Hyundai Veloster - Value-Packed Sporty Coupe

Value-packed sporty hatch/coupe for the younger generation.

Awkward is the first word that pops into my mind upon laying eyes on the row of bright new Velosters under a heavy grey sky. Hyundai’s sporty coupe with its innovative 2+1 door arrangement was intended to blow its rivals into the creative weeds, but upon acquaintance I feel cheated. It’s a cruel coupe/hatch hybrid that can be either, depending on which side of the car you’re standing and whether you can spot the extra door’s concealed handle. Head-scratching stuff...

Hyundai’s sporty coupe with its innovative 2+1 door arrangement was intended to blow its rivals into the creative weeds

Veloster is a little late arriving in this country as Hyundai Automotive SA preferred to launch with the direct-injection GDI Gamma engine rather than the familiar MPI version that was readily available. To sweeten the deal, a 150kW turbo version of the 1.6 is set to roll out towards the end of 2013. For now, the naturally aspirated four-cylinder soldiers a fun assault that includes paintwork with names such as Sleek Silver, White Crystal, Sunflower and Vitamin C. Veloster, the car that is expected to make much headway amongst younger buyers, is also fitted with a number of youth-snaring features such as pumped up multi-media and audio systems, a Blue Max ‘game’ that awards points for efficient driving, and a cool seven-inch touch screen with which to control the lot.

It’s also expected that younger buyers will be won over by the Veloster’s slightly unconventional looks. Apart from an aggressively low and wide front end emphasized by a design crease that runs across, rather than down, the bonnet, the ‘coupatch’ has an oddly pert, dimpled behind and slightly-too-small tail-light cluster.

Veloster’s interior design is said to be inspired by a motorcycle’s fuel tank; bright blue instrument illumination adds a touch of cool

Driving it is not unrewarding as there’s 103kW and 167nm of torque to play with and the option of a dual-clutch transmission if the idea of manual shifting is too much to bear.

The car’s low-slung body and snug leather seats make for a pleasant cabin environment although engine growl filters into the cabin as the 1.6 is happy to take a fair bit of revving. Veloster rides on a MacPherson strut and torsion beam suspension combination so the ride is good and sharp but angled towards the comfortable (with a fair amount of body roll) rather than out-and-out athlete end of the spectrum. A notchy manual and a slightly more responsive dual-clutch channeled power to the front wheels although, once there, the over-assisted hydraulic power steering system let the side down somewhat.

Typically Hyundai, the Veloster is packed with plenty of kit including safety features such as vehicle stability management and active yaw control, to make its stingier rivals blush. It’s oddly attractive and comes at a price that might make your average cash-strapped South African take another look. I’m still not sold on the single floating rear door, though.

Typically Hyundai, the Veloster is packed with plenty of kit including safety features such as vehicle stability management and active yaw control, to make its stingier rivals blush.