Compare the2020 Hyundai VelosterVS 2019 Subaru BRZ

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

Safety

© 1999 - 2026Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (Advanta-STAR). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2026/04/05

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 BRZ 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 BRZ doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

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 BRZ 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 BRZ 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 BRZ 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 BRZ 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 BRZ 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 and rearview cameras.

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 BRZ:

	Veloster	BRZ
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index		71
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, its “Good” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Veloster the rating of “Top Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 88 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The BRZ was not even a standard “Top Pick” for 2016.

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 BRZ’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Veloster 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the BRZ. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the BRZ ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

There are over 33 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Veloster’s warranty.

Reliability

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

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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 42 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 25th, below the industry average.

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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 14th.

Engine

The Veloster has more powerful engines than the BRZ:

	Horsepower	Torque
Veloster Turbo/R-Spec 1.6 turbo 4 cyl.	201 HP	195 lbs.-ft.
Veloster N 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.	250 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
Veloster N 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.	275 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
BRZ 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl.	200 HP	151 lbs.-ft.
BRZ 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl.	205 HP	156 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Veloster Turbo/R-Spec 1.6 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Subaru BRZ 2.0 (manual transmissions tested):

	Veloster	BRZ
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	7.2 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.8 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	15.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	92.1 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Veloster Turbo/R-Spec 1.6 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Subaru BRZ 2.0 (automatics tested):

	Veloster	BRZ
Zero to 60 MPH	6.7 sec	7.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.3 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.3 MPH	91.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Veloster gets better fuel mileage than the BRZ:

	Veloster	BRZ
2.0 4 cyl./6-spd. Manual	25 city/33 hwy	21 city/29 hwy	2.0 4 cyl./Manual
1.6 turbo 4 cyl./6-spd. Manual	26 city/33 hwy	n/a
2.0 turbo 4 cyl. (250 HP)/6-spd. Manual	22 city/29 hwy	n/a
2.0 turbo 4 cyl. (275 HP)/6-spd. Manual	22 city/29 hwy	n/a
2.0 4 cyl./6-spd. Auto	27 city/34 hwy	24 city/33 hwy	2.0 4 cyl./Auto
1.6 turbo 4 cyl./7-spd. Auto	28 city/34 hwy	n/a

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

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is included on the Hyundai Veloster Turbo/R-Spec Turbo/Ultimate, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the BRZ.

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 BRZ 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 BRZ doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Veloster N	BRZ	BRZ Performance Package
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	11.6 inches	12.8 inches

The Veloster stops much shorter than the BRZ:

	Veloster	BRZ
80 to 0 MPH	200 feet	233 feet	Road and Track
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	165 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	128 feet	Road and Track
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	123 feet	126 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Veloster N’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the BRZ (235/35R19 vs. 215/45R17).

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 BRZ’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Veloster N offers optional 19-inch wheels. The BRZ’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

Suspension and Handling

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

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 BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Veloster’s wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the BRZ (104.3 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Veloster is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the BRZ.

The Veloster N handles at .97 G’s, while the BRZ Limited pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Veloster N executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the BRZ Limited (25.2 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.6 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Veloster’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the BRZ’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

Chassis

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

	Veloster	BRZ
At idle	42 dB	42 dB
Full-Throttle	81 dB	85 dB
70 MPH Cruising	73 dB	73 dB

Passenger Space

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

The Veloster has 13.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the BRZ (89.9 vs. 76.5).

The Veloster has 1 inch more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 4.2 inches more rear legroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the BRZ.

Cargo Capacity

The Veloster has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the BRZ (19.9 vs. 6.9 cubic feet).

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

Servicing Ease

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Veloster to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Subaru doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the BRZ.

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 BRZ 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 BRZ doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the Veloster and the BRZ have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Veloster is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The BRZ prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 BRZ’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

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 BRZ 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 BRZ doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Veloster’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the BRZ Limited.

The Veloster has a standard center folding armrest for the driver and front passenger. A center armrest helps combat driver fatigue. The BRZ doesn’t offer a front seat center armrest.

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 BRZ doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Veloster Premium/Turbo/Turbo Ultimate has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The BRZ doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Veloster owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Veloster will cost $1290 to $6155 less than the BRZ over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Veloster will be $4656 to $11490 less than for the Subaru BRZ.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Veloster and the Subaru BRZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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 BRZ isn’t in the top three.

The Veloster N was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2019. The BRZ hasn’t been picked since 2014.

The Hyundai Veloster outsold the Subaru BRZ by almost three to one during 2018.

See Available Inventory