Hyundai Will Reportedly End Veloster Production This July

Update: Hyundai has confirmed that the Veloster will be completely discontinued alongside the Accent sedan, making the Venue crossover its entry-level model.

The quirky Hyundai Veloster is one of our favorite models from the Korean automaker, but unfortunately a three-door hatchback is unlikely to survive in this day and age. Somehow, the Veloster has managed to stand in a segment of its own for just over a decade, living through two generations. But when compared to more spacious four-door hatches, it falls short. Evidently, Hyundai has allegedly decided to completely discontinue the Veloster this July.

According to the Korean publication Hankyung, Veloster sales have dropped since the introduction of the Elantra N performance sedan, and those looking for N performance with SUV practicality have flocked to the Kona N crossover. Aside from that, we knew the end was near when Hyundai discontinued all standard Veloster models last year, leaving the high-performance Veloster N as the only option. Since then, Carfigures.com reports that US sales have plummeted from 7,591 units in 2020 to just 2,112 in 2021, as well as 932 so far this year. And with the Kona N and Elantra N stealing sales, it only makes sense to axe the Veloster, at least from a financial point of view.

Hankyung also reminds us that the Veloster N shares its production lines with the Kona at Hyundai's Ulsan 1 plant, and with a redesigned version of the small crossover on the way, ending production of the Veloster would allow for more space to meet Kona demand.

But Hyundai's choice of discontinuing the Veloster N is hardly a good thing for enthusiasts. The Veloster was a peppy little hatchback with head-turning style for a manageable price, and the N variant amped things up even more with its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, delivering 275 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch served as the main transmission option, but Hyundai also offered a six-speed manual for the purists.

The Veloster isn't the only Hyundai model on the chopping block either, as the Ioniq is also being axed next month to make way for the fully electric Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. Rumors have also been circulating about the demise of the Accent subcompact sedan in the US, and the midsize Sonata might be discontinued closer to the middle of the decade.

Will you miss the Veloster, and especially the Veloster N?

Sources: Hankyung, Carfigures

Images: Hyundai