2019 Hyundai Veloster
Unveiled earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the 2019 model marks the first major re-design of Hyundai's quirky three-door coupe since it was first introduced in 2011 as a 2012 model.
Design
Although it borrows heavily from the first-gen version – including that model's three-door body style - both the exterior and interior of the 2019 Veloster are all-new.
Outside, the stance looks more planted, the fenders are more aggressive, the cowl point and A-pillar have been moved rearward, while the roofline has been lowered. The fender line is also more coupe-like, while the rear diffuser is larger and bolder. A darkened roof treatment is available, as are eighteen-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the first-gen's twin-cockpit dash has been eighty-sixed in favor of a more conservative horizontal layout. The touchscreen – formerly recessed in the central dash – takes a page from the Mazda playbook and sits atop the lower dash. Each trim now features model-specific colors, materials, and accents.
A seven-inch touchscreen is standard, while the optional Infinity premium audio system (standard on the Turbo) includes a larger eight-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, traffic flow and incident data via HD radio, and satellite radio. Also optional is Qi wireless charging and a Head-Up display with an eight-inch projected image that, under normal conditions, displays speed, navigation, cruise control, Lane Departure Warning, Blind-Spot Collision Warning and audio system information. When in Sport mode, it changes to show engine rpm, miles per hour, and the transmission gear. Manually deployed with a dashboard button, the display retracts into the dash when not in use.
Under the hood
There are more changes under the hood. The outgoing base model's 138 horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine has been replaced with an Atkinson cycle 2.0-liter unit that produces an additional 11 horsepower and 9 more lb-ft of torque, for a total of 132. On the 2.0 model, the new engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or a conventional six-speed automatic that replaces the dual clutch unit that was paired to the 1.6-liter engine. The automatic is standard on the 2.0 Premium trim.
The engine in Turbo trims remains unchanged – a 1.6-liter four-cylinder generating 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a standard six-speed manual (on R-Spec and Turbo Ultimate trims) or seven-speed dual clutch automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters (standard on the Turbo, optional on the Turbo Ultimate). R-Spec manual transmission models receive a B&M Racing sport shifter. Turbo models also receive driver preference Active Engine Sound engine enhancement piped into the cabin, three selectable driving modes for automatic-equipped models, and two modes are offered on manually-equipped versions, along with a quicker-ratio steering rack and revised steering calibration. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are standard on the 2.0 trim, with all other models receiving eighteen-inchers.
Further separating the latest Veloster from the outgoing version is a fully-independent rear suspension, replacing the simpler torsion beam setup employed on the first generation model.
Fuel economy ranges from an EPA-estimated 25 miles per gallon in the city, 33 on the highway, and 28 combined for the manually-equipped 2.0 trim to an EPA-estimated 28 miles per gallon in the city, 34 on the highway, and 30 combined for the dual clutch automatic-equipped Turbo and Turbo Ultimate trim levels.
2019 Veloster advanced safety
Hyundai has also added a number of standard advanced safety features to the latest Veloster including a rear view camera with dynamic guidelines, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist.
Optional safety systems include automatic headlights with high-beam assist (available with LED headlights), driver attention alert, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
2019 Hyundai Veloster prices and availability
2019 Hyundai Veloster manufacturer suggested retail pricing (including an $885 destination charge) is as follows:
2.0, six-speed manual - $19,385
2.0, six-speed automatic - $20,385
2.0 Premium, six-speed automatic - $23,635
Turbo R-Spec, six-speed manual - $23,785
Turbo, seven-speed dual clutch - $26,285
Turbo Ultimate, six-speed manual - $27,535
Turbo Ultimate, seven-speed dual clutch - $29,035
2.0, Turbo, Turbo R-Spec, and Turbo Ultimate models will begin arriving in dealer showrooms no later than June of 2018, but there's no word yet on when the high-performance Veloster N will show up, or how it will be priced – so stay tuned.
