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:

• 

  buy used and beat the depreciation - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By Tom K - April 2 - 2:30 am

  I bought this 2013 Orange Turbo with 14000 miles on it for less than $15,900. Sticker on it new was $28000+. This car has all the options, moon roof, paddle shifters, etc. It was unusual for the left side tires to be shot, but figured it was a turbo and the previous owner had some fun with it. I am old and should have bought a car that sits a little higher up. Averaging about 26-28 mpg on regular gas. So far so good.

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  After 3 months, could not live with the lack of power - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By rskdsk - April 1 - 12:27 am

  In general it is a nice car, but the lack of power is just not something I can handle any longer. If you live in a place were you need to pull out into traffic ... DO NOT BUY THIS CAR ... or you will cause an accident. I got the fully loaded model with the tech and appearance package, moon roof, etc... but could not get home-link. The nav is easy to use with good graphics, the ride is ok, but sloppy when push to its limits. The 38 mpg is only achieved when light-footed on the highway, otherwise the true milage is 27-28. In summary, I thought by buying a fully loaded model would somehow compensate for the lack of power ... I was wrong.

• 

  Nice car with minor problems - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By rf888 - March 13 - 10:19 am

  Have had this car for over one month and driven for over 1000 miles. This car is fun to drive, great gas milage, and pretty roomy on the front seats. I have no complain about the lack of power, thats what you have to sacrifice for gas milage. My complain about this car is the minor problems. The right rearview mirror cracked on the first day I drove this car, probably the heated mirror was overheated. Contacted dealer and got it fixed for free after almost a month. The second problem was the light in the cargo area. It stopped working about 10 days after I got the car. Hyundai service had hard time to diagnose the problem but told be it was fixed. However, the light stopped working two day

• 

  Great car but... - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By bykdude - March 1 - 12:25 am

  Ive had this little guy since April this year (about 6K mileage) and for the most part has met expectations. Very comfy ride and maneuverability. Depending upon highway surface, you may experience some side to side drifting. Just hang onto the steering wheel. Dont know if its the tires or not. Like most other reviews, the one exception is the power perfomance factor. All I can say is if you want power, get a V8 cause this little guy is a dog; if you want mileage get this car. Im averaging roughly 37 mpg but I do mostly highway driving. All in all a good buy but consider giving up some mpg for a little more power if thats important.

• 

  Velociraptor Girls Club - 2015 Hyundai Veloster
  By Kris Kelly - February 10 - 7:03 pm

  Our family loved my 2014 Veloster so much we went back and got the 2015 Matte Grey for my 18 year old daughter when she graduated high school. We are seriously considering getting the 2016 Matte Blue next. We do live in Florida so we dont have to worry about snow, so cant speak to the other review complaining about the snow but you can preheat the vehicle by remote on some models I think. Anyway we love, love, love this car!

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  Long-Time Miata Owner Goes Veloster - 2016 Hyundai Veloster
  By Dave - October 30 - 4:27 pm

  As mentioned in the title of my review, I have owned only Mazda Miatas for the last 15 years. There is no other car in the world like it for me, and I would still be driving one if not for the fact that Im getting older now and I need more room, not to mention that its gotten increasingly difficult for me to roll into that little car day after day. Long story short, I have always liked the unique look of the Veloster, so after test driving one I was sold. I now own a gorgeous 2016 Citrus Orange Veloster and by and large, I love it! It doesnt feel monstrously large like most cars do after having been in a Miata for so long, and the seats are the most comfortable buckets Ive ever sat in. It handles fairly nimbly for a car its size and corners nearly as well as my Miata did. Excellent gas mileage in the Eco mode, mine always runs around 31-34mpg which is WAAAY better than I ever got in the Miata (21-24 tops). The ride is firm but not objectionable to me (again, compared to a Miata which is a SPORTS CAR) and the car feels solid and well-built to me. The amount of tech that came on this car is amazing and fun as hell (backup cam, infotainment center, paddle shifter, etc.) as Im not used to anything more complicated than an aftermarket stereo in my Miatas. My ONLY nit pick about this car is the transmission. The engine is not the most powerful thing in the world to start with, but the automatic transmission is strange. It seems to not want to engage when I step on the accelerator hard... like someone in a stick-shift revving the car in neutral... it just doesnt move sometimes! I have two very close friends who also purchased new Hyundai automobiles at the same time as I did (a Tuscon and another Veloster) and they report the same sort of hesitation in their transmissions that I am experiencing. That leads me to believe that the problem is not unique to my car or model, but may be a bug in the overall design of Hyundai automatic transmissions. It makes me have to be more aware when turning into traffic from a dead stop, which is probably a good thing. Overall, Im loving the car still at 7k miles!

• 

  Compare to other 1.6 - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By slowlearner1 - September 7 - 5:27 pm

  When considering the acceleration on the Veloster, you need to have some experience with other 1.6 engines. It is as good or better than the others. Having said that, with the gearing of the the 6 spd, expect to have to down shift if you want to accerate. Ive had the car 5k miles and have no problem going up hills...but if you have to accerate going up a hill you will have to shift. I get about 38 combined mpg and scored 49 on a recent trip to the lake. Outside of a sooty exhaust and noisy suspension, its a very good car.

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  Not worth the money - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By zuk961 - August 1 - 9:41 am

  Too many problems, unwilling to fix. Many times the radio stopped working, finally they replaced it. The back up sensors constantly beep. They fixed one, but now it beeps again and they said its cold outside and thats normal when its cold. There is an air flow problem. When I drive the car and its cold outside, the temperature with the heat on high is below freezing from the seats down. The dealership tested and found the temperature to be below freezing, but there is nothing to fix. Now the keyless entry works half the time, and they wont fix it. Bottom line, dont buy this car if you live in a cold climate. Dont pay $28,000 for a car that works 8 months out of a year.

• 

  big sad surprise - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By guga - July 22 - 4:43 am

  My 2nd review after I drove to LA and back. The milage was not what was advertised, even freeway. The interior is fine with the exception of the headrest. If you are a short person - be cautious. It is designed for tall people - 57" and over. But the most disappointing aspect is the power - or lack there of I thought I was breaking the demographics as I am older, but it really is a very very cute little old ladies car. I may be an older lady and there is NO power. Going on an uphill on 101, which isnt much of a hill. I will dread driving to Tahoe or Yoemite . Except for the looks that is A++, this car is a disappointment.

• 

  Clutch issues, warranty? Nope! - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By benpl - July 22 - 3:04 am

  My girlfriend and I both purchased new Hyundais last year. Elantra for her, Veloster Turbo for me. After this, we will be trading them in ASAP! Highly disappointed in the dealer and manufacture support with my Velosters clutch failures. I would assume the company would be paying close attention and offering more support and care for a new model release. Especially during the first couple years as quirks and arising issues are being worked out and brought to their attention. I will say it was a fun experience driving the Veloster Turbo but I cant say that about owning. My lady and I will not buy Hyundais again after the experience weve been through and financial hardships this car caused