2016 Hyundai Veloster

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$18,000 - $23,950
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Likable design

Compromised rearward visibility

New Rally trim introduced to the lineup

Exciting turbocharged engine

Lackluster base engine

7-speed dual-clutch transmission available as optional

Intuitive infotainment system

Restricted rear-seat space

Specs & Features

$19,100

price

132 hp @ 6300 rpm

horsepower

120 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

torque

TBD

transmission

1.6L 4cyl 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The compact hatchback segment is rather unchartered with a limited number of options available to the buyer. It typically vaunts vehicles that look impressive, are packed with performance and can be maneuvered easily. The Hyundai Veloster is an embodiment of the segment and with 2016 MY becomes more refined and likable, thanks to the introduction of a Rally trim and an optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission system.

Buying Advice

The Veloster is extremely slow when powered by the standard four-cylinder engine. As its name suggests, the 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo adds a more powerful engine in addition to a variety of luxury features. In addition, it is not steeply-priced and when compared to the base, the buyer requires to pay a premium of $4,500.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

However, the Veloster only has four seats. In addition, the rear seats feel cramped and even the cargo capacity is lower than the competitors. Its major concern and a barrier in its likability are how the hatchback performs on uneven terrains. There are better – and sportier – hatchbacks in the segment, including the 2016 Honda Civic, or even the Mazda 3, which though fall in a similar price ballpark, add higher utility.

Features
9.0/10

Hyundai's new Veloster appeals to enthusiast-oriented drivers on a budget and it is available in four trim levels. For less than $25,000, buyers can get behind the wheel of a turbocharged compact with impressive power, fuel economy, and performance pedigree. All 2016 Veloster hatchbacks come standard with a 7-inch touch screen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a USB port, a CD player, and support for Pandora internet radio.

Trims

Base

Rally

Turbo R-Spec

Turbo

MSRP (Manual)

$18,100

N/A

$21,600

$22,600

MSRP (Automatic)

$19,200

$21,350

N/A

$23,800

Features

17-inch alloy wheels

18-inch alloy wheels

Fog Lamps

Keyless Ignition

 

Rearview Camera

Dual-zone Climate Control

Heated Front Seats

Powered Driver Seat

 

Cloth Upholstery

Premium Synthetic Seats

Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors

Leather Upholstery

 

HD Radio

Heated Mirrors

Heated Mirrors

Driver Lumbar

We Recommend

The Veloster is extremely slow when powered by the standard four-cylinder engine. As its name suggests, the 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo adds a more powerful engine in addition to a variety of luxury features. In addition, it is not steeply-priced and when compared to the base, the buyer requires to pay a premium of $4,500.

Engine and Performance
8.0/10

In the 2016 Hyundai Veloster, the standard powertrain is a 1.6L inline-4 unit that churns out 132 hp and 120lb.-ft of torque. If you don't care about fuel economy than the optional twin-scroll turbocharged version of the standard engine, produces 201 horsepower, which is powerful enough to move the lightweight Veloster with enthusiastic quickness. A six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive are standard; however, buyers can also six- and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions as optional.

The base engine is not that powerful and sprints from 0 to 60mph in 9.5 seconds. The quarter-mile takes 17 seconds and if you want some more grunt then the optional turbocharged powertrain performs better in each test. It takes a little under the 7 seconds mark to hit 60mph. which makes it a better option in the lineup.

Models

2016 Hyundai Veloster

2016 Honda Civic

2016 Mazda 3

MSRP

$18,100

$19,050

$18,095

Engine

1.6L inline-4

2.0L inline-4

2.0L inline-4

Drivetrain

RWD

RWD

RWD

Transmission

6-Speed Manual

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

Power

132 hp

158 hp

155 hp

Torque

120 lb.-ft

138 lb.-ft

150 lb.-ft

0-60 MPH

9.5 seconds

7.2 seconds

7.5 seconds

Quarter mile

17.0 seconds

15.5 seconds

16 seconds

Top Speed (mph)

154

125

130

Each hatchback features an inline-4 engine with a 6-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drivetrain setup compared to the competitors. While the Honda comes equipped with the most powerful engine option that produces 158hp, the Mazda is the torquiest and churns out 150lb.-ft. Both vehicles are quicker than the Hyundai taking 7.2 and 7.5 seconds to the 60mph mark.

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

The 2016 Hyundai Veloster does not return pretty good numbers and the fuel economy is average in its class. The base engine puts out 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway with automated manual transmission. With its optional turbocharged engine and manual transmission, the Veloster gets 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Incorporating the turbocharged engine and automatic transmission, the Veloster gets 26/32 mpg. Unlike its efficiency, each trim of the 2016 Veloster makes use of a standard 13.2-gallon fuel tank which is the largest in the segment.

Model

Hyundai Veloster Base

Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)

Mazda 3 (Sport)

MPG (city)

25

31

29

MPG (highway)

33

42

39

MPG (combined)

28

35

33

Fuel Capacity (gallons)

13.2-gallons

12.4-gallons

13.2-gallons

Range (miles) (city/highway)

N/A

N/A

N/A

In the segment, the 2016Honda Civic Hatchback is the most frugal vehicle on the block averaging a combined efficiency of 35 MPG, however, it sports a less voluminous tank that can hold 12.4-gallons of fuel. On the other hand, the 2016 Mazda 3 manages 33 MPG and has a fuel tank that is similarly sized as the Hyundai.

