Used 2020 Hyundai Veloster

Unlike most sporty small coupes, the 2020 Hyundai Veloster distinguishes itself by a unique rear door on the passenger side. Although this design doesn’t detract from the Veloster’s overall good looks, it definitely makes it easier for people and things to move in and out of the rear seat.

Various trim levels bring various levels of performance, allowing the Veloster to appeal to first-time buyers as well as performance junkies looking for a fast, but inexpensive ride.

Up against more expensive, sedan-based rivals like the Subaru WRX and hatchback Honda Civic Type R, the Veloster comes up a bit short in the horsepower department, but it’s still quite quick and its price undercuts the WRX, GTI and Civic Type R by thousands of dollars.

One of the most significant changes made to last year’s all-new model was the addition of a multi-link independent rear suspension. As a result, the 2020 Hyundai Veloster has a more planted feel when you’re pushing it. Other improvements include better steering response, though it still could be sharpened to European levels.

The Turbo models pump out 201 horsepower from 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, while the standard, normally aspirated 2.0-liter models make 147 horsepower. The Turbo models aren’t that much more expensive and offer levels of performance more in line with the vehicle’s looks.

Overall, the Veloster feels light on its feet and is easy to drive quickly, but also has a stiff feel to the body and chassis. Hyundai has done an excellent job of controlling noise, vibration and harshness. There’s very little wind or tire noise transmitted to the cabin. Given its price point, if you had your eyes closed, you’d swear you were in a class-above car.

The Turbo R-Spec model comes with the much-improved 6-speed manual transmission, while higher-spec Turbo models are equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that has both paddles for shifting and a sequential mode on the gear selector. The Veloster features Normal, Sport and Smart driving modes — in Sport, the exhaust note is a bit louder and amplified through the sound system. The drive modes make a noticeable difference in throttle response and the shift points of the dual-clutch automatic.

The performance-oriented Veloster N, particularly when equipped with the optional Performance package and its electronic limited-slip differential, feels totally at home on a racetrack, yet it does not beat you up with overly stiff suspension in everyday driving. With 250 horsepower under the hood, the N is the most powerful trim in the Veloster lineup.

This is a car that has been tuned on the famous Nürburgring in Germany, and it shows. Each downshift of the 6-speed manual transmission is accompanied by an automatic throttle blip, and the chassis responds beautifully to steering inputs. Perhaps most important, the electronically controlled differential allows the driver to power out of tight corners without inducing any of the wild inside wheelspin so common with other powerful front-wheel-drive cars.

The Veloster interior is as intriguing and fun to look at as its exterior. The quality (and color) of the materials is first-rate, with abundant soft-touch surfaces for fingers and elbows. A twin-cockpit design separates the driver and passenger, with a wide plastic console wall isolating the passenger from easily getting to some controls.

Speaking of controls, we love how Hyundai has retained so many knobs, buttons and switches for the audio and climate systems, yet still manages to integrate a modern touch-screen infotainment display (seven inches on the base and eight inches on all others). There’s even an available head-up display showing safety, navigation and radio readouts. Switch to Sport mode and the display changes to an analog tach and digital speedometer.

Compared to its first generation, the 2020 Hyundai Veloster has a much bolder and aggressive look thanks to its larger, cascading grille design that features a mesh insert. There are also larger lower inlets and supplemental slots to improve front wheel-arch aerodynamics, adding to the more muscular appearance.

The Veloster also sports a more sharply raked roofline, a rear deck-top spoiler, and a more pronounced rear diffuser and twin round center-mounted exhaust tips. There are LED daylight running lights and taillights, while LED main lighting is an option.

Beefy 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels contribute to the Veloster’s hunkered-down stance. The Turbo Ultimate model is further distinguished by a black roof.

The 2020 Veloster N is distinguished by its N-design front fascia and grille with brake-cooling ducts, along with LED headlights, unique rocker sills, and ultra-high-performance tires — 225/40R-18 Michelin Pilot SuperSport on the standard N and 235/35R-19 Pirelli P-Zeros on the N with the Performance package. In back, the N sports LED taillights, a large rear spoiler, an integrated diffuser and high-flow dual exhaust.

The N is available in black, white, red or blue, the last a light hue that reminds of the famous Gulf Oil livery of the legendary Porsche 917 race car.

DOOR CONFIGURATION
The 2020 Hyundai Veloster’s unique, long driver’s door is complemented on the passenger side by a 2-door setup. The design makes it much easier to load people, pets or things into the Veloster’s back seat, while giving the driver a longer window where the B-pillar doesn’t block his or her view.

THE N PERFORMANCE PACKAGE
For a mere $2,100, the Veloster N Performance package adds 25 horsepower to the standard N model, as well as a limited-slip differential, 19-inch alloy wheels surrounded by Pirelli P Zero performance summer tires and large, vented front and rear brakes. Talk about track-ready!

For 2020 the Hyundai Veloster comes in six trim levels: 2.0 Base, 2.0 Premium, Turbo R-Spec, Turbo, Turbo Ultimate and N. Even Base models benefit from such upscale safety features as forward-collision avoidance with automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, and automatic headlights.

Premium and up models get blind-spot collision warning as well as rear cross-traffic collision warning. A Driver Attention Warning system is standard on all models, monitoring your driving and alerting you when it’s time to take a break.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility come with all models, as well as cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, and LCD touch screens.

Base models have 17-inch alloys while all other models come with 18-inch rims.

Up-level models can be had with features like wireless charging, proximity keys with push-button start, Infinity premium audio with eight speakers, a sunroof, heated seats, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers and LED headlights.

Also available are Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires on the 6-speed-manual Turbo R-Spec and Turbo Ultimate models, smart cruise control on 7-speed automatic models, a 4.2-inch TFT (thin-film transistor) digital display in the instrument cluster and the 8.0-inch head-up display.

The N is available with the Performance package, which includes an electronic limited-slip differential, adjustable dampers, larger brakes, an active exhaust and 19-inch wheels shod with Pirelli P Zero tires, size 235/35R-19.

Power for the 2020 Hyundai Veloster coupe comes from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine good for 147 horsepower. This engine is standard in both the base and Premium trims.

The Turbo, Turbo R-Spec and Turbo Ultimate all employ a more robust 201-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four, with the R-Spec hooked to a 6-speed manual and the others a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.

At the top of the Veloster food chain is the sporty N that gets a turbo-4 2.0-liter engine good for 250 horsepower (275 with the Performance package). This engine is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission.

2.0-liter inline-4 (Veloster Base & Premium models)
147 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
132 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/34 mpg (automatic), 25/33 mpg (manual)

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Veloster Turbo R-Spec & Turbo models)
201 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
195 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/34 mpg (automatic), 26/33 mpg (manual)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Veloster N)
250 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm (275 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm w/Performance package)
260 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450-4,000 rpm (260 lb-ft @ 1,450-4,700 rpm w/Performance package)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 mpg