Review · Gas · Apr 01, 2021
New Hyundai Veloster
In some ways, the 2021 Hyundai Veloster is a classic hatchback. It looks and feels sporty, with peppy engine options and traditional hatchback design. But the Veloster also sets itself apart from the pack, with a useful three-door setup and an extremely fun-loving performance.
In some ways, the 2021 Hyundai Veloster is a classic hatchback. It looks and feels sporty, with peppy engine options and traditional hatchback design but the Veloster also offers a useful three-door setup and an extremely fun-loving performance.
Exterior Features
You haven’t seen anything quite like the 2021 Veloster. This hatchback has three doors, one on the driver’s side and two on the passenger’s side. This unique setup gives you more space to get in and out of the driver’s seat, but it also gives passengers direct access to the backseats. Like other hatchbacks, the Veloster’s liftgate offers easy access to your cargo hold, where you’ll find 19.9 cubic feet for your carryon items.
The Veloster is more than merely practical, it also turns heads with its sporty build, rear spoiler, and LED lights. Shoppers can attract extra attention with hot rod exterior colors like Racing Red, Sunset Orange, and Sonic Silver.
Standard:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 215/45 R17 all-season tires
- Projector headlights
- Automatic headlight control
- LED daytime running lights
- Heated, power, manual-folding body-color mirrors
- Rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop light
- Rear diffuser
- Tinted glass
- Variable intermittent windshield wipers
- One-speed rear wiper
Optional:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- 225/40 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer performance tires
- 225/40 R18 all-season tires
- LED projector headlights
- Rear LED tail lights
- Side mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators
- Black two-tone roof
- Wide sunroof
Exterior Colors:
- Racing Red
- Ultra Black
- Chalk White
- Sonic Silver
- Sunset Orange
- Thunder Gray
Interior Features
The Veloster is specially designed for driving enthusiasts, and it shows. The driver’s seat puts you in a low, sporty position, and important controls are within easy reach. Front visibility is excellent, and the standard blind-spot monitor takes the sting out of those rear blind spots.
When you settle into the 2021 Hyundai Veloster seats, the first thing you’ll notice is their body-friendly contours. After a few hours of driving, you’ll appreciate how well these contours keep you feeling comfy and supported. When you’re in the mood for a sporty drive, you’ll also love the front seat’s ample side bolstering, specially designed to keep you snug as you take on winding roads at a quick clip.
Although it’s definitely tuned for a sporty ride, the Veloster cabin remains surprisingly comfy during your everyday drive. The suspension soaks up big bumps, keeping you from feeling them inside, so the Veloster feels composed, whether you’re cruising the highway or zipping around town.
Standard:
- 6-way adjustable driver seat with height adjustments
- Sliding and reclining front passenger seat
- 60/40 split fold-down rear setback with fixed head restraints
- Premium cloth seats
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirror with extension
- Air conditioning with cabin air filter
- Power windows with driver’s auto-down and front illuminated power-window switches
- Rear cupholders and storage console
- Cargo area tie-down hooks
Optional:
- Driver’s seat power lumbar adjustments
- Cloth seating inserts with leather bolsters
- Leather seating surfaces
- Heated front seats
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Leather-wrapped shift knob
- R-Spec unique shift knob
- Automatic temperature control with auto defogging
- Alloy pedals
Power & Performance
Looking for a hot hatch that comes at a great price? The Veloster is your model. With its precise steering, sporty handling, and world-class braking, this Hyundai hatchback is the total package. When you’re flying around turns, you can also fully appreciate the Veloster’s controlled body roll.
The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is pretty quick, getting you up to speed with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The optional turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine takes performance up a notch, with 201 horses and 195 pound-feet of torque.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but shoppers can also choose between two automatic transmissions. The optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is tuned for an especially sporty performance, but it also includes paddle shifters for manual gear selection.
The performance-based R-Spec model is especially quick, supplying the power you request without any hesitation. This trim model also includes performance tires and a six-speed manual transmission, optimizing your on-road precision.
Standard:
- 2.0L four-cylinder engine (147 hp, 132 lb-ft)
- 6-speed manual transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Front-axle Torque Vectoring Control
- Drive Mode Select
- Coil-spring front suspension, multi-link rear suspension
- Four-wheel disc brakes
- Electronic stability and traction control
- Brake Assist
- Tire pressure monitoring system
Optional:
- Turbo 1.6L four-cylinder engine (201 hp, 195 lb-ft)
- 6-speed automatic transmission
- Seven-speed EcoShift dual clutch transmission
- B&M Racing Sport Shifter
- Sport-tuned steering
- Smart Cruise Control
Fuel Economy
The Veloster’s fuel economy ratings vary depending on which engine you pair with which transmission. As speedy as they are together, the optional turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission help the Veloster achieve its most efficient performance (30 mpg combined).
