Austin Texas and Hyundai Veloster Elicit an Unabashedly Unique Vibe

Full disclosure, I was a little perplexed about all the hoopla and allure regarding the Hyundai Veloster ... but only before I spent a day driving the all-new 2019 version through the Hill Country near Austin in Central Texas. As it turns out, this quirky little cutie is actually quite well stocked and pretty darn cool.

Coupe-like with one driver's-side door yet simultaneously sedan-ish with both a passenger door and hidden rear door on the opposite side, the Veloster (like Austin itself) has danced to its own uninhibited beat for some time now. But a bold new look takes the stage for the upcoming model year with a sleek redesigned profile and assertively-sporty styling.

Starting at an MSRP of just $18,500, the stand-out sports car is expected to appeal to a target market of single urban expressive curators around 26-34 years old with an average income of about $65-85K per year. And with the 'fun-to-drive' aspect being the most important purchase reason in the compact sporty segment* (plus advanced technology increasingly on the must-have list), the Veloster is bound to hit some serious hot buttons when it begins rolling into dealerships this June.

FIRST GLANCE & DOUBLE TAKE

The updated Veloster has a tough-looking widened stance and athletic appearance that gives the impression it's eagerly poised to jump off the starting line at any given moment. Seven exterior colors adorn five trim levels including the 2.0, 2.0 Premium, Turbo R-Spec, Turbo, and top-of-the-line fully-equipped Turbo Ultimate. Each is outfitted with its own unique wheel design and interior finish out for a clearly-defined differentiation between the five varieties. The sport styling, faster roofline, tinted windows, LED daytime running lights, and extra-wide cascading grill definitely convey a menacing attitude, but it's the dual center exhaust and higher-volume fenders and wheel arches that seal the deal.

A WORTHY COMPETITOR

The 2.0L Atkinson MPI 4-cylinder engine achieves an estimated 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque and is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed automatic with available paddle shifters; while the 1.6L turbocharged, direct-injected, 4-cylinder engine generates approximately 201 horsepower with 195 lb-ft of torque and can be mated with a 6-speed manual transmission or 7-speed dual clutch with paddle shifters. The steering gearbox has now been moved closer to the wheel center line for enhanced steering and brake stability, and new multi-link suspension has replaced the torsion beam for improved dynamic capabilities. Three separate drive modes (normal, sport, and smart) adjust throttle response and steering feel as well as shift logic (for the automatic and dual-clutch transmissions) and deliver combined city/highway fuel economy totals that run about 28-30 mpg across the board.

Gripping the road and hugging corners tightly, the car delivered buttery-smooth improved shifting for us and natural-feeling clutch action (along with driver exhilaration when using the ergonomically-inclined B&M Racing sport shifter). The solid drive felt stable and secure when maneuvering through congested city traffic, cruising the open highway, navigating twisting roads, or facing the demands of elevation-changing hilly terrain.

THE GUTS WITH THE GLORY

The driver-oriented design provides distinctly-divided cabin compartments; not only in its spatial layout, but in color treatment as well with an asymmetrical interior design that matches the exterior concept. Tastefully-artistic upholstery and touch-point surfaces gradually improve as you move up the trim line with very comfortable sport bucket seats in all versions and stunning leather throughout the Turbo Ultimate. And even with 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, you can also quickly and easily pop the hidden hatch release and press down the 60/40 fold-flat rear seats to haul a number of large items in the back like musical instruments or recreational equipment.

NEXT-GEN FOR THE NEXT GEN

Cutting-edge advanced technology is, without a doubt, at the forefront of the Veloster design philosophy. Segment first standard features include Android Auto and AppleCar Play as well as forward collision-avoidance assist and lane keep assist as part of an active safety package that additionally includes driver attention warning, blind-spot monitoring, rearview camera with dynamic guidelines for parking assistance, and much more.

Veloster 2.0 comes equipped with additional standard equipment like a 7" display audio system, LED daytime running lights, Bluetooth, cruise control, individual tire pressure monitoring, and dual fold-away power heated body-color outside mirrors. Veloster 2.0 Premium gets all that plus 18" alloy wheels, proximity key entry with push-button start, blind-spot collision warning with rear cross-traffic collision warning, wireless charging pad, 8" display and 8-speaker Infinity premium audio system (with Clari-Fi music restoration technology), and three complimentary years of Blue Link Connected Car (with remote engine start, door lock/unlock, on-demand diagnostics and alerts, remote car finder, climate control, and in-car maintenance scheduling).

The Turbo R-Spec model adds to those features LED headlights and taillights and a 4.2" color TFT instrument cluster, while Veloster Turbo tacks on a wide sunroof, side mirror turn signal indicators, rear cross-traffic collision warning, heated seats, automatic temperature control with auto-defogging, and power lumbar adjust.

Veloster Turbo Ultimate is fully loaded with those assets as well as a black two-tone roof, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Summer Performance tires, 8" navigation with HD radio traffic and incident data, smart cruise control (7DCT only), automatic rain sensing wipers, pedestrian detection added to forward collision-avoidance assist, and an 8" full-color heads-up display (with safety, navigation, and audio information).

So kudos to Hyundai on a job very well done, and congratulations to Veloster as well. You quickly won me over with your casually-impressive demeanor; and even though I suspect the contrary, it appeared virtually effortless.

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