I've had this car for over a year, and I love it. Even the basic model includes many features that would be pay-extra options in peer cars (at least here in the UAE), like power folding mirrors, steering wheel controls, touchscreen media player, cruise control and alloy wheels. The interior design makes it feel quite roomy and "flowing" inside, and the exterior design -- especially with the cool color options -- makes it look rather sporty for what is essentially a hatchback. It has decent pick-up and fuel economy, an advanced metrics dashboard, and good safety that gets even better in the advanced model. The single door on the driver side also pushes the driver-side mid-vehicle pillar back, which affords you a wider left-side blind spot window. The shape of the rear windshield makes getting a full view of the road behind through the rear view mirror a bit tricky in the adjustment of seat and mirror, though, and also makes it tricky to have tall passengers in the back. Twin cup holders in the back come at the cost of a middle rear seat. Advanced climate control would have been nice to have as well. Because it comes equipped by default with a touchscreen media controller, it's also a shame that it does not come standard with nav software (although I just use my phone, so no biggie). This car basically screams SINK/DINK, and is perfect for that demographic.
My BF and I are going to purchase one of these on Saturday. He said he would never buy a Hyundai, but I purchased a new Tiburon in 2007 and it has held up very well. Hyundai makes quality.
@ConceptVBS Sounds about right (though it is by no means a roadster). At the press event they were asked what it means and they simply said "it doesn't mean anything, we just liked the name".
@NexTerren There's lots of people who claim the name is part "velocity" and part "roadster". Veloster isn't a roadster and until the turbo gets here here velocity isn't its strong suit. Again, when I talked to the Hyundai folks at the press launch and actually asked them what Veloster means they said, and I quote "we just liked the name". And I don't think they had just watched Jurrasic Park...
sitting inside is breathtaking. My friend got the red one base model and it was amazing how many features it has. Wireless bluetooth streaming from ipods and also you can make calls using bluetooth all standard.
@superocean2011 Yes, but not on "Drive" Search for "car reviews" at the iTunes store. "Driven Car Reviews" will come right up under podcasts. I'm a week behind on posting new episodes.
@pelepihuamo That sounds a little severe. It does have remote slow down and stop if it has been stolen, if you REALLY want to do that though you'd be involving the police. Taking the car keys away for a week would be lower profile...
@PT111111 Humm...do after market parts cost more there then here? Like for instance is a cat back exhaust gonna be around 1 grand aussie dollars or do they cost 1.5 grand? If you aftermarkets aren't stupidly inflated like your cars are with the current exhange rate, then I can maybe see something like an ARK veloster being worthwhile.
@Bawoo i think its a no go for all US spec cars. UKDM and KDM cars not only have projector headlamps with Xenon bulbs, but also get automatic climate control
Yes we say things differently. In the US, Hyundai specifically ran ads saying "Hyundai, rhymes with Sunday". We say Mazda differently too. And really, to our ear "coop-ay" sounds a little dear. Makes the world a more interesting place, no?
@ColdNapalm42 Fair enough, but which one do you think will be faster, the Hyundai Veloster turbo or the ARK Performance Veloster turbo? If they're about the same, wouldn't you pick the ARK version? *we're just talking about the front grille here, ignore the flared wheel arches and other cosmetic upgrades of the ARK Veloster turbo*
@PT111111 Umm...where do you get prices like that?!? Veloster start at under 18 grand and I see them sold for like 16 grand even for the base models on lot.
I read that the Veloster will come with a turbo in the 2nd half of this year to Australia so no doubt America will get it before that time. I will wait until then before considering buying one. I also read in the same article that the standard engine is taken from the KIA Rio. Another reason to wait for the turbo
I'd like to register my opinion that horsepower and 0-62/60 times are highly over-rated. I've been driving a 2002 Kia Rio Cinco in North America for 10 years, 1.5L, 4 speed automatic, and it's fine. It's the longest I've ever owned a car because I like it so much. And I've 15 to 20 cars in my 45 years of driving. 138 HP in the Veloster is HUGE in my world.