- 1.6L, seven-speed automatic: 30 mpg combined (28 city/34 highway mpg)
- 2.0L, six-speed automatic: 30 mpg (27/34 mpg)
- 1.6L, six-speed manual: 29 mpg (26/33 mpg)
- 2.0L, six-speed manual: 28 mpg (25/33 mpg)
Tech Features
In addition to its sporty drive and driver-friendly cockpit, the 2021 Hyundai Veloster also delivers a savvy tech experience. These hatchbacks come standard with all the latest infotainment gear, including complete smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can also always upgrade your experience with a bigger infotainment touch screen and digital instrument cluster.
Standard:
- 7-inch color touch-screen infotainment interface
- Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity
- Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity
- Speed-sensitive automatic volume control
- Roof-mounted shark fin antenna
- Steering-wheel-mounted audio, Bluetooth, and cruise control
- 3.5-inch digital instrument cluster
Optional:
- 8-inch color touch-screen infotainment interface
- 8-inch touch-screen navigation
- Eight-speaker Infinity premium audio system with external amp and subwoofer
- SiriusXM satellite radio
- HD radio
- Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity with voice recognition
- Active Sound Design
- Wireless device charging pad
- Heads-up display (including Sport Display)
- 4.2-inch digital color instrument cluster
Safety & Security
High-tech safety aids are also big on the Veloster agenda. This athletic hatchback is always on the lookout for danger, via features like the forward collision-avoidance addict and lane keeping assist systems. You can even upgrade your collection of high-tech safety aids with optional pedestrian detection and rear cross-traffic alert.
Standard:
- Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Driver Attention Warning
- Driver’s blind spot mirror
- Advanced dual front airbags with Occupant Classification System
- Driver and front passenger side-impact airbags
- Front and rear side-curtain airbags
- LATCH child seat anchors
- Rear passenger side child safety locks
- Front seatbelt pretensioners
- Power window lock-out button
- Anti-lock braking system
Optional:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning
- Blue Link Connected Car and Remote Package (three years, enrollment required)
- Blue Link Guidance Package (three years, enrollment required)
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Proximity Key entry with push-button start
2021 Veloster Trim Models
The 2021 Veloster is available as five main trim models: 2.0, 2.0 Premium, Turbo R-Spec, Turbo, and Turbo Ultimate (the Veloster N is a high-performance version of this hatchback that’s reviewed separately).
2.0
With its peppy standard powertrain, the Veloster 2.0 gets you off to a pretty quick start. This model is also very tech-savvy, with complete smartphone integration and standard driver safety aids.
- 2.0L four-cylinder engine (147 hp, 132 lb-ft)
- Standard six-speed manual transmission
- Optional six-speed automatic transmission
- 7-inch color touch-screen infotainment display
- Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
- Rearview camera
- Forward collision-avoidance assist
- Lane keeping assist
2.0 Premium
This model adds to the base lineup with some coveted upgrades, including a power tilt-and-slide sunroof. Inside, this Veloster features a bigger, 8-inch touch-screen infotainment interface and a wireless smartphone charging pad. It also keeps you a little bit safer, adding a blind-spot monitor.
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- 2.0L four-cylinder engine (147 hp, 132 lb-ft)
- Keyless entry with push-button start
- Power tilt-and-slide sunroof
- Heated front seats
- 8-inch infotainment touch screen
- Infinity premium audio system
- Wireless device charging
- Blind-spot monitoring
Turbo R-Spec
The performance-based Turbo R-Spec is specially designed for driving enthusiasts, upping the ante with the optional turbocharged engine, sport-tuned suspension, and sharper steering. It sheds some of the 2.0 Premium upgrades, however, such as the heated front seats and sunroof.
- 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport performance tires
- 1.6L turbo four-cylinder engine (201 hp, 195 lb-ft)
- LED headlights
- Sport-tuned suspension and steering
- Blind-spot collision warning
Turbo
The Veloster Turbo is another fun-loving trim model, adding to your daily drive with the upgraded engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Not only is this automatic tuned for a speedy ride, but it also includes paddle shifters for manual control over performance.
- 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season performance tires
- 1.6L turbo four-cylinder engine (201 hp, 195 lb-ft)
- Seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with SHIFTRONIC
- Power tilt-and-slide sunroof
- Wireless device charging
Turbo Ultimate
At the top of the lineup, the Turbo Ultimate adds to your daily drive with extra safety precautions, including pedestrian detection for the forward collision mitigation system. Luxuries, including leather seating and a head-up display, take your cruise to the next level.
- 1.6L turbo four-cylinder engine (201 hp, 195 lb-ft)
- Forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Heads-up display
- 8-inch color touch screen with navigation
- Leather seating surfaces
Hyundai Warranty
Hyundai’s extensive warranty is another major attraction. Your Veloster comes with so much coverage that you won’t have to worry about a thing for years to come.
Here’s a look at the major components of Hyundai limited warranty coverage:
- New vehicle limited warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain components: 10 years/100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: 5 years/unlimited miles
What Comes Next for the Hyundai Veloster?
The 2021 Veloster is part of the model’s second generation, which debuted for the 2019 model year. Hyundai will likely continue to update this sporty hatchback each year, but we don’t expect any really big changes in the near future.
