2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Review - Hyundai Brings the Funk

Hyundai turned itself into a successful brand by building sensible, reliable cars and crossovers that match up nicely with the competition. Where rival carmakers have a product, Hyundai has a very similar alternative. Making a sale by imitating the class leaders is generally a winning strategy.

And then you have the 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo – a car that really has no similar rival. No other automaker offers an asymmetrical three-door, sloped-rear-light hatchback. No matter how functional it is or how well it drives, all conversations about the Veloster start with its funky layout.

Of course, what differentiates the Veloster from a more traditional hatchback are, for me, the big drawbacks. The asymmetrical door arrangement led to a pair of sisters climbing over one another to exit via the single rear door, and that sloping roof cuts down on rear headroom. Every time I drove over a speed bump, my five foot six eldest bashed her skull on the headliner.

Some of that headroom deficit may lie at the feet of the panoramic sunroof. The wide expanse of glass is nice, should one want a bit more airflow, but it cuts into the head space. Further, I was annoyed by a lack of body rigidity seemingly amplified by the gaping glass hole, as I noted a good number of squeaks, creaks, and rattles above my head, especially when driving spiritedly.

That’s a shame, because the 201 horsepower 1.6 liter turbocharged four practically begs you to go play. Power delivery is excellent, with minimal turbo lag – the full complement of 195 pound/feet of torque is available at 1,500 rpm. The seven-speed dual clutch transmission works well enough, though downshifts can be somewhat sluggish when trying to hustle on that deserted twisty road down by the river.

I beg you, however. If you do take the plunge on a Veloster of your own, make it a manual. While not Miata-perfect, the Hyundai six-speed manual pairs perfectly with this engine, making a very good car even more enjoyable.

Handling from the short-wheelbase Veloster is superb. While never quite straying into the oversteer category, the multi-link rear suspension (shared with the Elantra GT Sport I so adored last year) is happy to rotate when asked. My only note is an unusually strong self-centering action to the steering. It often feels as if the steering wheel is pulling you back to straight with more gusto than in most cars. My guess is the Veloster is designed to be aligned with more caster than the similar Elantra, to aid stability on interstate drives.

While my rear seat passengers complained about bopping their noggins, they were otherwise comfortable, and welcomed the convenient center-mounted cupholders. That plastic console does mean this is a car limited to four passengers, rather than five.

I love that Hyundai offers something more interesting than a typical black or charcoal interior – the off-white leather looks wonderful and brightens up the entire cabin. I’d be wary of how long it stays looking nice, of course. The asymmetry on the exterior continues inside, with differently colored sides of the dashboard and door panels. It’s one of those things that strikes you at first, but quickly fades into the background after a few days of living with the car.

Were I to sign a note on a Veloster Turbo – and not the Veloster N, which is an entirely different monster – I’d play right into my thrifty nature and specify the Turbo R-Spec. I’d lose the sunroof, heated seats, rain sensing wipers, leather, navigation, active cruise control, power lumbar support, and wireless cell charging, but I’d save nearly six thousand dollars. I’d miss the active cruise and wireless charger, but I’d have a car that fits me so much better. And it’s only available with the six-speed manual.

Make mine Sunset Orange.

Really, though, the Veloster Turbo is not the right fit for my family or my lifestyle. I need a bit more headroom and cargo space – I’m hauling kids everywhere all the time, it seems. But if you can live with the baked-in quirks – really, if you love those quirks simply because they are the essence of Veloster – than this funky warm hatch is a great choice.

[Images: © 2019 Chris Tonn/TTAC, screenshot via http://hyundaiusa.com]