The Cure for the Common Car: Volkswagen Beetle, Mini Cooper Coupe, and Hyundai Veloster
By Eric Tingwall / Photos by A. J. Mueller
Every fourteen seconds, someone in America drives off a dealership lot in a new small car. Maybe it's a Cruze or a Caliber or a Corolla -- it doesn't really matter. They're almost all the same, designed with the same 40-mpg fuel economy number and the same $17,000 starting price and the same fictional six-foot guy sitting in the back seat as immutable parameters. Even the best of the segment -- the Ford Focus, the Mazda 3, and the Volkswagen Golf -- are so similar to the rest of the pack that they earn their accolades on nuance.
Small doesn't have to be predictable. The Mini Cooper and the Fiat 500 make up a small sect of subcompacts that boast presence, personality, and the possibility that they drive better than a sedate sedan. That subset has three new alternatives: the Hyundai Veloster, the Mini Cooper Coupe, and the Volkswagen Beetle. These three cars don't compare like Civic versus Corolla, but that's the point. They're cars for people who value individuality, for people who buy on driving character and design even though they also care about price and fuel economy. They're the cure for the common car.
SHEETMETAL THAT SAYS SOMETHING
All three of these cars are visually loud in an attempt to rise above the din of automotive homogeneity. Although they look very different from each other, they all aim to communicate that they're sportier than the mainstream. Volkswagen's Beetle has always drawn attention, but the new car is no longer the bubbly blonde that the New Beetle was. Instead, the 2012 Beetle adopts the stance and shape of Erwin Komenda's 1938 original while being longer, wider, and lower than the 1998 revival. The flatter roofline, larger wheel arches, and a windshield that sits closer to the driver conspire to create a more athletic, more masculine Beetle. Inside, the bud vase is gone and the cabin is defined by a thin-rimmed, flat-bottomed steering wheel; Germanic simplicity; and body-color accents on the dash and the door panels. This rekindled Beetle has the substance to remain relevant after the early buyers have made their purchases. More important, it is clean, simple, and timeless. Like a Beetle should be.
All-new above the beltline and oh-so-familiar below, the Mini Coupe rides on the same wheelbase as the hatchback and measures just 1.1 inches lower and 0.2 inch longer. To achieve the rakish profile, the windshield is swept back another thirteen degrees to flow into the curved roof, which reconnects to the rear deck lid via two blacked-out pillars made to look like one with a small wedge of tinted glass between them. It's an even sportier take on a car that already looks lithe and nimble, although from the rear, the roof is chunky and the tublike haunches appear out of place.
If you love the modern Cooper hardtop, chances are you'll love the Coupe. If you merely like the hatch, you might feel cheated by the two-seater. The three-box Mini is unquestionably cool, but to simply squish, stretch, and reposition the same signature Mini elements is as unoriginal as it sounds. It's the same story inside, where the Coupe has all the same form-over-function calling cards as the hatchback and the four-door Countryman.
Unlike the Beetle and the Mini, which are fresh renditions of familiar designs, the Veloster is truly novel. The reverse-wedge roofline, the squat rear end, and the wide stance create an aggressiveness never before seen in Hyundai styling. That dynamic promise is carried through in details like the tall rear apron, the cantilevered roof, and the center-exit exhaust. The polarizing face -- quite possibly derived from an employee pumpkin-carving contest -- makes the profile and rear-quarter views the Veloster's most flattering. Those angles also reveal the Veloster's charming mutation: three doors. On the passenger's side, there are two conventional, front-hinged doors, while the driver's side has a single, longer door.
DELIVERING THE PROMISED PERFORMANCE
No one would argue that these are performance vehicles, but they do promise something better than the typical small car. The smaller Mini Coupe is actually twenty-two pounds heavier than the Mini hatchback due to additional structural bracing, yet it drives just like the four-seat model, which is a good thing. We wanted a base Cooper Coupe and its 121-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine for this test, but Mini could produce only a Cooper S, which adds a turbocharger and a hefty price premium to raise the output to 181 hp. The spirited, punchy engine was paired with a six-speed automatic that is simply brilliant. Downshifts are always quick, well-timed, and direct without being abrupt. It gets even better when you click the shifter into the intelligent sport mode that holds higher revs and downshifts earlier. Our tester's optional sport suspension and Mini's stubborn reliance on run-flat tires conspired to create the harshest ride of the group, and the Cooper S is plagued by torque steer, bump steer, and excessive road noise. Those are the trade-offs for buying the best driver's car of this group. The Coupe boasts incredibly sharp turn-in, wonderfully weighted steering, and imperceptible body roll. Pitched into a tight turn, the Coupe is eager to swing its rear end around even more than the hatchback. This is the singular nuance that sets the Coupe apart from the hardtop hatch, and it makes the two-seat Mini the most tail-happy front-wheel-drive car on the market.
