Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo Review

Pros: 'In your face' styling, superb 1.6 turbo engine; excellent handling; comfortable ride, sharp steering, smooth power delivery, performance; comfort; loads of features; manual and auto transmissions.

Cons: Rear seat headroom; lack of decent exhaust note.

By Anthony Crawford | August 08th, 2012

FIND DEALS

Price: $31,990 to $33,990

Our Rating:

Performance, Ride & Handling	4
Comfort & Interior	3.5
Quality & Design	3.5
Value & Features	4
Green	5

Hyundai Motor Company Australia is hoping the addition of the all-new Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo will lift monthly sales of the niche Veloster range from an average of 370 units per month to around 500 cars.

Hyundai only launched the naturally aspirated Veloster in February this year and has already sold 2220 units of the head-turning three-door coupe and captured 24 per cent of the sports car market in Australia in the process.

The top-of-the-range Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo is a significantly more powerful version than the standard Veloster with its 1.6-litre four-cylinder twin-scroll turbo petrol engine delivering 150kw (up 47kW) and 265Nm (up 99Nm).

As a percentage those numbers represent 46 per cent more power and a whopping 60 per cent more torque over the standard Veloster.

It’s all about the extra performance with the all-new Veloster SR Turbo and although Hyundai doesn’t provide official data in the car’s official specifications, local testing has recorded 0-100 sprint times of 6.9 seconds – for the automatic.

But there’s also a substantial premium to be paid for this additional turbo weaponry with the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo starting from $31,990 (before on-road costs) against the entry-level Veloster, which kicks off at $23,990 before on-road costs.

So, given the Veloster+ already comes loaded with a raft of standard equipment including a 7-inch LCD touch screen with satellite navigation and reversing camera, LED daytime running lights and panormamic glass roof with electric blind to name but a few, what do you actually get for your money with the Veloster SR Turbo besides forced induction and faster sprint times?

Visually, the Veloster SR Turbo is a lot more potent than its naturally aspirated siblings.

The obvious giveaway is the enormous open front grille with a black finish and special air-duct that feeds cool air onto the clearly visible intercooler. You’ll also notice the deeper front bumper with large round fog lamps and the detailed side skirts.

But for that unmistakable ‘tuner look’ there’s a proper rear diffuser under the integrated and oversize twin chrome exhaust tips that make the brashest statement about this car’s performance intentions.

Inside, the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo is just as loud as car’s unique exterior styling although, it’s pretty much as you would find in the Veloster+ model, but for a few key exceptions.

Most notable are the excellent sports bucket seats up front, which are more heavily bolstered than those fitted in the standard Veloster variants and include the word ‘Turbo’ embroided on the seat backs.

Gone, are the brushed metal accents throughout the dash, door trim and steering wheel, which have been replaced by a dark coloured accents, providing a sportier look.

The Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo also picks up unique 18-inch alloy wheels with chrome inserts, but shod with the same 215/40 series tyres fitted to all Veloster models.

Also exclusive to Veloster SR Turbo is a colour palette consisting of six exterior paint colours including Phantom black, Veloster red, Storm trooper, Battle ship, Young gun and Marmalade.

The later two, are extra-special paint colours; Young gun is a jaw-dropping matte grey finish that must be hand-washed only and Marmalade is a chameleon colour that changes hue when viewed from different angles but will only be available for a six-month period.

Any gripes about the Veloster not living up to its ‘in your face’ styling have been well and truly answered with the launch of the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo.

The combination of direct-injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger have all but eliminated any threats of turbo lag.

Punch the throttle from almost any position in the rev range and the Veloster SR Turbo pulls hard – and it keeps on pulling through to 4500rpm.

There’s no sensation of turbo boost either, it’s a thoroughly linear power curve and an even flatter torque curve, so it feels somewhat like a naturally aspirated hot hatch much of the time.

The handling, too, it also well sorted on the Veloster SR Turbo.

Hyundai engineers have gone to great lengths to specifically tune the car for local conditions using high-performance Sachs dampers – with rebound springs for better responsiveness.

The result is a proper performance hatch that enjoys being thrown into twisty bends with utmost confidence, while at the same time, providing a supple ride over varying road conditions.

They’ve also tuned the all-electric power-assisted steering, which gets a quicker 13.9 ratio steering rack, which allows the Veloster SR Turbo to fully exploit windy roads.

