2027 Hyundai Elantra.

Hyundai is hard at work on a new generation of the Elantra sedan. And the image above is a new illustration showing what the next Hyundai Elantra sedan could look like. And it’s not pretty. At all…

It seems to give us an idea of what a worst-case scenario could look like, rather than something attractive.

The current Elantra, introduced in 2020, received a mid-cycle refresh just two years ago. Now, rumors indicate a full redesign is scheduled for release sometime next year. This upcoming version is said to embrace a retro-futuristic design language, possibly drawing on visual cues from earlier Elantra generations. The prototype’s flat roofline and upright A-pillars support this theory, but the illustration simply looks weird, overdone, and just plain disturbing…

One unfortunate carryover appears to be the faux hatchback layout: a fastback silhouette hiding a small, conventional trunk opening. There’s speculation that this new Elantra may serve a broader role in Hyundai’s shrinking ICE (internal combustion engine) sedan lineup. With the Sonata likely being phased out in the U.S. and no replacement planned, the next Elantra could grow in size to fill the gap. In that sense, it could become Hyundai’s final ICE sedan—a symbolic turning point for a brand that’s quickly shifting toward a fully electric future.

Despite the design changes, the new Elantra is expected to ride on the current platform. That’s consistent with the broader industry trend, where automakers are conserving R&D resources for EV development rather than reinventing platforms for their few remaining gasoline models.

By 2027, the Elantra may even transition to being hybrid-only or include a plug-in hybrid variant. Its competition—namely the upcoming Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla—could potentially arrive with standard EV powertrains, pushing Hyundai to adapt even further.

Over the years, the Elantra has evolved into a sharp, modern-looking sedan. Some enthusiasts worry that a retro-inspired direction might undo that progress, especially since earlier generations weren’t exactly design icons. Still, this next generation—possibly the last of its kind—could end up being one of the most interesting Elantras yet. Or the strangest…