By Philip Ruth–
“God, that car was fun to drive!” That’s what a current car-shopping client said about the BMW 3-series. Another client drove a bunch of different brands before selecting an X1, as it reminded him of driving sporty cars in Europe.
These reactions show that, despite the technology layered on today’s BMWs, they still have a beguiling effect on car buyers. BMWs drive with a rare sense of balance and purpose, both in the controls and the vehicle’s reactions. “You’ll never get bored with it,” is my fallback line when a client rolls up their sleeves to probe a BMW’s lofty limits. Add an M to the 4-series name, and you get a car honed for “highly-dynamic driving fascination.”
Hyundai, on the other hand, is known for value-priced vehicles for the family. Hyundai is one letter away from BMW with its N Brand models groomed for performance, and the results on the Veloster add up to lots of zing. So, while both of this week’s coupes—the BMW M440i and Hyundai Veloster N—spark from different backgrounds, they pack plenty of excitement with divergent flavors.
The tested Veloster N came fully-equipped at $33,255, while the BMW added more than $10,000 in options for a $71,870 bottom line. Personalization with BMW’s extras is one of the brand’s indulgent charms, and here, the $1,950 “Dravit Grey Metallic” paint and $1,450 “Oyster Vernasca Leather” create an aura of depth and luxury.
Meanwhile, the Veloster N’s “Performance Blue” finish is simple and eye-catching. Jump into the thick sport seats and push Start, and the exhaust from the 275-horsepower turbo four blats to life. Hyundai says its N cars are “meant to be driven hard on the race track,” and the immediate responses and tingling power back that up. The Veloster N’s relatively lightweight and flickable nature mean you don’t need track time at Laguna Seca to enjoy it—it’s enormously fun as a city whip.
The bigger and heavier BMW is also very gratifying to drive as a mature thoroughbred. Its 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six cranks out 382 horsepower, which unfurls to the wheels with creamy smoothness. The 19-inch tires on the tester—part of a $1,500 package with bigger brakes—kept a vise grip on the road, though the BMW’s steering felt more relaxed than the Hyundai’s.
Inside, the BMW is impressive. The 4-series was new for 2021 and shares much of its innards with the venerable 3-series. That means solid materials and an elegant user interface, although M440i’s low roof had me dialed in pretty tightly into an otherwise roomy atmosphere.
The Hyundai’s interior is typical of an inexpensive muscle car, with ample tech and solid ergonomics, but some hard plastic surfaces. Those are balanced by the neat “N Light” feature, which illuminates an N badge in each of the front seatbacks.
Both the M440i and Veloster N are big fun to drive with their own style of enthusiasm. You wouldn’t get bored with either of them.
Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant with an automotive staging service.
Published on November 4, 2021
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