A good trio to test together; of course, yet again they decide to use some not-directly-relevant MINI model (a Coupe, in this case) then gripe about some aspect of their choice ("...not as versatile as the hatchback" or similar. Really, how surprising <not>).

More driving impressions than an instrumented test; videos also.
http://www.windingroad.com/articles/...eloster-turbo/

 

Maybe it's because we have some of the largest Hyundai dealers in the SE all around us, but I see Velosters everywhere. Funny thing is that I've owned many Hyundais in the past and considered the Veloster but my longtime salesman advised against it. Said the automatic tranny is horrible.

 

I hardly describe the Fiat 500 Abarth as "beautiful". I mean, really?

I see them around town here and just go..."yuck", everytime I see one. Always reminds me a crackerjack box toy that someone found fit to put an engine in...

 

The exact same thing is often said of MINIs.

As far as looks, I'd put the MINI and Fiat 1 and 1A. The Veloster is weird looking at best.

 

It happens a lot because reviewers don't get to choose. Manufacturers supply whatever review car they have out on rotation. Winding Road was fortunate to have these three at the same time.

 

The Fiat looks like a toaster coming down the road. I am just waiting for the toast to come flying out of the top sometime! In order words, it looks like an appliance.

 

Maybe MINI's marketing dept didn't have a suitable hatch available in their press fleet. That and the coupe is a newer model, so it makes some sense if they want to push that instead.

 

My brother-in-law bought an Abarth with all the options and it's pretty nice. He originally wanted a JCW MINI but took the cheaper route. The biggest difference between the two to me is in the MINI you sit down low and it feels like you’re in a go kart, while in the Abarth you sit much higher and it feels like you're sitting on a bar stool – not exactly the way I want it to feel in a sports car.

 

Nice sounding exhaust on the Abarth!

 

I have both the Fiat (not the Abarth) and a MINI S. Two very different cars, both with their pluses and minuses. Drove all the way from Florida to New Hampshire in the Fiat and it was a very pleasant experience. It may sit high, but it handles great. Brakes are better than the MINI. I drive my Roadster much more than the Fiat because its just plain fun. But I'm not going to get rid of the Fiat. It actually does get cold (sort of) here and those rainy days make the limited visibility with the top up makes the Fiat a better choice on those days.

 

Look, here comes one now... with a roof rack!!

 

Seriously, I didn't understand the Fiat's looks at all, until we watched the old version of The Italian Job. And then, having seen it on the big screen at a MINI event (okay, how awesome is about 60 Minis/MINIs parked at a drive in, watching the old Italian Job??) we caught a lot of little pokes at Fiat in the movie. LOL it was tooo funny! But then I understood the look, because for people who knew them from the earlier version, they hit the same nostalgic buttons as the MINI does for Mini lovers. Still don't care for them, but at least they make more sense now.

Do you know that if you own a MINI, and you haven't watched both versions of
The Italian Job, that you can be asked to surrender your MINI Fan Club card?

 

I think they did a good job creating a modern interpretation of the original.

 

Of course, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Here's an article from Motor Trend which ranks those three, plus the Scion, Honda and VW Beetle. They declared MC the hands-down winner.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html