2012 Hyundai Veloster HD Video Review

[@SohanDsouza]

I've had this car for over a year, and I love it. Even the basic model includes many features that would be pay-extra options in peer cars (at least here in the UAE), like power folding mirrors, steering wheel controls, touchscreen media player, cruise control and alloy wheels. The interior design makes it feel quite roomy and "flowing" inside, and the exterior design -- especially with the cool color options -- makes it look rather sporty for what is essentially a hatchback. It has decent pick-up and fuel economy, an advanced metrics dashboard, and good safety that gets even better in the advanced model. The single door on the driver side also pushes the driver-side mid-vehicle pillar back, which affords you a wider left-side blind spot window. The shape of the rear windshield makes getting a full view of the road behind through the rear view mirror a bit tricky in the adjustment of seat and mirror, though, and also makes it tricky to have tall passengers in the back. Twin cup holders in the back come at the cost of a middle rear seat. Advanced climate control would have been nice to have as well. Because it comes equipped by default with a touchscreen media controller, it's also a shame that it does not come standard with nav software (although I just use my phone, so no biggie). This car basically screams SINK/DINK, and is perfect for that demographic.

[@sweatervestguy]

I like the fact that you review a base model. Thank you! Too many times people review fully loaded models. This is refreshing and informative.

[@alwayson09]

My BF and I are going to purchase one of these on Saturday. He said he would never buy a Hyundai, but I purchased a new Tiburon in 2007 and it has held up very well. Hyundai makes quality.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@Fubikon The Mazda doors are different. They are hinged in the rear and there are two of them.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@RealWorldTestDrives Right back at you Grant. See you at the next one.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@ConceptVBS Sounds about right (though it is by no means a roadster). At the press event they were asked what it means and they simply said "it doesn't mean anything, we just liked the name".

[@2fast4uspartan]

sitting inside is breathtaking. My friend got the red one base model and it was amazing how many features it has. Wireless bluetooth streaming from ipods and also you can make calls using bluetooth all standard.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@NexTerren There's lots of people who claim the name is part "velocity" and part "roadster". Veloster isn't a roadster and until the turbo gets here here velocity isn't its strong suit. Again, when I talked to the Hyundai folks at the press launch and actually asked them what Veloster means they said, and I quote "we just liked the name". And I don't think they had just watched Jurrasic Park...

[@markhenderson123]

I hated these until i went to a dealership and fell in love with it.

[@ConceptVBS]

Veloster = Velocity + roadster This was during the concept stage.

[@rubb3rduck]

Like your reviews, Tom. Informative & entertaining.

[@blackdubsociety]

I saw this car in person the other day, and it is just bad ass. Looks more expensive than one would think.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@pelepihuamo That sounds a little severe. It does have remote slow down and stop if it has been stolen, if you REALLY want to do that though you'd be involving the police. Taking the car keys away for a week would be lower profile...

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@superocean2011 Yes, but not on "Drive" Search for "car reviews" at the iTunes store. "Driven Car Reviews" will come right up under podcasts. I'm a week behind on posting new episodes.

[@avlisk]

I'd like to register my opinion that horsepower and 0-62/60 times are highly over-rated. I've been driving a 2002 Kia Rio Cinco in North America for 10 years, 1.5L, 4 speed automatic, and it's fine. It's the longest I've ever owned a car because I like it so much. And I've 15 to 20 cars in my 45 years of driving. 138 HP in the Veloster is HUGE in my world.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Yes we say things differently. In the US, Hyundai specifically ran ads saying "Hyundai, rhymes with Sunday". We say Mazda differently too. And really, to our ear "coop-ay" sounds a little dear. Makes the world a more interesting place, no?

[@MrHubb1]

I read that the Veloster will come with a turbo in the 2nd half of this year to Australia so no doubt America will get it before that time. I will wait until then before considering buying one. I also read in the same article that the standard engine is taken from the KIA Rio. Another reason to wait for the turbo

[@hameed]

The base is loaded! What do the other packages include?

[@foxtrot685]

@Bawoo i think its a no go for all US spec cars. UKDM and KDM cars not only have projector headlamps with Xenon bulbs, but also get automatic climate control

[@nuck81]

Great review!! Can't wait for the Turbo!!

