Enjoyable power from the Veloster's turbocharged engine
Sporty and enjoyable handling
Base engine is underpowered
Elevated road noise
Long driver's door can make tight parking spots awkward
Optional eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for Veloster N
New lightweight sport front seats for Veloster N
Features from the N's previous Performance package are now standard
Part of the second Veloster generation introduced for 2019
Edmunds' Expert Rating
Rated for you by America’s best
Our verdict
8.3 / 10
The Veloster is an affordable fun car with unique style, performance and, relative to its size, a large and efficient interior. It's composed and comfortable enough to handle the daily grind, but still surprise you when the road opens up. An available manual transmission and a tight but compliant suspension make it a driver's delight, even if a restrictive clutch hampers some of the fun.
How does the Veloster drive?
9.0
With its predictable handling, precise steering and progressively firm braking, the Veloster — and specifically the R-Spec model — captures the spirit of sporty, lightweight compact cars. Power from the R-Spec's four-cylinder turbo engine comes on quick with no lag. And there's plenty of reassuring low-end power for low-speed city driving.
In turns and corners, there's only a hint of body roll, and the R-Spec's high-performance tires help it instantly change directions. The R-Spec comes only with a manual transmission, but the dual-clutch automatic in other turbocharged Velosters responds quickly to paddle-shifted gear changes.
How comfortable is the Veloster?
7.0
The Veloster is sportier than most compact cars, and that means a fundamentally stiff suspension. Even so, the Veloster remains comfortable for driving around town or highway cruising. The ride is composed and stable, and the suspension takes the edge off larger bumps, but the car's short wheelbase makes it more sensitive to choppy roads.
The R-Spec's seats are nicely shaped, offering ample support and side bolstering and plenty of adjustability. Some drivers will lament that the seats lack adjustable lumbar, but you can get this feature in Turbo and Turbo Ultimate models. The cabin can get noisy at highway speeds, especially when the car is equipped with high-performance tires.
How’s the interior?
8.0
The Veloster's interior is intelligently designed and packaged. It makes good use of available space afforded by the car's funky, asymmetrical styling. The long driver's door makes it tricky to get in or out in tight spaces, but shorter doors make it easier on the passenger side. There's surprisingly ample front and rear space inside the car, and most adults can sit in the rear seat without complaint, but limited headroom might annoy taller riders.
Fundamentally, the Veloster is a driver's car, and the driving position is appropriately low and sporty. The controls are logically grouped and placed close at hand. And overall visibility is good, but the massive rear pillars translate to large blind spots.
How’s the tech?
8.0
Our R-Spec test car came pretty bare-bones in terms of features, but it included Hyundai's very functional infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Blue Link connected services, and a high-quality Infinity stereo system. Navigation is available with the Turbo Ultimate trim. It's a basic system but it's clear and easy to use.
The Veloster comes with an array of USB and 12-volt charging and data connections, and some trims offer a wireless charging pad. Voice commands are limited to a handful of functions, but the system responds well, even to some more natural phrases. Driver aids are sprinkled throughout the lineup, but we learned they don't always respond accurately after experiencing some false emergency-braking episodes.
How’s the storage?
8.0
The Veloster's trunk is surprisingly spacious at 19.9 cubic feet, although it relies on a low load floor to create much of that space. As a result, you'll have to lift items somewhat high to clear the trunk opening. The cabin offers plenty of spaces to store drink bottles and personal items, including wide door pockets and a large center console. Rear passengers need to make do with cupholders and a small tray.
The car seat anchors near the surface of the seats are clearly marked, but they're tucked between the cushions and offer no special access. The top tethers are inconveniently located on the trunk floor. This car is not the best one to choose if you're frequently installing and removing a car seat.
How economical is the Veloster?
7.5
The manual-equipped Turbo's estimated 29 mpg combined (26 city/33 highway) falls short of the Civic Si's ratings, but it's not bad for how sporty the car is. On our test loop, we averaged 32.3 mpg — a great result. Driving style will have a massive impact on your mileage. Driving hard, we saw returns well under the city estimate.
