2012 Hyundai Veloster (906)

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, Hyundai’s new compact three-door coupe with the third (rear) door on the passenger-side, front-hinged, for easier rear-seat access. It features a standard 7-inch multi-function touch-screen display, Pandora internet radio capability, Gracenote display technology with voice recognition, Bluetooth hands-free phone system and Blue Link telematics platform.

Generally you get a roomy feel for a small car. Tom is over 6’ and 265 lbs and was able to sit in the back seat with his feet on the floor but head touching top. I would think it is meant for much smaller people – you know, like 10 and under.

Veloster is powered by a 1.6-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder engine combined with either a 6-speed manual transmission or Hyundai’s first EcoShift dual-clutch transmission.

General Information:

Parts from the US / Canada 1%, Korea 81%. It is assembled in Ulsan, Korea; Classification is Compact. Cars from Hyundai – Accent, Azera, Elantra, Elantra Touring, Equus, Genesis, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Tucson, Veloster & Veracruz.

Opinion:

It would appear to me that Cal Trans and other highway managers could use some help finding solutions to ease traffic congestion – particularly caused by accidents. Such obstructions are terribly expensive to society in terms of lost time, fuel consumed, added stress damaging health etc.

Even if you could find the perfect solution that would clear accidents in less than a minute, some tell us it is economically bad to do that. They claim if we built larger volume highways it would ease the pains of present congestion and thus induce even more to drive and abandon public transportation or alternative routes. In other words more would use the highways. Sounds crazy, but it is another view.

However it may be that before we could even build more roads or attempt to move more people to use public transportation history tells us that another technology is just around the corner. Future generations will surely look back at the automobile as we now view the horse and buggy. Tomorrow’s transportation may be as easy as a Star Trek transporter. Beam me up Scotty.

Handling & Performance:

Compact cars are easy to drive, park and reasonable commuters that will get you there in relative comfort and with the major advantage of doing it at 40 highway mpg.

Styling:

This is a pea popper version of many of today’s Crossover’s and with the growing cost of fuel car makers are following the lead of European economy cars from Fiat for example. Fiat has been the standard in Europe for a long time.

Fit and Finish:

Good.

Cost:

Pricing is reasonable for all the standard features, but the competition listed below is stiff.

Conveniences and comfort:

Veloster is more than basic and includes neat gadgets found in more expensive cars. You simply get a lot of convenience features for the money.

Consumer Recommendation:

The field of competitors is narrow and if price is a factor in your choice, scratch MINI and VW and look closely at Chevy, Ford Honda, Nissan and Toyota Yaris for similar features in this Veloster for less money.

Recognized Competition:

Hyundai Veloster $17,000, Chevrolet Aveo $12,000, Ford Fiesta $13,000, Honda Fit $15,000, Kia Rio $14,000, Mazda 2 $15,000, MINI Cooper $19,000, MINI Coupe $21,000, Nissan Versa $11,000, Scion tC $19,000, Scion xD $16,000, Toyota Yaris $14,000, Volkswagen Beetle $19,000.

Good News:

Great fuel economy and features and fair pricing.

Bad News:

None noted.

Standard Equipment:

1.6 liter GDI (direct injection) 138 hp 4-cylinder engine, variable valve timing, 6-speed manual transmission, stability control, traction control, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, front, side and side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitor, 17” alloy wheels, rear wiper, air conditioning, audio with CD, MP3, XM satellite and 6-speakers, iPod / USB & Aux input jacks, “Blue Link” system for in car web / smart phone connection (subscription cost will apply), 7” touch screen multimedia, trip computer, power windows, locks & heated mirrors, remote keyless entry with alarm, steering wheel controls for cruise, audio and phone, Bluetooth hands free system, tilt & telescopic column, 60/40 split folding rear seat.

Gas Stats:

$3.60/ Gal avg. January 27, 2012

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

28 City and 40 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $17,300.