2016 Hyundai Veloster Rally Edition

Hyundai’s quirky, value-laden 3-door hatchback gets a stylish special edition for 2016. The Hyundai Veloster Rally Edition gets special lightweight alloy wheels, a coat of interesting matte blue paint and the 201-horsepower turbo engine from the Veloster Turbo. In addition to the cosmetic upgrades, the Rally Edition actually gets some upgraded fun-to-drive chops in the form of stiffer springs and sway bars for more responsive handling and a B&M short shifter straight out of a SEMA floor show or aftermarket tuner shop.

Though the 1.6-liter turbo engine’s quoted output stays at 201 horsepower, the shorter shifter and sportier suspension should make the Veloster Rally Edition more fun to drive than a Turbo R-Spec. It will likely make for a more tossable autocross car or canyon carver as well. In general, we’ve been impressed with the standard Veloster’s handling. With such a small displacement engine, it won’t really shove you back in your seat, but there’s enough power to make it an entertaining drive on back roads, and the 1.6-liter turbo motor’s torque will easily overwhelm the front tires from a standstill. The Veloster also gets points for being a somewhat practical enthusiast’s car. With a hatchback design, there’s a reasonable amount of cargo space, and the funny rear-hinged door makes back seat access easier than in most small coupes.