WASHINGTON — If having a two-door isn’t very practical and a four-door sedan is too much, the three-door Hyundai Veloster R-Spec might be the perfect fit.
Yes, I did say three doors. There’s one door on the left side and two smaller doors like a sedan on the right side of the car. Most small hatchbacks have two or four doors, so the Hyundai Veloster is unique and stands out in the class. Besides the odd number of doors, the rest of the styling is aggressive compared to most cars on the road. Up front there is an oversized grill and the headlights are big and stretch around and up the hood. There even are large fog lights that add to the sporty look. This is a Veloster R-Spec, which is a sportier version of the model with a lower ground effects body kit that adds a bit of flair without looking like an afterthought. It gives the car a better looking lower stance. That body kit continues around the sides with little extensions at the bottom that help make the car look like it sits lower to the ground. The rear glass curves up, and the wheel wells bulge out, while large 18-inch wheels take up all the space. Even the rear styling is bold with two large tailpipes right in the center of the bumper and a unique hatch that has two rear pieces of glass with a spoiler in the middle.
The Hyundai Veloster has been around a few years, and the base models make do with a 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine good for 132 horsepower, which is a little low. Luckily, the R-Spec packs 201 horsepower thanks to a turbo charged 1.6 liter engine and a standard six-speed manual. You can pay extra for a seven-speed twin clutch automatic. I was surprised by the peppy little turbo engine, but I longed for a little more of the turbo noise that some other cars let in. But this little car kept up with traffic and the manual was easy to shift. The clutch was light and it was easy to be smooth even from a stop. I managed 27.2 miles per gallon — slightly under the combined 28 miles per gallon — without much highway driving. For a city or commuter car, this is more fun and playful than the usual. The ride is a bit firm and it doesn’t escape the bigger bumps. When really pushed on back roads, it does not feel as confident and is less sporty than some more expensive competitors, but for $22,425 this is a fun ride.
For the price, the inside isn’t a penalty box. There is a decent amount of nicer materials and some softer plastics. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are nice touches. The red seats prove comfortable and brighten the interior along with some red door inserts — even the seatbelts are red. The door pulls are interestingly shaped. A large seven-inch screen, 450-watt sound system, and USB and AUX inputs for devices round it out. Unlike a coupe, the third door makes it easier to get in the back; just watch your head and don’t expect sedan-like headroom. Still, it’s good for a coupe. The cargo space is ample and you can lower the rear seats and have even more space.
The 2016 Veloster R-Spec, a funky little three-door with 201 horsepower and an easy-to-swallow sticker price, is looking to spice up your daily commute. If you like to stand out in the crowd and you have outgrown the coupe but aren’t ready for a sedan, the three-door Veloster is about the only choice. The five-star crash rating and long, 10-year power train warranty is an added plus.
Mike Parris a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