@shandas100 Turbo version looks ugly since they open up the grille for better air intake. I don't understand why they don't use hood scoop and top mounted intercooler instead. I was really looking forward to the turbo version, now I'm not so sure, looks fugly for me.
I Share Concerns With The Front End Styling, It Has Got To Go And I Would Have Preferred A 2 Door, But I Like The Rest Of It. I'm 6'4" 280 And I Fit Like A Glove In These Seats They Have The Same Comfortable Position Relative To The Pedals Etc As My '96 & '97 Accents Which I Loved But Are WAY Upscale In Comfort And Appearance. Hi Performance Car Drivers May Not Like This Car But Those Of Us Who Want Economy And Sportiness Around Town Will Love It, After All How Fast Do You Really Need To Go?
0=60 isn't really even important to the majority of consumers....the 35-70 highway acceleration is good and much more important. My opinion, the manual is great to learn on as it even tells you when to switch gears. The auto's paddle shifters are the way I'd go though, as the car is really built as a manual with 2 clutches that gets gear shifts done for you, meaning the paddle shifters in manual mode give a legit manual feeling at high revs. Also, I'm 6'1" and im fine in the backseat
good review. thanks! and thanks for test-driving the base model, and for actually commenting on the base stereo - few ever do. good to know about no spare tire. !!. i wonder if it's an option?
Hyundai is the only company in my opinion that really gets it.....4 years ago i would never ever ever consider buying one...but after HONDA keep dessapointing people with their boring old fashioned and over-priced cars....i started seeing hyudai offering cars that are fully loaded with now-aday tech stuff, really good mpg's, and really affordable. but above all, their quality has gone up sooo high, its really remarkable how they turn the ship around.
Deff a cool car, kinda ehh about the backend though. Still, its FAR better than the POS crz or the girls car Scion tc. I vote wait the year for the Turbo to hit the market, then buy! Car modders dream!
Well, i guess my main complaint is that its only a ...4 doer. it just looks stupid without the dore behind the passenger dore and no dore behind the drivers dore.
@ColdNapalm42 You're right about that, but then there are many Turbocharged cars with hoodscoop + top mounted IC. Mazda 3 MPS (Mazdaspeed3?), Impreza WRX/STi, Mini turbo to name a few. To be honest, I don't really care about it, my point is that there's too much compromised on the aesthetics. They should've followed the ARK performance Veloster turbo. Now THAT looks good.
@ColdNapalm42 After market parts aren't as expensive because unlike cars, I can import them from wherever without needing a license. Seeing as I prefer the look of the ARK Veloster, I think that works out quite well. I just have to find a workshop that can do it for me.
they soaked me for 27,300 dollars for my new turbo- and that is with a trade in. the car is so nice and fast - it gets almost 20 mph. better than my last car. i only drive it to listen to the 450 watt audio. truth is longer trips would get better mpg. but im fraid to anywhere- they always begging for my money.
@ColdNapalm42 Doesn't matter now, Hyundai just release the pricing on these cars. Veloster manual cost $24,000 before on-road cost (registration, tax, etc.), Veloster+ manual cost $28,000. Add $2000 for DCT. I'm guessing the Turbo is gonna cost around $35,000. Thanks but no thanks.
Only 27/37MPG with the manual non-turbo model Hyundai lied with their MPG ratings, so they will give refillable debit cards to owners of many Hyundai and Kia vehicles. They were testing their 'coast down' procedure incorrectly
they should have made a fourth door on the other side of the veloster just like the third and lowered the back seats to give abit more room to avoid your head bumping in the glass!
@PT111111 The ARK one will be faster...but I can pretty much promise you that the ARK one will not be the same price as the factory turboed one. Not even close. And the front mount makes it better for future upgrades as well. The MS3 is actually very limited in upgrades due to the top mount's inability to cool down the air. Any big turbos you stick on the MS3 quickly overwhelms the IC system. Like I said, looks are nice, but I'm not willing to give up performance for it.
actually, the clubman would copy the RX8, since it is also hinged at the back, this style copies the old Mazda PMV van that had one door in the hear that opened "ordinarily"
blue link and geo fense for emergencies and x box connection and excellent fuel economy ~ hyundai basically thought of everything when making this car~ if i was a parent i would feel much safer if my kids are driving this car~ wow hyundai wow
So, Geo Fence will send you a text message if your teenager goes outside the pre-determined area. Well that sucks. It would be a lot better if the car could give a warning, that if you keep driving away from home, it will shut down, and need your parent's passcode to be re-started.
