Great power may come with great responsibility, but it doesn’t need to come with a giant price tag. In fact, the 2020 Hyundai Veloster N might be just the car you’re looking for if you’re on the hunt for value that doesn’t sacrifice horsepower as it made MotorTrend’s shortlist for vehicles with the most horsepower per dollar. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering giving this car a try.

What you’ll get with the Hyundai Veloster N

Without its optional Performance Pack, the Hyundai Veloster N has a 2.0-liter turbo I4 that makes 250 hp. It gets 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, for a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. The Veloster N has a six-speed manual transmission, which is exciting news for everyone who loves to drive stick.

This vehicle also has an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Its infotainment system includes SiriusXM satellite radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities, and a voice recognition system. 

With a starting price of approximately $28,575, the Veloster N is definitely affordable, but it does have a few shortcomings. Many standard safety features, including blind spot monitoring, forward collision control, and adaptive cruise control, are not available on the Veloster N. Car and Driver also describes the interior of this vehicle as “plasticky, dark, and drab.” 

What it lacks in appearance, however, it makes up for in comfort and ease of use. The seats are comfortable, and the controls are all intuitive and easily accessible.

The importance of the Performance Pack

The Hyundai Veloster N is pretty great, but what really sets it apart is its optional Performance Pack, according to MotorTrend. While this vehicle only comes in one trim, the Performance Pack provides an additional 25 hp, bringing the overall horsepower up to 275.

The option for additional power really helps this hot hatch compete against the Honda Civic Type R, which is what it was designed to do. Coming in at $111 per horsepower, the Veloster N is billed as a more affordable version of the Type R, which costs $124 per horsepower.

While the Type R may offer a slightly more enjoyable ride, the Veloster N can nearly match it in ride experience, and more than surpasses it in affordability. As MotorTrend puts it, “the Veloster N is one of the greatest hot hatches of all time — full stop.”

Great value at an affordable price

The Hyundai Veloster N has decent cargo space: 19.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up, and 44.5 cubic feet with them down. Car and Driver reviewers report that they could fit anywhere from four to 13 carry-on suitcases in the trunk, depending on whether they folded the rear seats.

The Veloster N also enjoys the same excellent warranty that all Hyundai vehicles boast. It has a limited warranty of five years/60,000 miles, and a powertrain warranty of 10 years/100,000 miles — some of the best coverage in the class. Additionally, Hyundai now offers complimentary maintenance for three years/36,000 miles, a better deal than that offered by many of its competitors.

Reviewers rave about the Veloster N: In addition to making MotorTrend’s list, this hatchback was rated 9/10 on Car and Driver. However, it does falter slightly when it comes to driving experience. Car and Driver describes the experience as “firm and choppy,” in large part due to the car’s adaptive dampers. However, leaving the dampers in their softest setting helps to combat this.

Overall, the Hyundai Veloster N offers excellent power at an amazingly low price. While it may be a little choppier than some more expensive alternatives, its value simply can’t be beaten.