Hyundai Veloster (Fun and MPGs)

[Whelan]

I've been anxiously looking for the production shots of this car at the DAS. Finally yesterday they were released with loads of details. Some key points to note:-138hp 1.6L Direct Injected 4-6 speed manual or Hyundais version of DSG -under 3,000 pound curb weight-40 mpgI know I've gone nuts over the Golf R but this is even more appealing. It could easily fit the budget and possible cost me even less a month for a loaded model than I am paying now for the Matrix. Other than that, I find the design really appealing and I like it alot. There has been a love it or hate it attitude thus far and the one I saw yesterday in the flat grey is slick. Color option hopefully! Either way I plan on testing one this summer when they become available with the 6 speed manual. 138hp may not sound like a lot as it is similar to what my current Matrix XR AWD has, but I am over 3k pounds with an AWD system and a auto 4 slushbox to push me around. 6 rowable gears and lighter weight can only equal more fun. I don't need to blow doors off people at lights or on the highway, and this would fit the bill as I don't really require AWD that much anymore for my commutes. The lady has her Jeep Liberty to get us around if need be and she has already put her mind on getting another SUV of some sort for the next car (years away). Thoughts? Not for me, but on the car in general.http://autospies.com/news/DETR...0779/

[lovemyraffe]

[millster]

Not a huge fan of the center stack, but I find that pictures don't always do justice. Would have to see one in person. Otherwise, I like the look. Pretty sharp.

[Zimm]

neat looking car, sounds interesting on paper. but everything on that dash is just terrible. looks cheap and very 10 years ago. i'm not familiar with hyundai interiors, but from the looks of this one, i would have to love the rest of the car to get over it.

[Tubaryan12]

Always a thumbs up from me for most of the Hyundai / Kia offerings. Price / features / warranty can't be beat.

[jkm311]

Quote, originally posted by Zimm »neat looking car, sounds interesting on paper. but everything on that dash is just terrible.Couldn't agree more. Cool exterior, surprisingly pedestrian interior. Then again, nearly EVERY mainstream car brand has that center stack approach now. I prefer simple interiors, though.

[ponta2147]

I kinda like it. I think it looks "bubbly" on the exterior and interior (the roundedness/waviness/bugeyes) which I personally am a fan of for some reason. Would have to see it in red, though.

[star_deceiver]

Looks ok.... nothing more.Now if they put that drivetrain in the 2300lb Accent.....

[ColonelPanic]

I like the orange one, not so fond of the flat silver. Flat paint usually makes a connection to beat-up-ricerocket in my mind. It's an improvement over the outgoing 3-door Accent hatchback for sure IMHO. The dash may be crazy but it's actually rather subdued compared to the new Elantra. Hyundai's latest interiors are kinda out there. Somewhere a designer was watching Transformers and had an idea... Still, at least one can't say they suffer from blandness. The same 1.6L GDI Gamma and 6 speed transmissions are also in the next gen KDM spec Accent. It does seem they've gained weight though. We'll see what we get here at the NY show.

[beemerphile1]

Where are they made?When I was shopping in '09 I could have bought anything I wanted. I pay cash for everything that I buy. One of the major deciding factors was that the Vibe was assembled in the USA with American workers buying groceries and paying taxes in America. The Matrix is built in Canada which is okay as it is still North America.Just my opinion. YMMV

[cptnsolo77]

I think it looks pretty cool, but at this point in my life all I want is a car that is safe, reliable & fuel efficient. The Vibe fits the bill. As long as the car isnt totally hiddeous how bad can it really be? I would prefer to have a simple daily driver thats fuel efficient.Im getting older now LOL. I would much rather impress someone with my retirement saving account than my daily driver. Just my opinion of course.

[ponta2147]

Quote, originally posted by cptnsolo77 »I would much rather impress someone with my retirement saving account than my daily driver. Just my opinion of course.I love this line!

[jkm311]

Soooo... I sat in this @ Detroit's NAIAS on Monday. Sat in the driver's seat (nicer than I imagined), passenger seat (fine, too).But, then... I tried to get in the third, and only, back door on the passenger side. That's right. No rear door on the driver's side (sorry, if I am stating the obvious for those who have been following this concept's timeline). The moment I tried to swing my hips to sit down in the back seat, I hit sheet metal. Instead of the doorway being cut to accommodate the natural way we we're used to getting in a car, it's designed so that you have to go in head and foot first. Big turn off. Especially since it seemed to be unnecessary. I checked out the trunk, wheel well and whatnot, and couldn't figure out why they did that. They should only offer the coupe, in my mind:

[Kincaid]