@DrivenCarReviews Yeah you're right, but I said a warning, maybe like. " YOU HAVE ONE MILE TO TURN AROUND OR THIS CAR WILL REDUCE ITS SPEED TO 5MPH FOR THE NEXT MILE AND THEN SHUT DOWN". That way it will give you enough time to park it, or turn around. They should also make this technology tamper proof, cause kids are computer geniuses nowadays and will find ways to hack this systems. I think my son will not get his own car until he graduates High School.
Hope I can find a base model. Dealers around here order automatics only, as if everyone is too stupid to drive a stick. With a car like this, a manual makes sense.
haha hyundai, i have mini cooper jcw, audi a4,and range rover.My father has audi a7, bmw m3, audi r8, and for f-150, my sister has a5 and bmw 5 series, my twin sister has min cooper roadster s, and mercedes c class, and my mother has bmw m6, bently continental gt, and mercedes glk.
@PT111111 I wouldn't underestimate shipping costs...but yeah with the economy the way it is, it sounds like the ARK maybe the better value for you folks down there. Not so much in the states.
actually the way he pronounces hyundai is much closer to the original korean pronunciation than your "hi-un-die" what makes your pronunciation "right" and this guy's pronunciation "wrong"?
How do you pronounce "velour"? How do you pronounce "colour"? How do you pronounce "kook"? How do you pronounce "book"? (prob only Scots get this right) How do you pronounce "green"? How do you pronounce "Greenwich"? English has few real pronunciation rules. We say whatever we feel like saying, and we borrow words from other languages. It's not Hi-un-dye anyway. It's Hyoon-day. Americans actually butcher the name less severely.
I've had this car for over a year, and I love it. Even the basic model includes many features that would be pay-extra options in peer cars (at least here in the UAE), like power folding mirrors, steering wheel controls, touchscreen media player, cruise control and alloy wheels. The interior design makes it feel quite roomy and "flowing" inside, and the exterior design -- especially with the cool color options -- makes it look rather sporty for what is essentially a hatchback. It has decent pick-up and fuel economy, an advanced metrics dashboard, and good safety that gets even better in the advanced model. The single door on the driver side also pushes the driver-side mid-vehicle pillar back, which affords you a wider left-side blind spot window.
The shape of the rear windshield makes getting a full view of the road behind through the rear view mirror a bit tricky in the adjustment of seat and mirror, though, and also makes it tricky to have tall passengers in the back. Twin cup holders in the back come at the cost of a middle rear seat. Advanced climate control would have been nice to have as well. Because it comes equipped by default with a touchscreen media controller, it's also a shame that it does not come standard with nav software (although I just use my phone, so no biggie).
This car basically screams SINK/DINK, and is perfect for that demographic.
I like the fact that you review a base model. Thank you! Too many times people review fully loaded models. This is refreshing and informative.
My BF and I are going to purchase one of these on Saturday. He said he would never buy a Hyundai, but I purchased a new Tiburon in 2007 and it has held up very well. Hyundai makes quality.
@Fubikon The Mazda doors are different. They are hinged in the rear and there are two of them.
@RealWorldTestDrives Right back at you Grant. See you at the next one.
@ConceptVBS Sounds about right (though it is by no means a roadster). At the press event they were asked what it means and they simply said "it doesn't mean anything, we just liked the name".
@NexTerren There's lots of people who claim the name is part "velocity" and part "roadster". Veloster isn't a roadster and until the turbo gets here here velocity isn't its strong suit. Again, when I talked to the Hyundai folks at the press launch and actually asked them what Veloster means they said, and I quote "we just liked the name". And I don't think they had just watched Jurrasic Park...
sitting inside is breathtaking. My friend got the red one base model and it was amazing how many features it has. Wireless bluetooth streaming from ipods and also you can make calls using bluetooth all standard.
