Why do many enthusiasts hate the Veloster?

"Bytemite" (bytemite) 05/12/2016 at 20:23 • Filed to: None

3

59

I just looked at the Veloster Rally Edition !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! a year back and all I saw on the comments section were people saying negative things about the car. Anything from it is ugly, to stolen Ford paint, to “slow as hell”, to “boring to drive”.

This criticism just doesn’t make much sense to me. No one ever says those things about the FiST or 500 Abarth, the competitors. But for the Veloster, people seem to have so many bad things to say.

I wanted a hot hatchback that was a fuel efficient DD, small, light, and fun to drive. On top of it all, if it had something special like a limited edition, I would love it even more. So I meticulously compared and researched the 3 cars (I only got to test drive the Vel though), and the Abarth was super cool with its exhaust note and cute bulldog style but it also came in only two boring colors and was an iron block engine with Chrysler reliability. The FiST obviously had the rave online reviews of being fun to drive and sippin’ gas. That was a major plus for the FiST, but it just didn’t have that special pizzazz that the Abarth and Rally Edition had. It was so common and the exterior styling was just pedestrian.

So in the end, I said if that Rally Edition drives well and looks that nice in person AND I can get it for under 20k, I’m driving off the lot with it. I took a few shifts with that B&M Racing sport shifter and I could not believe how good it felt. And that was that. Maybe I shouldn’t pay much attention to FP comments...

MLGCarGuy > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:27

2

Because it’s a Hyundai. That’s all there is to it; I guess FP commenters are still in the 90s.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:27

4

FP comments are wrong most of the time.

yamahog > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:33

4

you could say we’re just not... enthused .

Bytemite > MLGCarGuy 05/12/2016 at 20:33

0

I have seen a lot of blatant anti-korean attitude in some people, but it can’t be that pervasive that so many commenters hate a car based on what company it’s from.

JR1 > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:34

0

I kinda always thought the Veloster was overweight and down on power compared to the other two. But I could be wrong

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:35

0

Brand bias.

Bytemite > yamahog 05/12/2016 at 20:36

1

Bytemite > JR1 05/12/2016 at 20:38

1

201 HP is more than the other two.

For weight, yeah it definitely is a bit heavier. It is a bigger car in dimension. 2800 lbs. I think the FiST comes in at ~2600 lbs? And the Abarth around the same.

Alfalfa > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:38

0

While a much better choice from a “responsible adult” perspective, it really isn’t quite as much fun as FiST or Abarth. And in the extreme mindset of the FP, that means it sucks. For me personally, it’s a really close competition between the three because of different drawbacks and advantages, most of which you’ve mentioned. I feel like the Ford is the best compromise between the reliability factor in the Hyundai and fun factor in the Fiat. Also the blandest looking, though.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:39

1

1. Literally every comparison puts the Veloster below the competition on the fun to drive rating. That’s the point of a hot hatch. It might be fun, but it’s not as fun.

2. It’s aftermarket isn’t that great.

3. While I like the styling because it is different, many find it hideous.

4. It may not be a reason on the FP, but the FiST market is kind of aimed toward younger people, and Ford’s First Time Buyer program is excellent. Does Hyundai finance a person with no credit(many first time buyers) at 0%? Ford does. It was a painless process, and my dealer was awesome.

CRider > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:39

2

“ The Veloster is a pseudo hot-hatch—its quirky styling stands out in traffic—yet its racy looks deceive. The base engine is a feeble 132-hp 1.6-liter four with a standard six-speed manual; a dual-clutch six-speed automatic is optional. The Turbo boasts 201 hp and a six-speed manual; a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is optional. Handling is predictable and lively, yet steering feel is vague. If a funky-looking hatchback is all you want, step right up, but enthusiasts will be disappointed.”

http://www.caranddriver.com/hyundai/velost…

It also has way too much safety equipment for a sports car.

yamahog > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:40

1

ah shit now I feel bad, it’s ok Leo :( :( go buy that veloster and have fun, fuk the haters

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:42

0

Yeah, but with the FiST, The Smoking Tire’s actually put down more power than stock when stock. It’s underrated. But it’s 2742(?).

Shankems > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:48

3

Because it doesn’t have the performance to back up its kooky looks. Mags and online review sing the praises of the FiST. I have yet to see anything that comes close to the same when the Veloster is involved.

mazda616 > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:53

0

My coworker has a ‘14 Veloster Turbo he bought new. It has like every option and he's put some nice wheels on it. I think it's a decent little car. Kind of quirky, which appeals to me. He's getting tired of it, only because it's a stick shift. Stop and go traffic around here with a manual is a pain at times. But he loves the car otherwise.

dogisbadob > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:58

0

The Veloster is awesome!

