The sixth generation of the Hyundai Elantra compact sedan has arrived, debuting in its home market of South Korea ahead of the U.S. reveal scheduled for the Los Angeles auto show in November. With more upscale styling inspired by the Genesis sedan, a much-improved interior, and plenty of new features, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra looks like it will be a competitive entry in the mainstream compact sedan segment.
As we saw in previous teaser photos, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra’s front end adopts the corporate hexagonal grille shape seen on many other Hyundai models. A low hood profile tapers into an inset character line along the side, which rises toward the high deckled. Wide taillights mimic those on the Genesis, as do the sharply raked C-pillars and rear windshield.
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra, which is called the Avante in Korea, is 0.8 inch longer and 1 inch wider than before, and is said to offer a more spacious interior. The interior photo shows a horizontally oriented dashboard layout similar to that in the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, with a large display screen in the center and a few rows of entertainment and climate-control buttons and knobs below. Available active-safety features for the Elantra will include blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Powertrains for the U.S.-market Elantra haven’t been released yet, but the Korean car will use 1.6-liter gasoline and diesel four-cylinder options, as well as an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder. This 147-hp 2.0L engine may be the base powertrain in the U.S., while higher trims are likely to use the turbocharged 1.6-liter four and dual-clutch transmission from the Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Sonata Eco.
Stay tuned for more info to come on the U.S.-market 2017 Hyundai Elantra, and check out the photos of this new compact in the meantime.
