Move Over Golf, The Veloster N is the Best Hot-Hatch

Last year I drove a VW Golf GTi Autobahn and thought the price was way too high for very little upgrade options compared to the base Golf. That did not necessarily mean the Golf was the worst hot-hatch I have driven. No. It was honestly the best one for a long time until yesterday. I had the chance to drive a Hyundai Veloster N for some time. In that short amount of time, I fell in love. Let me say why.

My first reason as to why the Velsoter N is better than the Golf is the styling. With the red accents with the black paint, it is quite the example to have for color coordination. Add this to the styling and it becomes something that looks like it should not be messed with. It doesn't end there. The back of the Veloster N is no joke either. It has a tasteful spoiler on the back with curves equivalent to that of a supermodel. The angles, lines, and edges just give the Veloster N so much joy to look at. The Golf is just as boring looking as Ben Steins monotone voice.

The interior of the Veloster N is just as remarkable looking as the exterior. Sure there is plastic, metal, and fabric but Hyundai has found a way to make it look just as good as anything else. The sky blue seat belts even add a little bit more flair to the styling of the inside, in my opinion. What else? The cluster looks brilliant and the infotainment system is original looking. I say this because most affordable cars are trying to go with the same luxury styling of their infotainment screens to match that of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Sure the Veloster N has its infotainment screen where a BMW has it, but how it sits there is where it counts. It looks like it is mounted instead sticking out of the dashboard. One last thing I love is the placement of the driver mode button. It sits right there on the left part of the steering wheel controls. The custom drive mode button is on the other side. The only thing I have a slight problem with is how people can get in the back since it is a 3 door car. But, it is probably much easier to deal with than a two-door vehicle. The space can fit adults but I am not sure if it will be comfortable for the ones in the back.

But how much does this Veloster N cost? Just after the options being added, the total price comes to a mere $29,885. It only has $2,100 in options. The near $900 is just the freight and handling costs. What does this all of this give someone who is buying one? Well, here is what comes standard; electronic stability control, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, front and side curtain airbags, a backup camera with guidelines, 18 inch wheels, 13 inch brake rotors in the front and 11.8 inch rear brake rotors, electronic controlled suspension with 5 G-force sensors, structural reinforcements underneath the body, Infinity Premium speakers, an 8 inch infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity that involves Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sport front seats, and torque vectoring control. What are the options? A performance package. The wheels are upgraded to 19 inches, a limited slip differential with electronic control, variable exhaust valve system, and upgraded rotors to 13.6 inches in the front and 12.4 inch rotors in the back, and Pirelli P Zero tires all around which is exclusive to the N model. That is a hell of a lot better than what the Golf GTi Autobahn had to offer for the pricing.

Now for the performance. To put it in better terms I am just going to say "Oh My Lanta, Georgia." The 2.0L four cylinder has not just been given one turbo charger. It was gifted with a twin-scroll turbochargers producing a whopping 275 horsepower. Backed by a 6 speed transmission and a rev-matching throttle powering the front wheels, the Veloster N goes from 0-60 in just 5.2 seconds. That is faster than the A-Spec Acura TLX, BMW 230i, and the mighty 2016 Honda Civic Type-R. The Autobahn Golf GTi is a second slower. Not only that, but the Veloster N manages to keep the body roll to nothing thanks to the stability control and torque vectoring. The clutch is as light as pushing air and the steering is as focused as a mathematician solving the number for Pi. It is direct, light, and well balanced while the tires offer much feedback. The shifter is the best I have ever felt. If most people say the MK1 MX-5 has the best gear change in the world, then the Veloster N is a close second. Why? Because the shifts are short and sturdy. The motion of changing the gears is like a hot knife cutting through foam. The seats are comfortable as well as the support they give. Last but not least, the exhaust sounds like a deranged cat. Have a listen.

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Revving at idle in sport mode.

So, would I buy a Veloster N? In a heart beat. It is by far my most favorite hot-hatch driven that I have driven. Not only that but it is very reasonably priced compared to most of the competition. The Si Civic and Golf GTi have nothing on the Veloster N. The only way I am going to know for sure if the Veloster N is the best hot-hatch is when I test drive the Type-R, which hopefully will be soon. The price, styling, and performance cannot be beaten with the way the Veloster N is.

I would like to take a moment and thank Burn Hyundai for allowing me to use their vehicle for this review. I appreciate their cooperation and professionalism.

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