In North America, the Veloster was equipped with Blue Link, a new telematics system which will eventually be standard on all Hyundai models.

The range in Europe also includes a "BlueDrive" option, which adds low rolling resistance tires and stop-start technology to the engine in order to reduce emissions, but only on the entry-level car.

Unlike the Mini Clubman, which features a pair of bi-parting side doors that are always located on the right of the car (irrespective of the market), the Veloster has different left and right hand drive configurations.

The car has three doors making the Veloster Turbo's shooting brake body style both in North America and in Europe a relative novelty.

The Turbo further receives new body panels which add LED lights, large twin exhausts, side skirts, a larger front grille to accommodate intercooling, turbo badging and extra equipment as standard, including push button start (satnav and back-up camera available on top trim level).

The model shown was a concept vehicle with a special graphics package featuring a gray and yellow stripe running the length of the car, yellow trim on the front spoiler, side skirts and rear fascia, as well as a checkered flag theme on the side and roof spoiler and was also unveiled at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

The exterior of the vehicle features a Rally Edition-only matte blue paint color, RAYS Rally Edition wheels (5lbs lighter per wheel), carbon fiber stylized side accents and front-lip, and most noticeably a full-metal roof for weight savings rather than the standard glass panoramic sunroof of the standard Turbo model.

The Rally Edition does feature a retuned suspension, and calibrated driver selectable power-steering (the same as the R-Spec) for stiffer steering response.

The engine is rated at an estimated 210 hp and features a new twin scroll turbocharger, intercooler, turbo manifold, downpipe and dual exhaust, all developed by ARK.

Other modifications include an oil cooler, a lightweight pulley system, bigger 6 piston brakes, anti-roll bars, coilover suspension and new control arms.

It includes König wheels, a carbon-fiber hood by Seibon, a custom "Peanut Butter" leather interior, an upgraded audio system, a performance intake and exhaust, bigger brakes, a nitrous kit, coilover suspension, a Sequence-X body kit and a bright blue paint job.

[16] The Hyundai Re:Mix Music Veloster is an audio-themed car with a full DJ deck setup installed in the trunk.

[17] The Veloster Velocity concept is a concept vehicle based on the Veloster 1.6 GDi with customized engine modifications by Cosworth (including performance pistons, rods, turbocharger, intercooler, intake manifold, intake-charging design, fuel system and engine management), custom exhaust system by CPR Fabrication, Sparco A1 WTX 5H Helmets, gloves, shoes, and seat belts; Race-Keeper Video GPS data acquisition system, Katzkin custom suede leather interior (Raven and scarlet themed suede with red stitching), CPR Integrated Roll Bar, Velocity HATCI design body kit (front and rear braking airflow ducts, lift-reducing rear diffuser, integrated front splitter, aero side skirt lip, oversized rear wing spoiler), #1 racing number design motif, HRE P40 model 19 x 9.0" lightweight satin-charcoal wheels, Brembo brakes (350x28mm two-piece rotors and 4-piston calipers), Bilstein monotube dampers and spring kit, Kumho Ecsta SPT 275/35R19 high performance summer tires.

It features custom pearl white paint by Beyond Coachworks, custom soft-touch interior materials by HEXIS, 2013 ARK/Adro body kit (bumpers, side skirts, rear wing & fenders), ARK CF rally wing, 180 Customs headlights & taillights, Seibon carbon hood & deck lid, NRG front & rear tow hook, Beyond Coachworks paint & bodywork, Yakima roof rack QLock with Fatcat 6, PM Coachworks 'Alpine Edition' interior, JPM Coachworks Alpine Edition (seats, instrument panel, shift boot/knob, armrest, headliner, visors & steering wheel), NRG short hub, NRG quick release, AIR Motion compression box, Nitto INVO 255/35/18 tires (front & rear), Kics spacers, Rays Gramlight 57Xtreme wheels (silver), Muteki lug nuts, increased engine power to 232 hp (173 kW) and 240 lb⋅ft (325 N⋅m) of torque, ARK Performance Veloster Turbo DTS exhaust system, ARK test pipe & turbo up-pipes, K&N intake system, custom tuning by BTRcc, Nitrous Express proton kit, ARK oil cooler, BTRcc custom engine bay parts, Koyo radiator, NRG oil catch tank, NRG fuel pressure tank, NRG washer mods, GP Customs engine bay, ARK big brake kit, ARK Performance DTP coilover system, Air Motion Cup suspension kit, ARK Performance upper strut bar, GP knuckles & arms.

It features a Mint Green body color, ARK performance exhaust, Lucas Oil, TS Designs metal fender flares designed by Jon Sibal, BASF Mint Green paint painted by Auto Explosion, Brembo big brake kit, KW Coilovers with ARK Performance lowering springs, Whiteline sway bars, anti-lift caster kit and end links; Rays Gram Lights Xtreme57 wheels (19 x 9.5 inches) Toyo Tires Proxes T1 Sport (265/30 R19), Recaro Cross Sportster CS seats, Takata harnesses, re-upholstery by Infinite Auto Design, Alpine Electronics System built by BP Auto Sound (MRX-F35 350 watt 4 channel amplifier, 2 MRX-M55 550 watt mono amplifiers, 2 SWS-12D4 12-inch subwoofers, SPR-60C 6.5-inch component speakers, SPR-60 6.5-inch coaxial speakers, Kinetik battery and power supply, V-LEDs lighting.

Designed by Hyundai Design North America, it included a canvas roof that opens to the rear or windshield of the vehicle, a fixed-gear bike, a flat black spoiler, glass close out and convertible top rails, black rear reflector bezels, license plate pocket and badge; upfront flat red mirror housings, black front wheels, fog lamp bezels, front grille and badging; flat teal rear wheels, red reflectors and smoked taillights, Large free flowing circular exhaust pipes, big, bold hexagonal front grille, sculpted side skirts, diffuser vents in the lower rear fascia, 18-inch wheels with chrome inserts, 8 individual headlight LED accents.

[31] In addition, model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 2, 2011, through February 27, 2012 and equipped with manual transmissions were recalled for binding of parking brake components caused by moisture and road grime.

In the pit area, which was open to all ticket holders, consumers could sit in the vehicles, pick up free merchandise and meet the drivers.

[39] A TV commercial titled 'Cheetah', featuring a caged cheetah set to race a new 201 horsepower Veloster Turbo on a long stretch of open road, was premiered during the first quarter of 2012 Super Bowl.

Consumers who pre-ordered the car were forced to accept the non-GDi vehicle without any compensation or cancel the transaction forfeiting the 10% reservation deposit.

It also gets new safety equipment as standard on all trims, with forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention monitor.

All second-generation Velosters will now get multi-link suspension as standard (previously the non-turbo models from 1st-generation had a coupled torsion rear axle), and Torque Vectoring Control.

[51] The Veloster N ETCR is a battery electric racing vehicle with the drivetrain modified to accommodate mid-mounted motors and rear-wheel-drive.

[56] The ETCR racer is assembled in Alzenau, Germany alongside other Hyundai N racing vehicles for rally and touring car series.

[60] In July 2021, citing slow sales, Hyundai similarly announced the discontinuation of all Veloster models in the United States for 2022 except for the high performance N variant.