Compare the2020 Hyundai VelosterVS 2019 Fiat 500

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Veloster (except N) has a standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, which uses forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The 500 doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Veloster (except N)’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The 500 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

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 500 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Veloster (except N)’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The 500 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Veloster Premium/R-Spec/Turbo/Turbo Ultimate/N has a standard Blue Link, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The 500 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Veloster and the 500 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Hyundai Veloster is safer than the 500:

	Veloster	500
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Restraints	GOOD	POOR
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	1 cm	7 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Femur Force R/L	.6/.2 kN	8.2/4.2 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1.69%/.79%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Tibia index R/L	.42/.62	1.69/.79
Tibia forces R/L	3.1/.5 kN	6.4/4.8 kN

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 500 is not a “Top Pick.”

Warranty

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 500’s 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 Fiat covers the 500. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the 500 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Veloster’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the 500’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Veloster for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Fiat doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 500.

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

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Veloster has a standard 550-amp battery. The 500’s 500-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 56 points higher than the 500.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Veloster second among compact sporty cars in their 2019 Initial Quality Study. The 500 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Fiat vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 125 more problems per 100 vehicles, Fiat is ranked 31st.

Engine

The Veloster has more powerful engines than the 500:

	Horsepower	Torque
Veloster 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder	147 HP	132 lbs.-ft.
Veloster Turbo/R-Spec 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder	201 HP	195 lbs.-ft.
Veloster N 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	250 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
Veloster N 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	275 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
500 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder	135 HP	150 lbs.-ft.
500 Abarth 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder	157 HP	183 lbs.-ft.
500 Abarth 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder	160 HP	170 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Veloster Turbo/R-Spec 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the 500 Abarth (manual transmissions tested):

	Veloster	500
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.8 sec	4.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	86.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Veloster Turbo/R-Spec Auto 1.6 turbo 4 cyl. gets better fuel mileage than the 500 Abarth 1.4 turbo 4 cyl. (157 HP) (28 city/34 hwy vs. 24 city/32 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Veloster uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 500 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Veloster has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 500 (13.2 vs. 10.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A six-speed manual is standard on the Hyundai Veloster, with closer gear ratios for better performance and a lower final drive ratio for quieter highway operation, less engine wear and better fuel mileage. Only a five-speed manual is available for the 500.

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 500 doesn’t offer an SMG.

The Hyundai Veloster N manual has a downshift rev synchronizer that automatically raises engine speed to make downshifts perfectly smooth. This keeps the car from lurching during downshifts, preventing loss of control during cornering. The 500 doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Veloster N’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 500:

	Veloster N	500
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	11.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	9.4 inches

The Veloster N’s optional front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the 500 are solid, not vented.

The Veloster stops much shorter than the 500:

	Veloster	500
80 to 0 MPH	200 feet	234 feet	Road and Track
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	195 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	129 feet	Road and Track
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	123 feet	126 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Veloster has larger standard tires than the 500 (215/45R17 vs. 195/45R16). The Veloster N’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 500 (235/35R19 vs. 205/40R17).

The Veloster N’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 500 Abarth’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Veloster 2.0 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the 500. The Veloster N’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels optional on the 500 Abarth.

The Hyundai Veloster’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Fiat 500 only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

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 500; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Veloster has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Fiat 500 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Veloster has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The 500’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Veloster has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Veloster flat and controlled during cornering. The 500 base model’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Veloster offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The 500’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Veloster’s wheelbase is 13.7 inches longer than on the 500 (104.3 inches vs. 90.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Veloster is 5.8 inches wider in the front and 6.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the 500.

The Veloster N handles at .97 G’s, while the 500 Abarth pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Veloster N executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the 500 (25.2 seconds vs. 28.4 seconds).

For better maneuverability, the Veloster’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the 500’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.6 feet).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Veloster N is quieter than the 500 Abarth:

	Veloster	500
At idle	42 dB	56 dB
Full-Throttle	81 dB	84 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Veloster a Compact car, while the 500 is rated a Subcompact.

The Veloster has 14.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 500 (89.9 vs. 75.5).

The Veloster has 1.9 inches more front legroom, 6.3 inches more front hip room, 6.6 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 2.4 inches more rear legroom, 3.9 inches more rear hip room and 7.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the 500.

Cargo Capacity

The Veloster has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the 500 with its rear seat up (19.9 vs. 9.5 cubic feet). The Veloster has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the 500 with its rear seat folded (44.5 vs. 30.1 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

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 500 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Veloster has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The 500 doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

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 500 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. Fiat does not offer a locking feature on the 500’s power windows.

The Veloster’s driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The 500’s power windows’ switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

The Veloster’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 500’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

The Proximity Key standard on the Veloster Premium/R-Spec/Turbo/Turbo Ultimate/N allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Fiat 500 doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Veloster Turbo Ultimate’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The 500’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Veloster has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the 500 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Veloster has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The 500 doesn’t offer automatic headlights.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Veloster R-Spec/Turbo/Turbo Ultimate detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The 500 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

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 500 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Veloster Turbo Ultimate has a standard Smart Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The 500 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Veloster owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Veloster with a number “3” insurance rate while the 500 is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

The Veloster will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Veloster will retain 44.11% to 48.13% of its original price after five years, while the 500 only retains 26.63% to 34.46%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Veloster is less expensive to operate than the 500 because typical repairs cost much less on the Veloster than the 500, including $163 less for a water pump, $13 less for front brake pads, $243 less for fuel injection and $145 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Veloster, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Fiat 500 isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Veloster second among compact sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The 500 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Veloster N was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2019. The 500 has never been an “All Star.”

The Hyundai Veloster outsold the Fiat 500 by almost four to one during 2019.

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