Drivers have come to expect a certain driving experience when they get behind the wheel of a Hyundai. They appeal to a diverse range of drivers, utilizing creative design and brilliant engineering to create one-of-a-kind vehicles that stand ahead of the pack of other similar brands. Hyundai has earned a reputation for manufacturing reliable cars that vary from rugged SUVs to sleek and sporty performance cars. Out of their entire family lineup, the Hyundai Veloster has become a staple for drivers who appreciate speed and power at an affordable price tag. Whether you’re grasping the wheel of a new or used Hyundai Veloster, these vehicles always offer incredible performance from beginning to end. From the unique exterior to the amount of mechanical power beneath the hood, the Hyundai Veloster is a vehicle that excels as a zippy roadster that is bound to impress even the pickiest of speed demons. The Hyundai Veloster is a relatively new face in the Hyundai family lineup. Issued for production in 2011, in under a decade, the Hyundai Veloster has made itself a staple of the running collection of Hyundai models. Regardless if you’re looking for a Hyundai Veloster that is used or new, chances are you’ll be impressed the moment you turn the ignition.
The Hyundai Veloster was introduced to the public in 2011 with the 2012 Hyundai Veloster. Sales began in South Korea on March 10, 2011, and expanded on into the United States and Canada in the Fall of that year. The Hyundai Veloster was introduced to the family lineup in an attempt to fill the space left behind by the Hyundai Tiburon which was discontinued after the 2008 release. Like the Tiburon, the Hyundai Veloster was intended to be a sports-grade vehicle, with a low profile, sleek edges, and plenty of unyielding power beneath the hood.
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster offered all of the benefits of a sports car in an affordable package. The Hyundai was equipped with an incredibly capable four-cylinder engine which pumped out 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft worth of torque. Drivers of used 2012 Hyundai Veloster cars will be surprised to discover that they’re driving a front-wheel drive vehicle, as it handles like something with an all-wheel drivetrain.
When it comes to fuel economy, the first iteration of the Hyundai Veloster blew the competition at the time out of the water, earning 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. What really made the Hyundai Veloster stand out was the coupe-like three-door design. Quirky at first glance, this three-door design offered less drag, and gave the vehicle a quirky edge that helped it stand out from the pack. While the styling of the Hyundai Veloster has changed a bit since 2012, the vehicle has held onto its roots, still utilizing a similar body shape even in the vehicle’s second generation.
The first model of the Hyundai Veloster was simple, offering just a single base trim option. While this Hyundai provided very little in the realm of customizability, it was still a fully-fleshed out package, offering a performance-level driving experience. The success of the 2012 Hyundai Veloster heralded the way for future models and laid the groundwork for what would be one of the top models in the Hyundai family lineup.
As can be expected with second iterations of a successful model, the 2013 Hyundai Veloster wasn’t a far departure from the 2012 model. The vehicle continued to offer a sport, performance-grade driving experience, a front-wheel drivetrain, and a low-profile design. That said, the 2013 version of the Hyundai Veloster offered a more diverse trim selection. Those looking for a used 2013 Hyundai Veloster can shop from a base model, the RE:MIX, and the Turbo trim options.
These additional levels added to the diverse appeal of the Hyundai Veloster. The Turbo version, in particular, came equipped with a much more robust turbo engine, which added much more power to the accelerator. The 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo pumped out 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft worth of torque, a huge improvement from the 132 horsepower and 120 lb-ft of torque found in standard models. While 2013 introduced greater diversity to the Hyundai Veloster, it wasn’t the only time the car would experience a dramatic facelift.
Between 2014 and 2016 the Hyundai Veloster saw a steady infusion of technology, and minor tweaks to engine power. For instance, The 2014 Hyundai Veloster introduced the rearview camera as standard, assuring greater awareness while parking. The 2014 iteration also brought about torque vectoring, which allowed the engine to transfer torque to each wheel individually. Automatic climate control was also installed into the 2014 Hyundai Veloster, promising drivers a far more seamless driving experience.
The success of the 2014 Hyundai Veloster, saw no major changes with the 2015 iteration. However, 2016 saw a dramatic shift in direction, as Hyundai slowly began its transition to the second generation of the Hyundai Veloster. The 2016 Hyundai Veloster introduced the Rally trim option, which gave drivers a myriad of performance features. One of the significant features issued in the 2016 Hyundai Veloster was the stiffer suspension, offering tighter handling all-around. The 2016 Hyundai Veloster also gave drivers the option of purchasing a vehicle with a smooth and responsive seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which doubled down on the Hyundai Veloster’s sporty appeal.
While the changes beneath the hood of the 2016 Hyundai Veloster were important, the exterior saw changes as well. While still similar in appearance to earlier models, the 2016 Hyundai Veloster introduced a greater angular styling. These changes may have been minor, but they laid the groundwork for what was to come for this affordable performance car.
The 2017 Hyundai Veloster was much like previous versions, a fast ride in a package that wouldn’t break the bank. Just like the models that came before it, the 2017 Hyundai Veloster was packed with a four-cylinder engine, which could be boosted up to a Turbo I-4 engine in certain trim options. Fuel economy was a shining star as well with standard models earning 28 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway. What truly set the 2017 Hyundai Veloster from previous models, was the change in style. The aesthetic and styling tweaks were minor, but they played a huge role in ushering the second generation to the market.
For 2018, Hyundai decided to return to the drawing board. While all previous models of the Hyundai Veloster were quite successful, a more dramatic change was in order. Those looking for a used Hyundai Veloster from 2018 will end up empty handed, as Hyundai took a year-long hiatus from the vehicle. Instead, they took their time to determine how they could improve a vehicle that was already a phenomenal success.
At the end of their hiatus, they introduced the 2019 Hyundai Veloster. Surprisingly enough, this new affordable sports car was not far off from previous models. While the exterior styling has been made to include more sharp edges, the roots of the vehicle are still entrenched in the first generation vehicle. While changes were made to aspects like fuel economy, engine makeup, and overall styling, the most dramatic difference separating from the first generation from the second is the level of technology in the 2019 model. 2019 versions of the Hyundai Veloster are equipped with smart safety features like automatic emergency braking and forward collision warnings, which are based on technology that was still fairly new in the industry when Hyundai took their break from the Veloster. Surprisingly enough, Hyundai has made these innovative safety features standard in their 2019 Hyundai Veloster, a move that not every manufacturer can say they’ve made.