2019 Hyundai Veloster R-Spec

The 2019 Hyundai Veloster R-Spec combines sportiness and practicality in a unique package.

Price: $22,900

The 2019 Hyundai Veloster R-Spec is for those who want a sporty looking, roomy compact with a unique three-door design, strong performance and a comfortable ride.

The 2019 model has such things as a new grille design and “higher-volume” rear fenders and wheel arches for a more planted, muscular look. The cowl point and windshield pillars are further rearward and connect the hood line and belt line into an integrated powerful “gesture,” as Hyundai puts it. Also, the roofline has been lowered and the fender line is more coupe-like. There’s a rear spoiler, and the rear has a more aggressive integrated diffuser design. Dual chrome exhaust outlets are in the center of the rear and are reminiscent of the outlets on Porsche’s classic “550” sports/race cars.  

The new front-drive Veloster hatchback retains its basic unique design. It features a large, wide-opening  driver’s door and two smaller passenger-side doors with a “hidden” body-color handle near the top of the right-rear door. You can enter the backseat using the driver-side door, but that’s a squeeze. Rear visibility is marginal.

Veloster models begin with an entry $18,500 four-cylinder 147-horsepower model, but I tested the faster, sportier $22,900 Veloster R-Spec. It has a turbocharged 201-horsepower 1.6-liter engine with 195 pound-feet of easily available torque. It only needs regular grade fuel for its 13.2-gallon tank and is available with a 6-speed manual transmission, which is rather notchy. Also, a long-throw clutch takes getting used to or can cause the engine to stall.

Estimated fuel economy is 26 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on highways.

This is a fairly quick car, with a 0-60 m.p.h. time of 6.2 seconds.Third or fourth gear is best in town, while fourth is best for fast highway passing.  Sixth is almost strictly an overdrive gear.

A driver can select Normal or Sport driving modes by pushing small console buttons. The Normal mode results in a smooth ride, thanks partly to the car’s new multi-link rear suspension with gas-pressurized shock absorbers. Sport mode tightens the suspension and steering. The electric power steering is quick but has a vague on-center feel.

Handling is good in either mode, thanks party to a sport-tuned suspension, stiffer body structure, torque vectoring control, electronic stability and traction controls and 40-series tires on 18-inch wheels.  The all-disc anti-lock brakes have brake force distribution and brake assist features.

The car’s asymmetrical design carries through to the quiet new interior, which has a driver-focused layout. There’s decent room for four tall occupants, but not five because the center of the rear seat is occupied by a shelf containing dual cupholders. The interior has supportive seats and is attractive with such things as unique “turbo cloth” seating, nicely grained plastic, fabric-colored accents and seat stitching.

There’s a “driver-up” power window, gauges can be quickly read, and the color touch screen infotainment display is easy to use. There’s a Infinity premium audio sound system with 8 speakers. Android Auto and AppleCarplay are standard.

Interior highlights include a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, pushbutton start, small but easily marked manual controls and large footrest for the driver’s left shoe.

The cargo area is decently sized and rear seatbacks flip forward and fold flat to greatly increase cargo volume. Alas, I couldn’t get the hatch to open because the hand-held control for it was dead and there was no visible inside hatch release.

Safety features include forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, rearview camera and driver’s blind spot motor. There also are six air bags.

The relatively short hood seems to weigh a ton and is held open with a prop rod. A hydraulic strut would be an improvement here, as many Veloster R-Spec owners are more likely to occasionally check under the hood for such things as fluid levels, compared to owners of more conventional cars.