Hyundai is still a relative newcomer to the hot hatch segment but its offering, the Veloster N is already making a big impression. The car had its debut only a couple of years ago, in 2019, but is already proving that you don't need the most expensive offering to have a load of fun - similar to the Mazda MX-5 Miata's statement in its own market segment.
For the 2021 model year, Hyundai has introduced a couple of upgrades to make the spicy hot hatch even more appealing. With its rivals also stepping up their game, these enhancements could not have come at a better time and it will be interesting to see how the 2021 Hyundai Veloster N stacks up against the competition.
10 Dual-Clutch Transmission
For the 2021 model year, Hyundai has decided to spice things up by introducing a new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. This is in addition to the 6-speed manual transmission that's been offered as standard since the 2019 Veloster N debut.
The 6-speed manual setup will still be a favorite for many car purists but that DCT setup with paddle shifters promises better gearing and quicker shifts as you put the car through its paces. It's bound to introduce yet another exciting perspective to driving the Veloster N.
9 Upgraded Interior Features
The interior of the Veloster N still looks decidedly drab and falls short compared to established rivals like the Golf GTi or even the Civic R. However, Hyundai has still done a great job with some upgrades for the 2021 model year.
The sport seats are significantly lighter than the ones they replace. The front seats are heated, just like the steering wheel for maximum driving comfort. The touchscreen software for the infotainment screen has also been upgraded. It is more user-friendly and responds with a smoother feel compared to the previous model.
8 The Clever Overboost
For the 2021 Model year, Hyundai has introduced a neat little party trick that's definitely a pleasant surprise. It's the over-boost function that's activated by a small 'NGS' button. That button means N Grin Shift and as the name implies, it's bound to bring a big grin to the face of the driver.
Once depressed, it has the ability to boost the car's torque output, from 260 to as much as 278 lb-ft of torque, for up to 20 seconds. This is ideal for overtaking and other driving demands.
7 N-Exclusive Badging
Yes, this one may be a little cheesy but it's nice to have some exclusive badging that helps the Veloster N stand out from the regular trim. It certainly doesn't hurt the car's image to have that 'N' badging prominently displayed on the car.
Hyundai understands this only too well and you can find it on places like the grille, front brakes, side skirts, gauge cluster, and even the shift knob. The 'N' designation is actually a reference to the Namyang Research and Development center in South Korea where the carmaker tests a lot of its new vehicles.
6 A Capable Powerplant
Hyundai has always stuck to a single-engine offering for the Veloster N and this continues with the 2021 model. It does help simplify the buying decision and the powerplant is actually quite capable for the nimble hot hatch.
It is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 unit that cranks out 275 hp at 6,000 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque from just 1, 450 rpm. It is a power unit that's capable of truly impressive performance especially when paired with the new DCT.
5 An Emphasis On Safety
It's not just about cooler seats or an updated infotainment system, the new Veloster N also packs a host of safety features that should come in handy while driving. Apart from the blind spot collision warning, there are other collision warning technologies at both ends of the car.
Lane departure warning and a fancy Driver Attention feature should help keep the driver alert at all times behind the wheel. All these are in addition to the car's platform itself, made from advanced high-strength steel that helps absorbs harmful energy in the case of an impact.
4 19" Alloy Wheels
According to Hyundai, the hot hatch sports Pirelli Zero tires were exclusively engineered for the car to deliver optimal grip, lateral stability, and stopping power. Even more exciting is the fact that those tires are wrapped around 19-inch alloy rims that feature a unique 5-spoke pattern and dual-tone finish.
It looks incredibly cool and it's easy to imagine the car attracting a lot of attention at a streetcar meet, for example. Apart from looking good, it also helps highlight the sporty nature of the Veloster N; not bad at all for brand image.
3 Active Sport Exhaust
One of the best attributes of the spunky Veloster N has to be its raucous nature, thanks in part to its Active Sports Exhaust system. Thankfully, the car does not rely on any fancy speakers to amplify the volume inside the driver's cabin.
All you get is the raw unfiltered sound, complete with the crackles and pops. It is a high-flow system with a variable actuator that allows the car to deliver a variety of soundtracks for different driving scenarios. This is one feature that should draw even more fans into the Veloster N's corner.
2 N Power Shift
This is another shifting function that's a result of some clever mechanical engineering on the part of Hyundai. This mode helps mitigate torque reduction when upshifting.
The implication is that maximum power is fed to the tires at each gear change, allowing the car to respond quicker to throttle inputs. The best part here is that the process is completely automatic and is only activated when the driver applies more than 90% throttle.
1 Limited Slip Differential
This is one of the features that make the Veloster such a fun car to drive. The limited-slip differential is electronically controlled and uses torque vectoring to distribute torque to where it's needed most.
This means that the Hyundai Veloster N can swing around corners at higher speeds. It also helps reduce understeer for enhanced handling agility for a car that's already quite nimble. In summary, having this feature on a bargain hot hatch like the Veloster N is a big plus.