There’s negligible body roll too. The Veloster SR Turbo displays excellent composure and body control, even during high-speed cornering work.

The drive route on the Veloster SR Turbo launch included a broad range of road conditions including our fair share of poorly maintained rural roads, but the Veloster’s suspension revealed a mostly supple ride even when carrying the maximum legal speed across the most uneven of surfaces.

The Veloster SR Turbo also gains an uprated brake package that includes larger and wider front discs by 300mm and 5mm, respectively.

There’s a solid feel to these brakes, and even after constant heavy use in the downhill twisty sections, pedal feel remained strong and confidence inspiring.

We tried the both the six-speed manual and six-speed automatic versions and both boxes pair well with the Veloster SR Turbo’s 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and each as enjoyable as the other.

The manual version is accompanied by a lightweight clutch that’s easy on your left foot and along with the accelerator pedal, is perfectly positioned for heel and toe downshifts. It’s a close ratio box with a stubby shifter allowing for quick gear changes up and down the ratio range.

There’s no denying the Veloster SR Turbo in manual guise is loads of fun, but this reviewer favours Hyundai’s traditional automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

It’s both a smooth and quick-shifting automatic that feels perfectly geared to engine’s output. The extra torque from the twin-scroll turbo eliminates any nasty kick downs, as there’s always plenty of punch in the higher gears when needed.

If we had any grumbles it would be the lack of a properly sporty engine note from the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. While it’s not devoid of an exhaust note altogether, it’s just not as scintillating as the rest of the car.

Hyundai cite models such as the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Mini Cooper S as key rivals to the Veloster SR Turbo, but neither car offers the degree of practicality and space of the Veloster SR Turbo.

The Veloster’s conventionally hinged rear door on the kerb-side and ample rear legroom makes the Hyundai kid-friendly, especially for the school drop-off and pick-up routine. Anyone over the height of 173cm (5’8”) though, will struggle with rear headroom due to the Veloster’s ultra-low roofline.

There’s also a full suite of active and passive safety kit on board the five-star ANCAP rated Veloster SR Turbo including six airbags, electronic stability control with traction control, Hyundai’s vehicle stability management system, anti-locking brake system with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist.

The Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo is plenty quick. It also handles well, rides well and steers well. In short, there isn’t much that it doesn’t do well and should have no trouble finding plenty of willing customers.

Owner reviews of the HYUNDAI VELOSTER Add a New Review

2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER
By Cameron Bell

http://twitter.com/holotropik Holotropik

Welcome to the game Hyundai
Daniel

The thing that I find really interesting about the Veloster is that I actually find it genuinely desirable. And I am not the kind of person who would generally want a Korean car. I’m not going to buy one because I already have a better car, but this is just so interesting and in-your-face, but without being ugly. It has some awkward angles, but I still think it looks good. Nice interior, too. I think I’d rather have one over a Toyota 86, I don’t know if it’s better or not, but I do like it more.
- Dom Vøn Hütch
  
  It is just such a likeable car, so much appeal for me over (or perhaps equal to) even more expensive cars such as the new 1 series, A Klasse, Volvo C30 etc. Yes the 86 has better dynamics at the limit, but will the SR Turbo be the better car for many ppl most of the time? Perhaps…hell of a lot cheaper too!
  - Hyundai Fan
    
    …… The 86 base model is cheaper
    - Daniel
      
      He’s probably comparing turbo models.
      - Noddy of Toyland
        
        Which the 86 doesn’t have…
      - Lindsay
        
        That may have been the point…
        
        Either way, to be fair the equipment level of the SR also implies comparison with the 86 GTS.
Pauly

Well done Hyundai!

Welcome to the Hot Hatch club!

GTI Performance with none of the reliability issues, along with a cheaper price, longer warranty and fixed price servicing! You will find ALOT of customers.

It will be very interesting to see what they announce at the Australian Motorshow in regards to the other SR models they have planned.

Couple their SR Line up along with the next generation Genesis Coupe, and Hyundai Australia will have a very desirable line up indeed!

This generation of cars and the next generation of Hyundai’s over the next 4/6 years will be very exciting to see.

I wish them the best of luck!

