Now in its seventh generation, the Hyundai Elantra was unveiled back in March 2020 as a 2021 model year with a new “parametric dynamics” design language, and a return to a longer and wider fastback rear end sports sedan style. The Elantra has been raking in big numbers ever since it debuted way back in October 1990.
For the Indian market, however, the response was never too great, to be honest. Sure, it was a much cheaper alternative to the likes of the Skoda Octavia, and also rivaled the likes of the now-axed Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla Altis, but it did lack the oomph factor in it, if you may. However, all of that will soon change when the 2021 Hyundai Elantra reaches the Indian shores this year. Why will it be such a big thing? We tell you.
Design
The looks have to be perhaps the biggest change in the 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The new Elantra carries Hyundai’s latest ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language, but with help from “Parametric Dynamics”, it looks edgy, striking, great. At the front, the LED headlights merge with a large, cascading grille, to form a single unit with prominent creases on the hood giving the sedan a more aggressive look.
At the back, the Elantra now gets T-shaped taillights with an LED light bar running across the boot lid which, when lit up at night, forms a flying H logo of all sorts.
Space
Thanks to the new Elantra being based on Hyundai’s new K3 architecture, when compared with its current-gen on sale in India, the new model will be 56mm longer, 51mm lower and 26mm wider, with a 20mm increase in wheelbase which will directly result in more interior space.
The Korean giant also says that despite the drop in height, the new Elantra offers the same amount of headroom while also giving more leg-and-shoulder room for those sat at the back.
Comfort
The Elantra may be another executive sedan, but its latest update will see it take the comfort levels one up as impressive body roll and shock absorption (as heard from many abroad), will result in a cushier ride. A plus given the conditions of our roads.
Tech
To say the interior will be feature-rich is a massive understatement as it will be much more than that. You will get an all-new dashboard design and a four-spoke steering wheel (like the one found on the Creta). The top-spec variants will also boast a couple of 10.25-inch screens – one as the instrument cluster and the other one as the infotainment unit.
Key features amongst the long list will be Hyundai’s Blue Link connected-car tech, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, an electric sunroof, ventilated seats, 64-colour ambient lighting, a ‘Digital Key’ smartphone app (to unlock and start the car), and wireless smartphone charging. Safety-wise, apart from airbags, ABS and ESC, Indian models could also get a driver attention warning system and forward collision avoidance assist.
Power
The 2.0L, 4-cyl motor still is available, but unlike previously when it could be had with a Torque Converter, buyers will now have it with a CVT ‘box. For India, Hyundai could also give the Elantra an option of the 1.5L, the Diesel engine should the demand be enough. Otherwise, a 1.4L, turbo-petrol unit is also on the cards.
Internationally speaking, the Elantra also receives a Hybrid powertrain – a first for the model – that pairs a 1.6L. turbo-petrol engine with a 32kW electric motor for a combined output of 139hp and 264Nm of torque paired to a 6-speed DCT.
Competition
As mentioned above, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra will go against the recently-launched Skoda Octavia. Skoda plans to bring the Octavia RS model, especially when it knows the kind of amazing response it received last time out. As for Hyundai, it did reveal the Elantra N just a day ago, but we have got to hear from the maker about it reaching India.
One thing’s for certain, though – sure, the Elantra lacked by a mile when compared with its direct rival, the Skoda Octavia, but if the model is anything to go by, it will soon become everybody’s favourite executive sedan because it’ll be cheaper, and bang for the buck! We say that solely because of how aggressive the pricing is for the Octavia considering Skoda vehicles have always been on the pricier side. So, we expect it to be priced at around Rs. 23.5-25 lakhs ex-showroom.
