DETROIT AUTO SHOW: Could The 2012 Hyundai Veloster Take Down The tC, CR-Z and Golf?

soooo ugly

Mr. Limon, have you been on vacation? I agree though, quite ugly. Looks really fun though and its pretty funny that it has more hp and better gas mileage than a hybrid crz.

Looks different and also more practical than normal coupe. Big step up from tiburon.

JUGNU

Sorry but I find it appealing. 40mpg, 6 speed manual, enough power to toss it around a bit, plenty of storage space, and a nice interior. I'm not one to care too much about what materials are in the cargo area as it will only be holding cargo and not my gold bars. Those seats are also not folded completely for the photo, they fold more, it is just to show that they do indeed fold down. Even with them up, you have a nice deep cargo well to store stuff in.

Center exhaust is a nice touch, and I'm a fan of the headlight and taillight design. Lots of glass on top and that one in flat grey is amazing. If it comes in that option I am even more interested.

Either way I will be test driving one this summer when it arrives. I already have 140hp in my Matrix, but carrying around the AWD system and added weight over this car with a 4 speed auto slushbox is just killing me. My lighter 2 door Civic 5 speed with only 127hp was peppier. I'm not looking to blow doors off people at stop lights and highways, and getting better mpg from a hatchback car with what will hopefully be some decent numbers really intrigues me.

My opinion is that this car is really geared towards people who really need mpg's but at the same time a little fun factor without having to step into a hybrid such as the CRZ. And the CRZ is really unappealing to me.

...at least they got the whole "wide mouth" design language to work.

I also like it, its a little different but I don't think its ugly. And looks aside, it out does every other car in its class. I'm just amazed by Hyundai and their momentum right now.

"CR-Z is a good looking fun hatch that in the real world get's really good mileage"

Good looking is subjective, unfortunately we differ as I cannot get past the nose overhang and the fact that the beltline dives into the hood.

Fun hatch? How? Every review has touted it as non-sporty and un-inspiring.

Really good mileage depends on what you consider good mileage. Compared with other hybrids then no, it is not really good mileage.

I look at these cars in two different lights. The CR-Z is for people who already own or want to own a hybrid but at the same time would like to "feel" like they are being sporty or peppy with a two door hybrid coupe instead of a 4 door Prius/Insight. The CR-Z would have done world's better as the Insight and the current Insight should have never been built.

That aside, the Veloster is the car for people who are looking to get into a good MPG vehicle without having to walk into "hybrid-land" and still not have to give up the fun factor. The Veloster appears to be able to out-do the CR-Z in fun and performance on paper so far. Can't wait for the comparison and real-world tests.

Veloster per insideline is going to come with a turbo option, so expect the 1.6L to be spooled and good for 175-200hp tops. It won't be a MS3 getter but it will be practical and even more spirited to drive. I will give Honda credit, they did offer a 6 speed manual in the CR-Z which was a nice touch, but for me it doesn't do much but follow the typical beige Honda equation. Sure it works for them, but I'll be testing the Veloster soon enough.

After some real hits, this Hyundai is a design let down. It looks dumpy and I don't think it will displace tC or CR-Z without some serious price differential.

This competes very favorably with the Golf. It's cheaper and gets better mileage than the base - almost as good as the TDI, but thousands less and runs on regular gas, not the much more expensive diesel fuel.

If there's a white version with tinted glass, you could call it the Stig Edition!

I think it will sell - it's different and the youth market is looking for something like that.

What lets this car downare the headlights and grill. If you stare at the sideview it definately picks up ques from the European Only Scirocco.Notice how the side glass curves up into the c Pillar,the small rear window and spoiler,the scalloped side spoiler,the flares over the rear wheels and even the rear tail lamps echo that of the Scirocco. Hyundai of course decided to add the extra door on the passenger side of course. The side view is clearly this cars best view.It should have a semi decent power to weight ratio 2600LBS and 140 HP is not too bad. Hyundai definately used the Scirocco as it's guide in developing this car. if it handles 95% as well they may have a hit on their hands. I'm just not in love with the front.