Jimmy Dinsmore is Wheels Editor for Cox Media Group Ohio and Dave Mikesell is a freelance automotive reviewer based in Indianapolis. Across Generations looks at similar vehicles from two different perspectives.
The old adage is to sell the sizzle, not the steak. Well, the new 2012 Hyundai Veloster has plenty of sizzle. Part coupe, part hatchback and even part sedan, the Veloster is almost all cool ‚ right down to the name.
Hyundai’s hip team combined the terms velocity and roadster to come up with the moniker for its latest creation. Wheels editor Jimmy Dinsmore and freelance automotive writer Dave Mikesell each recently spent a week in a Veloster and offer up their thoughts on everything from the design to the name.
DAVE: To say the Veloster is unique shortchanges the term. The exterior exudes speed with a look that hints it would excel in a wind tunnel. The most subtle point on the outside is the entrance to the back seat, a rear-hinged door on the passenger side that allows ease of access and gives an alteration to a traditional coupe with its sometimes awkward crawl into the rear seating area. Whether folks noticed that rear passenger door or not, we found that the car certainly drew attention for its looks.
JIMMY: You can’t talk about the Veloster’s looks, without mentioning one of its best features — the panoramic sunroof. This is a hot design trend, for sure, but it really suits the sleek, sloping look of the Veloster and offers passengers star-gazing opportunities. The interior touchpoints are surprising considering the affordable price tag. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob were only two of the finer accents. Leather-like material could be found on the seats and the door inserts too. As Dave mentioned, getting into the rear seat can be a little awkward for rear passengers, but once in, the legroom is adequate. It won’t be great for adults on long trips, but for quick trips the rear space is fine.
DAVE: Where the Veloster finally slows down a little is with what’s under the hood. The engine is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that produces a quiet 138 horsepower. If this is going to be too tame for your tastes, perhaps you can wait for the announced turbocharged engine next model year. As for now, considering the car weighs less than 2,600 pounds, the current 4-cylinder is usually enough. I tested a 6-speed manual transmission that had short, easy-to-throw shifts and helped with any power shortcomings.
JIMMY: My tester was the 6-speed automatic, and yes, Dave, the turbo Veloster is something I look forward to. The engine is tame, but handles well. A short turning radius is much appreciated. Smooth, consistent braking exists and the suspension is acceptable. Now, it is definitely hugging to the ground, so be forewarned that you might feel a little more of the road than you might be used to in something like the Sonata.
DAVE: The transmissions and differing interior colors (and there is a wide color palette available) are really the only things separating the off-the-lot offerings. The base price for a Veloster with a manual transmission is $17,300 and the price for an automatic transmission is $18,550, which seems fair considering the amount of standard equipment, right, Jimmy?
JIMMY: Absolutely, Dave. In fact, the Veloster seems like a great graduation gift for a young driver. It is affordable, small and good on the gas (I averaged 34 MPG in a week’s worth of driving). An extra feature that gives parents great relief is Hyundai’s Blue Link technology. By setting up an online account, parents can monitor — and control — the vehicle, including how fast it can be driven, how far it can be driven (mileage radius) and other safety-related factors. For this feature alone, it makes the Veloster a great option for inexperienced drivers.
DAVE: A couple of optional packages push the price to just more than $21,000 but add such amenities as a navigation system with rearview camera, sunroof, upgraded stereo, fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, push-button start and plenty of other items. That’s a lot of punch in a little car.
JIMMY: There’s a lot that is cool about the Hyundai Veloster, from its name to its three-door design. Chock full of technology and enough amenities, it gives Hyundai another vehicle to offer to a growing customer base.
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