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All-new Hyundai Elantra Official Reveal.

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These official photos are the first ones of the real thing. The Hyundai Avante will soon become, as usual, the North American Elantra. And I have to admit that I am very impressed. For a few reasons.

First, I think this is another design that actually stands out. Just put this against the current Civic and the Honda design just looks pretty sad and old. I know this isn’t the cleanest design. And for many it might be a case of “trying too hard”, but I actually like it.

However, I don’t think the big center screen is an improvement. At least not visually. You can tell Hyundai tried its best to integrate that large unit into the interior, but it’s not there yet. And who needs anything that large?

I also admire how Hyundai was able to surprise all of us after many month of spy shots and illustrations. So many have tried to guess what the new sedan would look like under the camouflage, and everyone failed.

The new generation is also larger than before. It is a couple of inches longer. At least in Korea, the new sedan will be available with a 2.0 Liter engine or a 1.6 Liter Hybrid. Nothing else has been revealed officially. I personally think gar Hybrid powertrain should be standard in the US, but what do I know… (close to nothing, that’s what I know…)

The car looking more upscale and being a bit longer makes you wonder what will happen to the Sonata. I have heard a few months ago that a new generation was in the works. But who knows if it will make it to the US.

More on this soon…

What do you think so far about the new Elantra?

Conversation 21 comments

  1. Hate it. Ugly angles. Over sized fenders. Boring light design. Cheap boring interior. Downgrade from the current in every way

  2. I like it. The stance and proportions are fine, the interior’s okay, and the overall look is distinctive in a good way.

  3. This is the best looking compact followed by the Sentra (non SR trims, their front looks old but the SR back looks good). Every other compact looks old.

  4. I really hated the current Elantra, so this feels like an improvement. But its also a bit of a roadside accident… its horrific but you can’t stop staring at it.

  5. Somehow the interior seems heavily influenced by the new Lexus ES, which presents tremendously better in person than photos.

  6. It looks much better than I thought it would. It does a very effective job of making a retro inspired design look modern and exciting. After Kia revealed the repulsive and awkward looking K4 sedan (the platform mate to the Avante/Elantra), I was more than a little concerned about how the new eighth generation Elantra would turn out. Overall, it is my second favorite generation of the Elantra (the fifth generation design will always be my personal favorite!).

    I agree that Hyundai has just leap frogged over the competition with this eighth generation design. I have already expressed my dislike of the Kia K4. The Civic and Corolla are both hopelessly boring in comparison. I think the Sentra also has some rather awkward proportions.

    I still love the fourth generation Mazda 3 sedan! I know it’s been around in its current state since the 2019 model year, but it still looks great! It has an understated elegance that seems to elevate it to a higher class. I guess the Mazda 3 is the timeless and classy elder statesmen of the segment while the eighth generation Elantra is the extroverted and exciting newcomer. If I was in the market for a new compact sedan, it would be a tough choice between the two. The Mazda would win me over with its refinement and class, while the Elantra would impress me with its boldness and updated technology.

    In conclusion, I’m relieved and pleasantly surprised at how well Hyundai was able to adapt its “Art of Steel” design philosophy to the compact sedan segment. I think this new eighth generation Avante/Elantra will make a huge impact when it hits Hyundai showrooms!

  7. Hyundai’s fenders make the A6 Avant look narrow. However, I like the edgy exterior design. For those who do not, the way the brand changes design direction like the wind, in a couple of years it’ll just look different again anyway.

    As for the interior, that would make it a hard pass for me. If I wanted my iPad stuck to my dashboard, I could do it myself with a little bit of chewing gum and luck. That’s what this mess looks like, in addition to a chonky console.

  8. Honda needs to redesign that damn old style Civic. It looks like from when Michael Jackson was alive. Super old!

  10. I like how the black plastic on the doors evokes running boards of cars from 1910s into the 1930s with separate fenders. All that is needed is a hood ornament with a built in radiator temperature gauge.

  11. “Will you be wanting the Batpod sir?”
    “In the middle of the day, Alfred? Not very subtle … (Batman voice) WARM UP THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA.”

  12. Since they’ve never acknowledged problems operating the hybrid in very hot weather and the gas-only engine is underpowered, it’s hard to be positive about. Also, what transmission is paired with the gas-only engine? The IVT is a loser.

  13. It looks bad ass, masculine and bold. It reminds me of a Chrysler Conquest/Mitsubishi Starion with 2 more doors. Not a fan of the normal aspirated 2.0 it has a weak lower end. But the N 2.0 is heavy duty and rips. Not crazy about the infotainment screen. I think it will be a hit!

  14. It looks bad ass, masculine and bold. It reminds me of a Chrysler Conquest/Mitsubishi Starion with 2 more doors. Not a fan of the normal aspirated 2.0 it has a weak lower end. But the N 2.0 Turbo is heavy duty and rips. Not crazy about the infotainment screen. I think it will be a hit!

  15. It looks bad ass, masculine and bold. It reminds me of a Chrysler Conquest/Mitsubishi Starion with 2 more doors. Not a fan of the normal aspirated 2.0 it has a weak lower end. But the N Turbo is heavy duty and rips. Not crazy about the infotainment screen. I think it will be a hit!

  17. Oh, this is good, very, very good. Sadly though, as good as it looks, it will still drive like an Elantra.

  18. I like the exterior design. I hate the dashboard. And it’s probably going to have the same CVT as the last one. So Hyundai lost me at CVT.

  20. Looks workably good as an 80’s riff on a muscle sedan. As a commuter Elantra that needs to be slippery, it is HIDEOUS. They are conflating opposing aims. The N brand needs totally changed to distinct models under Hyundai, or completely dropped.

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