2021 Hyundai Veloster N Adds More Power with DCT

The Hyundai Veloster N was first introduced as Hyundai’s attempt at a raucous sports compact in 2019. The vehicle continues to offer excellent performance for the price. The N badge boasts of the automaker’s high-performance sub-brand geared towards designing and building powerful, aggressive three-door hatches. 

The Veloster now offers a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 275 HP and a dual-clutch automatic transmission option. While it may probably not be as pedigree as the Honda Civic Type R or the GTI, but it is a very good upstart for the money, as we’ll examine in this review. 

What’s New for the 2021 Veloster N? 

The Veloster N started selling in 2019, and we must add that it sold well. However, unlike other vehicles, Hyundai hasn’t gone with the facelift approach but instead made many significant changes. Aside from the new eight-speed automatic and the standard six-speed manual tranny, Hyundai has made sure that the 2021 refresh is their most powerful Veloster N yet. 

Apart from the larger engine, there is also a limited-slip differential, bigger brakes, dampers that can be electronically adjusted, better cooling, and a better active exhaust system. The newly introduced NGS button works a lot like Porsche’s Sports Response button, putting the car into the most aggressive setting, boosting torque to a whopping 278 lb-ft for 20 seconds. 

How Good is the New Veloster N DCT? 

The addition of the dual-clutch makes this a significantly hot hatch compared to the manual option. Though the launch control system can be a little finicky at times, it can still zip to 60mph in just 5.1 seconds and hit a quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds at 102.9 mph. That’s very impressive compared to the manual that hit 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and 14.9 seconds to reach a quarter mile at 101.0mph. 

Experience On the Road 

One of the first things we noticed is that the 2021 Hyundai Veloster N does not fail to turn heads. The driving experience is excellent; the vehicle is easy to maneuver, literally hugs the road making sharp turns easier even if you’ve never driven a compact racer before. 

We tested the 2021 Hyundai Veloster N in all drive modes and found that Normal was the most comfortable because of its softest suspension. However, if you want to race down at highway speeds, stiffening the suspension works wonders.  

The engine performs like a champ; in fact, it feels as though it has something to prove. Not only that, regardless of the powerband, the vehicle just keeps on giving, which feels good on what is a well-balanced chassis. 

Interior Comfort Experience 

The three-door layout feels quirky, but it isn’t hard getting used to. The interior feels well built, with a predominantly dark finish. However, it is comfortable, even for someone who wants to use it as their daily driver. 

Conclusion 

The 2021 Hyundai Veloster N is one of the best budget-friendly hot hatches out there. Hyundai has designed and built an almost perfect speedster this time around, with balanced power, handling, and a set of features that were once reserved for the premium segment.