Compare the2022 Hyundai VelosterVS 2021 Volkswagen GTI

The Veloster’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 GTI doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Veloster and the GTI 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

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 2021, a rating granted to only 121 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GTI last would have qualified as a “Top Pick” in 2019.

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 GTI’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

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

The Veloster’s 7 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the GTI runs out after 100,000 miles.

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Veloster for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volkswagen pays for maintenance for the GTI (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

There are over 29 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it 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 41 points higher than the GTI.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Veloster first among compact sporty cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The GTI isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 62 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 18 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Veloster’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (275 vs. 228) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 258) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Hyundai Veloster is faster than the Volkswagen GTI (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Hyundai Veloster is faster than the Volkswagen GTI (automatics tested):

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

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is optional on the Hyundai Veloster, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the GTI.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the Veloster has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The GTI doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The Hyundai Veloster 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 GTI doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

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

The Veloster stops much shorter than the GTI:

For better traction, the Veloster has larger tires than the GTI (235/35R19 vs. 225/40R18).

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Veloster has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the GTI.

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Veloster is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GTI.

The Veloster N handles at .97 G’s, while the GTI SE pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Road and Track skidpad test.

The Veloster has 1.4 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the GTI.

The Veloster 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 GTI doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 GTI only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

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 GTI doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 GTI isn’t in the top three.

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