Hyundai SONATA vs. Hyundai VELOSTER
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai SONATA and Hyundai VELOSTER contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Hyundai SONATA and the Hyundai VELOSTER.
In comparing the Hyundai SONATA's and the Hyundai VELOSTER's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SONATA has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, overall quality score and base engine power. The Hyundai VELOSTER has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai SONATA's and the Hyundai VELOSTER's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai VELOSTER is a better car than the Hyundai SONATA.
Pricing: A used 2021 Hyundai SONATA ranges from $13,948 to $24,995 while a used 2021 Hyundai VELOSTER is priced between $13,337 to $21,777.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Hyundai SONATA loses 46.2 percent of its value and the Hyundai VELOSTER loses 36.1 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai VELOSTER retains 10.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Hyundai SONATA.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Hyundai SONATA is 8.1 out of 10 while the Hyundai VELOSTER's quality rating is 8.0 out of 10. This results in the Hyundai SONATA being ranked 4 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Hyundai VELOSTER being ranked 19 out of 37 Best Small Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Hyundai SONATA is 7.1 out of 10. For the Hyundai VELOSTER the reliability rating is 7.4 out of 10. This gives the Hyundai VELOSTER a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Hyundai SONATA.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Hyundai SONATA’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Hyundai VELOSTER base engine makes 147 horsepower. The SONATA is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 548 miles. The VELOSTER is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 436 miles. This gives the Hyundai SONATA the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Hyundai VELOSTER. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Hyundai VELOSTER, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more cargo space. The Hyundai SONATA, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Hyundai SONATA and the Hyundai VELOSTER have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
25984
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
22270 - 36995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
18900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
21197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
15295 - 28695
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
19453
Price Range:
13948 - 24995
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
21702
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
17222 - 28093
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
550
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
59873
# Good or Great Deals:
204
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
18022
Price Range:
13337 - 21777
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
19841
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
11819 - 28783
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
7
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
50093
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Hyundai SONATA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Hyundai VELOSTER Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai SONATA
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
7.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
3.8 - 9.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.036
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai VELOSTER
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.8 - 13.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.012
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.9371891853786276
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.6 - 10.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.0718696914503143
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.1 - 12.4
Hyundai SONATA Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Hyundai VELOSTER Rankings
Ranking
6 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
11 out of / 17Ranking
14 out of / 37Ranking
14 out of / 37Ranking
16 out of / 37Ranking
16 out of / 37Ranking
19 out of / 37Ranking
20 out of / 37Ranking
22 out of / 37Ranking
33 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Hyundai SONATA Trim Levels
Limited, N Line, SE, SEL, SEL Plus
Hyundai VELOSTER Trim Levels
2.0L, 2.0L Premium, Turbo 1.6T, Turbo R-Spec, Turbo Ultimate
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 37 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
400 / 548 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 436 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
46.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
16.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
104.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.3 inches
Cargo Space:
19.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
109.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3120 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
192.9 inches
Wheelbase:
111.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2822 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
55.1 inches
Length:
166.9 inches
Wheelbase:
104.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/45R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Phantom Black
Blue
Stormy Sea
Gray
Hampton Gray / Portofino Gray
Red
Calypso Red
Silver
Shimmering Silver Pearl
White
Quartz White
Orange
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Ultra Black
Blue
Not available
Gray
Thunder Gray
Red
Racing Red
Silver
Sonic Silver
White
Chalk White / Lunar White
Orange
Sunset Orange
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Dark Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