Now Honda…. GET YOUR ASS INTO GEAR! Where is the Civic Type R and Integra to take on the Koreans?
Robin_Graves

Good to hear the suspension has no issues in the Australian tune. Watch all the VeeDud fanboys carry on about how this car is Korean, ugly, cheap interior. It’s all jealousy that Hyundai have done better than their beloved VeeDud who have had almost 40 years of hot hatch history yet still cant make a car that is both quick and reliable (and now even more boring to look at than Toyota). They have nothing to worry about because all the fashionable badge snobs that buy VeeDud wouldn’t be seen dead in a Hyundai, in the end they are the only ones who lose.
- Glenn59
  
  I do wonder about the mindset of people who have to criticise other peoples choices of vehicles when commenting on a road test for a car that will probably not even be regarded as a competitor for the GTI by either VW or Hyundai?
  
  Hyundai themselves are nominating much smaller cheaper cars than the GTI as their competitors. The VW is larger inside, more powerful and better equiped.
  
  I think the Veloster is an excellent car for the money and a sign of things to come but which road test has suggested that this car has the measure of the VW? We are only just starting to see tests of the Veloster and comparisons with other cars may not appear for weeks or even months yet. Aren’t you making some big judgement calls before any evidence exist?
  
  The ‘best car’ should always be read as the one that suits your purpose and that appeals to you. You do not have to like GTI’s but it is a fact that they have won more of the comparison test over the years than any of the opposition. They achieve this because they are argualbly the best combination of an everyday vehicle that is also fun to drive. The current GTI is the same basic design as the 2004 model and it still dominates comparison tests. Just wait for the new modeldue shortly to blow them all away!
  - Robin_Graves
    
    I do wonder what GTI you are referring to? I’m guessing you are talking about the Golf as you mention ‘it’ being bigger and more powerful. I think the veloster is more of a Polio competitor – but like I said, VeeDud fans wouldnt even consider a Hyundai as they are more interested in what other people think than buying the best car for the money (and one that doesnt break down)
    - Glenn59
      
      Pick which GTI you want to compare. Though the Golf is the main game for VW the Polo is also near or at the top of its class.
      
      The Polo has better Interior room, Interior quality , Better design as shown by such things as the all round vision. These qualities and 5 hatchback versatilty give it many advantages over the Veloster. I think the quip about VW reliabilty is unsubstantiated. Yes, VW has had some issues but the local Cannstar surveys and the British JD Pwer Surveys both show that VW is one of the more reliable brands out there.
      
      I am not criticising Hyundai, they are a good car getting better fast. I am jsut saying they have a way to go before they will be top of the class.
      - Robin_Graves
        
        Here we go again, Canstar and UK JD Power… I’m not even going to go there. Try and tell me the twincharger in the Polio isnt a hand grenade.
        
        Hyundai is like the underdog, written off by many, scoffed at by the ‘old guard’ - I like that.
      - Glenn59
        
        Obviously you have ade up your mind so I wouldn’t want the facts to upset that?
        
        Yes, VW did have an issue with the twincharger because of Australias woeful fuel quality. The problem has been long resolved. I don’t know wy you diss the surveys endorsing the VW’s. Neither you I can judge how frequent any alleged problem with any car is from browsing forums. Industry surveys are one of the more reliable indicators and VW actually do well in most.
        
        By the way, look at the new issue of Motor out today. The Polo GTI blitzes all the opposition including the Toyota 86 and Veloster to take out the ‘Bang for Your Buck PrIze’.
      - Robin_Graves
        
        The ‘Australia’s woeful fuel quality’ is another smoke and mirrors propaganda story dreamt up by VeeDud fanboys. Check the Autobild industry survey that put VeeDud last due to seized engines, blown gearboxes and serious sins (not just the twincharger) in Germany itself. Must have been due to their woeful fuel quality as well?
      - Sumpguard
        
        Glenn the people I’ve spoken to that owned a VW and will never go back there are also FACT. Block your ears all you like but I actually know a dealership onwer and as a friend he advised me to steer clear of second hand VW’s. Hardly glowing stuff considering he still has to sell them.
        
        His exact words were “they are in demand by those who do’t know any better and persist with wanting a german car”.
        
