After the Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 burned through most of last month’s fuel budget, I decided to spend some time in a few more sensible and less-thirsty sports cars.
Result?
Yours truly did some 2,000 kilometres at the wheel of the Honda Civic Si, Scion FR-S and Hyundai Veloster Turbo. In a way, these cars are all the same. They all cost $26,000. They all have 200 horsepower. They’re all sporty.
However, to drive and live with, they’re very different from one another. This means, among other things, that you should probably test drive all three if you’re considering any one of the above.
Here are some notes and highlights from my test of each machine.
Honda Civic Si
Good: The VTEC engine is sweet, loud and powerful. There's good mid-range power unlike the last-generation model. The Honda Civic Si has a great shifter -- super light and easy to change gears quickly. In all, the Honda is very usable thanks to relatively generous rear seats, a good-size trunk and lots of storage inside.
Bad: A plain-looking and plastic-y interior is the Si’s biggest weakness. It also boasts the lowest-quality feel of the three. The electronic throttle calibration is infuriating in traffic, holding revs, lagging and lurching. Also, there are no heated or leather seats.
Observed Mileage: 8.1L/100km
Pick This One If: You want a long-lived, proven nameplate in a sports car -- as well as one that’s everyday friendly and fun.
Other Notes: VTEC gauge is a neat-o touch. The Honda Civic Si offers a decent stereo and the best stock tires in the group.
Scion FR-S
Good: Rear-drive dynamics in the Scion FR-S draw out the simple, raw satisfaction that comes from operating a pure sports car. The shifter and clutch combo is meaty, holds lots of power, and has plenty of bite. The Scion FR-S is thrilling to put through its paces and relatively comfortable on most highways. It also sports the best shifter and steering wheel in the group and the styling draws crowds.
Bad: The Scion FR-S has a small trunk opening, and entry/exit can be tight for bigger folks. The FR-S is also missing a sunroof, covered storage console and an armrest. The infotainment screen on the upgraded stereo is hard to read if it’s sunny out and the factory-spec tires don’t belong on a sports car.
Observed Mileage: 7.9L/100km
Pick This One If: You want the ultimate driver’s car in this price range – along with fantastic looks, a great engine and great mileage.
Other Notes: The 7,500 rpm redline and blinky “shift-me-please” LED light in the centre-mounted tachometer is slick. It also features the best sounding engine in the group.
Hyundai Veloster Turbo
Good: The Hyundai Veloster Turbo is absolutely loaded with features and thoughtful design touches. The equipment list smokes the other cars. The Veloster Turbo has the most mid-range torque of the three, the best stereo and the most flexible, usable design. The three-door setup is handy, the panoramic sunroof is great, and the trunk is deep and generous.
Bad: Numb electronic throttle calibration feels stodgy and makes heel-and-toe shifting largely impossible in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. A mushy, soft clutch doesn’t help, either. Factory tires on the Veloster give up too easily when pushed, and the steering is quick and heavyset, but has no feel.
Observed Mileage: 8.8L/100km
Pick This One If: You want flexibility, a unique design and a laundry list of goodies over a sporty driving experience.
Other Notes: There is room in the centre console for my Canon T3 SLR camera with two lenses, and there’s a household power outlet for recharging, too.
Result?
Yours truly did some 2,000 kilometres at the wheel of the Honda Civic Si, Scion FR-S and Hyundai Veloster Turbo. In a way, these cars are all the same. They all cost $26,000. They all have 200 horsepower. They’re all sporty.
However, to drive and live with, they’re very different from one another. This means, among other things, that you should probably test drive all three if you’re considering any one of the above.
Here are some notes and highlights from my test of each machine.
Honda Civic Si
Good: The VTEC engine is sweet, loud and powerful. There's good mid-range power unlike the last-generation model. The Honda Civic Si has a great shifter -- super light and easy to change gears quickly. In all, the Honda is very usable thanks to relatively generous rear seats, a good-size trunk and lots of storage inside.
Bad: A plain-looking and plastic-y interior is the Si’s biggest weakness. It also boasts the lowest-quality feel of the three. The electronic throttle calibration is infuriating in traffic, holding revs, lagging and lurching. Also, there are no heated or leather seats.
Observed Mileage: 8.1L/100km
Pick This One If: You want a long-lived, proven nameplate in a sports car -- as well as one that’s everyday friendly and fun.
Other Notes: VTEC gauge is a neat-o touch. The Honda Civic Si offers a decent stereo and the best stock tires in the group.
 |
| Photo: Justin Pritchard |
Scion FR-S
Good: Rear-drive dynamics in the Scion FR-S draw out the simple, raw satisfaction that comes from operating a pure sports car. The shifter and clutch combo is meaty, holds lots of power, and has plenty of bite. The Scion FR-S is thrilling to put through its paces and relatively comfortable on most highways. It also sports the best shifter and steering wheel in the group and the styling draws crowds.
Bad: The Scion FR-S has a small trunk opening, and entry/exit can be tight for bigger folks. The FR-S is also missing a sunroof, covered storage console and an armrest. The infotainment screen on the upgraded stereo is hard to read if it’s sunny out and the factory-spec tires don’t belong on a sports car.
Observed Mileage: 7.9L/100km
Pick This One If: You want the ultimate driver’s car in this price range – along with fantastic looks, a great engine and great mileage.
Other Notes: The 7,500 rpm redline and blinky “shift-me-please” LED light in the centre-mounted tachometer is slick. It also features the best sounding engine in the group.
 |
| Photo: Justin Pritchard |
Hyundai Veloster Turbo
Good: The Hyundai Veloster Turbo is absolutely loaded with features and thoughtful design touches. The equipment list smokes the other cars. The Veloster Turbo has the most mid-range torque of the three, the best stereo and the most flexible, usable design. The three-door setup is handy, the panoramic sunroof is great, and the trunk is deep and generous.
Bad: Numb electronic throttle calibration feels stodgy and makes heel-and-toe shifting largely impossible in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. A mushy, soft clutch doesn’t help, either. Factory tires on the Veloster give up too easily when pushed, and the steering is quick and heavyset, but has no feel.
Observed Mileage: 8.8L/100km
Pick This One If: You want flexibility, a unique design and a laundry list of goodies over a sporty driving experience.
Other Notes: There is room in the centre console for my Canon T3 SLR camera with two lenses, and there’s a household power outlet for recharging, too.
 |
| Photo: Justin Pritchard |