It's not as energetic as the Mini, but the Veloster exhibits chassis competence and steering subtlety that seem remarkable for a Hyundai. Of the three cars here, the Veloster offers the best balance of body control and ride quality, although its torsion-beam rear suspension can be ruffled by rough roads. The steering, while not nearly as quick as the Coupe's, is responsive on-center and decently weighted, and if you close your eyes really tight and focus all your energy on your hands, you might feel what the front wheels are doing as you careen off the road. As good as the chassis is, the powertrain is completely underwhelming. The 138-hp 1.6-liter borrowed from the Accent is discordant when pushed and slow to rev. Similarly frustrating is Hyundai's first attempt at a dual-clutch transmission, which doesn't yield the crisp, quick shifts of Volkswagen's DSG. Although the Veloster creeps naturally and steps off the line smooth-ly, it changes gears more slowly than most modern torque-converter automatics.
The Beetle's six-speed is far quicker, even though the base car is paired with a conventional automatic rather than the dual-clutch gearbox. The transmission plays nicely with the torquey five-cylinder to provide quick kickdowns and ample thrust for snaking through traffic. Under full-throttle acceleration, the 170-hp engine is a bit coarse, but its energy is much appreciated compared with the sluggish Veloster. Since it borrows liberally from the VW Golf parts bin, it's no surprise that the Beetle feels so familiar, particularly in the suspension's suppleness. However, the Beetle has been processed through the modern Volkswagen penny-pincher. The Golf's well-tuned electric power steering has been replaced by a lighter-feeling hydraulic setup, and the independent rear suspension has been traded for a torsion-beam rear axle. The Beetle is certainly sportier than the last car, but it isn't as agile as either the Mini or the Veloster. The Beetle displays the most body roll and has the least natural steering. In contrast to the outgoing car, though, this Beetle is far better to drive. You can now safely consider a Beetle for reasons other than styling.
WEIGHING COMPROMISES
Utility is certainly not the raison d'etre for any of these attention seekers, and if you value practicality above individuality, you're better off with the Accent, the Cooper hatchback, the Golf, or a dozen other compacts. At the same time, no one's buying a Veloster or a Mini Coupe or a Beetle as a fair-weather weekend car, so compromises need to be reasonable.
The Hyundai's third door gives access to the most spacious-feeling rear seats of this group, with good legroom and just enough headroom. Sliding across the back bench is easy enough, but the Veloster is missing a single lever to tilt and slide the driver's seat forward for rear-seat access. The narrow side windows make the rear a bit dark and claustrophobic, but the hatch's upper glass panel stretches forward to allow more light in. The hatch also includes a sticker advising that you consider your passengers' skulls before slamming it. The cargo hold is quite deep, and the rear seats fold for larger cargo.
Like the Veloster, the Beetle has room for four, but its rear seats offer less legroom than the Hyundai. The upside to the Beetle's rear quarters is that they're far brighter and airier thanks to the taller glass on all four sides. All those windows also give the Beetle better visibility than the Hyundai or the Mini. The trunk has grown quite a lot compared with that of the previous car, making it roughly the same size as the Veloster's roomy cargo hold.
The two-seat Mini is substantially smaller than the other two cars both inside and out, so we measured it by a different yardstick. Its smaller trunk is actually surprisingly large thanks to the removal of the rear seats and the use of a long hatch rather than a traditional trunk lid. There is additional storage room for a couple small bags between the seats and the bulkhead, and a small pass-through can accommodate longer items. In terms of cargo hauling, the only complaints we have are an uneven load floor and unfinished tie-downs. In motion, though, the Coupe is crippled by seriously compromised visibility. The short windshield forces you to lean forward to see traffic lights, and the tiny rear window is nearly useless when the deck-lid spoiler automatically rises at 50 mph.
THE PRICE OF PERSONALITY
Image comes at a cost, but the Veloster, the Coupe, and the Beetle deliver fashion at a price that's still attainable for small-car shoppers. The S Coupe starts at a reasonable $25,300, and then Porsche-like personalization tacked $8100 worth of options onto the window sticker of our tester, netting a list price of $33,400. The hotted-up Mini sets itself apart in style and with a few extra luxury touches, while the cheaper Volkswagen and Hyundai deliver the same essential convenience features: navigation, iPod integration, and Bluetooth. Even if you strip it of extras, you can't call the Mini Cooper Coupe a value. It earns high marks for its fun factor, though, and in many ways is just as engaging as cars costing significantly more. Then again, the equivalent Mini Cooper S hardtop offers better utility and improved visibility and drives just as well for $1500 less.
Although the Beetle is closer to the target at $25,965, it's not clear how this car is worth an additional $2400 over the Veloster. The penalty for its more powerful engine and quicker transmission is an unimpressive fuel economy rating of 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The crisp Fender stereo has a leg up on the other two premium audio systems. Too bad the tiny navigation screen with low-quality graphics is far behind what Mini and Hyundai offer.
