2015 Hyundai Veloster
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.6L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 27 / 35 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,000 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 292 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Hatchback |
| Base Price | $16,023–$21,359 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2015 Hyundai Veloster is a hatchback that earns a Carivo score of 7.3/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Value at 7.7/10, while Technology at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional hatchback — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.3/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.5/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.1/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. Technology scores 6.6/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $16,023–$21,359, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Veloster sits in the budget-friendly tier of the hatchback market. At 7.7/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2015 Hyundai Veloster sits in the middle of the field. Until its technology scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2015 Hyundai Veloster ranks #49 of 99 hatchbacks in the Carivo database — better than 52% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $16,023 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $23,280 by about 31%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Hatchback ranking →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$12,500 ($2,500/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Across the Veloster model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $20,633 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $19,974 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $19,316 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $18,657 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $17,999 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.3/10 | $17,340 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $16,682 | Read review → |
| 2015 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $16,023 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Engine 01/12/2020 · 20V746000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage. |
|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Control unit/module 22/09/2023 · 23V651000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2015 Hyundai Veloster that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2015 Hyundai Veloster's reliability 7.3/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #49 of 99 hatchbacks in our database (better than 52% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2015 Hyundai Veloster starts at $16,023 and ranges up to $21,359 across trims (MSRP when new). At 21 MPG, expect roughly $2,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
No standout weak years: across the 8 Veloster model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (7.5/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
The documented issues for the 2015 Hyundai Veloster are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Engine, Service brakes, hydraulic (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.