5 things to know about the soon-to-be-launched 2021 Hyundai Elantra
1. Lamborghini’s former head of design is responsible for the way it looks
Does the name Luc Donckerwolke ring a bell? Let’s refresh that memory. Lamborghini Murcielago, Gallardo, second-gen Bentley Flying Spur… these are some of the works attributed to Donckerwolke in his capacity as design director for both high-end, Volkswagen Group brands. He’s currently the chief creative officer at Hyundai, where he has also been responsible for the designs of the Kona, Palisade and some of Genesis’s most recent products like the 5 Series-challenging G80 and Bentayga-mimicking GV80.
We’ve had an up-close look at the seventh-generation Elantra in the metal and it definitely has the aesthetic eccentricities you’d expect from a designer with such a stellar CV. The indicators are embedded in the sea of triangles – a shape often considered taboo in car design – that shape the bold, front grille. A black garnish on the rear trunk accentuates the fastback look of a car that’s still very much a sedan in form and function. That snazzy light strip in the back is deserving of its own magazine spread. And like the Mazda3 hatchback, front foglamps aren’t even optional for design reasons; we’re not even sure if it’s fair to put them in the same league.
Like it or not, the design of the new Hyundai Elantra has far transcended the standards of the C-segment that we’ve gotten so used to over the years. The next-gen Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have nothing on this Korean number as far as visual impact is concerned. How a mainstream manufacturer can afford to integrate design cues once reserved for elite supercars into a product built for volume remains a curious wonder. We could go on and on, and still not reach the get past the angular doors to the cabin that deserves a glowing essay on interior design of its own. It’s just a shame there’s not much go to match the show.
2. We’ll only be getting a naturally-aspirated engine and a CVT
The Malaysia-spec Elantra will do 0-100kph in 10.4 seconds – that’s how little shove it has. That’s because we’re getting a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated Kappa II MPI engine, which is now branded as Hyundai’s Smartstream G1.6. It makes a meagre 123PS and 154Nm – just 2Nm more than the Nissan Almera’s 1.0-litre three-pot engine – and sends that output to the front wheels via something called an ‘Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)’.
IVT is essentially Hyundai’s take on a CVT that is driven by a chain instead of the usual steel belt. This transmission is configured to permanently operate on eight virtual ratios, effectively simulating the driving experience of an eight-speed torque converter automatic, rpm fluctuations and all. It remains to be seen how the IVT holds up to this claim, but it certainly sounds like Hyundai has put in a lot of time and resources for a fuel economy improvement of just 4.2 percent. That said, a claimed average of 5.4l/100km is certainly noteworthy for a 1.6-litre mill tasked to move a 1.2-tonne car without the help of turbos or electrification.
3. It’s a substantially bigger car; more practical too
Compared to the outgoing Elantra, the seventh-generation model (codenamed CN) is 55mm longer and 25mm wider, with a 5mm decrease in overall height for a sportier figure. The 2,720mm-long wheelbase is also an improvement – by 20mm from before – and within that area is an extra 58mm of legroom for rear passengers.
Behind the rear quarters is a cavernous boot with a hands-free ‘Smart Trunk’ and 474 litres of cargo volume.
Like a brand-new BMW, Hyundai gives Elantra owners a repair kit instead of a spare tyre, but here’s where things get weird. Lift the boot floor panel up and you’ll find a crater in the frame of the car that’s clearly meant to accommodate a spare – the stock tyres are 225/45R17 in case you’re wondering. So its omission is more likely a cost-cutting measure than a space-saving one.
4. The interior is a lovely place to be in, and it’s full of goodies
If the exterior of the 2021 Elantra is somewhat controversially bold, its cabin is a universal masterclass in automotive interior design. From the free-flowing air con vents to the futuristically European centre console that distinguishes the driver’s cockpit, the Elantra’s chambers has much more flair in look and feel than most D-segment offerings, let alone its direct competitors in the C-segment. On top of the visual and tactile refinement, you get to choose between two colour schemes: black or light grey; the latter being a two-tone option that’s more interesting than it sounds due to the asymmetric door panel colours. Interior variations are rare in this segment, but it’s one of the perks of having the car shipped over, assembled in full, directly from South Korea.
Being a CBU, the cabin gets a few interesting but questionable features such as a heated steering wheel and heated wing mirrors. They may sound unnecessary in our climate, but having them is the only way to spec the car with ventilated seats, which can come in handy on a hot day. Dual-zone climate control, an electronic parking brake, wireless charger and eight-inch infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are among the other goodies on offer, while things are similarly generous on the safety front with tech like lane keep assist, smart cruise control and forward collision avoidance making up the Hyundai SmartSense suite of potentially lifesaving features.
5. It will be launched in Malaysia soon, but prices remain a mystery
Local distributor Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has committed to launching the new Elantra in Malaysia before 2020 comes to an end, which gives the company just a few more weeks to finalise the price – you can already book one at the cost of RM777 in any case. The only clue we have at time of writing is one that reads RM1XX,888, which puts the car anywhere in the vast expanse between RM101k to RM200k – er, thanks for the hint?
While it’s safe to rule out the steeper end of the spectrum that’s already occupied by the recently-launched Hyundai Sonata, don’t count on it being that affordable on the account of its CBU origins. We reckon the final prices will give customers a tricky decision to make: one between this eye-catching Civic fighter and the 177PS, twin-clutch Hyundai Kona 1.6 Turbo.
