About the Hyundai Veloster
Ray purchased this Hyundai Veloster new with additional options for $35,000 (including all on-road costs). Ray would buy this car again because: “It was love at first sight when I saw this car. I remember coming to the dealer for my scheduled test drive 10 years ago and knew straight away after the drive that this car was meant for me. It was never the fastest car (7 seconds to 100km/h), most practical (3 doors and 4 seats) or even known (Hyundai/Kia was just starting to step-up their game) but the way this car made me smile from its quirky looks to the way it drives made this car the perfect machine for the past 10 years. “
How reliable has your car been? Tell us about any issues.
This car has been with me for 10 years and I’ve done more than 205,000km in it with no issues at all.
Much of that can be attributed to logbook servicing which I religiously adhere to (six months or 7500km whichever comes first) and the fact I resisted the urge to modify the car for additional performance. I’ve always addressed the wear and tear components as they appear, and action recommended repair items that were flagged for concern.
What do you think of the ownership experience with your car?
I’ve got to own this car. That was the voice whispering inside my head 10 years ago right after the test drive. This was a time when Hyundai and Kia were slowly starting to make a decent name for themselves while the likes of Volkswagen GTI, Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ with better street credibility from well-known car manufacturers had also been released to the market.
I remember the curious looks it got from people especially in the first year of owning this car, people can’t seem to believe that it is a Hyundai.
I remember one time taking my car for a detail on a Saturday and caught the team cleaning my car taking photos of it which made me smile. I also remember the number of times people would want to race me by revving their cars to get my attention while driving – I obliged in certain occasions lol.
How has the purchase and aftercare experience been with your car?
I think the saleslady at the dealership 10 years ago saw me coming from a mile away.
It was a very straightforward sales transaction as I couldn’t hide my excitement after test driving it and seeing the car in the metal. Items that required warranty replacements (from memory the speakers) and repairs were dealt with no hassles.
Are you happy with the price and features of your car?
The fact the car had a sunroof, Bluetooth connectivity, eight speakers (I think), subwoofer and an infotainment system with a GPS and reverse camera that had good resolution was already a good deal for me.
Everything was standard and included in the sale price with the exception of choosing a metallic colour option (Stormtrooper White in my case). I remember some of these standard features in the Veloster SR were added options in the other brands which can add up pretty quickly in the drive-away price.
What do you think of the performance and economy of your car?
It is so easy to have fun and really get stuck into it with this car. You can find yourself having the “but Officer” conversation down the road pretty quickly if you are not careful (Ask me how I know). The weight, linear power delivery of the 1.6 TGDI engine with the six-speed manual is an awesome combination.
The performance is more than adequate for a “warm hatch” and the smile I get from this car when I’m giving it the boot on some twisty backroads never gets old. The steering feel can be improved to give it more feedback but not a dealbreaker. The factory exhaust is muted and counter to the image of the twin enormous tailpipes in the rear (all show). Hyundai should have given this car an exhaust system that it deserves.
Economy wise, I can still manage between 7-8.0 litres per 100km of driving in a mix of highway and urban setting. It can reach mid 8s to 9s if you are having too much fun but hey, you should enjoy your drive and not get obsessed with the economy of your car otherwise there is no point.
What do you think of the technology in your car?
The technology it had as standard was pretty good (at least 10 years ago). I was and still very much disappointed with halogen lights. Surely Hyundai could have sold this car with factory LEDs, not sure what they were thinking apart from cost saving.
I would have loved for this car to have adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.
What do you think of the ride comfort and handling of your car?
I love this car as a daily driver, family transport and just the way it drives. It has a slightly firmer suspension which would make you want to push it a little but more when you are giving it the boot on some windy backroad.
If your priority is more towards comfort rather than sportiness, then you will find the Veloster SR geared towards the latter. It has a wide stance and the car always felt planted and composed even in the wet.
There are some tyre noise when you are travelling in the motorway, but this is where the eight-speaker sound system really does an awesome job of tuning it out. The seats are great and comfortable, and I never found them to be lacking in support.
Do you have any additional comments about your car?
It’s been 10 years since I drove this car out of the dealership and I still find myself looking back at it everytime I walk away from it at the parking lot.
The memories I’ve shared with this car are priceless, but arguably the most important thing it gave me was the joy of driving and freedom. It’s never going to set records around a racetrack or be on the front page of a car magazine, but the way this car made me feel every time I drive it is priceless.
It’s done more than 205,000km in 10 years which means the probability of something big breaking increases everyday, and when that happens, I’ll make a decision whether I will continue with my Veloster journey or give her a proper burial. For now, I will continue enjoying the drive for as long as possible.
Is it my pride and joy? Absolutely.