Owners get more than they think with the Hyundai Veloster.
Its unusual configuration of two-doors one side and a single door on the other, as well as a fourth back door, immediately set it apart from anything else on sale, but there is still more to it.
Whichever door you use to enter it’s a very good coupe in its own right.
Hyundai has won a lot of praise in the past for its coupe models but they failed to keep up with the rest of the market and sales diminished until the arrival of the Veloster. Stylish coupe hides one of its unique features very well
Now this has put the Korean carmaker back on the wish list of many drivers.
There are five derivatives on UK sale from £18,000 (the model we tested) to £21,750, using the same 138bhp 1.6 engine but with a choice of 6sp manual or sophisticated automatic transmission, in three trim levels.
The stylish sweeping lines of the coupe do a good job at hiding the nearside rear passenger door and some people we asked did not even realize there was an extra door on one side.
That said, the opening is not huge but it does ease access and egress to the two back seats, which are reasonable for anyone up to a young teenager but lack legroom for taller passengers. Headspace is also tight in the back and shoulder room limited.
The front occupants are much better catered for with very wide opening doors and plenty of room in the seats which also have a wide adjustment range.
Ride quality is biased towards firmness and some bumps can really be felt inside, but most of the time the Veloster does a good job of covering the miles in comfort with well controlled body roll and little pitch or dipping.
Handling is a nice blend of feel and function with no vices to concern the driver who enjoys a winding open road.
Underfoot, the power comes in quickly and smoothly and its good overtaking in the mid-range and quiet at the legal motorway maximum while it returned over 37mpg on test.
Noise levels are low apart from some bump-thump coming from the tyres and suspension with wind and mechanical noises low until the engine is pushed into its upper rev range.
The Veloster has a well designed as well as attractively styled cabin. The relationship between wheel, gearchange, pedals, secondary controls and instruments is excellent and this means the driver is never stretching too far and can cover long distances with minimal effort and tiredness.
Oddments room is reasonable, not exceptional, and the boot takes 320 litres.
The shape of the Veloster does create a few blindspots around you so its just as well there is a standard parking sensor as the back is hidden.
To the sides and front there are clearer sightlines and the wipers/ wash and headlights are good.
The Hyundai Veloster is something of an oddity, even if you accept the unusual 3+1 door system. It is a coupe, but its not a big coupe in the range of similar cars on sale and this can actually be a strong selling point and not a negative one.
Its agility, economy, warranty and reliability should ensure popularity, whichever door you use to enjoy the experience.
Fact file:
Hyundai Veloster 1.6 GTi Manual
Price: £18,000
Insurance group: 16
Mechanical: 4cyl 16v 138bhp 1591cc petrol engine, 6sp
Performance: 125mph max., 0-62mph 9.7sec,
Fuel capacity/ consumption: 50 litres/ 37.5mpg
Emissions/ tax: 148gkm/ VED band F
Warranty: 5yrs/ unlimited mileage