@superocean2011 Yes, but not on "Drive" Search for "car reviews" at the iTunes store. "Driven Car Reviews" will come right up under podcasts. I'm a week behind on posting new episodes.
@pelepihuamo That sounds a little severe. It does have remote slow down and stop if it has been stolen, if you REALLY want to do that though you'd be involving the police. Taking the car keys away for a week would be lower profile...
Like your reviews, Tom. Informative & entertaining.
@PT111111 Humm...do after market parts cost more there then here? Like for instance is a cat back exhaust gonna be around 1 grand aussie dollars or do they cost 1.5 grand? If you aftermarkets aren't stupidly inflated like your cars are with the current exhange rate, then I can maybe see something like an ARK veloster being worthwhile.
@Bawoo i think its a no go for all US spec cars. UKDM and KDM cars not only have projector headlamps with Xenon bulbs, but also get automatic climate control
Yes we say things differently. In the US, Hyundai specifically ran ads saying "Hyundai, rhymes with Sunday". We say Mazda differently too. And really, to our ear "coop-ay" sounds a little dear. Makes the world a more interesting place, no?
I been wanting to buy this car since it came out! Thanks for this video, helped a lot with my decision!
@Fubikon actually it copies the style of the Mini Cooper Clubman, not the RX-8, check out that door config and you'll know what I mean
@ColdNapalm42 Fair enough, but which one do you think will be faster, the Hyundai Veloster turbo or the ARK Performance Veloster turbo? If they're about the same, wouldn't you pick the ARK version? *we're just talking about the front grille here, ignore the flared wheel arches and other cosmetic upgrades of the ARK Veloster turbo*
@denisrenelara Yep, and iPod support.
@PT111111 Umm...where do you get prices like that?!? Veloster start at under 18 grand and I see them sold for like 16 grand even for the base models on lot.
I read that the Veloster will come with a turbo in the 2nd half of this year to Australia so no doubt America will get it before that time. I will wait until then before considering buying one. I also read in the same article that the standard engine is taken from the KIA Rio. Another reason to wait for the turbo
Veloster = Velocity + roadster
This was during the concept stage.
whats the point of three doors? i think four is just more convenient so that everyone dosent have to get out for one person
I hated these until i went to a dealership and fell in love with it.
I'd like to register my opinion that horsepower and 0-62/60 times are highly over-rated. I've been driving a 2002 Kia Rio Cinco in North America for 10 years, 1.5L, 4 speed automatic, and it's fine. It's the longest I've ever owned a car because I like it so much. And I've 15 to 20 cars in my 45 years of driving. 138 HP in the Veloster is HUGE in my world.
fantastic review mpgs and features
I saw this car in person the other day, and it is just bad ass. Looks more expensive than one would think.
@PT111111 Because top mounted IC gets hot air and so kinda ruins the point of an intercooler.
Tom are you still uploading videos on itunes podcast?
The base is loaded! What do the other packages include?
Great review!! Can't wait for the Turbo!!
@shandas100 Turbo version looks ugly since they open up the grille for better air intake. I don't understand why they don't use hood scoop and top mounted intercooler instead.
I was really looking forward to the turbo version, now I'm not so sure, looks fugly for me.
i love how small that rear wiper is! what is the point of it?
Spare tire or no spare time?
WRX Owner
sounds great but, why didn't they just make it 4 doors?
does this car come with automatic transmission? can someone explain to me what dual clutch is?
Cute car. I'm surprised there isn't a handle on the "hidden" door though.
