Compare the2022 Hyundai VelosterVS 2022 Toyota GR 86

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Veloster’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The GR 86 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Veloster and the GR 86 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.

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 137 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GR 86 has not been tested, yet.

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 GR 86’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Veloster 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the GR 86. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the GR 86 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Veloster’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the GR 86’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Veloster for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the GR 86 (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 13th.

The Veloster’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (275 vs. 228) and 76 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 184) than the GR 86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is optional on the Hyundai Veloster, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GR 86.

The Veloster offers an optional 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 GR 86 doesn’t offer an SMG.

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 GR 86 doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The Veloster Auto’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GR 86 doesn’t offer launch control.

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 GR 86 doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

For better stopping power the Veloster’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GR 86:

For better traction, the Veloster has larger tires than the GR 86 (235/35R19 vs. 215/45R17).

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 GR 86’s standard 45 series tires. The Veloster’s tires are lower profile than the GR 86 Premium’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Veloster has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the GR 86. The GR 86’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Veloster has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The GR 86’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Veloster has a standard 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 GR 86’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Veloster’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the GR 86 (104.3 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Veloster is 1.8 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GR 86.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Veloster a Compact car, while the GR 86 is rated a Minicompact.

The Veloster has 12.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GR 86 (89.9 vs. 77.2).

The Veloster has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear headroom, 4.2 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the GR 86.

The Veloster has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the GR 86 (19.9 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

The Veloster’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The GR 86’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The Proximity Key standard on the Veloster 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 GR 86’s Push Button Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the trunk.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Veloster has a standard rear wiper. The GR 86 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 GR 86 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Veloster’s standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The GR 86’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

The Veloster N was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2019. The GR 86 has never been an “All Star.”

The Hyundai Veloster outsold the Toyota GR 86 by 77% during the 2021 model year.