Wobbles the Mind > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 20:58

1

*I found this as I was typing. This will be easier to process than the freaking memoir I started to write below.*

You guys know I’m a strong GHK (Genesis-Hyundai-Kia) enthusiast.

It definitely isn’t in the same performance category as the Abarth and FiST. But just because something isn’t at the top of a class doesn’t make it a bad car. The Veloster weighs the same as a compact car, not the subcompact Fiesta and 500. Yes, it is under 3,000lbs and yes, there is “only” a 200 or 300 pound difference between them, but you have to remember that is a 10% increase in weight. There is a refrigerator worth of weight difference, but you have the same power and wheelbase. Weight is a huge deal when it comes to less powerful engines and smaller vehicles. The larger the weights, the less a few pounds will be a big deal. But look at the difference in performance between a 650s and 675LT, the lighter the vehicle the more every pound matters.

The reason why everyone is upset is because they think the Veloster is a Fiesta ST when it is really splitting the line between a FiST and a Civic Si. Still a great car, especially that Rally Turbo. I think it is the best FWD vehicle Hyundai will make until they add IRS to their small cars and even then, it will take a top end sport model to best that Veloster.

Not having IRS and being able to lock down that rear end tuning like every other great small car from Honda, Ford, Mazda and so on shows that Hyundai prioritizes the mechanical bits for its cost cutting in order to offer more tech and awesome features. Nothing wrong with that, but you have to account for it. Hyundai also uses the most out of date steering rack in the industry, but I commend them for how much performance they do get out of what they have. It’s the difference between the Golf R and Focus RS. Everyone loves the GTi as much as the Focus ST because the priorities are mechanical and that is your engagement point. Everyone was slightly disappointed with the Golf R because it’s obvious that luxury replaced that performance priority even though the Golf R is a phenomenal performer. Everyone just wanted a GTi taken up to 11 but instead got a great S3 hatch at an even better price.

Perspectives!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 21:00

0

FiST doesn’t have IRS.

Wobbles the Mind > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 05/12/2016 at 21:03

0

It doesn’t?! Damn Ford, that’s the difference sport experience and European market focus will get you. How about the Abarth?

MonkeePuzzle > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:04

0

they are TRULY ugly

....in pictures. actually was surprised to find how good it looks in real world

TheRealBicycleBuck > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:06

1

“I only got to test drive the Vel though...”

This is why you don't understand. You didn't bother to drive the others, so your test set has a sample size of one. I made sure to drive all of the vehicles I was considering. I even went to the effort of dragging my kids along since they would have to ride in the back of whatever I bought. Only after test driving them all did I make a decision. That's how I know I made the right choice for me and my family.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:06

0

I actually quite like the Veloster, even in non-turbo guise :)

As an addendum, though, the FIAT 500's engine is actually very reliable. It’s the other stuff that isn’t so much.

Milky > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:13

1

Because it doesn’t sound like this.

Bytemite > TheRealBicycleBuck 05/12/2016 at 21:14

0

Well I bought it after test driving it so...that’s why. The FiST was up next but didnt even get to that point. The Vel had no dealbreakers like the other cars had, unless it drove bad. What I dont understand is people heap praise on one car and dump on another competitor. I know the FiST is better in some ways and worse in others compared to the Veloster. It is a fair fight though so I can’t see why theres such a big gap in opinion.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 21:14

0

FiST gets solid axle, FoST gets IRS. The solid axle saves weight, and doesn’t have any real noticeable drawbacks in the FiST and the reviews have shown that.

Svend > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:17

2

For me it’s the single door on the driver’s side and two doors on the passengers side. What is that all about? (it must of been such a flop in the U.K. as it’s no longer available).

Personally I’d take the Kia Pro c’eed.

or a Vauxhall Astra GTC.

DipodomysDeserti > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/12/2016 at 21:19

1

Yeah, because FIAT traditionally gets so much love in the US...

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:20

3

Because other people have driven other cars and realize that they’re better. That’s why they don’t like it. I think it looks cool, but that’s it.