That leads us to declare the $23,310 Veloster the best value. Pricing for the Veloster starts at $18,060 with a generous amount of standard equipment, and Hyundai keeps the decisions to a minimum with $2000 style and technology packages. Those two options add a panoramic sunroof, foglights, eighteen-inch wheels, a navigation system, parking sensors, a rearview camera, keyless ignition, a 115-volt outlet, and more. As it has been doing for the past decade, Hyundai delivers the most features for the least amount of money. And like it has done for the past year and a half, it does that while building increasingly great cars.
DIFFERENT ROUTES TO THE SAME DESTINATION
While each of these cars accomplishes the goal of adding personality and style to the bland small-car segment, the Hyundai Veloster, the Mini Cooper Coupe, and the Volkswagen Beetle each go about it in their own ways. The Mini is the driver's car, with an energetic personality and athletic moves that demand compromises in ride quality and utility. The Volkswagen Beetle sits at the opposite end of the spectrum. Its gentle ride and relaxed demeanor, combined with the expansive visibility from its cabin, make it feel like a larger, more refined car. In the middle, the Hyundai Veloster delivers daily-driver comfort with flatter handling. Its powertrain has room for improvement -- it will be interesting to drive the forthcoming turbo model. It is also the most frugal choice, with the best fuel economy and the most affordable price. So if you're in the market for a small car with style, take a look at this intriguing trio, but choose carefully. There isn't a winner in the group, just different cars for different people.
2012 Hyundai Veloster
BASE PRICE: $18,060
PRICE AS TESTED: $23,310
POWERTRAIN
ENGINE: 16-valve DOHC I-4
DISPLACEMENT: 1.6 liters (97 cu in)
HORSEPOWER: 138 hp @ 6300 rpm
TORQUE: 123 lb-ft @ 4850 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic
DRIVE: Front-wheel
EPA MILEAGE: 29/38 mpg
MEASUREMENTS
L x W x H: 166.1 x 70.5 x 55.1 in
WHEELBASE: 104.3 in
TRACK F/R: 61.3/61.8 in
WEIGHT: 2813 lb
Hyundai Veloster
STYLING: A-
Great shape, stance, and character stymied by a face only a Korean designer could love.
PERFORMANCE: B-
Impressive chassis and steering, but the powertrain is mediocre at best. At least it's efficient.
UTILITY: A
Three doors is only slightly less brilliant than four doors. Unexpectedly deep cargo hold.
VALUE: A
Options are exactly that. Loaded with enough standard equipment to satisfy most people.
2012 Mini Cooper S Coupe
BASE PRICE: $25,300
PRICE AS TESTED: $33,400
POWERTRAIN
ENGINE: 16-valve DOHC turbo I-4
DISPLACEMENT: 1.6 liters (98 cu in)
HORSEPOWER: 181 hp @ 5500 rpm
TORQUE: 192 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic
DRIVE: Front-wheel
EPA MILEAGE: 26/34 mpg
MEASUREMENTS
L x W x H: 147.0 x 66.3 x 54.5 in
WHEELBASE: 97.1 in
TRACK F/R: 57.4/57.8 in
WEIGHT: 2734 lb
Mini Cooper S Coupe
STYLING: B+
Predictable but successful. The Mini language and its sporty accents translate naturally to an edgier coupe.
PERFORMANCE: A-
One of the most fun front-wheel-drive cars you can buy, but all that agility requires a compromise in ride quality.
UTILITY: B-
As far as two-seaters go, the cargo hold is impressively cavernous. Rearward visibility is atrocious.
VALUE: C
You can't justify any Mini on a cost-for-features basis, and that's even more true with the Coupe's $1500 premium.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle
BASE PRICE: $20,565
PRICE AS TESTED: $25,965
POWERTRAIN
ENGINE: 20-valve DOHC I-5
DISPLACEMENT: 2.5 liters (151 cu in)
HORSEPOWER: 170 hp @ 5700 rpm
TORQUE: 177 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic
DRIVE: Front-wheel
EPA MILEAGE: 22/29 mpg
MEASUREMENTS
L x W x H: 168.4 x 71.2 x 58.5 in
WHEELBASE: 99.9 in
TRACK F/R: 62.2/60.9 in
WEIGHT: 2983 lb
Volkswagen Beetle
STYLING: A-
Sweet redemption for the bubble Beetle. This one has classic looks with modern presence.
PERFORMANCE: B
Not quite as dynamic as we had hoped, but a competent, comfortable Beetle with a good powertrain.
UTILITY: B
Spacious, airy cabin...until you try to climb into the back. Plenty of the room in the trunk.
VALUE: B
It has less content than the Golf and costs $1800 more. Otherwise, pricing seems reasonable.
Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment