Hyundai Veloster N
The Hyundai Veloster N… a car that turns you into a kid.
The Veloster N comes from Hyundai’s 10-year-old Veloster. The 2021 Veloster N uses the second generation styling of the Veloster lineup. The Veloster N in previous years was standard/only available with a 6-speed manual transmission, but for 2021, Hyundai offers an optional 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The car, in my opinion, is definitely more fun in the 6-speed manual, because it’s pure control over the car, but from what I’ve heard, the 8-speed automatic isn’t that bad, allowing you to take full control with the paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel. A plus of the automatic transmission variant, is that it allows an ‘overboost’, which can temporarily increase the torque by 18 LB-FT (taking the number up to a possible 278 LB-FT of torque).
Along with this improvement, the previous ‘Performance Package’ that cost $2,100 is now incorporated into the 2021 model as standard increasing the price by $5,000. So, now the standard Veloster N makes 275 HP, has 19” wheels with summer performance tires, strong brakes, an electronically limited-slip differential, and a multi-mode exhaust-valve system.
The Veloster N puts power to the tires via a FWD drivetrain, sourced from a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4, which makes that 275 HP, complemented with the 260 LB-FT of torque. This Veloster like many other cars, also has many drive modes, including Eco (to minimize fuel consumption), Normal (to drive like a -you guessed it- normal car), Sport (to stiffen the suspension a little, increase throttle response, adjusts steering weight, enjoyably makes the exhaust louder), and various N modes (that just build off of Sport). However, there is a N Custom mode in which you can configure the car into any desired setting.
The manual Veloster N can touch 0-60 MPH in 5.1 seconds, but keeping in mind that computers are in fact more precise than us, the automatic goes a little quicker than that, at 4.8 seconds.
The Veloster N is amazingly fun to drive, and comes with a wallet-pleasing 22 MPG city and 29 MPG highway. Although this is a plus, there is a quirk to all Velosters. Their 3-door layout. In this, the rear seats can only be accessed by a third door on the passenger side of the car. Speaking of the rear seats, they are a little snug and uncomfortable, and the interior is dark and rather plasticky, but all this can be forgiven for all the great things in the car such as its purely driver oriented controls and great sport seats for the front seats.
But even if all I said isn’t convincing, just look at this… its your every day hatchback but a rally car, a legacy Hyundai holds with trophies to support it.
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