        Like it or not this Veloster is a good car. Even the base model which I saw 3 of today look fantastic on the road and I can only guess you are talking about the feel of the plastics inside as the finish is impeccable. Hyundai don’t do poor build anymore. Claims otherwise are totally baseless.
      - Chris
        
        my mum drives a hyundai and she says they are a very nice automobile
      - Brad
        
        Hilarious, which JD Power Surveys are you reading? Not the latest 2012 I assume where the Veeduds are way way down the list. Please go sell your BS somewhere else and stop being in denial you clown.
      - Chris
        
        Gee personal abuse because someone doesnt go your way, gee i bet your family have fun when you are around!!
  - qikturbo
    
    The VW isn’t better equipped and the GTI has only 15nm and 5kw more than the SR Veloster!
    You have to also consider that the SR makes it’s power and torque from a 1.6L turbo.
    - Francis
      
      Clearly Glenn59 has made up his mind,
      so he wouldn’t want the facts to upset that…
  - Pete
    
    Glen you’re living in fantasy land. The Golf GTI hasn’t won a comparison in years. The Renault Megane wipes the floor with any version of the GTI you want including the R. The GTI is yeasterdays news, so will the new model by all accounts. VeeDuds have a lot more to worry about than performance comparisons. Their reliability is rubbish. Until they resolve this issue owners will always be flipping them vowing never to buy another one and spreading the bad press.
- Johnson
  
  You are saying watch all the fanboys go on about the Hyundai, well you are the only one going on about anything. For all the blind bias of the VW fanboys you are just as bad – Fanboys wouldnt be seen dead in a Hyundai, you wouldnt be seen dead in a VW, what’s the difference?
  
  You sir are a 24 carat fvcktard.
- 3D4
  
  I’m kind of VW “fanboy” (as you call certain people who have passion for certain brand or product), and yes, I still laugh on cars-hot-hatch-wannabes like the Cruze sri etc. But that doesn’t mean I have to hate and laugh at every car except VW (audi, bentley, skoda, seat, lamborghini, porsche, bugatti…) What is wrong with you?
  
  I think this is very good step fwd for Hyundai.. And yes I like this car….
- Chris
  
  vw gti or hyundai, hmmm,…ill take the gti any day of the week, plus the veloster is just a cheap copy of the alfa gulietta anyway
Maximark2601

Niceee..but 86 for me, thanks.
- Lindsay
  
  Do let us know when you manage to get one of those delivered.
- Sturmgewehr
  
  how would you feel when you rock up to an AHG track day with your mate who spent less money on this thing, only to get better lap times than you and bragging rights. you dont go to the post-track day drinks at the pub going ‘yeah so my cheaper car beat his but I think he had a better driving experience’, you go ‘HAHA LOSER!!’
  - Sumpguard
    
    How does it feel to completely miss the point of this car? It is NOT a competitor and never was intended to be to the 86.
    
    ” HAHA LOSER? ”
    
    Obviously still riding shotgun due to age constraints.
    - Chris
      
      nice retort
  - Chris
    
    i reakon you are about 15 years old,
BP

Loving it!!!!
dilligaf

ugly
M.

The back end is just SO UGLY
MESSIAH

Love this car, it’s so stricking, buying a GTI is like buying a loaf of bread everyone has got one and the GT-86 im sorry looks cheap and is almost spartan with no practicality for everyday driving. Veloster looks the part has an enjoyable ride to go with, its going ot be a big seller garanteed. Next for the Koreans, new kia cerato Koup that will have the same engine, thats gonna look great
- Sumpguard
  
  I like the toyota overall but am not sold on its styling to be honest. The headlights and tail lights look like a cost cutting measure. It doesn’t look any more convincing in real life either. I saw my first one in the flesh this arvo.
  
  Nice but not great. So I kind of agree it does look cheap.
davey

Very interesting car. My first thoughts were wouldn’t this be great with a 1.8T or 2.0T engine, would be right up there in WRX and FocusST territory. But what is very clever here is positioning the car in its own price and performance bracket.

An absolute winner I reckon. Hyundai and Kia are doing to the established brands exactly what Samsung are doing.
- Sturmgewehr
  
  your thinking the 2013 genesis coupe. bring it on
  - Sumpguard
    
    No. He’s thinking galaxy S4
bd

Interesting review of the Veloster SR Turbo.