Is the Veloster a good value?
8.5
Solid build quality, competitive price, and one of the best warranties in the business make the Veloster an unbeatable value proposition. Sure, there's a lot of hard plastic around the cabin, but most of the touch points use nicer materials, and there are a variety of colors and textures that liven up the cabin. The panels fit together tightly, and overall the Veloster feels solid and substantial.
You also get Hyundai's excellent 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance and three years/36,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance. No one does it better in the class.
Wildcard
9.5
The Veloster's clutch restrictor is a notable sour spot in an otherwise standout car. We get that restrictors help with a manual transmission's long-term durability, but we'd still prefer direct control over our gear changes. Beyond that significant complaint, the Veloster is small and light and a genuine pleasure to drive. It's quirky, different and comfortable, and it has all you need for wringing out performance or simply driving at a relaxed pace to your destination.
The 2021 Hyundai Veloster remains one of the most unique cars on sale today. How is that? Well, how many cars can you think of that come with three side doors? The answer would be one: the Veloster. It has an asymmetrical three-door setup with one door on the driver's side and two on the passenger's. That quirky door arrangement improves the practicality of this small hatchback by providing better access to the rear seats compared to a regular coupe. But it also has the fun and playful driving characteristics you expect from a small performance coupe.
The base 147-horsepower 2.0-liter engine doesn't exactly get the heart pumping and can feel strained just merging onto freeways. Thankfully, the optional turbocharged 1.6-liter engine (201 hp) makes the Veloster feel a lot sportier. Or if you want serious performance from a small car, look no further than the Veloster N. Its capabilities come pretty darn close to those of the hallowed Honda Civic Type R.
The Veloster occupies a niche among small hatchbacks. More traditional examples, such as the Honda Civic and Mazda 3, have more passenger and cargo space. They're also a little nicer on the inside. But for a mix of performance, value and distinctiveness, the Veloster is pretty compelling.
Which Veloster does Edmunds recommend?
We'd recommend stepping up to the Turbo R-Spec for a few reasons. For one, it doesn't cost much more than the 2.0 Premium and gets you the 201-hp 1.6-liter engine instead of the underwhelming 2.0-liter engine found in lower trim levels. The R-Spec's grippy performance tires also bring out the best in the Veloster's playful chassis.
Hyundai Veloster models
The 2021 Veloster is offered in six trim levels: base 2.0, 2.0 Premium, Turbo R-Spec, Turbo, Turbo Ultimate and Veloster N. Three engines and four transmissions are available depending on the trim level. Highlight features include:
2.0
Starts you off with:
2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque
7-inch infotainment touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Available six-speed manual or automatic transmission
Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time)
Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
2.0 Premium
Adds a few upgrades, such as:
Sunroof
Keyless entry with push button start
Wireless device charging
Heated front seats
8-inch touchscreen
Upgraded audio system
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Turbo R-Spec
Loses a few of the 2.0 Premium's upgrades (such as the heated seats and sunroof) but adds:
Turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine making 201 hp and 195 lb-ft
LED headlights
Performance tires
Sport-tuned suspension
Performance shift lever for the standard manual transmission
Turbo
Combines most of the features from the R-Spec and 2.0-liter trims and adds:
Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
Side-mirror-mounted turn signals
Sport front seats with cloth and simulated leather upholstery
Turbo Ultimate
Adds luxury amenities such as:
Integrated navigation system
Head-up display
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Full leather upholstery
N
Maxes out performance with:
Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 275 hp and 250 lb-ft
Electronic limited-slip front differential (helps improve traction during acceleration)
Adaptive suspension dampers
Standard six-speed manual or optional eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
Alerts the authorities in case of an accident, locks/unlocks the doors, and allows you to check the vehicle status from your smartphone.
Rear Parking Sensors
Audibly warns you of obstacles behind the vehicle.
Rearview Camera
Shows you what's behind the Veloster when you put it in reverse.
