Compare the2020 Hyundai VelosterVS 2020 BMW 2 Series

The Veloster Premium/R-Spec/Turbo’s blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing safer, the Veloster Premium/R-Spec/Turbo’s cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Veloster and the 2 Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Veloster the rating of “Top Pick” for 2020, a rating granted to only 30 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 2 Series has not been fully tested, yet.

The Veloster comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 2 Series’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Veloster 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 2 Series. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the 2 Series ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Veloster’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Veloster’s reliability 19 points higher than the 2 Series.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 11 places higher in reliability than BMW.

On the EPA test cycle the Veloster gets better fuel mileage than the 2 Series RWD:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Veloster uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 2 Series requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Veloster offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The 2 Series doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the Veloster N’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 2 Series:

The Veloster stops shorter than the 2 Series:

For better traction, the Veloster has larger standard tires than the 2 Series (215/45R17 vs. 205/50R17). The Veloster N’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 2 Series (235/35R19 vs. 225/40R18).

The Veloster 2.0’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 230i’s standard 50 series tires. The Veloster N’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the 2 Series’ optional 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Veloster N offers optional 19-inch wheels. The 2 Series’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Veloster Premium/R-Spec has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 2 Series; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Veloster has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Veloster flat and controlled during cornering. The 2 Series’ suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Veloster is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the 2 Series.

The Veloster N handles at .97 G’s, while the 230i Coupe pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Road and Track skidpad test.

The Veloster N executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the 230i Coupe (25.2 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 25.6 seconds @ .77 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Veloster’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the 2 Series’ (34.8 feet vs. 35.8 feet). The Veloster’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the 2 Series xDrive’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

The Hyundai Veloster may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 850 pounds less than the BMW 2 Series.

The Veloster is 7.8 inches shorter than the 230i, making the Veloster easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Veloster has 1.1 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the 2 Series Coupe.

The Veloster has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the 2 Series Coupe (19.9 vs. 13.8 cubic feet).

The Veloster’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The 2 Series Convertible’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The Veloster Premium/R-Spec/Turbo/Turbo Ultimate/N Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Veloster Turbo Ultimate has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Veloster’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. BMW does not offer a locking feature on the 2 Series’ power windows.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Veloster has a standard rear wiper. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Veloster has standard extendable sun visors. The 2 Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the Veloster owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Veloster will cost $1820 less than the 2 Series over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Veloster is less expensive to operate than the 2 Series because it costs $118 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Veloster than the 2 Series, including $471 less for a water pump, $417 less for a muffler, $93 less for front brake pads, $280 less for a starter, $333 less for fuel injection, $22 less for front struts and $844 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Veloster will be $17406 to $23055 less than for the BMW 2 Series.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Veloster and the BMW 2 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Veloster N was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2019. The 2 Series hasn’t been picked since 2015.

The Hyundai Veloster outsold the BMW 2 Series by 60% during 2019.