Less than a year after it introduced a rather comprehensive update for the sixth-gen model, Hyundai has revealed the all-new, seventh-generation Elantra in the USA.
The design of the new Hyundai Elantra is a complete departure from that of the current model, with the new-gen car designed to look more like a four-door coupé. Hyundai wanted to go bold and sporty with the appearance of the new Elantra and has introduced a new facet of its 'Sensuous Sportiness’ design theme, titled 'Parametric Dynamics’. Having three surface lines meet at one point is the main element of this new design theme, and polyhedral shapes and prominent creases all across the bodywork give the new Elantra a decidedly aggressive look on the outside. The Elantra’s new LED headlights merge into the large cascading grille to form a single unit; 17-inch dual-tone alloys add visual flair to the dramatic side profile and the sharply raked roofline flows smoothly into the fastback-style rear. T-shaped LED elements in the tail-lights are linked by an LED light bar, forming a 'flying H logo' when lit up.
The 2021 Elantra is based on the new K3 platform, and Hyundai says this makes it lighter than the outgoing generation, and compared to the model currently on sale in India, the new car is 56mm longer, 51mm lower and 26mm wider, with a 20mm increase in wheelbase. Hyundai claims that despite the drop in height, the new Elantra has the same amount of headroom on the inside as the outgoing model, while offering more leg and shoulder room for rear-seat passengers.
Inside, the new Elantra gets a fully redesigned dashboard and a four-spoke steering wheel; as seen on the new Hyundai Creta and upcoming next-gen i20. Top-spec Elantras will get twin 10.25-inch screens – one for the instrument cluster, and another for the touchscreen infotainment system – both merged into a single unit stretching from the driver's side to the centre console. Four AC vents are part of an element designed to look like a single, slim air-con vent spanning the width of the dash, and the cornering grip for the co-driver rises from the front centre armrest and extends into the dashboard.
The equipment list comprises Hyundai's Blue Link connected-car tech with voice recognition, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, an electric sunroof, ventilated seats, 64-colour ambient lighting, a 'Digital Key' smartphone app (to unlock and start the car) and wireless smartphone charging. Standard safety kit includes forward, reverse and blind-spot collision avoidance assist, a driver attention warning system and a reverse camera, to name a few.
Hyundai has chosen to carry over the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine from the current car, paired it with a CVT automatic and, for the first time, the brand will also offer a hybrid powertrain for the Elantra. The new Elantra Hybrid pairs a 1.6-litre GDI petrol with a 32kW electric motor (powered by a 1.32kWh lithium-ion battery) for a combined output of 139hp and 264Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Hyundai also mentions an electric-only driving mode for the Elantra Hybrid, but hasn’t shared a figure for the range. Additionally, Hyundai could consider offering the 1.5-litre diesel engine as an option for India if there’s sufficient demand in the segment. Hyundai is likely to provide manual and automatic gearbox options for each engine option in our market. It’ll be interesting to see if Hyundai also chooses to introduce a turbo-petrol engine with the Elantra, seeing as how the company now offers a turbo-petrol option with a variety of models – including the Grand i10 Nios, Aura, Venue, Verna and Creta – and is keen to tap into an as-yet-unmet demand.
It’s unlikely that Hyundai will introduce the new Elantra in India anytime soon, with the mid-life update for the present-gen car having arrived only late last year. That said, Hyundai did launch the current-gen car in India just 16 months after bringing in the facelift for the now-outgoing model.
Expect the new Hyundai Elantra to come to India sometime in 2021, with prices expected to be in the range of Rs 16-22 lakh (ex-showroom).
Think the new Hyundai Elantra looks promising? Let us know in the comments.
Also see:
2021 Hyundai Elantra image gallery
Hyundai keen to tap ‘hidden demand’ with turbo-petrol offerings
Hyundai confirms Tata Nexon EV-rivalling SUV for India in 2022