Bytemite > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 21:21

0

The FiST and Veloster are working with pretty much the same limitations of strut front and torsion rear. But maybe Ford knows how to make that torsion beam stick.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > DipodomysDeserti 05/12/2016 at 21:22

1

Compared to Hyundai among “enthusiasts?” You better believe it.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:22

1

I think a lot of the hate is leftover from when the car first came out. I test drove one when the dealer was just getting them in, and I was thinking of trading my Santa Fe. Drove a base 6MT and a loaded automatic before the Turbo was available. They just weren’t any fun at all. Competent, but I was expecting a little fun from something called Veloster. It seems that was how most people felt. So we waited and waited for the Turbo. Then when it finally came out and wasn’t upwards of 250 hp, people just piled on, because it wasn’t a real FoST or GTI competitor. But it’s also $5k cheaper. I haven’t driven the Turbo, but I suspect with the extra power and handling tweaks it probably addresses most of my complaints. But the FP commenters can’t be bothered to change their minds once they have a take.

Bytemite > Svend 05/12/2016 at 21:26

1

This is America! We don’t get the best hot hatches like that.

Bytemite > Milky 05/12/2016 at 21:28

1

Mmmm that is yummy.

Bytemite > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 05/12/2016 at 21:32

0

0%? Wow, nice!

As for styling, I think it looks great. Like a catfish-bullpup haha.

For performance, I really need to see how this car is with the same tires as the FiST. The fist came with actual performance summers, the Vel came with bargain comfort touring all-seasons. So unless a review has taken that into consideration, I’d take it with a bit of salt.

sn4cktimes > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:35

1

I have a 2013 Veloster Turbo in the “Rally Blue” (I’d say more Subaru than Ford blue...) and bought it on the basis of it’s internal volume with the seats flipped down (LOTS), I loved the looks, it has all the cabin creature comforts (amazing NAV unit), was reasonable on fuel (later proven to be worse than advertised, but still not bad) and once the engine is up to temp and fully using the turbo it’s a lot of fun to rip around in. 138 hp cold, 201 hp hot. The key is to keep that twin scroll pumping out 21 PSI of boost. It has kicked in hard enough to plant me into my seat quite a few times. It basically ticked most boxes and was cheap as hell. It requires no mods out of the gate to be what I wanted it to be. Unlike my Wrangler at the time which had many thousands of dollars injected into it, when I should have really just bought a dirt bike (which I now have). For the price you get a pretty great car.

For me the downside was literally blowing a hole through the engine block at 19,000km. It’s a direct injection design and the oil pump broke, and a chunk came up and held the two exhaust valves closed on cylinder one. On the next stroke it detonated, seized the piston head at the top of the shaft, ripped the piston shaft off and then proceeded to bang it around into the front and rear walls of the block until it tore through, seizing the entire engine and thereby seizing the transmission too. Needless to say I came to a pretty abrupt stop. All dash lights going crazy. Oil ALL over the road and under the hood.

Warranty covered the repairs but it’s never been quite the same.

Am headed out of town tomorrow to buy an 88' AMC Eagle Wagon (in brown). If I love it I’ll put some money into it and make it less “malaise-y”.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:37

0

The biggest complaints have to do with steering feel, the tires might play a little in that, but not that much. In fact, a lot of people downgrade to all seasons on the FiST, just as fun, but cheaper to run.

sn4cktimes > sn4cktimes 05/12/2016 at 21:38

1

Oh yeah, and because the back end has the torsion axle setup you can get the car pretty sideways when you turn off traction control. It pretty fun in the winter if you've got good ice tires on it.

Stef Schrader > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:38

1

Man, I think these look awesome. Very much like they should be rally cars. Just add mudflaps.

Svend > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:40

0

Ye’, sorry. Even without them I still wouldn’t give a second look at the Veloster.

It’s like it’s trying to be two things. If it was a 3 door hatchbach or even a 5 door hatchback it would possibly be more appealing but Hyundai don’t seem to do appealing small or performance cars. The larger cars and CUV/SUV sector they do quite well.

Bytemite > Svend 05/12/2016 at 21:44

0

That i20 coupe looks like it’d be a veloster cousin. Whats wrong with w doors on the passenger side and 1 door for driver? I think thats a genius setup of practicality for passengers and style for driver.

And that i10!!!

JCAlan > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 21:55

0

Have you driven an automatic? HORRIBLE. Honestly the worst acceleration of any modern car I've ever driven.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 22:10

1

The point is you didn't drive the others. Perhaps you didn't even see the others in person. It's hard to make a comparison on paper. Perhaps if you had driven the others, you would understand why.

Svend > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 22:11

0

The i10 is a good little city car.

While the i20 Coupe is just a small hatchback rather than a coupe.

While the styling is on the driver’s side for the Veloster, it’s not on the passenger side.

I would always feel I was cheating myself as I approached the car on the passenger side to walk round and climb in the driver’s side.

Saying that I have a Superb Mk3, the looks of a saloon car but with the advantage of the hatch.

MLGCarGuy > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 22:17

0

I don’t like my Hyundai but I can see why people buy them.

