Compare the2020 Hyundai VelosterVS 2019 Volkswagen Beetle

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 Beetle 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 Beetle doesn’t offer a lane departure 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 Beetle doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Veloster and the Beetle 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 blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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 Beetle:

	Veloster	Beetle
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	POOR
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index		293
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD

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 Beetle was not even a standard “Top Pick” for 2016.

Warranty

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Veloster 4 years and 28000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Beetle. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Beetle ends after only 6 years or 72000 miles.

There are over 28 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it 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 Beetle’s 380-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Veloster second among compact sporty cars in their 2019 Initial Quality Study. The Beetle 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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 42 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 12th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2018 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 6 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Engine

The Veloster Turbo/R-Spec’s standard 1.6 turbo 4 cyl. produces 27 more horsepower (201 vs. 174) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 184) than the Beetle’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The Veloster N’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 76 more horsepower (250 vs. 174) and 76 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 184) than the Beetle’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The Veloster N’s optional 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 101 more horsepower (275 vs. 174) and 76 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 184) than the Beetle’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

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 Beetle (28 city/34 hwy vs. 26 city/33 hwy).

Transmission

The Veloster offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The Beetle doesn’t offer a manual 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 Beetle.

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 Beetle doesn’t offer an SMG.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Veloster N	Beetle
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	11.3 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	10 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 Beetle are solid, not vented.

The Veloster stops much shorter than the Beetle:

	Veloster	Beetle
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

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 Beetle S’ standard 60 series tires. The Veloster N’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Beetle’s optional 45 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 Beetle S. The Veloster N’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Beetle.

Suspension and Handling

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Veloster’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the Beetle (104.3 inches vs. 100.1 inches).

The Veloster N handles at .97 G’s, while the Beetle Coupe pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

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

Chassis

The Hyundai Veloster may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 350 pounds less than the Volkswagen Beetle.

Passenger Space

The Veloster has 4.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Beetle Coupe (89.9 vs. 85.1).

The Veloster has 1.3 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear legroom and 5.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Beetle Coupe.

Cargo Capacity

The Veloster has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Beetle Coupe with its rear seat up (19.9 vs. 15.4 cubic feet). The Veloster has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Beetle Coupe with its rear seat folded (44.5 vs. 29.9 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 Beetle 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 Beetle 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. Volkswagen does not offer a locking feature on the Beetle’s power windows.

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

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 Beetle only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

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 Beetle 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 Beetle 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 Beetle doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Veloster’s standard steering wheel mounted cruise control is close at hand. The Beetle’s standard cruise control is on an over-crowded turn signal stalk.

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 Beetle doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

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 Beetle only retains 40.89% to 42.5%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Veloster is less expensive to operate than the Beetle because it costs $27 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Veloster than the Beetle, including $181 less for a water pump, $470 less for a muffler, $19 less for front brake pads, $165 less for a starter, $160 less for fuel injection, $47 less for front struts, $507 less for a timing belt/chain and $339 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Veloster, 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 Beetle was rated third in its category.

The Veloster N was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2019. The Beetle hasn’t been picked since 2000.

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