2020 Hyundai Veloster
The Hyundai Veloster, redesigned in 2019, is a can-be pocket rocket that dares to be different with hatchback styling that's both swoopy and angular. With an overall length of 167 inches, it's one of the smallest (and lowest) cars on the market. It features two doors on the right side and only one on the left, a long door for the driver. So all passengers climb in from the sidewalk side. But since the rear seat is slim, what that third entry door mostly does is make it easy to place groceries or pitch packages into the back seat. There's also the hatch that accesses the cargo space in back. The base engine is a mild 2.0-liter inline-4 paired with either 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed automatic transmission. The next engine is a 1.6-liter turbo-4 that makes 201 horsepower, sent to the front wheels through either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Finally there is the Veloster N, with its 2.0-liter turbo-4 making 250 horsepower or 275 hp with the optional Performance package. It comes only with the manual gearbox.
The standard Veloster Turbo provides good acceleration and confident handling. All Velosters have a firm ride and are reasonably quiet in the cabin. Interior space is good for such a small car, with enough room for shorter adults in the rear seat. Its 45 cubic feet of cargo space is impressive, and makes the Veloster quite versatile.
The Veloster Turbo doesn't pay a penalty in gas mileage for its horsepower. With the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, it's rated by the EPA at 28 mpg city, 34 highway, 30 combined. That mileage drops by 1 mpg with the 6-speed manual.
The base 2.0-liter engine is rated at 27/34/30 mpg with the automatic and 25/33/28 mpg with the manual.
With the Veloster N's more powerful engine and different gearing, the mileage drops to 22/29/25 mpg.
Safety-wise, the IIHS makes the 2020 Veloster and a Top Safety Pick, with its top 'Good'? ratings in every crash test. However the base model's headlights were rated 'Poor,'? while the rest were 'Acceptable.'?
Every Veloster comes standard with automatic emergency braking, while active lane control, blind-spot monitors, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control are available on higher trim levels.
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The base engine is a mild 2.0-liter inline-4 paired with either 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed automatic transmission. The next engine is a 1.6-liter turbo-4 that makes 201 horsepower, sent to the front wheels through either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Finally there is the Veloster N, with its 2.0-liter turbo-4 making 250 horsepower or 275 hp with the optional Performance package. It comes only with the manual gearbox.
The standard Veloster Turbo provides good acceleration and confident handling. All Velosters have a firm ride and are reasonably quiet in the cabin. Interior space is good for such a small car, with enough room for shorter adults in the rear seat. Its 45 cubic feet of cargo space is impressive, and makes the Veloster quite versatile.
The Veloster Turbo doesn't pay a penalty in gas mileage for its horsepower. With the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, it's rated by the EPA at 28 mpg city, 34 highway, 30 combined. That mileage drops by 1 mpg with the 6-speed manual.
The base 2.0-liter engine is rated at 27/34/30 mpg with the automatic and 25/33/28 mpg with the manual.
With the Veloster N's more powerful engine and different gearing, the mileage drops to 22/29/25 mpg.
Safety-wise, the IIHS makes the 2020 Veloster and a Top Safety Pick, with its top 'Good'? ratings in every crash test. However the base model's headlights were rated 'Poor,'? while the rest were 'Acceptable.'?
Every Veloster comes standard with automatic emergency braking, while active lane control, blind-spot monitors, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control are available on higher trim levels.
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Retail Price
| Engine | 1.6L I-4, 2.0L I-4 |
| MPG | Up to 28 city / 34 highway |
| Seating | 4 Passengers |
| Transmission | 6-spd man w/OD, 6-spd w/OD, 7-spd auto-shift man w/OD |
| Power | 147 - 201 hp |
| Drivetrain | front-wheel |
| Curb Weight | 2,822 - 2,987 lbs |
