Hyundai Veloster: The only other car I'm considering

[Screamer4]

Ford Fiesta? Efficient, but a little too slow and softly sprung.

Mazda2? Efficient, sporty & fun, but a little too underpowered.

Rio/Accent? Efficient, decent power to weight ratio, but sloppy handling and too softly sprung.

Suzuki SX4 Sportback? Sporty & fun, cool looking, it's featured on Top Gear USA lol, but the real world fuel economy is nowhere near the newcomers.

Fit? See the Mazda2. There's more bang available for the buck.

Chevy Sonic? Quick (especially with a tune), crisp handling, fun, cheap and efficient.

The only challenger in my mind is the Hyundai Veloster:

Hyundai Veloster
138hp/123tq(@4850rpm)
Curb Weight: 2584

Downsides to this thing:
Price: It starts about where Sonic pricing ends

No Turbo tune-ability: Turbo model may come later and will probably cost in the $20k's

Handling? Hyundai isn't known for making fun machines.

Awkward packaging? Looks like the amount of useful cargo space may be compromised by the funky styling.

Aside from that, this thing should be close to the Sonic in MPG figures, and the curb weight of under 2600lbs is appealing. BUT it looks like the Sonic's curb weight will be around 2700, so it's not really a huge deal. Especially when you consider that the Sonic will be making peak tq (over 140lb-ft) at under 2000rpms, whereas the Hyundai has to spin up to almost 5k to make 123.


But, the Veloster is interesting to look at!

 

[atvman29]

Interesting to look at yes, but its a little too weird for my personal taste. What's the wheelbase on this thing compared to the Sonic? It seems like it would be bigger.

I'm so stoked to see the Sonic in person. They didn't have one at our Twin Cities AutoShow.

 

[Screamer4]

Interesting to look at yes, but its a little too weird for my personal taste. What's the wheelbase on this thing compared to the Sonic? It seems like it would be bigger.

I'm so stoked to see the Sonic in person. They didn't have one at our Twin Cities AutoShow.

Sonic: 99.4" wheelbase, overall length is 173.1" (sedan) or 159" (hatch)

Veloster: 104.3 wheelbase, 166.1 overall length.

It splits the difference between the Sonic sedan & hatch in overall size. The longer wheelbase might help it track a little better on the highway but I doubt it will be as eager to rotate as the shorter wheelbase Sonic.

 

[WolfByu]

If I wanted to spend more money then the sonic will cost then I would just get a 2012 buick regal turbo. 2012 Buick Regal GS First Look - Motor Trend

 

[Boost]

If I wanted to spend more money then the sonic will cost then I would just get a 2012 buick regal turbo. 2012 Buick Regal GS First Look - Motor Trend

+1!!!

I agree that Veloster is a possible competitor to the Sonic, but IMO that is a horrible, horrible looking car

*insert a gorgeous pic of a Sonic here lol*

silver 4 door Sonic pictures blow my mind

 

[Rand0m0sityxX]

I've looked at this car some, it looks nice imo.

 

[Suzuki Phil]

I like the Velostar also but since this car will be for my wife and young daughter the 3-door thing might no work. It's priced right and I love the sunroof option. If I was single and twenty years younger I'd seriously consider one.

I am concerned about the 1.6l delivering enough hp and torque to make the car feel sporty.

SP

 

[buddy97]

I think the Velostar also but since this car will be for my wife and young daughter the 3-door thing might no work. It's priced right and I love the sunroof option. If I was single and twenty years younger I'd seriously consider one.

I am concerned about the 1.6l delivering enough hp and torque to make the car feel sporty.

SP

i have the exact same 1.6 gdi engine in my 2012 accent. its more than enough power and a very fuel efficient engine. the 1.8 sonic has lower hp and about the same tq as that 1.6 while pushing a heavier car.....i have yet to see any review consider the sonic truly sporty...its still an econobox.

 

[Daedalus]

Where'd you get that weight quote for the Veloster? From what I've seen it's closer to 2700 lbs.

The 3 door thing kills me. With that in mind, if the Sonic doesn't work out, then it'd probably be the Focus SE Hatch with a 5MT.

I did a little HP/LB ratio calcs yesterday. Here are my rough estimates:

Sonic 1.4t = 0.0493
Veloster = 0.0531
Focus = 0.0552

And for comparisons sake:

CRX Si = 0.0520
EG Si = 0.0532
EM1 Si = 0.614

IMHO the Sonic and Focus win because of their functionality and torque.

 

[Memphis]

Its listed on their website.

And if you are going to be doing hp/weight ratios then for the 1.4T you need to be calculating 180hp/190ft lbs tq. Thats what the Sonic will be at with a simple tune.

 

[Memphis]

Which would put the Sonic at .0596

 

[buddy97]

Its listed on their website.

And if you are going to be doing hp/weight ratios then for the 1.4T you need to be calculating 180hp/190ft lbs tq. Thats what the Sonic will be at with a simple tune.

if you are gonna do that, then you should include the veloster turbo that is confirmed to be coming with 208 hp from the factory.

 

[Memphis]

That's going to be a fun car. I didn't incluse it because its still a year away though.

 

[atvman29]

That's going to be a fun car. I didn't incluse it because its still a year away though.

Also, what kind of $$$ would that be?

What could you get out of the Sonic if you invested the price difference between the two into performance mods?

THAT is the question.

 

[Memphis]

Im thinking that investing 3gs into the sonic on an upgraded turbo would put it right at 210 mark. I know that on 1.6L and 1.8L engines you will typically see around a 75hp increase with one. Not much more.

Now with the Veloster if you tuned it from the factory you automatically go above that with just the stock turbo.

 

[Screamer4]

friend who works at a local Hyundai dealer just texted me... Velosters are in. I'm going to take one for a test drive to see if I like it.

 

[Screamer4]

I drove the Veloster, and it seemed to handle nicely and had adequate acceleration. The interior is very nice and it is a great looking car in person.

I drove the 6-speed manual and was very disappointed in the positioning of the pedals- a heel/toe attempt was unsuccessful and nearly cause a charlie horse in my leg. The gas pedal is sunk too far down or the clutch & brake are raised too much forward.

The engine made decent enough power, but it sounded, felt & responded like an economy car engine, which is what it is.


Bottom line, the Veloster impressed me but didn't "wow" me. I think a little more grunt from the engine would have gone a long way towards doing that. I'm now even more eager to drive a Sonic Turbo for comparison.

Here's the one I drove:

...it was decked out with every option except the DSG trans. Sticker was $20k (17k base)

 

[Boost]

Well, decent competition I suppose. The Sonic will be significantly cheaper and I am betting a 1.4t manual will "wow" you in comparison.

 

[Screamer4]

if you are gonna do that, then you should include the veloster turbo that is confirmed to be coming with 208 hp from the factory.

Early word is the price will be nearly $25k for the Turbo Veloster.

If true, that's gonna put it right in the middle of some stiff competition-

WRX
MS3
Mini Cooper S
Focus ST
Fiesta ST
GTI
Mustang V6 (300hp+)
Subaru/Toyota FR-S

Hyundai better have it PERFECT, because those are some solid cars it'll be up against.

 

[piro216]

And don't forget that at $25K that is starting into Hyundai Genesis Coupe price...