As Korean hot hatches/FWD coupes go, I think the new Kia Pro_cee’d and Koup will better the Veloster SR Turbo.
- bd
  
  Altho, supposedly Hyundai is thinking about doing an R-Spec version of the Veloster with a suspension upgrade and maybe even a boost in power.
Sal

Hahahahaha. I am laughing at the look of the dash. Oh yes……….. Hyundai pedigree……………..none really. The Excel never excelled but owners think they did and believe the spoiler actually worked for it. The Accent was even more rubbish. As for the new Veloster turbo, I would buy a Polo GTi or Golf GTi any day, even if the Hyundai was half the price and more powerful. VW pedigree goes back 30 years from the best hot hatch GTi to now still the best. VW own Porsche, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Bugatti, Bentley and a share in Lamborgini. Hyundai own Kia….yeah sure get the Veloster, it has a spoiler.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=737660467 Kit Ho
  
  Yeah dating back to such hot-hatch luminaries as the Mark III an IV GTI
- Sturmgewehr
  
  typical pro-axis power comment, bet the diggers that gave the ultimate sacrifice in ww2 are chuffed about that, lest we forget
- Robin_Graves
  
  VeeDud have had all that time and all those brands to their advantage and still build lemons.
  - Legnab
    
    HA the grave robber must be sick of his big lumpy falcoon , not a wise choice to veloshi is a slug in the handling dept .
    - Garrywhopper
      
      Well he has a point, the competition is strong, VW need to make reliable cars. My year behind a VW was miserable, 3 months off the road with major driveline issues
    - Robin_Graves
      
      Nothing wrong with the Falcon bunghole, just love seeing the new upstart hand VeeDud their behind on a platter. It should have happened years ago when they compromised reliability for whizz bang gizmos. They should have paid more attention to long term ownership rather than brochure specs, reviews etc that only look at the car when it’s brand new. I hope for your sake they have learnt their lesson, go back to the drawing boards and concentrate on the basics before all the bells and whistles get tacked on.
      - Legnab
        
        Funny, the VW buyer is too discerning to even contemplate this overdressed whale , except for the whopper he might like one to replace his 1963 beetle .
        
        Tell me why they keep selling over 3500 a month to intelligent folks , good looks, good handling , performance , economy etc .
        
        I can just see you folding your frame into a veloshi when the G6E goes to the crusher .
      - Jober As A Sudge
        
        The VW buyer is too busy taking their VW back to the service centre to get it fixed unfortunately
      - Legnab
        
        Slobering judge , that means about 3500 a month are cloggin up the dealers service centre , get a grip and take your little KIA tin box down to Kmart for a tune up .
      - Hfhgff
        
        So you won’t consider other cars because of the badge, how dumb are you, dumber than a torana bogan.
      - Jober As A Sudge
        
        To Legnab…i’m speaking from experience. My folks 1.4TSI is currently having an engine rebuild thanks to a melted piston. It’s a great car let down by a monumental engine weakness. Have the Golf engine problems been rectified in later models? By the way, since we’re being children my Liberty will take your VW down any day of the week
      - Chris
        
        to hate a car (VW) as much as yu do must be personal, my friend hated BMWs after his wife was getting banged by a guy with a bmer, could this be a simiiar situation?? me thinks maby!
      - Chris
        
        This car belongs to 3 types of people Hairdressers, gays and p platers
- Robin_Graves
  
  Hey Sal, who won the 2wd time attack at Pikes Peak again? Rhys Millen in a Hyundai Genesis coupe. Who finished second? A Porsche. Winners are grinners.
- Trey
  
  Sal you’re an imbecile with a the brain the size of a peanut. You have no idea WTF you are talking about. Go back to drinking your Veedud goon.
gt86.com.au

A Toyota 86 is a no brainer! no wonder they are sold out
- AMG63
  
  Oh please …… In what fantasy is the 86 a no-brainer. Its only saving grace aside from cheapness was supposed to be handling, yet a recent Aust mag tested it against some of the usual hot hatch suspects including a wrx and sv6 and it got smoked by all around the track. Admitedly the bloated SV6 only beat it by at 10th of a sec, which is not saying much, but all others including the dimunitive Clio absoloutly smacked it. It dont go fast, and it dont handle that well apparently. And you can forget about on the in gear thrust …. 80-120km in mid 3s, like the top hot hatches….. not even close. Im no hyundai fanboi, but it seems that handling at a cheap price is the only possible ”no brainer” here. The 86 needs to grow a set and then it may be a no-brainer! Hair dressers ….
  - choco
    
    Compare gt86 and sv6 ?? what a joke
    86 is built by toyota and subaru
    sv6 is built by hyundai who has never done sport or performance car before.. OH!! wait, i dont’ know Hyundai Tiburon can be called “SPORT or PERFORMENCE car ” or not…
    Let see,
    Toyota = Supra, MR2, Cerica and AE86…
    Subaru = WRX, Sti (king of relly)
    
