AUTOS2019 Hyundai VelosterThe Hyundai Veloster R-Spec is the most playful Veloster. With a turbo-4, black, 18-inch wheels, and a manual shifter, the car is Hyundai's answer to the Mini Cooper, VW Beetle GSR, and Honda Civic Si.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsDetermined to prove its commitment to performance, Hyundai has gone racing in 2018 with an Elantra GT. A race-prepared Veloster N will follow next year.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsHip and sporty, the 2019 Hyundai Veloster fits right in in urban environs like Detroit's growing downtown.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsWith its squashed greenhouse, hatchback and center twin exhaust, the 2019 Hyundai Veloster cuts a distinct figure.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsCruising along Michigan country roads and freeways, the 2019 Hyundai Veloster Ultimate with turbo-4 and auto tranny returned a superb 35 mpg.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe Hyundai Veloster is available in 2.0, 2.0 Premium, Turbo R-Spec, Turbo, and Turbo Ultimate trims. Both manual and automatic transmissions are available.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe business end of a 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate with twin pipes and redesigned rear fascia. The FWD Veloster is built on the same platform as its Elantra sibling, but with multi-link rear suspension and sportier chassis tuning.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2019 Hyundai Veloster tidies up its lines for the second generation model with tighter wheel arches, a lower, sleeker roofline, and simpler body stampings. Still, it is one of the most recognizable shapes on the market.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsWith a 201-horse, 1.6-liter turbo-4 under the hood, the Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec is estimated by Car and Driver to reach 60 mpg in just 6.2 seconds.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2019 Hyundai Veloster R-Spec prowls Detroit's downtown neighborhoods. The Veloster starts at $19,385 and tops out over $29k for the Ultimate trim.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsAffordable fun. The manual, 201-horse/195 torque, 1.6-liter turbo-4-powered Hyundai Veloster R-Spec can be had for just $23,785. That's well below comparable competitors like the Honda Civic Si and VW Golf GTI.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2019 Hyundai Veloster, here in R-Spec trim, compliments the brand's Elantra sedan. The Veloster hatchback is meant to appeal to a sportier, younger demographic. For 2019 the Veloster gains a multi-link suspension over the old car's torsion beam rear.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2019 Hyundai Veloster is the only three-door hatchback in the US market. Hyundai calls it a "reverse halo" car - like the Mazda Miata. That is, rather than a high-end sports vehicle that showcases the brand's technology, it represents affordable fun for Hyundai's youngest buyers.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2019 Hyundai Veloster is the only three-door hatchback in the US market. Hyundai calls it a "reverse halo" car - like the Mazda Miata. That is, rather than a high-end sports vehicle that showcases the brand's technology, it represents affordable fun for Hyundai's youngest buyers.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2019 Hyundai Veloster turbo cleans up some of its more radical lines for its second generation - but the big grille is just as fearsome as ever.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsDetroit News auto critic Henry Payne took the 2019 Hyundai Veloster R-Spec for a spin around Metro Detroit and enjoyed himself very much.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsYou'll know it by its pipes. The rear-centered, twin exhaust are a signature of the Hyundai Veloster.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsFive-door hatch? Nope, four door. The 2019 Hyundai Veloster is a three-door hatchback with rear access via a door on the right rear.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2019 Hyundai Veloster is rad on the outside, but very efficient on the inside. The upper trim Ultimate gains such premium accessories as a wireless charging pad, adaptive cruise control, and rain-sensing wipers. All for just $29k.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsWith 19.9 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row of seats, the 2019 Hyundai Veloster claims more cargo space than the Mini Cooper Clubman, Chevy Trax, or Jeep Renegade.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsFor such a wee-looking thing, the 2019 Hyundai Veloster's rear seat will actually seat two adults - unlike, say, a Ford Mustang that requires rear passengers to remove their legs before entering.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe console of the 2019 Hyundai Veloster is tidier than the previous generation. The tablet screen and horizontal lines conform with the rest of the Hyundai family.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2019 Hyundai Veloster comes with two engine options: A base, 2.0-liter four-banger and a 1.6-liter turbo-4. The latter puts outs out an eager 201 horses/195 pound-feet of torque.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2019 Hyundai Veloster cleverly integrates its rear, backup camera with the rear windshield wiper.Henry Payne, The Detroit News