Left Lane News - Review: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

But after spending a week with the car, we’ve had a longer chance to become acquainted with each other.

Come along for the ride as we rediscover the 2012 Hyundai Veloster .

What is it?

Hyundai claims its new Veloster is an example of “the coupé, redefined.” Seeing that most others are trying to convince the buying public that four-door, swoopy designs are the equivalent of a four-door coupe, we ask “why not?”

As it is, the Veloster is a four-seat, three doors-and-a-hatch coupé that appears to be just the ticket for first-time buyers, college students, retirees, and just those who are looking for a little fun in a stylish, if a bit quirky, ride.

In spirit, Veloster kind of replaces Hyundai’s departed Tiburon, a less-than-loved sporty-looking coupe. With only a 1.6-liter engine, it slots in well below the dynamically impressive but hardly big-selling Genesis Coupe.

What’s it up against?

The Ford Fiesta , Mini Cooper, Honda Fit , Fiat 500c, Scion tC and perhaps the Volkswagen Beetle , are all players in the field that can potentially give the Veloster fits.

Essentially it comes down to your taste in style, size, and the thickness of your wallet, since no car in this segment really cuts the same shadow.

Any breakthroughs?

Did we mention that passenger-side rear door? Oh right, we did. That design move alone puts the Veloster in a rare place, especially for a Korean automaker: That of an innovator. We think it was a conscious effort to keep things safe for rear seat passengers by making the door available only on the passenger side. Sure, a passenger can still enter through the left side by flipping the driver seat forward.

Hyundai even claims that at 40 mpg, the Veloster achieves better highway mileage than Honda ’s CR–Z hybrid. A standard Blue Link Telematics system is included for other standard, and optionally available features. Every vehicle whether equipped with navi or not, gets a standard multi–function LG-brand seven-inch touch–screen monitor for control of the in-car entertainment as well as videogame console connectivity.

How does it look?

The new Veloster appears as though it’s the love child of the Genesis Coupe and Aston Martin ’s new One-77 supercar. Featuring the same front fascia–mounted intakes (although not functional here) the Veloster appears to really be trying to flatter the Aston Martin. The look mostly works. From the side, and with its blacked-out A-pillars it manages to channel its inner Bell Helmet.

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