Hyundai Veloster Turbo SE 1.6 T-GDi

HYUNDAI makes some really exciting, different looking cars these days. The Veloster is perhaps the one that turns heads the most.

On the outside the motor is squat, sporty and sits on its haunches like a wild dog about to attack. It retains the standard car’s unique 1+2 door layout but with the addition of visual enhancements designed to give the Veloster an even more athletic and purposeful look. The front bumper, radiator grille and front fog lights are new to the Turbo. The rear also benefits from a revised bumper, which includes a fresh fog lamp design plus round twin exhausts and diffuser. A longer and wider rear spoiler with integrated LED brake light is included in the visual changes along with a red “Turbo” nameplate on the bottom right of the bootlid.

But is it a dog with teeth? Well, yes and no. The Veloster only has a 1591cc engine. That might seem a bit unimpressive, but bear in mind it’s a petrol turbo cable of churning out 184bhp. The heady Hyundai’s needle will spin to 133mph and it’ll reach the magical 0-62mph mark in 8.4 seconds.

All the figures sound great on paper, but the car just didn’t cut the mustard for me. Don’t get me wrong; the Turbo SE 1.6 T-GDi feels quick but it’s just not as exciting as its appearance leads you to believe. Why that is I just don’t know. Maybe the car is too well sound-proofed, or perhaps it’s all psychological and I was simply expecting it to kick like a mule. Whatever the case, it didn’t make me feel all buzzy and tingly like some hot-hatches do.

Disappointing performance sensations aside, I do rate this car for a variety of reasons: it’s stuffed full of gear; it has tonnes of aesthetic appeal; it stands out from the crowd, and it’s relatively cheap. As well as all the turbo powered gadgetry under the hood, £22,000 will buy you 18 inch alloy wheels, a body kit, leather upholstery, climate control, LED running lights, keyless entry, a touch screen media centre and more driver and passenger protection aids than you care to count. In fact, the car is proven to be very safe, having been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating by independent vehicle assessment organisation, Euro NCAP.

As with all new Hyundai products, the Veloster Turbo SE is backed by the manufacturer’s fully transferable 5 Year Triple Care assurance package. This includes a five year unlimited mileage warranty, five years free roadside assistance and five years vehicle health checks.

PROS ‘N’ CONS

• Looks √
• Kit √
• Safety √
• Good value  √
• Not as thrilling as it looks X

FAST FACTS

• Max speed: 133 mph
• 0-62 mph: 8.4 secs
• Combined mpg: 40.9
• Engine: 1591 cc 16 valve 4 cylinder turbo petrol
• Max. power (bhp): 184 at 5500 rpm
• Max. torque (lb/ft): 195 at 1500-4500 rpm
• CO2: 157 g/km
• Price: £21,995 on the road