Can Hyundai Score Yet Another Hit With The Veloster?

By all accounts Hyundai’s designers have their fingers on the pulse of car buyers. Their designs are universally appreciated and with the Veloster, they’ve proven they can do cool and edgy as well as the next company.

While we used to talk about the “threat” to U.S. automakers by companies in Japan, I think we better start looking at Korea. There’s no denying they are (as Randy Jackson would say – “In it to win it.”)

Not only is the Veloster attractive, it’s the kind of car that might surprise even the company that makes it. I remember when Honda thought that the Element would appeal to 20-somethings. All the advertisements showed cool, hip, youngsters with their skateboards and dogs piled into the back of the Element. Then something happened. Baby boomers started showing up in Honda stores and wanted to drive the Element. I can see something similar happening here. After all – while “hip” and “cool” may seem like something the kids own – everyone wants to be hip and cool – even us old guys.

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Fijian - 9/22/2011 6:02:37 PM

-2 Boost

Looks aggressive like it should cause it is being marketed to younger people.Not bad at all.

4ron - 9/22/2011 8:28:15 PM

-1 Boost

Innovative design, practical, economical and loaded with features ... as well as fun to drive! Yes, Hyundai has another winner!

Joe_Limon - 9/22/2011 8:31:39 PM

-4 Boost

I wonder how long it will be before people start comparing this to the new economy coupe coming from Toyota.

internationalmanofmystery - 9/23/2011 8:08:54 AM

-2 Boost

"Can Hyundai Score Yet Another Hit With The Veloster?"

It can and it will!

internationalmanofmystery - 9/23/2011 11:36:13 AM

+1 Boost

Are you conceding this "...Initial sales might be good?" ;)

Taste is definitely subjective, I will grant you!

internationalmanofmystery - 9/23/2011 11:38:08 AM

-1 Boost

"Hyundai’s designers have their fingers on the pulse of car buyers"

Hmmmmmmm

internationalmanofmystery - 9/23/2011 11:41:48 AM

0 Boost

"an economy car busting 40 MPG...."

"...and a price under $18,000 MSRP"

Sounds like a great combo IMHO!

TCLA - 9/23/2011 1:22:39 PM

+1 Boost

@1911, the Insight is a hybrid. Hybrids get better fuel economy in the city. The Veloster is not a Hybrid.

TCLA - 9/26/2011 12:44:48 PM

0 Boost

My point is, you can't compare the fuel economy of a hybrid with a non-hybrid. The Sonata Hybrid gets better fuel economy than the Veloster too. Because it's a Hybrid.

mini22 - 9/23/2011 5:49:25 PM

+1 Boost

Again the general public by nature are not "Car Enthusiasts" like the people on this site. They are not going to care about what "G's" it pulls on a skid pad or it's 0-60 times. What they will care about is the fact that it looks a bit different. A hatchback coupe with an extra door,an interior with resonably good quality and seating for 4(5 in a pinch,40 MPG on the highway and handling that is actually above average for the econobox norm.Styling is subjective but I think in general generation X people will overlook this and think about it's practicality and coolness.It's not a sportscar or a hot hatch but Hyundai could easily make it one without putting too much into that effort.Toyota has had the TRD performance options in the past and Scion offers a supercharger to the Xc Coupe.If Hyundai brings the turbo in that is coming to Europe that should open the eyes to more enthusiasts. Also by offering little factory performance tweeks (IE-sport Intake and exhaustetc.) that will probably snag a few more car enthusiasts. It's not a bad car out of the box and with mild tweeking could be a lot better.

grenouille - 9/24/2011 12:12:17 AM

+6 Boost

Saw first reviews here up north, not very impressive, as for success, well maybe but very short....people get blinded by the looks till they wake-up and then you just have to live with it.

acronis - 9/24/2011 11:19:43 AM

0 Boost

The Veloster is a niche vehicle but will score very well with the Gen X and Gen Y demographics.

Hyundai has made a vehicle that stands out and love it or hate it, it gets people talking about it. In that respect they've definitely scored a hit. Job done!

jtz7 - 9/24/2011 4:18:38 PM

-4 Boost

" When they're unemployed or broke, then they have no choice but to go Korean or peddle."

Um, don't car dealerships workwith you to get you the car you want? Um, I know someone who just got a new Accord after purchasing a 2009 LaCross brand new because the persona had issues with it. Now the person's car note is less than what was for the Buick. It' a 2012 base Accord. So huu76back your biased. Oh the person is a janitor too.

Oh yeah huu76back, you do know Suzuki is cheaper than Hyundai right (I think it's cheaper than Kia too)?

TheGenius - 9/24/2011 8:02:32 PM

0 Boost

One of the best moves Hyundai / Kia did made was to steal experienced designers from Merc and Audi. Their cars are now way more appealing than the staid Hondas and Toyotas. Its about time the japs stole some European designers. Just go to fiat or alfa and grab anyone....

acronis - 9/26/2011 11:00:35 AM

0 Boost

"I'll take any staid Honda over that overwrought hideous Veloster. If I was KIA, I'd kick that designer to the curb."

Great! Is That why Honda sales are off by 25 percent year to date? LOL

Joe_Limon - 9/26/2011 12:25:19 PM

+1 Boost

lol you can't blame 25% yearly decline all on said disaster. Oh wait this is 1911, he lives in a NFS world where spoilers add to top speed, and roll cages don't offer any handling improvements.

LexSucks - 9/26/2011 6:17:12 PM

+1 Boost

"and roll cages don't offer any handling improvements."

- Yep. And he claims that one car with a roll cage, and one without a Roll Cage is exactly alike. That’s further proof that he didn't know that Roll Cages improved handling. From a performance standpoint he thought that they were exactly alike and didn't even consider the Roll Cage. He believed the Lexus propaganda "The roll cage was only used for safety" Yeah right.

Joe_Limon - 9/26/2011 6:32:56 PM

0 Boost

Oh yes I almost forgot, your continual rambling that the only thing holding Toyota and Honda back right now is the Tsunami is quite funny. Most other Toyota fans will admit to it being one of a number of factors. But no, to 1911 it's the only thing hurting Toyota.

LexSucks - 9/26/2011 6:10:32 PM

+1 Boost

Not sure if you did or if you didn't but.... you were completely clueless about Roll Cages offering handling improvements. You asked how much of improvement will the roll cage make. Which tells the world that you didn't know that roll cages improved handling.

Joe_Limon - 9/26/2011 6:34:09 PM

0 Boost

And where did I claim that Japan recovered one week after the tsunami? lol

I can play your spin game as well.

Joe_Limon - 9/26/2011 8:42:08 PM

+1 Boost

so where did I say they should have recovered after one week? still waiting...

acronis - 9/26/2011 9:57:48 PM

+1 Boost

Funny how Nissan fan boys aren't busy being cry babies making up excuses for their sales being in decline.

Huh? Because their sales are NOT off! In fact Nissan is kicking arse because their sales have actually grown a bunch!