[@PT111111]

@ColdNapalm42 Fair enough, but which one do you think will be faster, the Hyundai Veloster turbo or the ARK Performance Veloster turbo? If they're about the same, wouldn't you pick the ARK version? *we're just talking about the front grille here, ignore the flared wheel arches and other cosmetic upgrades of the ARK Veloster turbo*

[@YasmeenScarab]

I been wanting to buy this car since it came out! Thanks for this video, helped a lot with my decision!

[@FlyfishermanLittleJuniata]

The Hyundai advertising team is great, can I buy you all a beer

[@Dankcatvacs]

fantastic review mpgs and features

[@8000RPMS]

Hyundai is the only company in my opinion that really gets it.....4 years ago i would never ever ever consider buying one...but after HONDA keep dessapointing people with their boring old fashioned and over-priced cars....i started seeing hyudai offering cars that are fully loaded with now-aday tech stuff, really good mpg's, and really affordable. but above all, their quality has gone up sooo high, its really remarkable how they turn the ship around.

[@JAYFROMHARLEM]

Spare tire or no spare time? WRX Owner

[@edkwon]

@Fubikon actually it copies the style of the Mini Cooper Clubman, not the RX-8, check out that door config and you'll know what I mean

[@tallen35875]

i love how small that rear wiper is! what is the point of it?

[@superocean2011]

Tom are you still uploading videos on itunes podcast?

[@Acc0rd79]

Deff a cool car, kinda ehh about the backend though. Still, its FAR better than the POS crz or the girls car Scion tc. I vote wait the year for the Turbo to hit the market, then buy! Car modders dream!

[@bbcoachSupermanBR]

0=60 isn't really even important to the majority of consumers....the 35-70 highway acceleration is good and much more important. My opinion, the manual is great to learn on as it even tells you when to switch gears. The auto's paddle shifters are the way I'd go though, as the car is really built as a manual with 2 clutches that gets gear shifts done for you, meaning the paddle shifters in manual mode give a legit manual feeling at high revs. Also, I'm 6'1" and im fine in the backseat

[@ColdNapalm42]

@PT111111 Humm...do after market parts cost more there then here? Like for instance is a cat back exhaust gonna be around 1 grand aussie dollars or do they cost 1.5 grand? If you aftermarkets aren't stupidly inflated like your cars are with the current exhange rate, then I can maybe see something like an ARK veloster being worthwhile.

[@trier4952]

sounds great but, why didn't they just make it 4 doors?

[@cshargeit]

they soaked me for 27,300 dollars for my new turbo- and that is with a trade in. the car is so nice and fast - it gets almost 20 mph. better than my last car. i only drive it to listen to the 450 watt audio. truth is longer trips would get better mpg. but im fraid to anywhere- they always begging for my money.

[@ColdNapalm42]

@PT111111 Because top mounted IC gets hot air and so kinda ruins the point of an intercooler.

[@CautionR]

whats the point of three doors? i think four is just more convenient so that everyone dosent have to get out for one person

[@mgl455]

I Share Concerns With The Front End Styling, It Has Got To Go And I Would Have Preferred A 2 Door, But I Like The Rest Of It. I'm 6'4" 280 And I Fit Like A Glove In These Seats They Have The Same Comfortable Position Relative To The Pedals Etc As My '96 & '97 Accents Which I Loved But Are WAY Upscale In Comfort And Appearance. Hi Performance Car Drivers May Not Like This Car But Those Of Us Who Want Economy And Sportiness Around Town Will Love It, After All How Fast Do You Really Need To Go?

[@PT111111]

@shandas100 Turbo version looks ugly since they open up the grille for better air intake. I don't understand why they don't use hood scoop and top mounted intercooler instead. I was really looking forward to the turbo version, now I'm not so sure, looks fugly for me.

[@ColdNapalm42]

@PT111111 Umm...where do you get prices like that?!? Veloster start at under 18 grand and I see them sold for like 16 grand even for the base models on lot.

