If you mean corners and accelerates, well, then the Veloster is a bit thin.

WSJ: A Bargain-Priced Hatch that's a Kick in the Pants

The Veloster, meanwhile, is a kick in the pants, starting with its cleverly executed third door on the left side.

WSJ: A Bargain-Priced Hatch that's a Kick in the Pants

's Elantra and Veloster, and Volkswagen AG's diesel Jetta and Passat are other non-hybrids rated at over 40 mpg highway.

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Veloster's packaging of a decent and accessible rear seat and trunk under the rear-canted roof is the stuff of rabbits, hats and Atlantic City magicians.

WSJ: A Bargain-Priced Hatch that's a Kick in the Pants

The Veloster is seriously snouty, a consequence of it being a front-drive car with a transverse-mounted engine (the Veloster is very much a mechanical clone of the new Elantra, complete with torsion-beam rear suspension).

WSJ: A Bargain-Priced Hatch that's a Kick in the Pants

Alas, the Veloster's bratty, hot-spit design over-promises performance.

WSJ: A Bargain-Priced Hatch that's a Kick in the Pants

New vehicles for 2012 include chic budget-minded models like the Chevrolet Sonic and Fiat 500, distinctively designed cars like the Hyundai Veloster and Volkswagen Beetle and upscale entries including the Buick Verano and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

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Its upcoming 2012 Veloster coupe weighs just 2, 584 pounds (400 pounds lighter than a Scion tC and about the same as a Mini hardtop) and will deliver 138 horsepower and get up to 40 miles per gallon with its little 1.6-liter gasoline direct-injection engine.

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