2012 Hyundai Veloster vs. Its Competition

By Bengt Halvorson

Bengt Halvorson

Deputy Editor BIO

Bengt Halvorson is Deputy Editor of High Gear Media's portfolio of car sites, overseeing the production of reviews, evaluating vehicles firsthand... More

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Sep 21, 2011

With its unique three-door-coupe configuration, combined with a wide-opening hatch, the 2012 Hyundai Veloster has a layout that breaks out from small, sporty coupe convention.

Compared to the Scion tC, which is probably the Veloster's most direct competitor, the Hyundai has a far more spacious, comfortable interior, with more usable cargo space and versatility.

The Scion, meanwhile, has a far torquier engine and feels stronger off the line, but it pays the price with fuel economy numbers that are nearly 10 mpg lower on the highway.

The Veloster has a power-to-weight ratio that's better than any of these rivals; yet its engine lacks low-rpm torque, which means it isn't necessarily going to feel the strongest.

The Honda CR-Z is also a rival to the Veloster; despite having a mild-hybrid system, the CR-Z isn't that much more fuel-efficient.

The Veloster feels closer to a sports car, with a balanced, surefooted handling feel, while having a more spacious interior and better long-distance comfort.

And finally, the Volvo C30 costs thousands more, yet its purpose (and market position) overlaps somewhat with that of the Veloster; the C30 is quicker, but the Veloster feels comparatively leaner and more nimble—and it's more versatile.

We also expect the upcoming Mini Coupe, arriving later in the year, to be a rival to the Veloster—although its price tag will be thousands higher—while others might want to consider the (also pricier) Mini Clubman.