Hyundai Veloster
Used Car Review

Overview

Looking for a sporty coupe that won’t leave your friends behind? The Hyundai Veloster might be exactly what you need. This quirky three door sports coupe offers something genuinely different in the crowded hatchback market. With its distinctive asymmetric door layout (one door on the driver’s side, two on the passenger side), it bridges the gap between practical family transport and weekend fun car.

From the first glance, the Veloster makes a statement. Its bold, angular styling and low slung profile give it genuine sports car presence that conventional hatchbacks simply can’t match. The unique door configuration isn’t just a gimmick either. It genuinely makes accessing the rear seats easier while maintaining that coupe silhouette. Inside, you’ll find a surprisingly modern cabin with decent materials and a driver focused layout that feels more premium than the price suggests.

On the road, the Veloster delivers an engaging driving experience that sets it apart from mundane family hatchbacks. The steering is responsive and the chassis feels well sorted, especially in Turbo form. It handles with confidence through corners while remaining comfortable enough for daily use. The turbocharged engines provide genuine performance that makes overtaking effortless and motorway cruising relaxed. While it may not be the most practical choice for large families, it offers an appealing blend of style, performance, and everyday usability that’s hard to find elsewhere.

What's the Hyundai Veloster Like to Drive?

The Hyundai Veloster comes alive with its turbocharged engines, transforming from quirky runabout into genuine sports coupe. The base 1.6 litre naturally aspirated engine produces around 140 horsepower, offering adequate performance for daily driving. However, the real star is the 1.6 litre turbo unit, delivering 186 horsepower and propelling the Veloster from 0 to 60 mph in around 7.4 seconds. The engine pulls strongly from low revs with minimal turbo lag, making it feel genuinely quick in real world conditions.

Where the Veloster truly excels is in its handling characteristics. The low centre of gravity and well tuned suspension create a planted, confident feel through corners. The steering is precise and communicative, giving you genuine feedback about what the front wheels are doing. The ride quality strikes an excellent balance, absorbing road imperfections while maintaining body control during spirited driving. Even the base model feels engaging to drive, but the Turbo variant transforms the experience entirely. It’s a car that encourages you to take the long way home, turning mundane journeys into something genuinely enjoyable.

How Comfortable Is the Hyundai Veloster?

Step inside the Veloster and you’re greeted by a cabin that feels more sophisticated than its price point suggests. The dashboard features a modern, asymmetric design that mirrors the exterior’s unconventional approach. Materials are generally good quality, with soft touch plastics on key contact points and decent build quality throughout. The sports seats provide excellent support during enthusiastic driving while remaining comfortable for longer journeys. The driving position is spot on, with good visibility all round despite the coupe styling.

Technology features are well represented, with a decent sized touchscreen infotainment system that includes smartphone integration as standard. The sound system delivers crisp, clear audio that enhances the driving experience. Climate control is effective and easy to use, while storage solutions are thoughtfully placed around the cabin. Road noise is well controlled, creating a refined environment that makes the Veloster pleasant for both short trips and extended motorway cruising. The unique door configuration doesn’t compromise interior space either, with rear passengers enjoying reasonable comfort for a coupe of this size.

The Hyundai Veloster succeeds in carving out its own unique niche in the automotive landscape. It offers genuine sports coupe style and driving dynamics while maintaining enough practicality for everyday use. The turbocharged engines provide impressive performance, the handling is engaging and confidence inspiring, and the build quality exceeds expectations for the price point. The distinctive styling ensures you’ll never lose it in a car park, while the generous warranty provides valuable peace of mind.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

Is the Hyundai Veloster Expensive to Run?

As a performance focused coupe, the Veloster’s running costs reflect its sporting nature but remain reasonable for the sector. The turbocharged engines deliver real world fuel economy in the mid to high 30s MPG, which is acceptable given the performance on offer. The naturally aspirated base model can achieve over 40 MPG with careful driving, making it more economical for high mileage users. Insurance groups are moderate for the base model but rise significantly for the Turbo variant, reflecting its increased performance potential.

The initial purchase price positions the Veloster as excellent value in the sports coupe segment, undercutting many European rivals significantly. Hyundai’s generous warranty coverage provides peace of mind, while the brand’s improving reliability record means fewer unexpected bills. Servicing costs are reasonable, with parts availability good and labour rates competitive. For those seeking car finance options, the Veloster’s strong residual values make it an attractive proposition for both PCP and hire purchase agreements. Overall, it offers genuine sports car thrills without the traditionally associated running costs.

Is the Hyundai Veloster Practical for Everyday Use?

For a sports coupe, the Veloster offers surprisingly good practicality thanks to its clever door arrangement. The 320 litre boot is decently sized for weekend luggage or a weekly shop, though the loading aperture is somewhat restricted by the coupe roofline. The rear seats fold down to extend cargo space when needed, accommodating longer items with ease. Inside the cabin, storage solutions are well thought out with cup holders, door pockets, and a useful centre console compartment.

The unique three door layout proves genuinely useful in practice. While accessing the rear seats requires some flexibility, the passenger side rear door makes it far easier than a conventional two door coupe. Rear seat space is adequate for children or adults on shorter journeys, though taller passengers might find headroom a bit tight. For couples or small families who want something more interesting than conventional used Hyundai cars, the Veloster strikes an appealing balance. Its compact dimensions make urban parking straightforward while still providing enough space for most daily requirements.

The Hyundai Veloster stands out as one of the most interesting and distinctive cars in its price range. It successfully combines eye catching coupe styling with genuine practicality, thanks to its clever asymmetric door layout. The turbocharged engines deliver impressive performance while the handling strikes an excellent balance between comfort and engagement. Build quality is solid throughout, backed by Hyundai’s comprehensive warranty coverage.

You choose the Veloster because you want something different that doesn’t compromise on quality or reliability. Its unique styling turns heads while the engaging driving dynamics make every journey more enjoyable. It’s perfectly suited for buyers who want sports car style without supercar running costs. For those seeking an alternative to conventional family hatchbacks, the Veloster offers compelling value.