Compare the2020 Hyundai VelosterVS 2018 Toyota Yaris Liftback

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

Safety

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist optional in the Veloster as “Superior.” The Yaris Liftback scores only 1 point and is rated only “Basic.”

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 Yaris Liftback 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 Yaris Liftback doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

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 Yaris Liftback 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 Yaris Liftback 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, available lane departure warning systems and driver alert monitors.

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 Yaris 5dr Liftback:

	Veloster	Yaris Liftback
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	POOR
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index		127
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL

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 Yaris Liftback 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 Yaris Liftback’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 Toyota covers the Yaris Liftback. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Yaris Liftback ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Veloster second among compact sporty cars in their 2019 Initial Quality Study. The Yaris Liftback 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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 8th.

Engine

The Veloster’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl. produces 41 more horsepower (147 vs. 106) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (132 vs. 103) than the Yaris Liftback’s 1.5 DOHC 4 cyl. The Veloster Turbo/R-Spec’s standard 1.6 turbo 4 cyl. produces 95 more horsepower (201 vs. 106) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 103) than the Yaris Liftback’s 1.5 DOHC 4 cyl. The Veloster N’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 144 more horsepower (250 vs. 106) and 157 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 103) than the Yaris Liftback’s 1.5 DOHC 4 cyl. The Veloster N’s optional 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 169 more horsepower (275 vs. 106) and 157 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 103) than the Yaris Liftback’s 1.5 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Car and Driver the Veloster Turbo/R-Spec 1.6 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Toyota Yaris Liftback (manual transmissions tested):

	Veloster	Yaris Liftback
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.6 sec	32.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	81 MPH
Top Speed	145 MPH	113 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Veloster has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Yaris Liftback (13.2 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Veloster higher (5 out of 10) than the Toyota Yaris Liftback (3). This means the Veloster produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Yaris Liftback every 15,000 miles.

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 Yaris Liftback.

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 four-speed automatic is available for the Yaris Liftback.

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 Yaris Liftback 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 Yaris Liftback doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Veloster	Veloster N	Yaris Liftback L/LE	Yaris SE 5dr Liftback
Front Rotors	11 inches	13.6 inches	10 inches	10.8 inches
Rear Rotors	10.3 inches	12.4 inches	7.87” drums	10.2 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 Yaris SE 5dr Liftback are solid, not vented.

The Hyundai Veloster has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Rear drums are standard on the Yaris Liftback. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Veloster stops much shorter than the Yaris Liftback:

	Veloster	Yaris Liftback
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	185 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	123 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Veloster has larger standard tires than the Yaris Liftback (215/45R17 vs. 175/65R15). The Veloster N’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Yaris Liftback (235/35R19 vs. 195/50R16).

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 Yaris Liftback L/LE’s standard 65 series tires. The Veloster N’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Yaris SE 5dr Liftback’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Veloster 2.0 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Yaris Liftback L/LE. The Veloster N’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 16-inch wheels on the Yaris SE 5dr Liftback.

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

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 Toyota Yaris Liftback 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 Yaris Liftback’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 Yaris Liftback’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 Yaris Liftback’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Veloster’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Yaris Liftback (104.3 inches vs. 98.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Veloster is 3.2 inches wider in the front and 4.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Yaris Liftback.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Veloster a Compact car, while the Yaris Liftback 3dr Liftback is rated a Subcompact.

The Veloster has 5.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Yaris 3dr Liftback (89.9 vs. 84.4).

The Veloster has 2 inches more front legroom, 4.1 inches more front hip room, 3.5 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Yaris 3dr Liftback.

Cargo Capacity

The Veloster has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Yaris 3dr Liftback with its rear seat up (19.9 vs. 15.3 cubic feet). The Veloster has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Yaris Liftback with its rear seat folded (44.5 vs. 30 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 Yaris Liftback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The engine computer on the Veloster disables the starter while the engine is running. The Yaris Liftback’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

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 Yaris Liftback 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 Yaris Liftback doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the Veloster and the Yaris Liftback 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 Yaris Liftback prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Yaris Liftback’s power windows’ switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

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 Toyota Yaris Liftback doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Veloster’s driver power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Yaris Liftback’s power window (except driver window), power lock and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Veloster’s standard variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Yaris Liftback’s fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent. 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 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 Yaris Liftback doesn’t offer automatic headlights.

The Veloster has standard power remote mirrors. The Yaris Liftback L doesn’t offer either a remote driver side or passenger side mirror. The driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Veloster’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The Yaris Liftback doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Veloster’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Yaris Liftback LE/SE’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Veloster Premium/Turbo/Turbo Ultimate has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Yaris Liftback.

The Veloster Premium/Turbo/Turbo Ultimate/N’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Yaris Liftback doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

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 Yaris Liftback doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Veloster is less expensive to operate than the Yaris Liftback because typical repairs cost much less on the Veloster than the Yaris Liftback, including $19 less for front brake pads, $59 less for a starter, $95 less for fuel injection, $26 less for a fuel pump and $259 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

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

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

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