Hyundai Veloster

Which Hyundai Veloster Version Should You Buy?

The Hyundai Veloster catalogue covers a front-wheel-drive Hatchback 4-door produced from March 2011, with a first-generation restyling from January 2015 and a second generation introduced in February 2018.

The Hyundai Veloster catalogue covers a front-wheel-drive Hatchback 4-door produced from March 2011, with a first-generation restyling from January 2015 and a second generation introduced in February 2018. The best version depends on priorities: the second-generation 2.0 MT with 275 hp offers the highest output, the first-generation 1.6 MT with 132 hp records the lowest combined fuel consumption at 6.2 l/100 km, and the second-generation 1.6 MT with 204 hp combines 7.1-second 0–100 km/h acceleration with a 1,286 kg kerb weight. Reliability, engine problems, recalls, warranties, prices, and cars for sale cannot be assessed because those figures are not measured in the supplied catalogue data.

Hyundai Veloster generations: what changed?

The first generation ran from March 2011 to July 2016 as a Hatchback 4-door and contains nine listed versions. Every version uses Gasoline, a front transverse Inline 4-cylinder engine and FWD. Outputs extend from 132 hp to 204 hp. Buyers can choose Manual, Automatic, or Robotic gearboxes, while listed combined consumption ranges from 6.2 to 7.7 l/100 km. The quickest recorded 0–100 km/h result is 7.4 seconds for the 204 hp 1.6 AT, and the highest measured top speed is 224 km/h for the 204 hp 1.6 MT.

The first-generation restyling belongs within the same generation and ran from January 2015 through January 2018. It contains four Hatchback 4-door versions, all with 1,591 cc Gasoline Inline 4-cylinder engines, a front transverse layout, and FWD. The naturally aspirated 1.6 AT and 1.6 MT produce 140 hp, while the turbocharged 1.6 DSG and 1.6 MT produce 186 hp. Compared with the 140 hp versions, the turbo models add 46 hp and at least 107 Nm. The quickest restyled version is the 186 hp 1.6 MT at 8.4 seconds to 100 km/h.

The second generation started in February 2018 and is also a Hatchback 4-door, with seven listed versions. It expands the choice to 1,595 cc and 1,998–1,999 cc engines, with outputs from 140 hp to 275 hp. Every version remains Gasoline-powered, Inline 4-cylinder, front transverse, and FWD. Independent spring suspension is listed at both ends, whereas the first generation combines independent front suspension with semi-independent rear suspension. The second generation also introduces a 60-litre fuel tank in place of the earlier 50-litre tank.

Hyundai Veloster engine specs and version comparison

Because several catalogue entries share the same version name, power is included to distinguish them exactly.

Power density clarifies what each engine delivers for its size. The second-generation 2.0 MT with 275 hp produces approximately 137.6 hp per litre, ahead of the 2.0 MT with 250 hp at approximately 125.1 hp per litre. The second-generation 1.6 MT and 1.6 DCT with 204 hp each deliver approximately 127.9 hp per litre. In the first generation, the 204 hp 1.6 versions reach approximately 128.2 hp per litre, while the 132 hp versions provide approximately 83.0 hp per litre.

Hyundai Veloster performance, fuel economy, and mpg data

For performance, the first-generation 204 hp 1.6 AT is 0.4 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the 204 hp 1.6 MT, although the manual’s combined consumption is 0.8 l/100 km lower and its top speed is 2 km/h higher. Among restyled cars, the 186 hp 1.6 MT is 3.1 seconds quicker than either 140 hp version and uses 0.1 l/100 km less fuel on the combined cycle.

For the second generation, the 204 hp 1.6 DCT uses 0.3 l/100 km less fuel than the 204 hp 1.6 MT on the combined cycle, but its acceleration and top speed are not measured. The two turbo 2.0 MT versions have identical listed torque and consumption; the 275 hp version supplies 25 hp more than the 250 hp version.

