Beauty Is Only Skin Deep: The 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate

The 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate.

I've always been a bit confused about the target market for the Hyundai Veloster, as I admitted in my review of the 2017 Veloster Turbo.  Three-door hatchbacks with quirky styling might seem to be a segment car companies would take a pass on, but the Veloster has done well enough to not only survive, but be succeeded by a new-generation model, an early 2019.

2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate.

This new one smooths out some of the first-gen's lumpiness, but is still instantly identifiable as a Veloster and nothing else.  And, as with the original, it maintains the three-door setup---two on the passenger side, one on the driver's.

Performance remains the same, with power from a 201-horsepower 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters.  The EPA fuel economy estimate has improved from 25 city/33 highway to 28 city/34 highway.

2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate interior.

The new Veloster also brings an all-new interior, with a much more contemporary dash and infinitely more comfortable seats.

The base price for the 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate is $28,150.  And apart from $125 for carpeted floor mats, that's an all-in price.  Standard equipment:

• Electronic stability and traction control
• Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist
• Blind spot collision warning 
• High-beam assist
• Rear cross-traffic collision warning
• Forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection
• Lane keep assist
• Smart cruise control
• Drive mode select
• Torque vectoring control
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Extra-wide sunroof
• LED headlights and taillights
• Infinity premium audio system with eight speakers including subwoofer
• Navigation
• HD Radio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Qi wireless phone charging
• Heads-up display
• Automatic temperature control with auto defogging
• Power lumbar adjustment for driver's seat
• Leather seating surfaces
• Heated front seats

All that and Hyundai's 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.  Factor in $895 inland freight and handling and the bottom line still stays this side of 30 grand at $29,160.  These days, that's a bargain for any car...and the 2019 Veloster Turbo Ultimate is a lot more fun to drive than most.