The Hyundai Elantra is a compact car manufactured and sold by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 1990. Hyundai initially sold the model as the Lantra in Australia and some parts of Europe. After a decade, the carmaker standardized the name "Elantra" worldwide in 2001, except in South Korea. The Elantra is a compact C-segment car that rivals the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla on a global scale.
History of the Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Elantra First Generation (J1; 1990–1995)
Hyundai debuted the first-generation Elantra in 1990. A 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic gearbox were available for the Lantra, initially driven by Mitsubishi engines of 1.5L and 1.8L, respectively. Despite a minor redesign in 1993 that improved the car's appearance, the second generation of the Elantra came just two years later.
Hyundai Elantra Second Generation (J2/RD; 1995–2000)
When the second-generation Elantra (J2) was released in March 1995, the Alpha II G4FK DOHC engine was introduced by Hyundai. The first Hyundai Beta-series engine was built and marketed in Europe in September, and it was later available in North America. The Elantra 2 diverged from the rectangular style of its predecessor, adhering to the design trend of the 1990s.
Hyundai Elantra Third Generation (XD; 2000–2006)
A new liftback design was introduced to the Elantra for the third generation, replacing the station wagon's rear window and tailgate in one unit. Inside, the maker utilized newer Alpha II and Beta II engines, each equipped with two camshafts for better performance (DOHC). Hyundai replaced the 1.9L diesel engine from the previous generation with a new 1.5L engine in the current model. Customers could choose between a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic transmission, which stayed the same as the previous generation.
Hyundai Elantra Fourth Generation (HD; 2006–2010)
The entirely redesigned Elantra, dubbed HD, was unveiled at the 2006 New York Auto Show. This Elantra model was the first to have Hyundai's "coke bottle" style, which added more curves to the car than previous models had. A mild-hybrid variant of the Elantra HD was the first of its kind in South Korea.
Hyundai Elantra Fifth Generation (MD/UD; 2010–2015)
At the 2010 Busan International Motor Show in April, this generation made its debut, showcasing a significant leap forward in design and technology. In other words, the model's exterior proportions and longer wheelbase made it seem like a car that was somewhat above the small class. New engines and six-speed manual and automatic transmissions were also available for Elantra's 5th generation. The Elantra has finally established itself as a globally recognized model, with assembly plants in the United States, India, Malaysia, Russia, China, and Algeria. In 2012, Hyundai introduced a two-door coupe variant of the Elantra and the Elantra Langdong, a larger and broader model explicitly designed for China's automotive market.
Hyundai Elantra Sixth Generation (AD; 2015–2020)
In September 2015, Hyundai debuted the Avante, a new generation of the Elantra, in South Korea. However, despite the model's stylistic departure from its predecessors, it still has the so-called "flowing sculpture" at its rear end, a trademark of all versions since 2011. Following in the footsteps of other Hyundai crossovers, this generation has adopted a huge grille. A 1.4 T-GDi gasoline engine and 1.6 SmartStream, and 1.6 CRDi diesel engines are available. A 7-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission was available depending on the market, as was a continuously variable CVT or a 6-speed manual transmission. Many parts and systems that impact driving safety are available in a significant facelift completed in 2018. The first Elantra PHEV model was launched in China in 2019 as the first Elantra to be loaded with a plug-in hybrid.
Hyundai Elantra Seventh Generation (CN7; 2020–Present)
Hyundai's current style concept, "Sensuous Sportiness," was showcased on the all-new seventh-generation Elantra when it was unveiled in March 2020. It featured striking, aggressive, polygonal side shaping. The Elantra reverted to a sportier appearance compared to the previous generations, with a larger body and wheelbase. More of these features later.
Price
Hyundai retails the 2022 Elantra model with a starting price of $21,245 for the base model. The company also offers more trims at higher prices, and they are the following:
- SE - $21,245
- SEL - $22,495
- Blue Hybrid - $25,145
- N Line - $25,395
- Limited - $26,995
- Limited Hybrid - $29,645
Features
Interior Features of the Hyundai Elantra
The inside of the Elantra is designed to complement the car's stunning appearance. The dashboard and center console encircle around the driver, whereas the passenger's section is more pared-down. In this automobile, a single LED strip extends from the steering wheel to the door panel on the passenger's side, following a dashboard-spanning air vent. This helps the Elantra model compete with more spacious rivals, such as the Volkswagen Jetta and Sentra, which provide more capacity for passengers.
Exterior Features of the Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai's design philosophy has shifted away from creating solely utilitarian automobiles. This may be seen in the Elantra's sleek, angular design. Most experts are big admirers of the "Sensuous Sportiness" design concept employed by the manufacturer. The tiny car appears to be more powerful than it is to the untrained eye. The jewel-pattern grille dominates the front fascia, and the headlights trail out from here, curling up around the corners just a little bit. Brake lights extend throughout the whole back fascia. The front and rear bumpers of the N Line are model-specific. Wheels range from 15 inches on the SE to 18 inches on the N-Line model. At 16 inches, the Hybrid is in the center, while the Limited is the tallest at 17 inches. LED DRLs are standard on all variants, although only the top-of-the-line Limited trims feature LED headlights. The base model has chrome exterior highlights, while the Limited has dark chrome ones.
The exterior colors are as follows:
- Quartz White +$400
- Calypso Red +$400
- Electric Shadow
- Phantom Black
- Scarlet Red Pearl
- Fluid Metal
- Intense Blue
- Ceramic White
- Shimmering Silver Pearl
- Lava Orange
- Portofino Gray
Standard Features of the Hyundai Elantra
- Forward Collision Warning
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Pedestrian Detection
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Safe Exit Warning
- Rear Occupant Alert
- Automatic High Beams
- Lane-Keeping Assistance
- Lane-Following Assistance
- An 8-Inch Touchscreen Controls
- Wireless Apple Carplay
- Android Auto Smartphone Integration
- Bluetooth
- Two USB Ports
- Four Speakers
- Plastic Steering Wheel
- Manual Air Conditioning
- Cloth Upholstery
Optional Features of the Hyundai Elantra
SEL
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Keyless Entry/Ignition
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Satellite Radio
- Two More Speakers
- Heated Front Seats
- Convenience Package
- A Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Wireless Charging
- A USB Port for the Back Seats
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- A More Sophisticated Forward Collision Avoidance System
- Navigation (2023)
- Twin 10.25-Inch Screens (2023)
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels (2023)
N Line
- SEL Convenience package
- Cloth/Simulated Leather Seating Surfaces
- A Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat
Limited
- Upgraded SEL Convenience package
- Rear Parking Sensors
- LED Headlights
- Leather Seating Surfaces
- Sunroof
- Self-Dimming Rearview Mirror
- Hyundai Digital Key
- Highway Driving Assist
- An 8-Speaker Bose Audio System
Specs and Performance of the Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai used ten different engines that include petrol, petrol LPG, petrol hybrid, and electric motor for the Elantra model. The Smartstream G2.0 MPI engine delivers 157 hp (117 kW) at 6,200 rpm and 141 lb-ft (191 Nm) at 4,500 rpm of torque. The model accelerates from 0-62 mph (100 kph) in 9.8 seconds, with a top speed of 126 mph (203 kph). Hyundai manufactured the Elantra model with a front-wheel-drive (FWD) and a parallel hybrid drivetrain. The model has seven available transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, 6-speed D6KF1 DCT, 7-speed D7UF1 DCT, 8-speed D8LF1 DCT, and a CVT.
Release Date
Hyundai has been manufacturing and marketing the Elantra model since 1990. Elantra N's North American unveiling will occur on August 19, 2022.