Hyundai Veloster dimensions, weights, clearance, and wheels

Overall exterior dimensions are not measured in the catalogue data. The available comparison covers weight, ground clearance, tank capacity, and the wheel sizes listed for selected versions.

First-generation kerb weights range from 1,255 kg to 1,295 kg, while gross weights range from 1,700 kg to 1,750 kg. Ground clearance is 142 mm or 143 mm depending on the version, and every listed first-generation tank holds 50 litres. The 132 hp 1.6 AT and 1.6 MT list 215/45 R17 and 215/40 R18 wheels; wheel sizes for the other first-generation versions are not measured.

Restyled first-generation kerb weights extend from 1,255 kg to 1,375 kg, and gross weights from 1,650 kg to 1,750 kg. Ground clearance is 150 mm for the 140 hp 1.6 AT, 140 hp 1.6 MT, and 186 hp 1.6 DSG, while the 186 hp 1.6 MT has 142 mm. Every restyled version has a 50-litre tank. Wheel sizes are not measured.

Second-generation kerb weights range from 1,226 kg for the 147 hp 2.0 MT to 1,410 kg for the 275 hp 2.0 MT. Gross weights range from 1,702 kg to 1,852 kg, and every tank holds 60 litres. Ground clearance is not measured. The 147 hp 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT list 225/40 R18 and 215/45 R17 wheels; wheel sizes for the other versions are not measured.

Weight per horsepower favors the second-generation 275 hp 2.0 MT at approximately 5.13 kg/hp. The 250 hp 2.0 MT follows at approximately 5.51 kg/hp, while the 204 hp 1.6 MT records approximately 6.30 kg/hp. For comparison, the second-generation 147 hp 2.0 MT has approximately 8.34 kg/hp, and the first-generation 132 hp 1.6 MT has approximately 9.51 kg/hp.

Which Hyundai Veloster version should you buy?

Choose the second-generation 2.0 MT with 275 hp if maximum catalogue output is the priority. It has 25 hp more than the other turbo 2.0 MT while retaining the same 353 Nm, 9.4 l/100 km combined consumption, and 1,852 kg gross weight. Its kerb weight is 32 kg higher, however, and acceleration and top speed are not measured for either turbo 2.0 MT.

Choose the second-generation 1.6 MT with 204 hp for the strongest documented performance case among the newer versions. Its 7.1-second 0–100 km/h result is the quickest measured figure in the second generation, and its 1,286 kg kerb weight is 124 kg below that of the 275 hp 2.0 MT. Buyers preferring a Robotic gearbox can select the 204 hp 1.6 DCT, which reduces combined consumption from 8.1 to 7.8 l/100 km, although its acceleration is not measured.

Choose the first-generation 204 hp 1.6 MT when measured top speed and relatively low consumption matter together. It reaches 224 km/h—the highest measured figure in the catalogue—and uses 6.9 l/100 km combined. The 204 hp 1.6 AT accelerates faster, at 7.4 rather than 7.8 seconds, but consumes 7.7 l/100 km combined.

Choose the first-generation 132 hp 1.6 MT for the lowest recorded combined consumption: 6.2 l/100 km. It uses 0.8 l/100 km less than the matching 132 hp 1.6 AT and reaches 100 km/h 0.8 seconds sooner. Buyers comparing the later 140 hp first-generation options may prefer the 1.6 DCT: its 6.4 l/100 km combined result is 0.1 l/100 km lower than the 1.6 MT, although the manual is 0.6 seconds quicker to 100 km/h.

For a restyled first-generation car, the 186 hp 1.6 MT presents the clearest numerical balance. It matches the 214 km/h top speed of the 186 hp 1.6 DSG, accelerates 0.1 seconds faster, consumes 0.2 l/100 km less combined, and weighs 120 kg less. The 1.6 DSG remains the choice for a 7-speed Robotic gearbox.

Questions about Hyundai Veloster reliability, engine problems, engine recalls, replacement engines, warranties, or which car is for sale require evidence outside this catalogue. Those matters are not measured here, so they should be checked separately before purchase.