When it comes to sports cars, the Hyundai Veloster fills a certain niche that other cars don’t fill. Not only is it a sports car, but it’s also a very affordable one. Here’s a look at the 2021 Hyundai Veloster N and how it’s a quick sports car that costs under $40,000.

How this model is different

Like MotorTrend wrote, for the 2021 model year, Hyundai has made some significant and impressive changes to the Veloster N. Off the bat, the biggest change is probably the performance upgrade that the 2021 Veloster N gets compared to prior model years. That’s largely because Hyundai’s Performance Package option is now a standard feature for the Veloster N. 

As a result of that change, the Hyundai Veloster N’s 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine gains about 10 percent more horsepower. Instead of the standard engine’s 250 hp, the Veloster N now gets 275 hp. While this change doesn’t affect the Veloster N’s torque numbers, which is still 260 lb-ft, it does give it a few other performance-enhancing features. 

For example, MotorTrend said that the Veloster N now gets, “a limited-slip differential, electronically-adjustable dampers, bigger brakes with better cooling capacity, an active exhaust system, and stickier summer tires on 19-inch wheels.” 

There are also new bucket seats with a new design, a new dual-clutch option, and for those who get the dual-clutch option, an “NGS” button that will temporarily boost the Veloster N’s torque for about 20 seconds.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Veloster N worth it?

These performance upgrades will predictably increase the Hyundai Veloster N’s price tag, however. MotorTrend said that the 2020 Veloster N started at about $29,000, but the 2021 Veloster N will start at about $33,000. For comparison, the regular 2021 Veloster starts at around $20,000.

No matter what transmission option customers choose, MotorTrend said that the 2021 Veloster N is an “undeniably quick” car. With a manual transmission, it accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in about 5.9 seconds. With the new dual-clutch option, however, MotorTrend cut that time down to just 5.1 seconds. For reference, that new dual-clutch option costs about $1,500.

However, whether the Veloster N is worth it or not is ultimately up to the owner. As MotorTrend said, since the 2021 Veloster N is pricier than before, it does give itself some new competition for its price.

For a few thousand dollars more, there are faster options available. But a few thousand dollars is a significant amount of money. So for folks who want a fast and fun car that’s in the $33,000 range, the Veloster N is a pretty good option.

The pros and cons of the 2021 Hyundai Veloster N

The Hyundai Veloster N is a pretty good option because the Veloster N largely lives up to its goals. As MotorTrend wrote, it’s a good-looking car that drives well and sounds great when it’s on the road.

Not only is it fast, but it also handles well, and that makes it a fun car to drive. As such, for customers looking for a sports car that can do those things well, the Veloster N is an affordable option that definitely meets those demands. 

But of course, it’s not a perfect car. Other than costing more than last year, MotorTrend said that the Veloster N could use more polish, especially for its brakes, its tires, and its suspension tuning. On top of that, while the Veloster N is a powerful and aggressive car, that’s not necessarily the case with its transmission. As far as its auto shifting feature goes, MotorTrend said that it leaves much to be desired.