Quick Drive: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo (Review)

Since the Hyundai Veloster was released last year, critics have loved the Veloster’s distinct styling and the quirky rear passenger-side only door. But there was one thing that the Veloster was missing. On the outside the Veloster looks like a “fun hatchback,” but under the hood the Veloster was anything but fun. For the 2013 model year Hyundai has to fix that with the more powerful Veloster Turbo. With more power under the hood and even more aggressive styling, does the 2013 Veloster Turbo now have the right recipe to compete with models like the VW GTI?

How Does it Look?

On the outside the 2013 Veloster Turbo lets you know that its more special than the standard Veloster with its more aggressive face with a bigger grille, side skirts, a new rear bumper with prominent diffuser vents in the lower fascia and unique 18-inch alloy wheels. LED lighting as also been added to the front and rear and for an extra $1,000 you can get the Veloster Turbo in an exclusive matte gray paint. The matte gray paint is cool, but keep in mind that you can’t take it into a car wash and that it requires extra care to maintain.

How’s the Interior?
The Veloster Turbo’s interior gets standard leather sports seats, a 450-watt audio system and alloy pedals. For an extra $2,500 you can add the “ultimate package,” which adds a navigation system with rear view camera, panoramic sunroof, backup warning sensors and automatic sensors. Everything else is pretty much the same as the standard Veloster. Overall the Veloster’s interior is not a bad place to be. It’s has more total passenger space than the Civic coupe and thanks to the unique third door, getting in the back seat is much easier than in the Civic. Just in case you’re wondering, Hyundai’s execs stated that Hyundai has no plans to offer a driver’s side rear door.