch performance, reduces acceleration slip understeer and increases grip via precise torque-vectoring.
Prices haven’t been announced but are likely to remain close to the current model’s, which range between about $19,000 to a bit more than $27,000 for a fully loaded Turbo. We’ll find out more when the Veloster goes on sale sometime in the second quarter of this year.
2019 Hyundai Veloster Exterior and Interior Pics
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