Hyundai Veloster 1.6 GDi 4dr Car Review - February 2012

The engine performance delivered from the Veloster could be a little better when it is being compared with other coupe vehicles, and the acceleration of 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds is a little bit sluggish compared with some of its rivals. The top speed of 125mph does compare quite well, but this coupe does actually deliver some rather good fuel efficiency too.

The handling is one of the biggest problems when it comes to driving a Veloster, and the steering doesn’t give nearly enough feedback to the driver. When cornering it also has a tendency to under steer without giving any hint to the driver that this is about to happen. The steering does respond quickly enough, but the need to rev the engine quite a lot does mean the cabin can also get quite noisy. The adjustable seat and steering wheel does mean it is easy to find a comfortable driving position.

The design of the Veloster is quite a big departure from the usually conservatively designed vehicles produced by Hyundai. A big air vent below the grille gives the front end an aggressively styled look, and the lines of the car are particularly pleasing. The smooth back end has come at the expense of the practicality of the boot door, but many people won’t be too worried about this.

The level of equipment is very good, and the seven inch touch screen computer at the heart of the central console is a very impressive feature. The Veloster also boasts climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and rear parking sensors. The alloy wheels that are included as standard certainly help to improve the overall look of the Veloster.

The Veloster achieved some remarkable results in the Euro NCAP tests, achieving the five star award, but also being given marks of 96% for adult safety and 89% for child safety, which is really very good indeed. The Veloster comes with six airbags installed should the car find itself in a collision, and there are also a range of driving aids including vehicle stability management and the brake assist system to help the driver to drive safely.

Those people who are considering buying a Veloster will not usually be doing so because they are looking for a family car. The Veloster is not designed to be particularly practical, but the boot space is reasonable, and the one door to the rear does make access easier. However, headroom will impact on many people sitting in the back, and those with a lot of luggage will struggle to get it all in. Hyundai’s are well known for reliability, which is supported by the excellent warranty package.

The version reviewed here is the basic model of the Veloster, and has a list price of £17,995. This is significantly cheaper than rivals such as the VW Scirocco and the Audi TT, but equally the driving experience doesn’t quite match those vehicles either.

The fuel performance considering that this is designed to be a sporty coupe is quite good, with the Veloster able to achieve an average 43.5mpg. The insurance group is also quite low, making this an attractive option for those who are looking for a new coupe that will be quite cheap to run. As it is new on to the market it is difficult to speculate how well the resale values will hold up, but it does come with Hyundai’s excellent five year warranty and five year roadside breakdown assistance package.