The Hyundai Veloster is a 2-door sporty hatchback that was first revealed back in 2011 and was in continuous production until 2022. The Veloster has been replaced by models such as the Hyundai Kona N and the Hyundai Elantra N. Hyundai managed to sell a few hundred thousand Veloster models until 2021 which is indeed a good number for a car with just 2-doors. So, is Hyundai Veloster a good car?
The Hyundai Veloster is indeed a good car if you are after a 2-door hatchback. This segment was never really all that popular with most people which is why the Veloster is not a particularly successful Hyundai model. Either way, the Veloster does get fairly interesting and fruity engine options, all of which can be tuned to offer a lot more horsepower.
Design-wise, the Veloster is characterized by its wedge-shaped roofline which immediately sets it apart from similar cars in this segment. The interior is decently appointed, but it sure isn’t anything special. Reliability-wise, the Veloster is also really good as most owners rated the car with at least 4 out of 5 stars.
Value-wise, the Veloster is also really good because you can now buy these for only a few thousand dollars used. Practicality is a bit limited because the Veloster only gets 2 doors and a relatively cramped interior, especially for taller passengers.
Hyundai Veloster – The powertrain
The Hyundai Veloster comes with a 4-cylinder 1.6L naturally aspirated engine with 140hp and 123lb-ft of torque. This is the weakest model out of them all, but many people deem it to be enough, especially because it is a naturally aspirated engine that likes to rev out. You can also opt for the same engine with a turbocharged 4-cylinder that offers a fruity 186hp and 195lb-ft of torque.
If you want a serious performance model, you will have to go for the 1.6L 4-cylinder Veloster Turbo model that offers 201hp and 196lb-ft of torque. At the very top end, stands the Veloster N with its 275hp and an equally impressive 260lb-ft of torque. All models come with FWD as standard while the N model also gets a special differential at the front.
You can also choose between a good old short-throw manual or a speedy 6-speed DCT automatic. Efficiency ranges from 24MPG up to 40MPG for the most efficient models. All in all, the Veloster does come with interesting powertrain options, especially the Turbo and the N model.
Hyundai Veloster – Design and chassis
The Hyundai Veloster is characterized by a wedge-shaped roofline and wide haunches at the rear. This makes the car look sporty enough even though the front end does not look like anything special. The interior is well-appointed, but it does not get any true luxury features that are to be expected from an economy-level car.
The chassis and suspension tuning is solely tailored towards dynamics, but the car is not punishing at all. As such, you can daily drive the Veloster without any issues, but you can also have fun in the corners.
Hyundai Veloster – Reliability and common issues
When it comes to reliability, the Veloster seems to be a really dependable car because most reliability charts and surveys give it at least 4 out of 5 stars. The good news is that the Veloster is not an expensive car to maintain. This is also the reason why many younger drivers tend to go for the Veloster because it is dependable and cheap to run.
The most common Hyundai Veloster problems are related to the engine, more specifically the engine connecting rods that can fail if they are under stress for an extended period. The car can also suffer from a sudden loss of power, knocking sounds, various issues with the car’s electrical systems, and the equipment.
Hyundai Veloster – Value and practicality
If you want to go for a relatively newer and low mileage, 2-4-year-old Veloster model, you are likely going to pay anywhere between $14,000 and $30,000 depending on the model and the engine. This is the price group in which the best Veloster models can be found.
Practicality is not the strong suit of the Veloster because it only gets two doors, a cramped interior, and adequate trunk space at best. Visibility also isn’t perfect because the wedge-shaped roof does not offer too much visual clearance at the rear end.
FAQ Section
How long can the Hyundai Veloster last?
The Hyundai Veloster should be able to last at least 200,000k miles without needing any major overhauls if you are lucky and if you do everything you have to do to allow that. It is extremely difficult to gauge how long any car can last as there are many variables that go into that, but 200k miles is a reasonable assessment for the Veloster.
If you are one of those drivers that like to push your car to the limit, you are likely going to suffer from connecting rod issues that can even destroy the entire engine. This will also increase your overall oil consumption and thus make the car more prone to issues throughout.
Why did Hyundai stop making the Veloster?
The Veloster was out on the market for about a decade or so which is more than enough for a single model. Most of us expected Hyundai to just come out with a completely redesigned Veloster, but they chose not to in order to focus on the Kona and the Elantra.
Hyundai offers quite a few smaller hatchback models which means that the Veloster was a bit too much. If you combine that with the fact that SUVs and crossovers are now dominating the market, it makes perfect sense to drop the Veloster from a financial standpoint.
Is the Hyundai Veloster a sports car?
The Hyundai Veloster is not based on a through and through sports car platform which means that it really isn’t a full-on sports car. However, the Veloster N model is a lot more serious thanks to its powerful engine, stiff suspension, and responsive steering. As such, the N model and the Turbo model can be considered sports coupe models while normal Veloster models are simply 2-door hatchbacks.