2012 Hyundai Veloster vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

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.