BIG STEP FORWARD FOR KOREAN SEDAN
New cabin design compares favourably to some of its much more expensive rivals
In the automotive world, most companies launch a redesigned model every five or six years. Midway through the cycle, the ride in question gets a facelift to keep it fresh and in touch with an ever-shifting market. Hyundai is short-circuiting the process by introducing the seventh-generation Elantra just four years after launching the then-new, sixth-generation model.
The 2021 Elantra has been almost totally reworked — the base powertrain is about the only carry-over component. The sedan arrives with a coupelike stance, angular edges, and attractive character lines. From the sharp grille to the rear fascia with its full-width H-shaped light bar, the Elantra certainly is different.
It’s longer, wider, and now rides on a 2,720-millimetre wheelbase. The upshot is 58 mm more rearseat legroom. It’s also lower.
In the past, the Elantra was knocked for its so-so interior look and feel. The new cabin takes large steps forward, managing to rival some far more expensive rides. Lower-trim models feature an eight-inch touch screen infotainment system that includes what Hyundai says is a segment first: wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. Another upscale amenity is the optional driver-selectable mood lighting and its choice of 64 colours.
The more impressive setup has two 10.25-inch screens that live under a single piece of glass. The left screen displays the digital instrumentation. It’s clean, clear, and uncluttered in how it presents information. The right screen takes care of the infotainment, navigation, and audio functions including the optional eight-speaker Bose sound system. In the end, the layout and look is reminiscent of the current crop of Mercedes-benz products.
The base powertrain, carried over from the previous model, is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. It drives the front wheels through the CVT that was added last year and a manual transmission is offered on the base model.
A first, however, is the availability of a hybrid.
In this case, the Elantra Hybrid features a 1.6-L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with 104 hp and 109 lb-ft of torque. It works with a 43-hp electric motor that twists out another 125 lb-ft of torque. When the two are working together, the system has a net output of 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.
The Hybrid’s engine and electric motor work with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission that drives the front wheels. Hyundai says the transmission promises a superior driving experience because the twin-clutch design delivers a more immediate response to input. The juice for the electric side comes from a 1.32-kwh lithium-ion polymer battery that’s housed under the rear seat so it doesn’t impinge on trunk space. The Hybrid has the same 402-L cargo capacity as the non-hybrid models. The real plus is the Elantra Hybrid delivers a combined average fuel economy of 4.7 L/100 km. It should also handle very nicely because the platform is lighter, the centre of gravity is lower, and it gets a multi-link rear suspension. The regular Elantra uses a torsion-beam setup.
All Elantras (except the base manual) have Hyundai’s Smartsense system. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with keep assist, lane-follow assist, automatic high beams, a drowsy-driver monitor, and adaptive cruise control. On top trims, there is a Parking Collision Assist system that looks for obstacles when parking and can brake automatically if the driver doesn’t take evasive action. Also on higher-end trims is Highway Driving Assist — it’s similar to the system found in the Palisade and Sonata.
This is a solid package by any standard; however, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on lower trim levels. Yes, this is also true of Elantra’s key competitors, but it’s a missed opportunity to set a new standard for the class.
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra sedan will arrive in showrooms in November, and pricing will be announced closer to the launch date.