Veloster.

It’s a unique name for a car, especially in an industry where so many brands are titling their models with flavorless combinations of numbers and letters. Hyundai instead settled on a name that evokes the car’s main influences: VELOcity and roadSTERs.

If you aren’t sure how to pronounce it, you aren’t alone. It’s “vel-AH-ster,” which to us makes it sound like someone is slurring “velociraptor.” You know, those dinosaurs that are badly misrepresented in Jurassic Park. Kind of beside the point.

The point is we want to tell you about one of the most underappreciated models in our inventory at Zimbrick Hyundai Eastside. Here are 3 reasons you should come test drive a 2016 Hyundai Veloster.

The Hyundai Veloster Turbo Gets a 201-HP Boost

You won’t find many other compacts with more than 200 standard horsepower. Hyundai has played an ace with the Veloster Turbo, an upper trim level that improves the Veloster’s base specs:

  • 1.6L Twin-scroll Turbocharged Inline 4-cylinder engine
  • Gasoline Direct Injection
  • 201 horsepower
  • 195 lb.-ft. torque
  • 6-speed manual transmission (standard)
  • 7-speed EcoShift® Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)
  • 27 city / 33 hwy EPA MPG (with DCT)

Take note: the optional dual-clutch transmission is another class-exclusive feature for the Veloster. That sort of mechanical technology is usually reserved for high-end sports cars and racing models, and yet the Veloster Turbo is a sporty, fun car that’s attainable for all.

We love the Veloster Turbo for its visual improvements as well as the performance enhancements. In addition to extra speed, you can enjoy a car that looks even more aggressive thanks to LED headlight accents, 18-inch alloy wheels, a unique front fascia with fog lights, and dual centered chrome-tipped exhaust.

Compact? Not on the Inside.

Apparently, word didn’t make it to Hyundai’s interior designers that the Veloster is a compact car. This car has 105.3 cubic feet of interior space, and it’s especially easy to get in and out of thanks to its unique 3-door design.

Once you’re strapped in, you won’t want to leave. The Veloster comes standard with a 7-inch multimedia touchscreen. The same screen would cost you extra on any other comparable model, but Hyundai knows bigger is better for entertainment.

That notion extends to our favorite interior feature, the 450-watt Dimension® audio system. Whether you’re plugging in an MP3 player or streaming music over Bluetooth®, your music will sound phenomenal coming from 8 speakers, including an 8-inch subwoofer. This sound system is an option on the base Veloster, and it’s standard on Turbo, R-Spec, and Rally Edition models.

You owe it to yourself just to stop by our dealership and sit in the Veloster. The seats have been redesigned and bolstered for the Veloster Turbo and Veloster Rally Edition, and they feature an embossed logo and contrast stitching. Lean back to have a great view out the panoramic sunroof.

Sporty Can Still Be Safe.

We hype the Veloster up to be a lot of fun to drive, and it is. That much horsepower in a compact car will really get you moving.

Hyundai knows all that power isn’t worth it if you can’t control it, though. That’s why the Veloster is engineered to be exceptionally safe. It’s just not the kind of thing you skimp on if you know what you’re doing.

That’s why this car comes standard with 6 airbags and a front Occupant Classification System. It also has a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system that works with the car’s Electronic Stability Control to make sure your car is heading in the direction indicated by your steering wheel.

The Veloster also stops on a dime thanks to built-in Brake Assist. The car can detect emergency braking situations and give you maximum braking force when you need it most. Anti-lock brakes and Electronic Brake-force Distribution also help make all of your stops as smooth as can be.

The NHTSA was so impressed with the Veloster, they gave it a 5-star crash-test safety rating—the highest score possible. There’s no reason to doubt Hyundai’s careful engineering, so you can stay focused on having fun behind the wheel.

Find a New 2016 Veloster for Sale in Madison.

If you’re like us, you probably can’t wait to get behind the wheel of a new Veloster to see how it feels firsthand. We can sympathise, and we’re ready to help.

Schedule a test drive now and one of our product specialists will give you a complete walkaround tour of a 2016 Veloster. Then we’ll turn over the keys to you and let you see just what this spirited little car can do.

Call or visit us today at Zimbrick Hyundai Eastside. We look forward to hearing from you soon.