The 2019 Hyundai Elantra Gets a Radical Facelift
The current generation of the Elantra sedan has only been on sale since the 2017 model year, but it’s already receiving a styling refresh. And a very noticeable one at that.
The 2019 Hyundai Elantra sedan boasts a while new front end with sharper design characteristics. It now features triangular headlight clusters, a more aggressive front bumper and grille as well as a sharply creased hood. Meanwhile, the rear end gets reshaped taillights and the license plate has been moved to the bumper, eliminating the trunklid recess, and the car also benefits from new alloy wheel designs. The Elantra sedan now looks less like the 2018 Hyundai Accent, and a little more like the Hyundai Sonata.
Inside, there’s a redesigned centre stack with fancier air vents as well as audio and climate control switchgear, while a new instrument panel is now facing the driver.
The Elantra now includes more safety features, too. Lane keep assist and forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian detection should make its down into more affordable trim levels, not just the top-tier GLS and Limited variants. A driver drowsiness detection system is new, as is Safe Exit Assist that sounds an alert when a vehicle approaches from behind while passengers are opening a door.
The infotainment system has also been revised with faster processing speeds as well as an eight-inch touchscreen in upscale trims instead of the previous seven-inch display. A wireless charge pad for compatible devices has also been added.
No mechanical changes have been announced, meaning the Elantra sedan will still be equipped with an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that develops 147 horsepower, along with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. The Elantra Sport benefits from a turbocharged, 1.6-litre four that’s good for 201 hp.
Pricing hasn’t yet been disclosed, but the 2019 Hyundai Elantra sedan will be on sale this fall.