    WHat is the best sale car from Hyundi ??
    i30, Getz (Last few year)
    Why? Cheaper than other brand (also added everything extra)
    - Guest
      
      How can there be 2 likes for this comment?
      Is an SV6 built by Hyundai?
      Are you Japanese?
      - guest @ guest
        
        Hyundai built better car than SV6, i think
    - Chris
      
      japanese are full of radiation dont eat any of them
pixxxels

Who decided those rear scoops look good? I just… Honestly, does anyone here like them? the car is attractive, but simply deleting those scoops would raise it to a much higher level. Its such a simple change, but it’d be cheaper to fabricate, improve boot space (maybe) and make the car look a helluva lot better.
Al

Not a fan of the rear either – just too overdone & I think it would get tiring to look at with time.
Aside from that I think Hyundai have done well. More practical & better interior than a gt86 & cheaper to run than a gti. A gti would have better resale though.
Sumpguard

I’m looking forward to this engine in the i30. They have the platform and the suspension tweaking guru. It should be an interesting car when it lands.
Pete

Wow, such amazing progress from Hyundai. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next Veloster or i30 took the crown as top of their class.
Shak

SR line up coming soon, Genesis line to be fully introduced in the coming years. Hyundai really are out to shake up the establishment. If they keep churning out product like this and their Genesis line up the Japs and Germans have a lot to be worried about.
MK

What’s it with the two red circle things on the rear bumper, looks like bump stops.
- TomW
  
  They’re reflectors, and it looks like they got them from a bicycle shop.
  - Henry Toussaint
    
    well, it was inspired by a motorbike…lol
o-tab

Whats was its fuel economy like Anthony?
- Anthony
  
  o-tab, Combined fuel-economy is listed as 6.8L/100km for the manual and 7.6 for the auto. For that kind of performance, it’s pretty good, we reckon.
  - o-tab
    
    Yes that’s listed, what did you actually get?
davie

its great that suddenly in 2012 we have a decent choice of small fun coupe/hatch cars. Its like the 70′s – 80′s all over again when there were cheap and cheerful options aplenty including Gemini coupe’s, celicas, datsuns, escorts, etc.

Lets be realistic/mature about this, the cars appeal to different buyer types:

If you like boost and don’t mind FWD, go Veloster turbo
If you must have RWD and don’t mind not having boost, go BRZ/FT86
If you just want cheap as possible, go Veloster (or Kia koup?)

I personally used to be a RWD fanatic but have mellowed a bit in favour of acceleration/boost/torque, however the sheer number of revenue raising makes you cautious either way. It would be a close call for me between between veloster turbo and FT86. They would both be fun but in different ways.
Nada

That’s me out, doesn’t come in canary yellow, or have led lights in the mags to take me back in time.
jekyl & hyde

so it pulls hard …to …4500RPM…WHAT’S THAT…A TYPO…???

one would think it’s just starting to get fun at that rpm,not starting to die…
- davie
  
  Honda have discovered that most buyers of cars actually don’t have a need to drive around 99% of the time with their engines screaming and bouncing off the rev limiter (using VTEC).
  
  I assume this car’s boost starts tailing off around 4500 and it probably is ok until at least 5000RPM. That is plenty for most road cars including this one.
  
  If you plan to spend all day on the race track sitting at 6000RPM this may not be the correct car for that. perhaps an old integra R or S2000?
  - jekyl & hyde
    
    that me rephase that for you.
    
    honda have realised that while most family people don’t like having to rev the hell out of their motors to get from A to B, they have lost substancial market share by not making new performance / halo cars like some of their older model’s,some of which still enjoy cult status with the younger generation of today.
    
    we are talking about a small turbo’d hatch here,not a family mover.your argument is lost to me.go and drive some old vtec’s,or a nissan with a sr20ve or det in it.or maybe the 86 or brz if you can.you will change your mind…
  - RSC200
    
    Intresting My Car only start’s pumping and screeaming abouve 4000rpm’s.
    
    King of Hot-Hatches Renault Sport Clio RS 200!
Glenn59

As I stated in my previous comments, I do think Hyundais are good cars and they are improving rapidly. My concern with them is whether any Korean Product has yet displayed the type of steering feel and handling precision that the better Japanese and especially European cars display? I remember reading an article in Wheels a couple of years back about how Hyundai was progressing. At the time they made the point that the previous generation of Hyundai cars were designed by engineers without drivers licences? I know they havcome a long way since then but I honestly do not think they are up with the established competition yet? I have driven i30′s and Santa Fees and both steer very poorly.

‘Go Auto’ has tested this car and though they really liked it they criticised it for very loud road noise and commnted that it did not have the steering and handling precison of the Golf. I applaud Hyundai for being adventurous in design but I also note that the car has very poor rear visibility. ‘Go Auto’ also felt that the plastics were cheap.

This is not a slagging off at Hyundais piece. They are a good car and maybe in a 2 or 3 years they will beat the established players. I just don’t think they are there yet?
- Jober As A Sudge
  
  The way Hyundai are progressing (and Kia) it won’t be long before they are up there with the best
- Guest
  
  Please don’t quote Wheels all the time. They think they’re the gurus but look how the honda CRZ won COTY!?!?!…
  
  Each to their own… and each car has positives and negatives. There is no such thing as the perfect car. However, as far as I can see, the general consensus is that the Veloster Turbo is an above average car.. (reading here on car advice, the motor report, carsguide and carpoint).
- Jerrycan
  
  I agree with Glenn59 about how fast Hyundai are improving, and they have not quite got the steering/handling/ride balance right yet.
  It is notable that most of their improvements have been achieved with imported talent.
  Styling (European design head and euro based style studios), power plants (German diesel technology mainly, but not sure about petrol), handling (various sources including Aussie).
  The Koreans concentrate on what they do well, which is mass production, but innovations you can buy from anywhere.
  - F1
    
    German diesel? Everything Hyundai do is in-house..
    
    Why would German give their technology to one of their biggest threats?!!
    - Jerrycan
      
      The Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre where the recent range of car diesels were developed is in Russelsheim Germany.
      The technology was not given but most of the boffins would have been poached from the German manufacturers.
      That is how they have managed to improve so quickly.
      The Chinese manufacturers will do the same. For example they bought Volvo at a ridiculously cheap price and have access to billions of dollars worth of research.
Jeff_farmer

Lot of praise for the Hyundai from younglings that probably cannot afford too much else.. Most reviews other than this one state the Veloster still is very much lacking in handling.

Looks like that Hyundai is building some good brand loyalty though by the comments, which is only a good thing for the future.

Would probably prefer a turbo charged i30 rather than this one.. The Veloster looks pretty ugly and bulbous to me! Almost line ball with the current rex, erk..
- Lindsay
  
  Can you provide some links to these reviews?
Bryan

All this for thirty two grand? Watch out Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ!

I have to admit that I don’t particularly like the look of the standard Hyundai (there are quite a few around here) but with the extra bits, the turbo looks pretty good. Might be to replace my wife’s corolla hatch…
Bigjim

Quite impressive little vehicle, they just need to tweak the boost a little more
Wile E Coyote

The droopy looks both inside and out don’t do it for me and its performance is ok.

Even for the lower price it needs to do better to score against the likes of Toyota and Subaru
Edward

Very tempted to buy one of these when the time comes to replace my hot hatch.
Though my only concern is i feel Hyundai still need more experience in making ‘sporty’ cars. The lack of sporty interior and engine note on the Veloster makes it less exciting than it should be.

But its still a great effort, and at that price it makes me wonder why i would pay an extra $8000 for a typical hot hatch.

Well done Hyundai! Love your work.
Russell

I have ordered one for my wife as a replacement for her Golf mk 6 which is out of warranty. I am reluctant to run the gauntlet and keep it longer with some of the wallet busting stories around. The Veloster test drove much better than i thought and was heaps of fun. With a five year warranty and reasonable priced servicing (unlike the Golf) she is looking forward to delivery. We got a turbo manual with with a couple of accessories for $32K driveaway with no trade. Car is loaded with every item standard except rain sensing wipers.
- Dickshit
  
  32k drive away??? I thought that wa the list price before onroads?
  
  I asked some hyundai guy at a dealership and he said drive away was like 36k
Mr__to

when veloster SR TURBO coming to SYDNEY
Dave

I’m not in the target demographic of 20-30. I’m about to turn 59 in a few weeks . I like cars, always have, and I think it is a stunning package. I’m off to arrange a test drive tomorrow.

Don’t worry about cardigans and caps. If I buy one, just try to keep up with me!! Cars are for driving.

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