Overview & Reviews

It's a rare occurrence when bold design is married to a car that is accessible to shoppers on a budget. The Hyundai Veloster is that rarity among hatchbacks, with evocative styling, a unique asymmetrical three-door layout and respectable performance. Yet the Veloster still achieves fuel economy figures that rival more commonplace economy cars.

Built upon the same basic architecture as the Hyundai Accent, the Veloster shares many of the same advantages and drawbacks. But when it comes to the bottom line, the Hyundai Veloster ranks highly for its feature-rich content, friendly price and appealing overall character.

Current Hyundai Veloster
The Hyundai Veloster is a four-passenger, three-door hatchback. The driver-side door is coupelike in length, while the passenger side features two smaller doors. There are three main trim levels: base, Turbo R-Spec and Turbo.

The base Veloster comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. The Turbo versions pack a turbocharged version of the 1.6 that cranks out 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. For either engine, a six-speed manual transmission is standard. The base engine offers a six-speed automated manual (called DCT), but selecting that option reduces engine output slightly (to 132 hp and 120 lb-ft of torque). A traditional six-speed automatic is optional only on the Turbo model, as the R-Spec is manual only.

Standard feature highlights for the base Veloster include 17-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, air-conditioning, full power accessories, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, the Blue Link emergency telematics system and a six-speaker sound system with a USB/iPod interface.. Options include the Style and RE:FLEX Edition packages, which add some unique styling flourishes inside and out, plus features like upgraded seating surfaces, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an upgraded audio system.

The Turbo R-Spec features a lower body kit, 18-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension and steering, a torque-vectoring system that improves handling around tight turns, and a feature that pipes exhaust sounds through the stereo speakers. Compared to the more performance-focused R-Spec, the Veloster Turbo has slightly less aggressive suspension and steering tuning, some different styling elements, keyless ignition and entry, heated front seats and leather upholstery. Option highlights include a panoramic sunroof, rear parking sensors and a navigation system.

Although the Veloster's cabin has an abundance of hard plastic surfaces, unique texturing and sculpted design help to bolster its appeal. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, but that's not the case in back. There's ample legroom, but the rear seat cushions are mounted a bit too low and headroom is limited by the sloping roof line. Furthermore, the glass hatch extends over the passengers' heads, leaving them exposed to the sun.

On the plus side, all of the Veloster's cutting-edge features are sure to attract the tech-savvy youth market that it clearly has in its sights. Features like Bluetooth audio and Pandora Internet radio are standard, while the Blue Link system (besides its typical safety features) includes outbound text messaging, turn-by-turn navigation and location sharing (via Facebook). Parents of young drivers will also appreciate the programmable geo-fence feature that alerts them when the car travels outside of defined areas.

In reviews, we found power from the base 1.6-liter engine to be merely adequate, a bit of a letdown considering the Veloster's sporty styling. Regardless of trim level, the Veloster's ride tends to be harsh on pockmarked roads. Thankfully, the turbocharged versions make the latter demerit easier to take, as their added kick makes for a fair amount of entertainment from behind the wheel.

Used Hyundai Veloster Models
The Hyundai Veloster debuted for the 2012 model year in a single, well-equipped trim level. Unlike later versions, the base engine made 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque regardless of transmission. For 2013, the Veloster Turbo debuted. On the other end of the spectrum, the standard Veloster's engine output dropped slightly (to 132 hp and 120 lb-ft) when it was matched to the automated manual transmission. That year also saw the one-year-only RE:MIX Edition: a base Veloster spiffed up with a body kit and special wheels. Apart from trim level shuffling and lacking a few notable features (such as a standard rearview camera, and, for the Turbo, a torque-vectoring system), these Velosters are otherwise similar to the current models.

User Reviews:

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  wow - 2016 Hyundai Veloster
  By herb - January 16 - 9:32 am

  i bought a fully loaded turbo with the 7speed auto.i took this car for a long test drive before i purchased,and i can tell you that the negative reviews on here must be from people who bought the regular veloster.the turbo is a real pocket rocket.ride can be bumpy,but i knew this when i test drove the vehicle.i love the hyundai blue link,its awesome.

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  Love this car! - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By blantzy - January 8 - 11:09 pm

  I love the look of the car - I have the orange one. I like how fast it accelerates and it gets good gas mileage. The technology on it is pretty cool - like satellite radio and bluetooth and being able to remote start the car. The heated seats are a plus, and it has keyless entry so I never need to fumble for my keys to get into the car. The keys just stay in my purse. One problem I had immediately after leasing it is that the sound system would make a vibrating rattling sound when Id turn on the radio at a medium to high volume.