Interior
6.0/10

The unique door layout of the Veloster allows easy entry for rear passengers and includes two doors on the passenger side and one door on the driver side. The 2016 Hyundai Veloster can seat four people in relative comfort and the front seats are comfortable and have generous lateral support. However, the rear seats do feel a bit cramped.

On the inside, the cabin sports an ergonomic look. The 7-inch touchscreen display sits centrally and gets surrounded by knobs and buttons for easier control. It includes features like cloth upholstery, air conditioning, and sport seats. The availability of a panoramic sunroof improves the airiness on the inside. However, the headroom feels compromised with the sloping roofline and even cargo capacity of 15.5 cubic feet feels substandard.

Model

Hyundai Veloster Base

Honda Civic Hatchback

Mazda 3

Passenger capacity

4

5

5

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

39.0/55.6/43.9

39.3/57.0/42.3

38.6/57.2/42.2

Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

35.3/54.0/31.7

37.4/55.0/36.0

37.6/54.4/35.8

Cargo Capacity (cu.-ft)

15.5

25.7

20.2

When compared to the competitors, the 2016 Honda Civic hatchback and 2016 Mazda 3 can seat five passengers each. Though legroom upfront is a tad bit low, the rear seat occupants are supremely comfortable and spacious. In terms of cargo capacity, while the former manages the highest trunk volume of 25.7 cubic feet, the Mazda is marginally behind managing 20.2 cubic feet.

Some of the standard and optional interior features include:

  • Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
  • Cloth/Leather Upholstery
  • Ambient Interior Lighting
  • Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
  • Pass-through and split-folding rear seat

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2016 Hyundai Veloster?

The 2016 Hyundai Veloster features a standard 7-inch touchscreen unit that is easy to use and comes equipped with a large number of features even from the base variant. These specifications include Pandora Internet Radio, CD Player, and Bluetooth Connectivity. The central screen gets connected to the rearview camera and the navigation system. It also provides access to Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system, which makes it ultra-modern.

Some of the salient infotainment features include:

  • Satellite Radio
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Wireless Cell Phone hookup
  • MP3 Player
  • CD Player

Exterior
9.0/10

The Hyundai Veloster looks ultra-modern with its strong line coupe-like rear fascia. Turbo versions pump up the look with a huge grille, standard fog lights, available red exterior accents, and larger twin tailpipes. It's fair to say the Veloster is like nothing else in the Hyundai lineup and nothing else on the market.

The 2016 Hyundai Veloster is the smallest in overall dimensions. It is 166.1 inches long, 70.5 inches wide, and sports a total height of 55.1 inches. Its clearance from the ground of 5.6 inches and wheelbase of 104.3 inches is comparable with the segment. Visually, however, it does look beefy with an undeniable road presence.

Model

Hyundai Veloster Base

Honda Civic Hatchback

Mazda 3

curb weight(lbs)

2679

2739

2869

Length(in)

166.1

176.9

180.3

Width(in)

70.5

70.8

70.7

Height(in)

55.1

54.9

53.3

Ground clearance(in)

5.6

5.1

6.1

Wheelbase(in)

104.3

106.3

106.3

When compared to the competitors, the 2016 Mazda 3 is the heaviest vehicle in the segment weighing 2,869 lbs, while the Hyundai is the lightest having a total curb weight of 2,679 lbs. While the Mazda is the longest in the segment measuring 180.3 inches and sports best-in-class ground clearance of 6.1 inches, the 2016 Honda Civic is the widest measuring 54.9 inches. R Surprisingly, both hatchbacks have a similar wheelbase of 106.3 inches and are precisely two inches longer than the 2016 Veloster.

Some of the salient exterior features include:

  • Sun/moonroof
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Daytime Running Lights
  • Fog Lamps
  • 17/18-inch alloy wheels

Safety
7.0/10

The 2016 Hyundai Veloster comes equipped with a large number of standard safety features that make it safe and reliable. While its NHTSA ratings are top-notch and it manages 5-stars, the IIHS ratings have a different story to tell. It comes equipped with six standard airbags, brake assist, anti-lock brakes. Some of the other infotainment features include:

  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
  • ABS And Driveline Traction Control
  • Side Impact Beams
  • Low Tire Pressure Warning
  • Airbag Occupancy Sensor
  • Back-Up Camera

Final Verdict

The 2016 Hyundai Veloster has an eye-catching exterior design and a low-price tag. But it lacks the refinement on road imperfections. Its cabin is smaller than its competitors and with a cramped rear seat and constrained trunk capacity, the Veloster loses ground against the competitors. Don't let the low price tag fool you; other affordable compact cars offer both popular features and satisfying performance.

