Veloster N

Make
Hyundai
Segment
Hatchback

Hyundai has been promising an affordable price for its highly anticipated hot hatchback, the Veloster N. While we were invited to go drive the Veloster N at Thunderhill Raceway, Hyundai wouldn't reveal its price. Initially, the company estimated that US pricing would be below $28,000 (with freight) for the base car, or under $30,000 with the optional performance package.

If this pricing was accurate, it would have made the Veloster N a complete bargain. Now, Hyundai has finally released official US pricing for the Veloster N and it is even more impressive than we initially predicted.

The Veloster N's officially starting price is $26,900 (excluding an $885 freight charge). For reference, this makes the Veloster N only $500 more expensive than a base Volkswagen Golf GTI, which only has 228 horsepower. By comparison, the base Veloster N develops 250 hp from its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine going out to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

Included in the base price, all Veloster N models come standard with six airbags, LED headlights and running lights, 18-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tires, cloth sports seats with blue stitching, proximity key with push-button start, electronically controlled suspension, automatic climate control, Infinity premium audio with eight speakers and a subwoofer, and an eight-inch display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The only available option for the Veloster N is the N Performance Package (02) for $2,100. This brings the total price up to $29,000, which is still less than a mid-trim Golf GTI SE and far less than the Golf R or Honda Civic Type R. Adding the Performance Package gives the Veloster N an additional 25 hp for a total of 275 hp. It also adds a front limited-slip differential, a variable exhaust system (which is extremely loud), 19-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero summer tires, and larger brakes.

As we expected, the Veloster N offers superb value in the hot hatchback segment, sitting in between lower models like the Golf GTI, Focus ST, and Civic Si, and more powerful models like the Golf R, Focus RS, and Civic Type R. Hyundai still hasn't announced whether the Veloster N will have a limited production, so hopefully there will be enough to go around. Otherwise, we could see a situation like the Civic Type R, where dealerships place massive markups on the Veloster N.