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Side Impact Test
Good
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test
Good
Hyundai Veloster vs. the competition
Hyundai Veloster vs. Honda Civic
Thanks to its four-door arrangement and larger dimensions, the Civic is the more practical hatchback when compared to the Veloster. With a better ride as well as a higher-quality interior, it's also more refined. But that extra refinement means the Civic will demand a bit more money than what you'd pay for a similarly optioned Veloster.
When it comes to style and interior quality, it's tough to match the premium feel of the Mazda 3. The Mazda also offers more rear passenger room and cargo space than the Hyundai. But the Hyundai counters with a more sporting and funky personality for buyers not ready, or willing, to grow up quite yet.
This might not seem like a fair fight, but the more powerful and slightly larger GTI can be had, albeit in its base trim, for the same money as a nicely optioned Veloster. The GTI delivers a well-rounded performance experience with both a compliant ride and impressive acceleration. Dollar for dollar, though, the Veloster offers more features.
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Veloster both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.3 out of 10. You probably care about Hyundai Veloster fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Veloster gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg to 30 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Veloster has 19.9 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Hyundai Veloster. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Hyundai Veloster?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Hyundai Veloster:
Optional eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for Veloster N
New lightweight sport front seats for Veloster N
Features from the N's previous Performance package are now standard
Part of the second Veloster generation introduced for 2019
To determine whether the Hyundai Veloster is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Veloster. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Veloster's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Hyundai Veloster a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Hyundai Veloster is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 Veloster and gave it a 8.3 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Veloster is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Hyundai Veloster?
The least-expensive 2021 Hyundai Veloster is the 2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $18,900.
Other versions include:
Turbo 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $25,750
Turbo R-Spec 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $23,450
2.0 Premium 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $23,100
2.0 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $19,900
2.0 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $18,900
Turbo Ultimate 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $28,450
N 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $32,250
N 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $33,750
What are the different models of Hyundai Veloster?
If you're interested in the Hyundai Veloster, the next question is, which Veloster model is right for you? Veloster variants include Turbo 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), Turbo R-Spec 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M), 2.0 Premium 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A), and 2.0 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A). For a full list of Veloster models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
More about the 2021 Hyundai Veloster
2021 Hyundai Veloster Overview
The 2021 Hyundai Veloster is offered in the following submodels: Veloster N, Veloster Hatchback. Available styles include Turbo 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), Turbo R-Spec 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M), 2.0 Premium 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A), 2.0 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A), 2.0 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M), Turbo Ultimate 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), N 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M), and N 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM).
What do people think of the 2021 Hyundai Veloster?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for
the 2021 Hyundai Veloster and all its trim types.
Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what
other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database.
Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior,
exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a
comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2021 Veloster.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2021 Hyundai Veloster and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2021 Veloster featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2021 Hyundai Veloster?
The 2021 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $24,705. The average price paid for a new 2021 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M) is trending $235 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $235 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $24,470.
The average savings for the 2021 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M) is 1% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:
We are showing 1 2021 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
The 2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0 Premium 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $24,415. The average price paid for a new 2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0 Premium 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) is trending $1,186 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1,186 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $23,229.
The average savings for the 2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0 Premium 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) is 4.9% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:
We are showing 1 2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0 Premium 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
The 2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $21,050. The average price paid for a new 2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) is trending $1,005 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1,005 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $20,045.
The average savings for the 2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) is 4.8% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:
We are showing 2 2021 Hyundai Veloster 2.0 3dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
Which 2021 Hyundai Velosters are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings
of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2021 Hyundai Veloster for
sale near. There are currently 9
new 2021 Velosters listed for sale in your area, with list
prices as low as $20,806 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the
type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to
find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle
you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find
out what other owners paid for the 2021 Hyundai Veloster. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of
your choice and save up to $649 on a used or CPO 2021 Veloster available
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Find a new Hyundai Veloster for sale - 5 great deals out of 24 listings starting at $23,497.
Find a new Hyundai for sale - 11 great deals out of 13 listings starting at $10,635.
Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2021 Hyundai Veloster?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you
that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make
higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand,
can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a
new car every three years or so.
