Second-generation Hyundai Veloster (JS)

When Hyundai launched the Veloster in 2011, the idea of making a hatchback coupe with a unique three door design delivered some mixed results from the motoring public. Despite its unique 3-door design for a hatchback coupe, the Veloster never wins the hearts of many audiences apart from feeling  a bit small even the additional door on the passenger side couldn't help it because the rear's just too small to squeeze into. Even a hot turbo version wouldn't cut against the competition. Just as we thought Hyundai's going to wave goodbye to the Veloster for good, we are wrong because the forgotten jack knife has been given a second chance in a whole new look and attitude.

2019 Hyundai Veloster

Welcome everyone to the newly reborn Hyundai Veloster, the second outing of the world's least loved hatchback that is out to pick up where its lackluster predecessor left off. With prices start at around 21,350,000 Korean Won, it's still one of the most reasonably priced hatchbacks to drive with although it's becoming part of the diminishing race of three-door hatchbacks.

2019 Hyundai Veloster

As you have noticed it, the signature 3-door design as seen on the previous model retains, meaning there's still an additional door on the passenger for better access to the rear seats, although some would say it's still less spacey like the original. While the unique door design is the least of our worries, the new exterior design will get you noticed. The old one wasn't so bad to look at and it's about as sexy as a K-drama actor who drove this thing onset. The new one, however, is a bit more complicating than that because up front, you'll see that the new grille design and the new headlamps came from other bits of the Hyundai family tree while the back looks suspiciously like a Peugeot so drivers need to think twice while encountering this complex string.

2019 Hyundai Veloster interior

Inside, it no longer has the G-string-shaped dashboard and it foregoes to a more traditionalist approach to make it more driver focused while going back on the rear space, although the sloping roof line is the least of the worries, the rear legroom has been slightly improved so your mates can live in freely. Good mark for Hyundai, there. On the driver's side, apart from the racy instrumental panel, they will be greeted by some new stuff such as the HUD which is unreadable in the sunshine, digital performance gauge which is pointless on city streets, bucket seats, a rather peculiar Engine Sound Equalizer, song recognition provided by Sound Hound, wireless charger, and pretty much about it.

2019 Hyundai Veloster

Under the hood, the all-new Veloster comes with two turbocharged petrol engines with the former being the 1.4L T-GDi engine and the latter being the 1.6L T-GDi engine producing 204PS of power and 27kgf-m of torque until you trigger its overboost. It can be mated with either a 6-speed MT or a 7-speed DCT. The 7-speed DCT sounds good for us but we believe the manual gearbox is the more enjoyable way to get to know about the all-new Hyundai Veloster better. Engines aside, Hyundai believes that the Veloster's dynamics have been slightly improved compared to the previous model thanks to its reworked suspension setup and the implementation of Torque Vectoring Control which makes it look promising to drive but having my first dibs, I rest my case apart from the fact that it's fatter than the previous model.

For some more bad news for speedo boys, the all-new Veloster is now fitted with advanced active safety features, including standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist for the available LED headlights, and Driver Attention Warning, among many others. Safety features are good on commoner cars that some would use for carpooling, daily use, or TNVS purposes, but on a car like this, it's such a fusspot but worth a shot to understand how it works for you.

Having rest my case on my first dibs, the Veloster's new design and interior can be somewhat perplexing but noticeable, the dynamics are not what you called an improvement because despite the added Torque Vectoring Control that results to a much better dynamics, getting it round the corner is like opening a tightly-sealed jar. Also, it's heavier than its predecessor. Despite faults, the new Veloster is something they will fall in love with even though the new model is heading to the wrong direction. Of course, Hyundai will make a hotter Veloster soon but sadly, it won't make it to the Korean market like that hot i30 they'll never bring. Anyway, it's time to live loud with the all-new Veloster.

Available colors: Phantom Black, Chalk White, Rake Silver, Dark Night, Tangerine Comet, Cobalt Eclipse, Ignite Flame, and Thunder Bolt.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company