Compare the2023 Toyota GR86VS 2022 Hyundai Veloster

The Toyota GR86 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Veloster doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GR86 Auto has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Veloster doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the GR86 and the Veloster 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, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 49 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GR86’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 6th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota GR86 is faster than the Hyundai Veloster (manual transmissions tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the GR86 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Veloster doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the GR86 6-speed Auto gets better fuel mileage than the Veloster N 8-speed SMG (21 city/31 hwy vs. 20 city/27 hwy).

The GR86 stops much shorter than the Veloster:

The GR86’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.3% to 44.7%) than the Veloster’s (63.8% to 36.2%). This gives the GR86 more stable handling and braking.

The GR86 Premium handles at 1.00 G’s, while the Veloster N pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GR86 Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Veloster N (24.7 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 25.2 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GR86’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Veloster N’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Toyota GR86 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Hyundai Veloster.

The design of the Toyota GR86 amounts to more than styling. The GR86 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .276 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Veloster (.32). A more efficient exterior helps the GR86 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the GR86 get better fuel mileage.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the GR86 easier. The GR86’s trunk lift-over height is 27.2 inches, while the Veloster’s liftover is 32.1 inches.

The engine in the GR86 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Veloster. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The GR86’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Veloster’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the GR86’s exterior PIN entry system. The Veloster doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Blue Link can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The GR86’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Veloster’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the GR86 Premium has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Veloster doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The GR86 Premium has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Veloster.

The GR86’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Veloster doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the GR86 Auto has a standard Adaptive 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 Veloster doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its December 2021 issue and they ranked the Toyota GR86 Premium first. They ranked the Hyundai Veloster N fourth.

The GR86 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2022. The Veloster has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.