Driving Impressions: 2019 Hyundai Veloster N

By: Mark Moskowitz MD

Earlier this year, Driving Impressions shared track, street and our legal experiences with the 2019 Veloster Turbo R-Spec. We were impressed with the hatchback's styling, sophisticated handling, and convenience features which included paired doors on the right to allow easy front and rear seat access from the compact's safe side and the single large door on the left for the regular user's ease of entry.

We wished for more horsepower. The N brought that and true 'pocket rocket' status. The N package delivers a new large rear spoiler, colored accents, more aggressive front intakes and a tweaked rear which adds grille work and moves the paired exhausts outward. But the beauty is far beneath the skin. The base model N lists for $26900 ($4000 more than the R) and sports a 6 -speed manual, a 250 hp 2.0 liter turbocharged powerplant, improved brakes, 18 inch wheels, and a host of electronic and suspension goodies integrated in a structurally stiffer body and frame. Motor, transmission and power steering mounts have been redesigned to lessen movement while simultaneously lessening transmitted vibration. Another $2100 will be well spent for the Performance Package which includes bigger (13.6 inch front and 12.4 inch rear) rotors, 19 inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero summer tires, an electronically controlled limited slip differential, a variable exhaust system with symphonic qualities, and 275 horses backed by 260 lb-ft of torque available over a wide rpm range.

The N was a joy to drive. The seat has a front upward rake. Fall back into the fabric covered seat and there's great support which doesn't wane on trips. Bolsters contained me but didn't impede or pinch. Seat adjustments were manual – no heavy electrics. Pedals are perfectly placed for heel toe maneuvers (though rev matching obviates the need for this). Shifter throws are short and accurate. No 'snick, snick' but again gears are easily found. Final gearing seems a bit tall but one might expect that in a car claimed by the factory and other journalists to be capable of 155 mph. And the eight-inch touch screen is close and easy to use.

Basic modes, Eco and Normal, gave easy steer and comfort and control over bumps. Sport and N mode are where the fun begins. Steering progressively tightens and seems much more precise. Throttle response changes. Exhaust routing changes and interior sound is amplified. Dampers stiffen resisting dive during braking and suspension compression during cornering. The limited slip differential is adjusted for torque vectoring. Stability control is altered. All can be adjusted in a 'Custom' mode. Turn off rev matching to exercise your heel toe skills, dial in a bit of oversteer....no problem. And the package works with a neutral feel and comfort at the edge at race car speeds, or on a tour down a country road with the driver enjoying tight steering and a sweet exhaust note.

Track day extras include the ability to record lap and acceleration times, cornering forces, torque and turbo boost. My 0-60 time was 5.4 seconds!

The Veloster N demolishes the concept of compromise. Daily driver comfort and economy one day. Worthy track day performance the next. And the back up of a Hyundai's 100,000 mile warranty. And it comes at an all-in price of less than $30,000! Drivers, start your engines.

performance* *C/D

Photo credit: Mark Moskowitz MD

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