The 2013 Hyundai Veloster interior marks a significant departure from the brand’s previous offerings, transforming the compact three-door hatchback into a stylish and surprisingly sophisticated cabin. Designed to appeal to a younger, design-conscious demographic, the interior moves away from the sterile plastics common in the era, instead featuring a bold asymmetrical layout and higher-quality materials. This focus on creating a driver-centric environment ensures that the experience behind the wheel feels modern and engaging, rather than utilitarian.
Design and Aesthetics
Visual identity is the strongest suit of the 2013 Veloster interior, with an aggressive design language that sets it apart in its class. The dashboard features a sweeping curve that hugs the driver, creating a cockpit feeling that is both intimate and futuristic. A large, centrally mounted shift knob dominates the space, acting as a functional and stylistic anchor that draws the eye. The color palette typically consists of a dark charcoal grey for the base, contrasted with vibrant accent colors like red or blue on the trim, stitching, and shifter boot, allowing owners to personalize the look and feel of their cabin.
Materials and Build Quality
Touching the surfaces reveals a notable upgrade in material quality for the time. Hyundai incorporated higher-grade plastics for the dashboard and doors, which feel firm and substantial rather than cheap and flexible. Soft-touch materials are used extensively on the upper dashboard and center console, providing a pleasant tactile experience against the otherwise hard surfaces. The perforated leather on the sport bucket seats and the metallic finish on the shift knob contribute to a premium ambiance that belies the vehicle's entry-level status.
Seating and Comfort
Driver comfort is a priority, bolstered by the supportive sport bucket seats that come standard on the base model. These seats provide substantial lateral support during cornering, holding the driver in place without feeling overly rigid. The height and reach of the driver’s seat are adjustable, allowing for a wide range of positions to achieve optimal visibility and control. While the rear seats are best suited for short trips or two passengers due to the wide center console, the overall seating fabric offers a comfortable balance of support and cushioning for daily driving.
Technology and Infotainment
The heart of the technological interface is the optional six-speak Bose audio system, which delivers clear and robust sound quality that fills the cabin effectively. Integrating with this audio setup is the available navigation system, a rare feature in a vehicle of this class at the time, demonstrating Hyundai's commitment to equipping the Veloster with practical high-tech options. The inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and audio streaming further bridges the gap between the vehicle and the driver's digital lifestyle, allowing for convenient phone integration without the clutter of cables.
Convenience Features
Beyond the core infotainment, the interior is packed with thoughtful touches that enhance daily usability. A generously sized center console provides ample storage for everyday items, while the available power sunroof adds a layer of openness and brightness to the cabin. The inclusion of dual-zone automatic climate control is a significant luxury feature, allowing the driver and front passenger to maintain individual temperature preferences, ensuring comfort for all occupants regardless of external conditions.
Functional Layout
The asymmetrical design extends beyond aesthetics into pure functionality, placing all primary controls within easy reach of the driver. The instrument cluster is angled toward the driver, ensuring that vital information like speed, RPM, and fuel level are always clearly visible. The manual shifter is positioned perfectly for a smooth throw and short gate, making gear changes precise and intuitive. This layout minimizes the need to take one's eyes off the road, contributing to a safer and more confident driving experience.