[@trickykid3000]

im glad hyundai grew some balls cause now other competitors are gonna have to work hard to catch up

[@milwparnassum]

good review. thanks! and thanks for test-driving the base model, and for actually commenting on the base stereo - few ever do. good to know about no spare tire. !!. i wonder if it's an option?

[@Spacemonkeymojo]

Cute car. I'm surprised there isn't a handle on the "hidden" door though.

[@tochjo772]

blue link and geo fense for emergencies and x box connection and excellent fuel economy ~ hyundai basically thought of everything when making this car~ if i was a parent i would feel much safer if my kids are driving this car~ wow hyundai wow

[@rash80s]

how come there is no spare tire

[@DarkStoneCastle]

I like it.

[@marvel__ink]

whats with the ''T'' in the grille

[@hong99sm]

holy crap your hair is like gold

[@Spacemonkeymojo]

Oh wait, the handle is sort of hidden too haha. Neat little car!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@denisrenelara Yep, and iPod support.

[@0wenage]

In which video game?

[@RespectFalseIcons]

does this car come with automatic transmission? can someone explain to me what dual clutch is?

[@PT111111]

@ColdNapalm42 You're right about that, but then there are many Turbocharged cars with hoodscoop + top mounted IC. Mazda 3 MPS (Mazdaspeed3?), Impreza WRX/STi, Mini turbo to name a few. To be honest, I don't really care about it, my point is that there's too much compromised on the aesthetics. They should've followed the ARK performance Veloster turbo. Now THAT looks good.

[@PT111111]

@ColdNapalm42 Doesn't matter now, Hyundai just release the pricing on these cars. Veloster manual cost $24,000 before on-road cost (registration, tax, etc.), Veloster+ manual cost $28,000. Add $2000 for DCT. I'm guessing the Turbo is gonna cost around $35,000. Thanks but no thanks.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@skoshy What took so long? Look at my video and then check out everyone else's.

[@kamzcool]

Wohoooooooo.....just got this one ...last weekend.........

[@danwat1234]

Only 27/37MPG with the manual non-turbo model Hyundai lied with their MPG ratings, so they will give refillable debit cards to owners of many Hyundai and Kia vehicles. They were testing their 'coast down' procedure incorrectly

[@smcmillan88]

@TheJohn10992 They WILL* have a model with 201 hp.

[@Bullsfan2008DR]

Are you really just paying for style by choosing the Veloster? It just seems like the Elantra is a better value for the same prices.

[@lcar4000]

Hope I can find a base model. Dealers around here order automatics only, as if everyone is too stupid to drive a stick. With a car like this, a manual makes sense.

[@Eldoro82]

Well, i guess my main complaint is that its only a ...4 doer. it just looks stupid without the dore behind the passenger dore and no dore behind the drivers dore.

[@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b]

nice job on the review, thanks.

[@lilmuscleboi]

Velocity+Raptor = Veloster

[@ColdNapalm42]

@PT111111 The ARK one will be faster...but I can pretty much promise you that the ARK one will not be the same price as the factory turboed one. Not even close. And the front mount makes it better for future upgrades as well. The MS3 is actually very limited in upgrades due to the top mount's inability to cool down the air. Any big turbos you stick on the MS3 quickly overwhelms the IC system. Like I said, looks are nice, but I'm not willing to give up performance for it.

[@RealWorldTestDrives]

Nice job and nice meeting you in Portland. Ummmm, check out my standup.... it might look familiar.

[@Arabioso]

they should have made a fourth door on the other side of the veloster just like the third and lowered the back seats to give abit more room to avoid your head bumping in the glass!

[@ccyungin]

@MrHubb1 its only gonna be about 201 horse power

[@PT111111]

@ColdNapalm42 After market parts aren't as expensive because unlike cars, I can import them from wherever without needing a license. Seeing as I prefer the look of the ARK Veloster, I think that works out quite well. I just have to find a workshop that can do it for me.

[@Rome1017Lights]

actually, the clubman would copy the RX8, since it is also hinged at the back, this style copies the old Mazda PMV van that had one door in the hear that opened "ordinarily"

[@ManGaribay]

So, Geo Fence will send you a text message if your teenager goes outside the pre-determined area. Well that sucks. It would be a lot better if the car could give a warning, that if you keep driving away from home, it will shut down, and need your parent's passcode to be re-started.

[@dung0is0hell]

haha hyundai, i have mini cooper jcw, audi a4,and range rover.My father has audi a7, bmw m3, audi r8, and for f-150, my sister has a5 and bmw 5 series, my twin sister has min cooper roadster s, and mercedes c class, and my mother has bmw m6, bently continental gt, and mercedes glk.

[@NexTerren]

...So nobody else thinks the name comes from "Velociraptor," or has the Internet just affected my brain patterns that much?

[@iLIKEpieMMM]

that's weird i bought my veloster on sunday but not by design. The name comes from Velocity and roadster but everyone nicknames it the Velociraptor

[@KiAKaI999]

looks great and love the interior but the zero to 60 is bad.

[@TheJohn10992]

They do have a model with turbo 201 hp

[@ManGaribay]

@DrivenCarReviews Yeah you're right, but I said a warning, maybe like. " YOU HAVE ONE MILE TO TURN AROUND OR THIS CAR WILL REDUCE ITS SPEED TO 5MPH FOR THE NEXT MILE AND THEN SHUT DOWN". That way it will give you enough time to park it, or turn around. They should also make this technology tamper proof, cause kids are computer geniuses nowadays and will find ways to hack this systems. I think my son will not get his own car until he graduates High School.

[@79Datson]

I wish I had the money to buy one of these

[@lizardgreen2121]

I love my veloster

[@321reball]

this will be succesfull

[@VaunShiz]

"You won't be drag racing porsche 911" uh you won't even be drag racing a civic funny review

[@marcelskaterkid94]

I heard there making a turbo soon :)

[@fickmeindreamcacao]

strange you dont have a maybach...

[@TheSuperMotoHooligan]

definately shades of CRX. I think the last few CRX's were faster to 60....lol

[@jason60051]

I think Hyundai stole that steering wheel out of a Honda Civic! Kudos to Hyundai though!!

[@Misiekgren]

yup all sounds great... but ummm I'm basically f'd if i get a flat tire cause they rather give you more trunk space than a spare tire wth Hunday?!

[@ColdNapalm42]

@PT111111 I wouldn't underestimate shipping costs...but yeah with the economy the way it is, it sounds like the ARK maybe the better value for you folks down there. Not so much in the states.

[@jvrdlc]

Veloster as Velos = fast in spanish

[@fickmeindreamcacao]

there is veloster turbo with 201 horsepower:)

[@skipskops]

@138018 Not sure what you're looking at? It's not that good looking? WHAT!?! :x It's stunning.....the RX 8 just happens to go wrong.....a lot.

[@littilcuteboi1]

2013 doesnt come in green ....pissed

[@socketoutlet]

looks a bit alike 370z from the side

[@tochjo772]

sucha fun lookig ride lol

[@MaxPayne19146]

No spare tire? OMG ITS JUST LIKE A M3 M5 M6!?!?!?

[@outkast40]

Wait for the Turbo ! No need to drive a car that looks fast and drives slow

[@bg1379]

It doesn't worry you that this is the exact same powertrain as the Accent? The startup sounds awful!

[@silverbrute750]

hum, i do have a spare tire in my veloster. yours must have been a prototype or something !

[@ElmoGamingWorld]

Veloster comes from the word velos which means fast in Spanish well guess got to go for the turbo lol

[@Koooooooooodo]

The only problem on this car is the engin.....i wish they changed to more powerful engin....

[@enemay]

This is cool now, but I'd be embarrassed to be seen in this in 5 years.

[@cicobigshow1]

Please gave me one.

[@mylexicon2]

How do you pronounce "velour"? How do you pronounce "colour"? How do you pronounce "kook"? How do you pronounce "book"? (prob only Scots get this right) How do you pronounce "green"? How do you pronounce "Greenwich"? English has few real pronunciation rules. We say whatever we feel like saying, and we borrow words from other languages. It's not Hi-un-dye anyway. It's Hyoon-day. Americans actually butcher the name less severely.