After thoroughly teasing the next-generation Elantra over the past few months, Hyundai has finally revealed the latest model in South Korean this week, where it’s called the “Avante”. Now in its sixth generation, Hyundai says the model will build on its global popularity by introducing a dynamic and sleek appearance, underlining its status and unique presence within the highly competitive compact-size sedan segment.
Hyundai has gone back to the drawing board and reworked their hugely unpopular and swoopy ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language into a sleeker, simpler shape for the latest Elantra, and the company calls the new direction “Modern Premium.” Up front, there’s a big hexagonal grill to grab attention, and it’s matched with squinting headlights on each side. The roof now simply flows back elegantly to the trunk, and the sides are left largely unadorned beyond an understated crease along the shoulders. At the rear, narrowing taillights stretch horizontally across the trunk. Also, while the upgraded styling is meant to make the Elantra look low and wide, the dimensions grow less than an inch in length and width.
Beneath the upgraded design is a revised platform that’s made of 53 percent advanced high strength steel, versus 32 percent before. The result is a stiffer frame that Hyundai claims leads to better crash test results and lower NVH. Drivers get added security from a safety suite that includes autonomous emergency braking, high beam assist, blind spot detection, and rear cross traffic alert.
The new car should also benefit from a number of added convenience and safety features. An Integrated Memory Seat (IMS) enhances driver comfort, while Smart Trunk allows easy loading as it opens automatically when the Smart key-holder approaches. In addition, new class-leading suite of safety technologies includes Autonomous Emergency Braking, High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. For added refinement, the All-new Elantra’s premium-sound Harman audio system delivers delightful sound quality, with eight speakers accompanying an amplifier, located in the front-center rear package tray and in the front doors. To enhance acoustic enjoyment, a pair of front door-mounted tweeters joins each speaker located in every door.
Hyundai Motor is expecting sales of around 50,000 units this year in Korea, with ambitions to deliver 700,000 units globally (Korea: 110,000 / Overseas: 590,000) to customers next year.
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I’ve only ever been in the back of one Hyundai. It was an i40 estate. It wasn’t bad at all, the rear leg room was ridiculous (in a good way) I had a solid 45 cm of foot room ( not including my feet) about 15 cm in front of my toes. However, the roof was too low and my head kept hitting the roof (I’m about 182 cm tall).