I don't know why but I had no idea this car was going into production. I thought it was just a concept. So I was driving to work today past the Hyundai dealer and saw the "Electrolyte Green" car sitting up on a stand and actually had to turn around and check this out.In person I found it very, very attractive! Comes in Vitamin C orange (my favorite), the green (also nice) and a yellow that is called "26.2 Yellow". Not sure what that means. Of course it comes in several other more run of the mill including a darker blue and red.A real cool looking little hatch. I was disappointed to find out it only comes with the 1.6L engine. As it is already quite sporty looking, I don't suppose they'll do a sportier version with a larger four - probably ever. I would go with the 6-speed stick but for auto lovers a dual clutch tranny is hard to beat. Only 138 hp and 123 ft lbs of torque - maybe that is adequate with a lighter vehicle. OTOH it gets 28/40 mpg which beats my Vibe all to heck.In all the bright colors the optional wheels above have body colored inserts! In fact, the red car should have red inserts Cool. Also has "piano black" trim inside as an option but I couldn't see any pictures in the gallery to confirm what that will look like. I love the red/black interior but that only comes with white, red and black cars. You can't even get it on the gray or silver!Also has hood vents which I found neat. I wish they'd do a four door version but maybe that compromises the structure too much. Panoramic moon roof too. Optioned up fully with a stick shift it is still under $22k. This would be very high on my list of (reasonable) desirable future cars if the Vibe wasn't so new (and great).

[jkm311]

Only significance 26.2 has to me is a marathon's full distance in miles. I am very disappointed in the planned powertrain if that's the only offering of engine. You don't name something a Veloster and only put 138 horses in it. Probably only 133-134 at the wheels.

[Kincaid]

Oh yeah, as for the dash I didn't really look at the ones on the dealership that close - all the windows had condensation on them. From the pics above, I must admit the dash has a sort of 10-year old boom box look, but I don't find it that off putting. I think my Vibe dash is much more attractive though.I could see that leg room didn't appear too bad in back.

[DeClerq]

There is talk of a turbo for the 2013 model w/208 hp.http://www.caranddriver.com/ne..._cars http://www.hyundai-blog.com/in...ower/

[star_deceiver]

It weighs slightly less then my Vibe... there's NO rear headroom whatsoever if you're over 5'9... good luck fitting anything big cargo wise...$21'600-$24'000 after tax (depending which province you live in) for a base model... I'm not paying that much to save a little gas...Just found out that one of my Aunts bought one...The funny thing is: You can buy a 2012 Accent, here, now, same engine/transmission/fuel economy, lighter weight, more room and pay less then $16000 after taxes!!! And that's even before you start to haggle!!! What would you do with an extra 6 grand???

[bull77]

actually saw one of these on the highway yesterday.....i'll admit I was doing some rubber necking to get a 2nd look

[Kincaid]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »The funny thing is: You can buy a 2012 Accent, here, now, same engine/transmission/fuel economy, lighter weight, more room and pay less then $16000 after taxes!!! And that's even before you start to haggle!!! What would you do with an extra 6 grand???Okay you convinced me. You can even get the Accent in the same green. I suppose I would go for the red or white so that I could get the two-tone gray and black interior.The extra six grand? Hmmm...either a used Miata or a motorcycle. That would lessen the sadness of driving something not quite as cool looking when I was in the Accent.

[journeyforce]

I would not touch a Hyundai Accent with a ten foot pole. Pure junk. I have not driven the 2012 model year one but if it is anything like the one from 2011 then I would rather buy a 1989 Ford Ranger. Awful suspension, crappy interior and that is just the beginning. For its price you can get a nice equipped Versa and that is a much better carI would ether get a Hyundai Elantra or the Nissan Versa. I tested a 2009 Versa to replace my Aura and I was very impressed with it. I don't know what the brand new 2012 Versa is like but on the 2009 you had a choice of a 5spd or 6spd manual or a automatic

[star_deceiver]

You do realize that the Veloster is based off of Accent and Elantra components... Just like the Vibe, Matrix, Corolla, and XD are all the same car but with different skin!And the Accent is all new this year!

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »And the Accent is all new this year!Yeah, nothing was carried over... Lots of substantial improvements on the 2012 4th gen vs. 2006-2011 3rd gen. I've actually had terrific luck with my "pure junk" '06 Accent and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Yes it's a cheap econobox that has all the soul of a toaster, but it's well-built and reliable. It never gives me any crap.Anywho,I was reading up on the Veloster's Blue Link. Cool technology, sort of. Seems like it would be a cyberstalker's dream and a privacy advocate's worst nightmare. You can set up curfew alerts to text you when the car is out and about after a certain time, and set up a geofence to also alert you if it's driven outside of a selected area. And it will automagically check you into facebook if you so desire (aka i'm not home right now, come steal all my crap!) Its Pandora streaming would be neat though. As would be the fuel economy tracking.

[Kincaid]

Car and Driver placed the new Accent solidly mid-pack in their recent small car comparison.