2021 Hyundai Veloster

The Hyundai Veloster has been somewhat of an enigma since it first launched in the US, and has continued to intrigue ever since. The second-generation car has built upon what was a good car to start with, but we can now confidently say that it is an impressive daily hatchback with all the space and practicality of its competitors, and also drives well, especially in Turbo guise. Power comes in the form of either a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated engine or a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, the latter producing a healthy 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. We were thoroughly impressed with how the Turbo model drives; it's not a hot hatch, not by a long shot, but it offers warm hatch performance at a perfect price. On top of that, you get Hyundai's solid reliability record and excellent safety ratings. The Veloster goes up against the Honda Civic and Mazda 3, among others in the compact segment.

The Veloster has the edge over the competition in the form of a low asking price that undercuts rivals by a fair margin. It should be noted, however, that its main competitors offer more power in base form, and you'll have to step up to the Turbo models to compete in that regard. The base model with the manual transmission will cost you $18,900, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $975. For the six-speed auto version, you'll have to cough up $19,900. 2.0 Premiums go for $23,100 while the first Turbo car in the lineup, the R-Spec, requires you to part with $23,450. The Veloster Turbo costs $25,750 but at the top of the pile sits the Turbo Ultimate, setting you back $28,450.

Hyundai has done its research. With a relatively low curb weight and short wheelbase, the Veloster feels like a go-cart when flung around. The second-generation car features standard multi-link rear suspension across the range, which was only offered on higher trims when the car was first released. On the road, the Veloster doesn't feel overly harsh, but it is noticeable that the car's suspension has been tuned to deliver some driving fun. Fling it around a corner, and the nose neatly tucks in, and once in the corner, the Veloster hangs on with surprising keenness, and will slowly drift into understeer as the speed increases. There's even hints of lift-off oversteer, which adds to its playful character. If you're looking for a true hot hatch experience, you'd best look at the hardcore Veloster N, but for what it is, the standard Veloster handles and drives great.

The first-generation car was quite the shock to American consumers used to the regular two or four-door layout of hatchbacks. But, with the arrival of the second-generation car, consumers have warmed up to having two doors on the one side, and a single entry point on the other. This isn't the most practical of entry solutions and will be frustrating to some who need constant access to the rear seats, but besides this odd characteristic, the Veloster proves to be a capable and entertaining car to drive, especially in either of the three Turbo derivatives. The chassis is well sorted and doesn't mind a bit of spirited driving. Inside, the Veloster won't blow you away with cutting edge design, but everything is well put together and works well. The same can be said of the infotainment system, which gets the job done but didn't bowl us over. If you're going to buy one, skip over the entry-level models and go for one of the Turbo trims.

If you're only after the appearance, we would say go for the Premium 2.0, which gets nice-to-haves such as a sunroof and heated leather-trimmed seats, but the Veloster is so much more than its looks alone. This little car likes to be driven hard, and as such, should be enjoyed with the peppy 1.6-liter turbocharged motor. There are three turbocharged variants to choose from, with the R-Spec starting at $23,450, and the Turbo Ultimate ending things off at $28,450. If it were us doing the buying, we would skip out on all the luxuries and go for the R-Spec car, which comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. The R-Spec offers just enough gear to make it a comfortable driver: you get LED headlights out front while the interior benefits from the larger eight-inch touchscreen display and eight-speaker Infinity sound system. You also get sporty cloth seats and alloy pedals.

There's no denying the fact that the Honda Civic is an excellent car, a class leader, and one of the most popular hatchbacks ever produced, so the Veloster will have to pull a few special moves to overcome some of the clear advantages here. The Civic is powered by a punchy 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that produces 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. This motor blows the Veloster's base engine out of the water, but the Hyundai's 1.6T motor feels perkier. The Civic sends its power to the front via a six-speed manual or CVT transmission. Not only is the Civic a punchy little car, but it's fun to drive, and will deliver an impressive 31/40/34 mpg city/highway/combined at its best. The interior is arguably a nicer place to be in, and material quality is excellent. There's also more interior space, and you get a larger trunk. The Civic is the safe choice here, but we love the uniqueness of the Veloster.

Even though Mazda recently announced that the Mazda 3 would be getting a turbo variant, this hatchback remains the mature choice, and these cars should appeal to two very different buyers. The Mazda's Eurocentric styling and sedate 2.5-liter engine all culminate in a car with a more relaxed view on driving. Power comes in the form of a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-pot generating 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. One advantage here is that the Mazda 3 gets AWD for added stability. Gas mileage comes in at best figures of 26/35/30 mpg city/highway/combined. On the road, the Mazda 3 is more comfortable, but sacrifices driving dynamics for it, and once again highlights its more mature approach. The interior is best in class and is a more refined place to be in, while the Mazda also offers more standard features and has an excellent safety record. If you're after comfort, get the Mazda, but if you enjoy a bit of fun behind the wheel, go for the Veloster.