The 2022 Hyundai Veloster N sport hatchback has seating for up to four people, three passenger doors, and side bolstering on the seats.

The 2022 Hyundai Veloster N carries over with no changes from last year, but remains as the only version of the Veloster still in the Hyundai lineupl.

2022 Hyundai Veloster N sport hatchback.

The Hyundai Veloster four-passenger compact hatchback, which entered its second generation three years ago, comes only in one version for 2022, the previously top-of-the-line sport-performance N model ($32,500 plus $1,025 freight).

Hyundai says that’s because it has expanded its crossover utility vehicle lineup for 2022 with the addition of the small Venue model, and already had the also-small Kona in its lineup, so the other Veloster models were no longer necessary. The front-wheel-drive N model has a 2.0-liter Turbo GDI gasoline engine that cranks out 275 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque,  giving it impressive power considering its small size and light weight.

Our test vehicle came with the standard six-speed rev-matching manual transmission, which offers the sportier driving experience compared with the optional eight-speed direct-shift automatic transmission ($1,500 extra). 

Veloster retains its unique two-plus-one passenger door asymmetrical body style, with two front doors and a rear passenger door on the right side. The third door was cleverly disguised by hiding the handle in the trim at the rearmost top edge of the window.  The third door allows rear passengers to enter easily from the curbside, while maintaining the outside appearance of a sport coupe.  Design features include a striking black mesh  grille, derived from Hyundai’s signature cascade grille. Narrow, three-dimensional headlights and distinctive LED daytime running lights flank the dark grille.

The overall  design has a muscular shape, with higher-volume fenders and wheel arches, and the rearward cowl and A-pillars connect the hood and belt lines. Large front air curtains have an active aerodynamic function while presenting a bold visual design element. There also are gloss-black outside mirrors with turn signals. 

Hyundai’s N Grin Control System includes five driver-selectable modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, N and Custom. The dual, side-by-side sport exhaust outlets enhance powertrain sound, just for fun. 

The N Corner Carving Differential with N Power Sense Axle is designed to improve cornering during sporty driving. The system applies braking force to the inside front wheel, reducing wheelspin and enhancing corner-exit acceleration. 

Other performance features include the Electronic Controlled Suspension, with five G-force sensors; rack-mounted/motor-driven power steering; two-stage rear spoiler with center brake light; N-exclusive Electronic Stability Control; 13.6-inch front/12.4-inch rear brake rotors; and 19-inch/five-spoke alloy wheels with 235/35R19 Pirelli P Zero summer tires. For this report, we drove the Veloster N with the striking Racing Red exterior color and black accents, with a black cloth interior. Other exterior colors are Ultra Black, Lunar White and Performance Blue.

Inside, our vehicle had highly side-bolstered N Light Sport front bucket seats with illuminated N logos; leather-wrapped steering wheel; N-exclusive gauge cluster with LED shift-timing indicator; proximity-key entry with pushbutton start; N-exclusive floor mats; automatic climate control with auto de-fogging; and the Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care system. Standard was the Infinity Premium Audio system with eight speakers and subwoofer, eight-inch touch screen, navigation, AM/FM/satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

LED headlights, standard for Veloster, lifted from the upper corners of the large grille to the top of the fenders, with the sculpted form extending into the front door panels. Air curtains were set into the outer bumper on each side, and the bumper lip below the grille was trimmed in red.  Veloster’s windshield rakes back to just above the front passenger area, where the lowered roof slopes to the top of the hatch, giving the car its coupe-like appearance. Interior storage was limited, with small door pockets in the front, small side pockets in the rear third-door armrest, a small front console bin, a small bin in the middle position in the rear along with two cupholders (no middle seat), and a small glovebox. 

Only two can sit in the rear, which also has some bolstering on each seat position. Legroom is tight for people with long legs. Cargo space behind the rear seat is 19.9 cubic feet, increasing to 44.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. 

The Infinity premium audio system had auxiliary and USB inputs. The floating-design navigation display included a rearview camera image. A charging USB port and 12-volt outlet can help keep mobile devices charged. 

A 4.2-inch instrument cluster also displayed distance-to-empty, average MPG, average MPH, elapsed time, and more.  Blue Link Connected Services include Remote Start and Multimedia/Map updates, with three years of complimentary service. Technologies include Remote Start with Climate Control, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Car Finder, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, and Stolen Vehicle Recovery, and can be accessed by buttons on the rearview mirror, MyHyundail.com web portal, and the Blue Link smartphone app. Some features may also be accessed by Android and Apple watches.

Advanced active safety features include standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning. Antilock brakes with Brake Assist, and Smart Cruise Control were also standard.

There are six air bags, including dual front bags with occupant classification, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front and rear side-curtain; energy absorbing steering column, front and rear crumple zones, and body-side reinforcements. Our Veloster N brought attention wherever we took it, and was great fun to drive, with impressive acceleration from the turbo engine. EPA fuel-economy ratings for our vehicle were 22 mpg city/28 highway/25 combined. Our vehicle had no options. Total sticker price was $33,525, including freight. The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com or on Twitter @gchambers3.

The package: Compact, three-door, turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline-powered, front-wheel-drive, four-passenger sport hatchback. Highlights: Hyundai’s Veloster compact hatchback has been reduced to a single trim level for 2022, the formerly top-end N version. Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Transmissions: Six-speed manual; eight-speed dual-clutch automatic (optional, $1,500). Power/torque: 275 HP./260 foot-pounds. Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock, with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. Electronic stability control: Standard, including traction control. Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; roof-mounted side-curtain, both rows. Overall length: 167.9 inches. Cargo capacity: 19.9 cubic feet (behind rear seat); 44.5 cubic feet (rear seatbacks folded). Curb weight range: 3,106-3,247 pounds. Towing capacity: Not recommended. Fuel capacity/type: 13.2 gallons/unleaded regular. EPA fuel economy: 22 mpg city/28 highway/25 combined (manual transmission);  20/27/22 (automatic). Base price: $32,500, plus $1,025 freight. Price as tested: $33,525, including freight (no options). On the Road rating: 8.7 (of a possible 10). Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.