Hating on a company without driving one, however, isn’t right.

DipodomysDeserti > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/12/2016 at 22:25

0

That has nothing to do with brand bias. The Abarth is just a much more fun car.

RedlineZ bought an SV (And is getting rid of the z) > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 22:44

0

I wasn’t a fan of it because everything just felt wrong. I mean granted I drive a z then compared my friends veloster turbo to my other friends focus st. The veloster had a clutch as firm as a marshmallow the interior was meh the gas pedal was hinged from the wrong side which actually annoyed me a lot. The z and focus have a good bit of low end grunt and the veloster left me unimpressed.

Edit: after reading some comments I also just remembered how much I hated the steering as well. Felt completely disconnected from the road.

Big Bubba Ray > Bytemite 05/12/2016 at 23:16

0

It’s the stupid third door.

smobgirl > Milky 05/12/2016 at 23:59

0

KINJA...oh I am having issues this evening.

smobgirl > Stef Schrader 05/13/2016 at 00:00

0

Mudflap all the things.

Nibbles > Bytemite 05/13/2016 at 10:50

0

My only complaint with the Veloster is that it has deceptive cargo space. It looks like there’s a lot but really, it’s no more than my old Focus sedan

Bytemite > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 05/13/2016 at 18:26

0

The steering feel isn’t bad and the chassis is well dampened and controlled. I’ve had one oh shit moments with the traction control off and trailbraking on a downhill wet corner. Either way, they’re both electronic boosted. I guess one day I will see what the big fuss is about, but there can’t be that much difference. I’ve been hitting corners hard with the Vel and there isn’t that much room for improvement. The Veloster has a wider footprint and is much lower compared to the FiST. Skidpad and slalom numbers are pretty similar to FiST’s even with the crap tires.

Long Live the Longdoor > Bytemite 05/14/2016 at 11:35

0

I genuinely like the Veloster Turbo and followed it pretty closely when it was coming out. I like the looks of it, it’s practical, fuel efficient, still has some decent push behind it and then it came out and it just didn’t sound all that great or unique.

How a car sounds to me can often outweigh some of its flaws. To me, I don’t care if a car goes 0-60 in 1 second or that it costs X dollars, if it doesn’t sound like anything interesting, then what the heck is the point? The Abarth has that exhaust note, the FiST has that sound symposer and that’s kind of what makes them go down in the history books for me. From my research too, a modified Veloster Turbo with, say, an intake and exhaust just kind of sounds like noise and doesn’t necessary act to improve the car like they might on some other cars (from a sound perspective).

Bytemite > Long Live the Longdoor 05/14/2016 at 16:35

0

The Veloster also has a sound symposer actually! It sounds pretty great and rumbly inside the car. And the car’s exhaust naturally backfires sometimes too...

Long Live the Longdoor > Bytemite 05/14/2016 at 22:00

0

Interesting... off to YouTube for sound clips!

Bytemite > Long Live the Longdoor 05/15/2016 at 16:02

0

Here is one you can hear the growling and turbo whistle from inside the car. skip to like past 3 min when he starts driving.

Long Live the Longdoor > Bytemite 05/15/2016 at 19:40

0

Cool! Did they add the sound symposer for a certain model year or has it been like that since launch? In my initial research I don’t recall it sounding like that at all. Damn, I wish I took a second look at it before I bought last year.

Bytemite > Long Live the Longdoor 05/16/2016 at 01:23

0

There were quite a few changes when they introduced the R spec. So an important change was the brake torque vectoring got added and improved handling. For the sound I think it was always there.

Bytemite > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 05/19/2016 at 16:58

0

I would say that is a valid point if they test drove both the Rally ed. and the FiST, but the Rally came out late last year and is very rare. The comments were made before the car even came out too. It drives different compared to a regular Turbo, especially one with that slow dual-clutch tranny. Remember that the regular Turbos had the same economy car suspension as the non-turbo Velosters.

So I can only guess that people have negative feelings about the car based on the non-Rally edition Veloster. Like imagine if you test drove a base Fiesta with the turbo engine but no other modifications, it’d be like that.

When a test drove a regular turbo with the DCT and the sunroof and push button start and all that jazz, it felt really disconnected with that transmission and suspension. I wouldn’t have bought it and would have gotten an Abarth instead. I would like to let you drive the Veloster if you’re anywhere close by. :)

NJAnon > Bytemite 07/29/2016 at 20:21

0

My only critique was I must have misinterpreted the class of car/what the carmakers were going to do. I thought it was going to be like the Hyundai Genesis and have RWD.