Hyundai Veloster (2013-2015) Review

Written by David Ross

- 2013
- Coupe
- Petrol
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Quick overview
Pros
- Remains one of Hyundai’s best handling cars
- Turbo model adds some much needed gusto
- Good value for money thanks to generous standard kit
Cons
- Standard petrol engine is thirsty and not very quick
- Few around on the used market
- Panoramic roof severely limits head room in the front
Overall verdict on the Hyundai Veloster
"In this Hyundai Veloster review we are looking at something of a forgotten contender in the coupe sector. On sale in the UK for a little over two years, the Veloster was attractive - if quirky - with its design but crucially was also good to drive. In fact the biggest issue you'll have is finding one."

The Hyundai Veloster's looks are best described as ‘challenging’ - we do wonder if the person who designed the front end actually ever met their counterpart working on the rear. But it is at least different and you’re unlikely to see many around, such was the low number sold.
While it’s a coupe, if you look carefully you will notice it’s not quite symmetrical. On the passenger side there’s actually a rear door, cleverly concealed with a ‘hidden’ door handle, which is at least a nod to practicality and means getting in and out of the back seats is a lot easier than on a standard two-door coupe.
The interior is actually surprisingly spacious for a small coupe and a couple of growing teenagers can happily sit in the back without folding their legs like some sort of origami design. Only the lack of headroom lets it down.
The Hyundai Veloster remains one of Hyundai’s more impressive handling cars and is actually quite good fun to drive - a rare thing to say about a Hyundai, even now. The ride isn’t great though, with a firm set-up that’s not very pleasant on standard models. Strangely, it’s a lot better on Turbo SE models even though they get stiffer suspension.
The standard 1.6 GDi looks like it should be quick enough with 140PS but in reality it needs to be worked hard to get the best out of it and soon becomes noisy. The 1.6 T-GDi Turbo is much better and adds some gusto to the Veloster, although it still doesn’t feel as quick as the figures would suggest.
The other problem here is that Turbo models come with a panoramic roof as standard which robs the car of headroom and anyone approaching six feet tall will feel cramped. You can’t have your cake it seems…
Refinement could also be better and despite Hyundai’s best attempts to minimise sound, the Veloster is noisy on the move, with a lot of road noise. Push the 1.6 GDi and all you’re rewarded with is a boomy engine note.
The Hyundai Veloster is a bit of a mixed bag then. We like its looks and the Turbo model is certainly entertaining, plus it actually handles well. You can certainly have fun driving one. But the lack of headroom, the cabin noise and the underwhelming performance of the standard 1.6 GDi count against it. Against the likes of the Toyota GT86 and Volkswagen Scirocco, it’s tough to make a case for the Hyundai Veloster.
Is the Hyundai Veloster right for you?
What's the best Hyundair Veloster model to choose?
What other cars are similar to the Hyundai Veloster?
Comfort and design: Hyundai Veloster interior
"It may look quite ordinary now but when it was launched in 2012, the interior of the Hyundai Veloster was quite adventurous. For a Hyundai at least. It was different enough from the i30 that it didn’t feel like a copy and paste job from one of Hyundai’s hatchbacks."

It’s all very well laid out with a big colour screen set in the dash top and simple to use air conditioning controls below that. It means everything is easy to use on the move and you’re not scrabbling around down near the gear lever trying to change the temperature.
The driving position is very good and after a bit of adjustment, the Hyundai Veloster is surprisingly comfortable. Although there is a big caveat here. This is very much dependent on the trim. The problem is the panoramic sunroof that’s standard on Sport models. It’s a nice idea but the extra thickness cuts into headspace.
The result is that anyone close to 6ft tall will find their head up against the roof lining, even if you adjust the seat down to its lowest. It means you can never truly get comfortable and you end up hunched forward. Your osteopath will not approve.
Quality and finish
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Hyundai Veloster
Space and practicality: Hyundai Veloster boot space
Handling and ride quality: What is the Hyundai Veloster like to drive?
"The Hyundai Veloster sticks to the notion that it’s a sporty coupe with a firm ride. It’s fine on smooth roads (of course most cars are) but it gets pretty bouncy on rough surfaces while on a country back road it’s far from pleasant, even on the smallest 17-inch wheels. "

There are certainly worse cars for ride quality but they tend to be high-performance models. A similarly fast Volkswagen Scirocco is far more comfortable than the Hyundai Veloster.
Go for a Turbo SE model and you get a ‘sports focussed’ suspension set-up, which is usually code for more uncomfortable. However, the changes actually make the Hyundai Veloster Turbo more comfortable and it crashes less over bumps.
On the plus side here, the Hyundai Veloster does handle well. It’s one of Hyundai’s best handling cars thanks to lots of grip and little in the way of body roll, helped by the low centre of gravity. It may not be quick (more on that shortly) but it gives you more than enough confidence to throw it into corners.
Our one big criticism here is the lack of natural feel through the steering. It’s decently weighted, but like many modern cars, feels quite numb. It’s still responsive though and although not brilliant, has a suitably sporty feel to it.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Hyundai Veloster?
Refinement and noise levels
Safety equipment: How safe is the Hyundai Veloster?
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Hyundai Veloster cost to run?
"The Hyundai Veloster should prove reasonable when it comes to running costs. The standard 1.6 GDi returns around 42mpg, not far short of its claimed 43.5mpg with the DCT automatic about the same. Thanks to its 50-litre fuel tank, you can cover around 460 miles on a full tank of fuel."

The Turbo uses more fuel as you’d expect but you will still see 39mpg which is not a bad trade off given the increase in power. One good thing to note is that the Hyundai Veloster actually manages to get close to its official claimed MPG figures, which is a rare thing.
How reliable is a Hyundai Veloster?
Insurance groups and costs
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Hyundai Veloster?
How much should you be paying for a Hyundai Veloster?
"Going for a Hyundai Veloster is certainly a very affordable way of getting an unusual coupe and at the bottom of the market you can find models for as little as £4,000. As always though, you’re better off buying from a reputable dealer (and avoiding any cars with insurance write off categories)."

You can find a good quality model with reasonable miles for around £5,000 but just be aware that as this was never a big selling model, there aren’t that many on the used market. It means you have to be patient if you’re after a particular model and colour.
A search of the HeyCar classifieds turned up a 2015 1.6 GDI SE with only 30,000 miles for £9,500.
Trim levels and standard equipment
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Is the Hyundai Veloster a good car?
What problems do Hyundai Velosters have?
Are Hyundai Velosters fast?
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