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  You will like this car, but might not love it - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By paul_c1 - November 22 - 5:08 am

  The Veloster is one of those cars that will turn heads like the Mini Cooper did when it is re-released in the early 2000s. Stylish and different with a next generation interior, this car is fun to own. You will like it, but will probably not love it. Compared to the Mini Cooper, its performance and handling is terrible. Even with the manual transmission, it is impossible to get enough torque out of the engine to make it fun. That being said, the panoramic sun roof, comfortable seats and great sound system help make this car enjoyable. An improvement in performance and handling is certainly doable. If Hyundai makes this happen, watch out.

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  Buyer Beware - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By wearl - August 30 - 6:28 am

  Bought a 2013 Veloster in December 2012. Never owned a Hyundai anything but was struck with the MPGs, and the tech and sport package as well as the cars design. Then...problems and more problems. The car would stall and cut off on me constantly. Took it to the dealer they "couldnt duplicate the customers concern" 6 times taken to the dealer! The car would cut off on me on the freeway, surface streets, gas stations you name it it stalled and cut off. I didnt realize that Hyundai was selling prototypes? I needed a reliable car...and this aint it! Buyback here I come. Oh, btw beware of the Arbitration clause that you must do if you dont "opt-out" with 90 days of purchase.

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  Loved at first - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By ecube - August 18 - 8:25 am

  We loved our Veloster at first and driving it was a blast it handles well.Bumps are another thing you feel all of them,, The interior is well designed ,but wish it had a handle above the passenger door, but the back is way to cramped.. Even my golden retriever dosnt like the head space and he wants to go everywhere. The 18 inch wheels look cool but i think the normal size would give a better ride ,that our biggest complaint the second is the engine ,it has no power ,Everytime we go up our drive which is very steep the engine has started to moan ,This is what scares us the most..

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  2013 Veloster - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By JENNIFER MATHEWS - May 12 - 11:41 am

  I am loving this car! So much fun to drive! My only complaint is so minor and that is when I leave the lights on - it doesnt ding when I leave my lights on like my last car, LOL! See minor and not even relevant to how much fun it is to drive. Shifts super smooth!

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  Did I get the Lemon? - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By toomanycats305 - April 6 - 2:06 pm

  Ok, Ive read your reviews and it looks like Im a loner out here that has acceleration issues all the time. I cant go 35 mph without it chugging and begging to please go at least 45 mph to get a smoother ride. I cant do that when I live and drive in a 35 mph zone. And its in the shop as I write this since it choked up and literally STOPPED while trying to accelerate and pass on a two lane highway over the weekend. Now I know how head-on collisions occur!! The car is cute, comfortable and dangerous. I want to sell it or trade it and now feel stuck since I only bought it in Dec 2013. I should have wondered why it was still on the lot.Theres a design flaw with the tranny and they know it.

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  Mad, sad,the worst car ever!! Do not buy - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By inot34 - March 26 - 7:44 am

  Bought the car 10 month ago , problems since the beginning !! Already been on the warranty 9 times ,replaced the navigation sistem after 3 fix, rear bumper replaced by the warranty after being melted by the exhaust , melting again btw , engine light on 8 times !the gas meter on the tank has been replaced , damaged again btw !the car shakes like a train after 75 miles !! And hyunday dont pay for the rentals so paying a car monthly plus a rental Evry month ! For a week while the car is on service ! Do not buy ! Still waiting for hyunday to buy it back ! First time ever reviewing I hate complaining , but this is to much ! This car is a joke! I should of stay with Honda .

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  What a mess this car is - 2015 Hyundai Veloster
  By Jose Cruz - January 29 - 3:13 pm

  The veloster is by far the unsafe car Ive driven. Above 40mph you will feel loss of control when going through rumble potholes or road pavement dividers on the highway especially on curves. Worst when wet. Tires and design of car is the worst combination. When humidity or frozen windshield forget about rushing. Must run the car for at least 15 minutes before it becomes clear. The power seriously sucks. Please dont buy if you are one who cuts in into traffic especially during on ramp merges. Plain and simple this car dont belong in the north east only down south like Florida. Wont last in New York City.

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  Love it! - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By A Mccloud - December 26 - 8:31 am

  Almost a year in and I am still smiling behind the wheel. Im 64 and totally comfortable in this car. Great gas mileage too! So happy with it and hyundai service.