I Share Concerns With The Front End Styling, It Has Got To Go And I Would Have Preferred A 2 Door, But I Like The Rest Of It. I'm 6'4" 280 And I Fit Like A Glove In These Seats They Have The Same Comfortable Position Relative To The Pedals Etc As My '96 & '97 Accents Which I Loved But Are WAY Upscale In Comfort And Appearance. Hi Performance Car Drivers May Not Like This Car But Those Of Us Who Want Economy And Sportiness Around Town Will Love It, After All How Fast Do You Really Need To Go?
whats with the ''T'' in the grille
0=60 isn't really even important to the majority of consumers....the 35-70 highway acceleration is good and much more important. My opinion, the manual is great to learn on as it even tells you when to switch gears. The auto's paddle shifters are the way I'd go though, as the car is really built as a manual with 2 clutches that gets gear shifts done for you, meaning the paddle shifters in manual mode give a legit manual feeling at high revs. Also, I'm 6'1" and im fine in the backseat
good review. thanks! and thanks for test-driving the base model, and for actually commenting on the base stereo - few ever do.
good to know about no spare tire. !!. i wonder if it's an option?
@skoshy What took so long? Look at my video and then check out everyone else's.
The Hyundai advertising team is great, can I buy you all a beer
Hyundai is the only company in my opinion that really gets it.....4 years ago i would never ever ever consider buying one...but after HONDA keep dessapointing people with their boring old fashioned and over-priced cars....i started seeing hyudai offering cars that are fully loaded with now-aday tech stuff, really good mpg's, and really affordable. but above all, their quality has gone up sooo high, its really remarkable how they turn the ship around.
how come there is no spare tire
I like it.
Deff a cool car, kinda ehh about the backend though. Still, its FAR better than the POS crz or the girls car Scion tc. I vote wait the year for the Turbo to hit the market, then buy! Car modders dream!
Well, i guess my main complaint is that its only a ...4 doer. it just looks stupid without the dore behind the passenger dore and no dore behind the drivers dore.
In which video game?
that's weird i bought my veloster on sunday but not by design. The name comes from Velocity and roadster but everyone nicknames it the Velociraptor
@ColdNapalm42 You're right about that, but then there are many Turbocharged cars with hoodscoop + top mounted IC. Mazda 3 MPS (Mazdaspeed3?), Impreza WRX/STi, Mini turbo to name a few.
To be honest, I don't really care about it, my point is that there's too much compromised on the aesthetics. They should've followed the ARK performance Veloster turbo. Now THAT looks good.
@ColdNapalm42 After market parts aren't as expensive because unlike cars, I can import them from wherever without needing a license. Seeing as I prefer the look of the ARK Veloster, I think that works out quite well. I just have to find a workshop that can do it for me.
I love my veloster
@MrHubb1 its only gonna be about 201 horse power
they soaked me for 27,300 dollars for my new turbo- and that is with a trade in. the car is so nice and fast - it gets almost 20 mph. better than my last car. i only drive it to listen to the 450 watt audio. truth is longer trips would get better mpg. but im fraid to anywhere- they always begging for my money.
@ColdNapalm42 Doesn't matter now, Hyundai just release the pricing on these cars. Veloster manual cost $24,000 before on-road cost (registration, tax, etc.), Veloster+ manual cost $28,000. Add $2000 for DCT.
I'm guessing the Turbo is gonna cost around $35,000.
Thanks but no thanks.
@TheJohn10992 They WILL* have a model with 201 hp.
Are you really just paying for style by choosing the Veloster? It just seems like the Elantra is a better value for the same prices.
Only 27/37MPG with the manual non-turbo model Hyundai lied with their MPG ratings, so they will give refillable debit cards to owners of many Hyundai and Kia vehicles. They were testing their 'coast down' procedure incorrectly
they should have made a fourth door on the other side of the veloster just like the third and lowered the back seats to give abit more room to avoid your head bumping in the glass!
@PT111111 The ARK one will be faster...but I can pretty much promise you that the ARK one will not be the same price as the factory turboed one. Not even close. And the front mount makes it better for future upgrades as well. The MS3 is actually very limited in upgrades due to the top mount's inability to cool down the air. Any big turbos you stick on the MS3 quickly overwhelms the IC system. Like I said, looks are nice, but I'm not willing to give up performance for it.
actually, the clubman would copy the RX8, since it is also hinged at the back, this style copies the old Mazda PMV van that had one door in the hear that opened "ordinarily"
They do have a model with turbo 201 hp
blue link and geo fense for emergencies and x box connection and excellent fuel economy ~ hyundai basically thought of everything when making this car~ if i was a parent i would feel much safer if my kids are driving this car~ wow hyundai wow
nice job on the review, thanks.