Trims

    Base
    $18,000 onwards
    • 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Manual front air conditioning
    • Premium cloth Seat trim
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    Turbo
    $18,000 onwards
    • Engine: 1.6L 4cyl 6M
    • Horsepower: 201 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 195 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.7 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 28 mpg
    R-Spec
    $21,600 onwards
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Leatherette seats
    Turbo R-Spec
    $21,600 onwards
    • Engine: 1.6L 4cyl FWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 201 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 195 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.7 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 28 mpg
    Rally Edition
    $23,950 onwards
    • Intelligent high beams
    Turbo Rally Edition
    $23,950 onwards
    • Engine: 1.6L 4cyl 6M
    • Horsepower: 201 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 195 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.7 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 28 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$18,000- $23,950

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8

Horsepower

201 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

195 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$12,660- $17,285

Gasoline

7.33

98 hp

94 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

4

Read Review

$15,890- $21,165

Gasoline

7.93

130 hp @ 6600 rpm

114 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm

5

Read Review

$20,250- $26,940

Gasoline

7.76

188 hp @ 5600 rpm

177 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,385- $24,340

Gasoline

7.65

179 hp @ 6000 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,460- $19,200

Gasoline

7.51

137 hp @ 6100 rpm

126 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,495- $45,000

Gasoline

8.15

170 hp @ 4500 rpm

200 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,595- $45,000

Gasoline

8.15

170 hp @ 4800 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

4

Read Review

2016 Hyundai Veloster vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.5 sec--
    6.8 sec15.4 sec-
    7.4 sec15.6 sec-
    7.7 sec--
    2016 Scion TC

    Ranked #4

    8 sec--
    8 sec16 sec118 mph

    2016 Hyundai Veloster vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      27 mpg35 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/462 mi.
      30 mpg39 mpg34 mpg9.2 gal.270/369 mi.
      33 mpg37 mpg32 mpg10.6 gal.307.4/392.2 mi.
      2016 Scion IM

      Ranked #3

      27 mpg36 mpg31 mpg14 gal.378/504 mi.
      25 mpg37 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.330/488.4 mi.
      28 mpg32 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.369.60/422.40 mi.

      2016 Hyundai Veloster vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        166.1 in.70.5 in.55.1 in.5.6 in.104.3 in.
        2016 Scion TC

        Ranked #1

        176.6 in.70.7 in.55.7 in.6.3 in.106.3 in.
        2016 Scion IM

        Ranked #2

        170.5 in.69.3 in.55.3 in.5.5 in.102.4 in.
        168.4 in.71.2 in.58.5 in.5.7 in.100 in.
        167.5 in.70.5 in.57.2 in.5.4 in.103.8 in.

        2016 Nissan Versa Note

        Ranked #6

        163.7 in.66.7 in.60.5 in.5.5 in.102.4 in.

        2016 Hyundai Veloster vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          15.5 cu.ft.89.8 cu.ft.34.7 cu.ft.
          10.5 cu.ft.86.7 cu.ft.35.9 cu.ft.
          22.8 cu.ft.93.5 cu.ft.52.7 cu.ft.
          16.6 cu.ft.95.7 cu.ft.52.7 cu.ft.
          15.4 cu.ft.85.1 cu.ft.29.9 cu.ft.
          11.1 cu.ft.83 cu.ft.27.2 cu.ft.

          2016 Hyundai Veloster vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            34.7 cu.ft.15.5 cu.ft.34.7 cu.ft.-
            27.2 cu.ft.11.1 cu.ft.27.2 cu.ft.-
            2016 Scion TC

            Ranked #3

            -14.7 cu.ft.--
            71 cu.ft.10.5 cu.ft.35.9 cu.ft.50 ft.
            52.7 cu.ft.16.6 cu.ft.52.7 cu.ft.-
            29.9 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.29.9 cu.ft.-

            2016 Hyundai Veloster vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1069 lbs.2679 lbs.
              1082 lbs.2901 lbs.
              2016 Scion TC

              Ranked #1

              -3082 lbs.
              987 lbs.2959 lbs.
              2016 Scion IM

              Ranked #1

              -2943 lbs.
              849 lbs.2513 lbs.

              2016 Hyundai Veloster Hatchback Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              1

              Recalls

              1

              Investigations

              213

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              Horsepower : 132 hp @ 6300 rpm

              MPG Combined : 30 mpg

              0-60 : 9.5 sec

              #10

              2016 Hyundai Veloster User Reviews

              4.0

              [1 Reviews]

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              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [100.0%] [1 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              POPULAR TAGS

              BB

              Baron Blansit

              2016 Hyundai Veloster

              w/Yellow Interior Accent 3dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6AM)

              4

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: September 30, 2023

              Air conditioning switch is faulty and center console must be replaced each year

              Pros - After center console is replaced the air conditioning works fine

              Cons - These center consoles are $250

              I am glad I bought the extended waranty for the car. After we had the car 5 years, we had to replace the center console 3 times. It seems to last only a year and must be replaced. It is clear this is a manufacture defect and we keep asking when this will be resolved. At $250 each, I do not want to keep replacing the center console after the waranty falls off after 10 years. Dealer Name: v...

              4/10
              Features
              4/10
              Interior
              4/10
              Design
              5/10
              Safety
              4/10
              Reliability
              4/10
              Deal Value
              4/10
              Dealer Review