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2019 Hyundai Veloster N is priced to compete, starts at $27,785

Compact Korean performance costs slightly more than Volkswagen's GTI.

Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin Senior Writer, Electrified Cars
Antuan started out in the automotive industry the old-fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. He now has nearly 20 years of expertise and experience behind the wheel of hundreds of cars, including electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and traditional combustion vehicles. For each car he tests, Antuan covers more than 200 miles behind the wheel and evaluates driving dynamics; acceleration and braking performance; range; and efficiency. Antuan's goal is to use his extensive car knowledge to educate CNET readers and help with their next car-related buying decision. Whether you're EV-curious, an EV-enthusiast or a combustion-car loyalist, Antuan will bring you the unbiased advice, reviews, best lists and news you need. You can reach Antuan at antuan.goodwin@cnet.com
Expertise Nearly two decades of testing, driving, reporting on, writing about, reviewing, and editing content about electric and ICE cars. Category focus is on electrified cars, EVs, HEVs, PHEVs, ICE cars, EV infrastructure, EV chargers, EV adapters, EV news, auton Credentials
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Antuan Goodwin
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The 250-horsepower 2019 Hyundai Veloster N will start at $27,785, including a $885 freight and destination charge, when it hits the road this fall. 

Pricing is particularly important for Hyundai -- a brand that many think of as a "lower priced alternative" to more established players -- so to see the Veloster N starting $475 more than the 2018 Volkswagen GTI's $27,310 base price is a bit surprising. Hyundai justifies its price with performance technologies like a standard adaptive suspension and, of course, 30 more horsepower than the Volkswagen. However, the Veloster's lack of available driver-aid and convenience technologies still leaves an optioned-up GTI as the seemingly better daily driver pick. 

Watch this: Five things you need to know about the 2019 Hyundai Veloster N

Considering taking your Veloster N on the track like I was recently able to? You'll want to check out the optional N Performance package for an additional $2,100, bringing the bottom line to $29,885. The Performance package comes with a decent power bump up to 275 horsepower, thanks to an engine software tweak. 

With greater power comes improved control for the N Performance package due to Hyundai's N Corner Carving limited-slip differential, larger 19-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero summer tires, and beefier 13.6-inch front and 12.4-inch rear brake rotors. Performance models also get upgraded with a variable exhaust valve, adding a bit more bark to go with the sharper bite. The step up to the Performance package changes the Veloster N's calculus a bit, taking it from a slightly sharper GTI-fighter to a value alternative to vehicles like the Golf R or Civic Type R with both price and performance that compete aggressively. 

First (and second) impressions of the Veloster N have been positive, but I'll have to wait until we get Hyundai's hot hatch on our home turf before deciding if the extra money is well spent.