Hyundai Motor Co.’s Veloster coupe ranked No. 1 in terms of sales in the U.S. small sporty hatchback market, industry data showed Tuesday.

According to Autodata, a dedicated provider of automotive information, the Veloster’s sales reached 2,777 units in September, edging ahead of the 2,737 Fiat 500s sold in the world’s second-largest new car market.

It marked the first time since Oct. 2011 that the Veloster beat out all of its competitors, such as the Scion TC, Volkswagen GTI and the Mini Cooper S.

Hyundai Motor, South Korea’s largest automaker, said that while the Veloster’s good numbers reflected traditionally sluggish sales for the month to some extent, the car’s attributes, including its striking design and two turbo engine choices also played a role.

Unlike many coupes, or so-called hot hatches, the Veloster has a three-passenger door arrangement that is unique on the road. “Veloster, unlike its rivals, has remained a steady seller since its debut in 2011,” the company said. (Yonhap)