Head 2 Head

Drive It Like You Stole It! 2019 Honda Civic Type R vs. 2020 Hyundai Veloster N (10x9)

Air date: Oct 30, 2019

On this episode of Head 2 Head, Jonny Lieberman and Jethro Bovingdon check out the current state of the hot hatch art. The Honda Civic Type R knocked the front-wheel-drive performance car world on its ear when it debuted a couple years back. How could anything with undriven rear wheels handle and perform so well? In 2018, the Type R finished fourth at Best Driver’s Car, behind the Lamborghini Huracán Performante, Porsche GT2 RS, and McLaren 720S. Not bad for a hot hatch that starts at less than $40,000. Enter the Hyundai Veloster N, which starts at less than $30,000. Many German engineers were recruited for this car and, on paper at least, the baby blue N should give the renowned Honda a run for its money. Bovingdon and Lieberman put both the 2019 Honda and 2020 Hyundai through rigorous Randy Pobst racetrack lapping, as well as canyon road testing. Unable to pick a winner, the boys decide that the ultimate test involves unbridled hooliganism, police chases, and fire. Lots of fire. Which hot hatch is best? Watch and find out!