The Veloster is the heart and soul of Hyundai’s enthusiast lineup and MotorWeek recently took a spin in the all-new model.
Set to go on sale in the United States next month, the 2019 Veloster sticks with a familiar formula but Hyundai has made a series of worthwhile upgrades and modifications. In particular, Greg Carloss notes the car has been equipped with a new multi-link rear suspension which is a big improvement over the previous torsion-beam setup. This helps the car to have a smooth and composed ride on the highway.
MotorWeek sampled the Veloster Turbo which features a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 201 hp (150 kW / 203 PS) and 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) of torque. Carloss notes the engine doesn’t have a ton of torque but it still seems like a “torquey car.” He also says the engine has a bit of turbo lag and can get a little “whiny.”
The engine can be paired to either a six-speed manual or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. While most enthusiasts will probably opt for the manual, the dual-clutch gearbox doesn’t seem like a bad choice either as Carloss is pretty impressed with the transmission and notes it comes with quick reacting paddle shifters.
In the end, he describes the Veloster as a quirky and solid car that is “definitely better” than its predecessor.
The 2019 Veloster starts at $18,500 but the base model has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 147 hp (109 kW / 149 PS) and 132 lb-ft (178 Nm) of torque. To get the more powerful engine, customers will have to step up to the Veloster Turbo R-Spec which starts at $22,900.
Of course, the Veloster everyone is really waiting for is the Veloster N which won’t arrive until later this year. The company hasn’t disclosed pricing information but the model will have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces up to 275 hp (205 kW / 278 PS) and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque.