IMPRESSED or DEPRESSED: Is R&T's 2020 Performance Car Of The Year Right On The $ Or Tone Deaf?

The teams that comprise most buff books are peculiar. That's because they're typically snotty, entitled and, frankly, rampant with bad taste.

You have to remember that most of these guys' and girls' dream ride is a vintage station wagon of any make and model provided it's painted brown. Not exactly the type of person I'd trust with the second largest purchase in my household.

But, here we are.

Road & Track just published its 2020 Performance Car of the Year (PCOTY) test and the result is...interesting. But rather than have me weigh in on it, I'd rather hear what the Spies think of R&T's findings.

You'll note the excerpt below that includes its verdict. For the FULL review, click "Read Article" after the jump.

...The Veloster N is what a great front-wheel-drive car should feel like. A delight that welds a smile to your face every time you drive it. It cheers you on, treating you like the hero. And it came from a company that had no reason to build it. Chevrolet has to make a Corvette; Porsche, a 911. Short of a giant meteorite or nuclear winter, those names will always exist. Cars like the Veloster N are more special, crafted not of obligation, but for the sheer joy of driving. That’s why the Hyundai Veloster N is Road & Track’s 2020 Performance Car of the Year.

We got your letter, Hyundai. We heart you, too.

Read Article

dlin - 11/6/2019 1:27:30 AM

+10 Boost

Ha Ha Ha !

cidflekken - 11/6/2019 2:03:18 AM

+10 Boost

And......just like that, R&T has officially made itself completely irrelevant. The Civic Type-R is a superior FWD car.

Truthy - 11/7/2019 2:49:12 PM

0 Boost

How do you know this without driving the Veloster-N? The guys running the car development side of Hyundai have impressive pedigrees. A GTI is a very fun car to drive. If this exceeds that, then I look forward driving one.

runninglogan1 - 11/6/2019 3:32:35 AM

+12 Boost

Lol. Whatever.

MDarringer - 11/6/2019 8:14:54 AM

-5 Boost

The snobs will sneer, but in the end the Veloster is rather remarkable for the amount of performance, quality, and reliability delivered for an affordable price.

countguy - 11/6/2019 8:43:53 AM

+10 Boost

LMAO

focal - 11/6/2019 10:12:33 AM

-6 Boost

Wow! I finally agree with MDarringer on a topic.

Modest cars like a Miata is a great sports car, along with the BRZ. It captures the essence of driving with modest power that you can use on the road to have fun. Electric vehicles already rule the stop light blasts. No skill is needed. For a real enthusiasts who enjoy back roads, the occasional track experience and just the overall involvement in driving, modest vehicles are more fun.

I have a pretty good sports car and probably don't need anything else. I'm considering dropping the car for a more modest fun car and an electric vehicle for similar money. On the road, handling and driver involvement is where an enthusiast should strive for. Being less money is even better.

TomM - 11/6/2019 5:23:39 PM

+10 Boost

Has R/T been bought out by Consumers Reports?

Section_31_JTK - 11/6/2019 6:11:53 PM

+10 Boost

Velooster? No thanks. I couldn't care less if it were quicker than the Lambo. I'll take the Vette or the 911.

MDarringer - 11/6/2019 8:49:38 PM

-8 Boost

Can you afford either?

cidflekken - 11/6/2019 8:16:23 PM

+10 Boost

This screams of payola

MDarringer - 11/6/2019 8:50:30 PM

-8 Boost

Why? Because you cannot conceive of the Koreans doing a great car?

cidflekken - 11/7/2019 3:20:06 PM

+1 Boost

Let me correct your question. It was meant to read as, "Why? Because you can't conceive that a Veloster N is a better performance car than a Porsche, Lambo, Vette, McClaren, Supra, Miata, M2?"

Answer: no.

ricks0me - 11/6/2019 9:36:25 PM

+9 Boost

I do not have the magazine in front of me. I do wonder if Hyundai bought advertising.

Section_31_JTK - 11/7/2019 4:25:42 PM

+1 Boost

MDarringer - I actually have a Carrera GTS. I'm going to check out the Z51 C8 Vette when it hits the showrooms. I've thought about buying one of the supercars but the thought of paying that much $$ for something I rarely drive just doesn't make sense.

I would never consider the Velooster. I've sat in one and it's too dammed small inside. Worse yet, it looks like crap. If budget is an issue and one wants a sports car, any number of used sports cars would be better than a Hyundai.