The Hot Hatch Comparison Begins

With the most recent addition to the market of the new Hyundai Veloster N, it’s time to take a look at what the hot hatch market will offer us for the future. This new car will arrive for the 2019 model year and it will be a car that’s ready to invoke our imaginations, be affordable for the drive and the power we want when we head out on the road for a drive. This car is one that will give many of us the fun and active ride we want when it’s time to take this new hot hatch to the track or on the road.

Looking at the Competition

The Hyundai Veloster N falls into this niche category, and it’s not as powerful as the top models of the Honda Civic Type R, Ford Focus RS, and Volkswagen Golf R. With that in mind, we’re going to look at the Honda Civic Si, Ford Focus ST, and Volkswagen Golf GTI to be the cars that are compared to this new hot hatch. The idea is to look at the power, fuel mileage, size, and pricing of each of the cars to see which one will be the right choice for you.

Engines and Transmissions Offer Performance

More hot hatches were brought for the comparison to give you an idea of where the Veloster N will fall. This car with the Performance Pack is able to achieve 275 horsepower for the drive. The Ford Focus ST makes 252 horsepower, which is more than what the standard Veloster N offers. The Focus ST gives us the most torque in the group at 270 lb.-ft. The GTI is close to the Veloster with 258 lb.-ft. of torque, but it lacks the horsepower with only 228. The Civic Si fell behind the rest with only 205 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque for the drive.

All of these cars are built with FWD and three of them do it with a six-speed manual transmission. The only one that doesn’t make use of a manual is the Volkswagen GTI. This hot hatch allows you to make use of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for the drive. This transmission is smooth and fast, but if you want to row your own gear, you’re going to love the other three and the quick shifting offered for your ride on the roads.

Dimensions and Fuel Mileage

The fuel mileage of these cars is a factor when you drive. Even though you’re looking to a hot hatch to be fun for you on the road, you need it to perform the ride you need every day and give you the efficiency you’re after. The Honda Civic Si offers you 38 mpg on the highway, while the Veloster N only makes 28 mpg on the highway. If you look to the Ford Focus ST, you’ll have 30 mpg on the highway while the GT is able to give you 32 mpg on the highway for the drive.

Weight is an issue in these small cars. You want them to be light and ready for the ride you’re going to make. The two lightest cars in the group ae the Ford Focus ST and Honda Civic SI which both come in at a weight that’s below 3,000 pounds. The Hyundai Veloster N and the Volkswagen GTI make their way above the 3,000-pound mark. The Focus and the Civic are the longest in the group with the GTI and the Veloster N both being nearly ten inches shorter than these other two models to give you the agility and drive you want to enjoy.