Hyundai Says: The Veloster Is Officially Dead
According to automaker Hyundai, its sport compact coupe the Veloster is dead. There will be only one 2022 model-year Hyundai Veloster. First available in the fall of 2011 in the United States, the Veloster was designed to fill the void left by the Hyundai Tiburon. The Tiburon fell by the wayside in 2008, after 12 years of manufacturing. The Veloster now meets the same fate just 10 years after its initial release. Though one version of the Veloster will remain in the 2022 lineup.
Which Veloster is still available in 2022?
The 2022 Hyundai Veloster N will remain available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Veloster N comes standard with the performance package. It features 19-inch wheels, a variable valved exhaust, and an electronic limited-slip differential. Its eight-inch display with navigation is available along with additional safety features. This is what made the Veloster N the most expensive version of the Hyundai model in 2021. With an MSRP that tops out at $33,750, the Veloster N is a nice value option for someone looking to drive a manual transmission. Its four-cylinder engine packs a surprising punch with 275 hp.
Which Hyundai Veloster is dead in 2022?
So if you’re interested in a Veloster, the N will still be available for at least another year. But which versions will we never see again? The Veloster 2.0, 2.0 Premium, R-Spec, Turbo, and Ultimate are listed as “discontinued due to expanded SUV lineup that includes Venue and Kona.” by Hyundai. The base Veloster and Turbo engines produced 147 and 201 hp, respectively. The base will retire with the Veloster, but the Turbo will live on in the Elantra N-Line. It’s no mistake that the Veloster with the most power will live on in 2022. Its sales numbers have plummeted to just 1,507 in 2021 as of August from last year’s total of 6,785. Velosters sold in 2020 were about half of 2019, making the minuscule 2021 numbers look even worse.
The Veloster Turbo needed to compete with cars like the Volkswagen GTI and Honda Civic Si. While it did manage to come at a better price, it didn’t entirely measure up to the competition in other ways. The GTI’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 241 hp, compared to the Veloster Turbo’s 201. Though not too much of a difference, even the Honda Civic Si’s turbocharged four-cylinder manages 205 hp.
The strongest reason to own a Veloster would be the price point. It beats both these other competitors by quite a margin. The Volkswagen Golf GTI starts at $30,540 while the Honda Civic Si coupe starts at just $26,195. The Hyundai Veloster Turbo started at an MSRP of just $23,785, with its non-turbo version coming in under $20,000 at just $19,385. Taking into account other features drivers are looking for, it just wasn’t enough. The Veloster costs more than $10,000 less than the GTI, which sold 22,495 units in 2021.
Hyundai Veloster alternatives
As far as Hyundai goes, if style and brand are something you look for from the Veloster, check out the Kona and Elantra. A fitting replacement, with the Elantra, even continuing the turbo engine from the Veloster. The Kona is a subcompact SUV that debuted in 2018 and is getting a major update for the first time in 2022. The brand new N line trim adds a sporty look not found in previous models, or in many other subcompact SUVs. Despite the fact that the Hyundai Veloster is dead, The Hyundai Veloster N will live on in 2022. Available in the fall of 2021.
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