Hyundai Veloster review (08/08/2012)

TIME WAS when the Hyundai Coupé was a major hit among certain elements of the driving community and it would not be a lie to say that women drivers formed a very large proportion of those numbers. Indeed, demand for the Coupé once hit such heights that owners were being contacted by their local dealers to see if they wanted to sell, such was the demand for them as a secondhand purchase.

The car did not sell in vast numbers, but Hyundai dealers certainly made money out of those that were brought to Ireland and found willing homes among a band of enthusiasts for whom the car represented ‘affordable chic’. It was not a momentous machine in any shape or form, but it was a fairly revolutionary one for Hyundai, particularly as it proved so popular. But the Coupé was not exactly an original car; certainly it was nicely styled and drove well, but there was nothing in it which differed greatly from what many other manufacturers were doing.

However, time has moved on and so has Hyundai. The company is now in a completely different stratosphere compared with 10 years ago and its current well-being in terms of standard car offerings has given it the confidence to be a little more daring when it comes to its other models.

I speak specifically of the new Veloster which actually arrived in Ireland about this time last year, but is only really now available in volume numbers. This is essentially a two-door coupé with a hatch, but Hyundai throwing design conformity to the wind, it actually has three doors and a hatch which, you’d have to admit, is pretty unusual.

Sure the Mini Clubman famously tried this asymmetric three door thing, but the designers forgot to adapt it for left and right hand drive — something which Hyundai has not — and this led to immediate and worrying problems for alighting passengers who suddenly found themselves alighting into a line of traffic rather than onto the pavement.

But this thing is quirky to say the least and a genuinely unorthodox contender up against more ‘normal’ rivals from such as VW, Opel and Renault. But that is a positive thing in a world bursting to the seams with ‘norms’.

During my time with the car I had two D4 Dude petrolhead companions and I’d have to say that these most unimpressionable young men were mostly impressed with the Veloster and I’d have to imagine they’ve hardly stopped beefing to their mates about this thing.

Both being fairly lanky young men, they took turns sitting in the back and I have to say there was little quibble from either with regard to the amount of room on offer to them. They did note, though, that shutting the rear hatch while one or other of them was in situ, meant they had to take care not to be nutted by the closing door.

Essentially a four seater, the three door layout meant that the person sitting behind the driver had something of a struggle to get into their seat, but the reality of the situation here is that the rear seats will probably not get used much by potential owners because most, I predict, will come from the ‘empty nest’ brigade.

One thing that really impressed was the way this thing did its business on the road. Imbued with startling handling, so much so it was like it was painted on the road, it had excellent grip levels and an ability to change direction with Mini-like precision.

What was not so good was the manner in which the traction control liked to make its presence felt when you needed power most and with the relatively modest 1.6 engine, this could be quite a lot of the time. That is something which any driver has to be acutely aware, or major embarrassment (not to mention a visit to the repair shop) will ensue.

The engine is an all-aluminium affair for lightness and along with the relatively low kerb weight of the car as a whole, means that progress is far from as vapid as you might expect from something outputting only 138 bhp and capable of 0-100 kph in 9.6 seconds. You do have to crank on the revs to extract the maximum from the Veloster but that is not necessarily an unpleasant thing as the raucous engine note at the upper end of the scale is not exactly displeasing to the tutored ear.

The six speed box is pleasing to use and does not necessarily have to be in constant use as there is a decent spread in the ratios and changing gear, more often than not is by choice rather than necessity.

With its quirky exterior looks, funky interior layout, the Veloster is as good to look at as it is to live with and you’d have to say that the level of kit Hyundai has installed as standard here is impressive.

You have to remember though that this is not a car which will appeal to many people, simply because of its outré nature. On the other hand, it will appeal to people who want something different and want something different that is not going to break the bank. Undoubtedly this will fit the bill for those in the latter category.

Colley’s lowdown

The cost: 24,995.

The engine: A relatively small 1.6 litre petrol engine for a coupe, but it is not overwhelmed by the demands made on it.

The comfort zone: Excellent standard spec for the price.

The competition: Ford Focus CC, Honda C-RZ, Mini Coupe, Peugeot 208 CC, Renault Megane Coupe, Volkswagen Scirocco.