So, Geo Fence will send you a text message if your teenager goes outside the pre-determined area. Well that sucks. It would be a lot better if the car could give a warning, that if you keep driving away from home, it will shut down, and need your parent's passcode to be re-started.
im glad hyundai grew some balls cause now other competitors are gonna have to work hard to catch up
Oh wait, the handle is sort of hidden too haha. Neat little car!
Wohoooooooo.....just got this one ...last weekend.........
I heard there making a turbo soon :)
holy crap your hair is like gold
@DrivenCarReviews Yeah you're right, but I said a warning, maybe like. " YOU HAVE ONE MILE TO TURN AROUND OR THIS CAR WILL REDUCE ITS SPEED TO 5MPH FOR THE NEXT MILE AND THEN SHUT DOWN". That way it will give you enough time to park it, or turn around. They should also make this technology tamper proof, cause kids are computer geniuses nowadays and will find ways to hack this systems. I think my son will not get his own car until he graduates High School.
Nice job and nice meeting you in Portland. Ummmm, check out my standup.... it might look familiar.
Hope I can find a base model. Dealers around here order automatics only, as if everyone is too stupid to drive a stick. With a car like this, a manual makes sense.
looks great and love the interior but the zero to 60 is bad.
strange you dont have a maybach...
yup all sounds great... but ummm I'm basically f'd if i get a flat tire cause they rather give you more trunk space than a spare tire wth Hunday?!
this will be succesfull
I wish I had the money to buy one of these
haha hyundai, i have mini cooper jcw, audi a4,and range rover.My father has audi a7, bmw m3, audi r8, and for f-150, my sister has a5 and bmw 5 series, my twin sister has min cooper roadster s, and mercedes c class, and my mother has bmw m6, bently continental gt, and mercedes glk.
@PT111111 I wouldn't underestimate shipping costs...but yeah with the economy the way it is, it sounds like the ARK maybe the better value for you folks down there. Not so much in the states.
...So nobody else thinks the name comes from "Velociraptor," or has the Internet just affected my brain patterns that much?
It doesn't worry you that this is the exact same powertrain as the Accent? The startup sounds awful!
definately shades of CRX. I think the last few CRX's were faster to 60....lol
Velocity+Raptor = Veloster
"You won't be drag racing porsche 911" uh you won't even be drag racing a civic funny review
2013 doesnt come in green ....pissed
there is veloster turbo with 201 horsepower:)
hum, i do have a spare tire in my veloster. yours must have been a prototype or something !
@138018 Not sure what you're looking at? It's not that good looking? WHAT!?! :x
It's stunning.....the RX 8 just happens to go wrong.....a lot.
No spare tire? OMG ITS JUST LIKE A M3 M5 M6!?!?!?
looks a bit alike 370z from the side
@denisrenelara and alloys :D
Terrible name! Why not Velostar? Ve-lo-star. Re-design the front end, put in a turbo...and it's a winner.
I think Hyundai stole that steering wheel out of a Honda Civic! Kudos to Hyundai though!!
Veloster comes from the word velos which means fast in Spanish well guess got to go for the turbo lol
Please gave me one.
@PT111111 Meh, give me performance over looks any day :P .
actually the way he pronounces hyundai is much closer to the original korean pronunciation than your "hi-un-die"
what makes your pronunciation "right" and this guy's pronunciation "wrong"?
Veloster as Velos = fast in spanish
How do you pronounce "velour"?
How do you pronounce "colour"?
How do you pronounce "kook"?
How do you pronounce "book"? (prob only Scots get this right)
How do you pronounce "green"?
How do you pronounce "Greenwich"?
English has few real pronunciation rules. We say whatever we feel like saying, and we borrow words from other languages. It's not Hi-un-dye anyway. It's Hyoon-day. Americans actually butcher the name less severely.