Fun little hot hatches are getting rare these days due to the popularity of crossovers. However, the Hyundai Veloster N hangs-in to thrill a few performance-minded car shoppers with a fun package. You buy a hot hatch for the sporty driving experience — and the Veloster N delivers. With a 275hp turbo-four, this small car does not lack power. There is a hint of turbo-lag at lower RPMs, but once the RPM builds it gets exciting — and fast.
An 8-speed speed dual clutch transmission is new for this year. It provides superfast shifts that a normal automatic can’t match. The Veloster N is a thrill on back roads, with high handling limits for a front-wheel-drive car. The ride is firm and big bumps are felt, but for a sporty little car it is manageable.
The little Veloster is a unique car with two doors on the right side and just one door on the left. This different 3-door layout looks a bit odd, but the rear seat is usable for smaller adults or children. A hot hatch should stand out in the crowd and with its large rear-wing and huge 19-inch wheels, this car will get you noticed. The large dual exhaust system will make sure you hear this car coming.
Inside the Veloster N, the unique-looking sport seats will keep planted in the corners. The gauges are easy to read with large tachometer and speedo in front. A cool shift-light tells when you when to shift, if you use the paddle shifters. An 8-inch touch screen can house radio, NAV and more performance gauges when selected.
Cost: $34,745, as tested
MPG: 20 city, 27 highway; I managed 23.3 mpg in 279 miles of mixed driving.
Safety: Forward collision-avoidance assist; blind-spot collision warning; lane keeping assist; lane following assist; driver attention warning; blind-spot view monitor
Things to know: The sporty Veloster N is a small performance hot hatch. With a new dual clutch transmission, this will open the car to people who do not want a manual transmission.
Pros:
• A fun-to-drive sporty hot hatch that will thrill
• New optional dual clutch automatic
• Three doors makes the rear seat a usable feature
Cons:
• Fuel economy suffers with the dual clutch transmission
• Slightly more noise in the cabin at higher speeds
• Ride is firm when compared to normal small cars
