The 7th iteration of the Hyundai Elantra has arrived in Malaysia, with a hefty price tag.
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has recently announced the official launch of the all-new Elantra sedan. Coming relatively shortly after its global debut earlier this year, this 7th iteration South Korean C-segment car arrives in Malaysia with only one variant, and with an inconveniently hefty price tag of RM 158,888.
To put this price into context, there is a nearly RM 20k price delta between this fully-imported Elantra and its more popular Japanese counterparts, with both the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla topping out at a shade under RM 140k. The only car in this segment which just pips this South Korean sedan is the range-topping Mazda3 Sedan, which costs around RM 160k.
Nevertheless, the saying of ‘you get what you’re paying for’ is quite apt for this new Elantra. That is because, much like its equally high-priced Sonata big brother, this smaller Hyundai sedan does offer quite a lot for the relatively large chunk of cash.
Clothed in Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design aesthetic, the new Elantra is certainly a striking looking sedan. With its distinct front grille, sharply creased shoulder lines down the side and an equally sharp rear end complete will full length light bar, it is undoubtably going to be one of those cars that will cause many heads to turn while out on Malaysian roads.
Saying that, what is perhaps of more practical use though in daily driving scenarios is the fact that the new Elantra is larger in almost every respect from its predecessor. Sitting on South Korean automaker’s third generation K3 platform, this new C-segment sedan now touts best-in-class 38.0 inches of rear legroom amongst its other equally impressive dimensional stats.
Surprisingly too, despite the gain in size, there has actually been a drop in heft. Meaning that the Elantra should also be peppier than its prior iteration, as well as being more practical too.
Speaking of peppy, the main source of all this pep would be the new Smartstream G1.6 MPi four-cylinder engine. Rated at a reasonable 123 PS and 154 Nm of torque, this naturally aspirated power plant sends its power Hyundai’s proprietary Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). Four drive modes are also available, coming in the form of Smart, Comfort, Eco and Sport, to best tailor the Elantra’s characteristics to the driver’s preferences.
Stepping inside, the Elantra is, expectedly for this price of car, suitably premium and suitably tech-laden. For starters, a 10.25-inch Supervision TFT digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch central infotainment touchscreen are featured within the cabin here. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is standard too, as is multi-connection Bluetooth integration that allows for two devices to be paired at the same time to the infotainment system.
Furthermore, both front seats feature heating and cooling functions, with the driver’s seat also being electrically adjustable. Other notable interior highlights include a Qi wireless charging pad and an electronic parking brake with auto-hold.
Moving on to the safety tech featured on the Elantra, this new Hyundai comes with a whole host of active safety features bundled together with the standard Hyundai SmartSense package. Among the driver aids are Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Lane Following Assist (LFA), Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, Driver Attention Warning and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert.
Sadly missing however from this Elantra is Hyundai’s amazingly intuitive blind spot camera system which displays the feed right into the dials with a flick of the indicator. Instead, standard here is the more primitive version of a blind spot monitor which comes in the form of the Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.
As for passive safety features, the Elantra is equipped with six airbags and the usual passive safety acronyms fitted to nearly every other car on the market today. Two ISOFIX child seat mounts are also to be found in the rear of this mid-sized sedan.
The new Elantra is available in four exterior colours: Polar White, Amazon Grey, Electric Shadow and Intense Blue, and two interior trim options: Black interior with mixed media of Natural Leather and Tricot and Light grey two-tone with mixed media of Natural Leather and Woven Fabric. All new Elantras sold will also a five-year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.
PRESS RELEASE: The all-new seventh-generation Hyundai Elantra is poised to be the new trendsetter for C-segment sedans with its official launch today. Launched at an introductory price of RM158,888 (Peninsula Malaysia, excluding insurance), the latest Elantra features an innovative and exquisite jewel-cut exterior design, a new vehicle platform as well as an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) that is mated with a Smartstream G1.6 petrol engine.
Its futuristic and unconventional design fits the next generation of drivers who want to be different and are always questioning tradition. This daring and non-conforming mindset is evident in the progressive and exciting styling of the all-new Elantra.
“The new Elantra is a game changer, not just in its looks but the entire package that comes with it. Its sporty elegant look that comes with a high-tech premium interior and Hyundai’s Smartsense features make it an unbeatable C-segment car in its class,” said Mr Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors.
Positioned to be a trendsetter for C-segment cars, the Elantra is also the first Hyundai model to be fitted with an intelligent transmission (IVT) that offers class-leading performance and fuel economy. Paired with the Smartstream G1.6 MPi petrol engine, the new Elantra is capable of producing 123PS at 6,300rpm and a peak torque of 154Nm at 4,500rpm. With four drive modes to choose from, i.e Smart, Comfort, Eco and Sport, the Elantra offers an exhilarating drive.
On its unique design, Mr Low said the Hyundai Elantra is designed based on Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design concept. “The Elantra carries an intricate design of geometric crystals cut and divided body surfaces with the clever usage of line patterns, which resulted in the colourful ‘Parametric Dynamics’. This design element is a daring challenge, which has not been seen in any car design, marking Elantra’s disrupter-spirit.”
Built on Hyundai’s third-generation K3 vehicle platform, the new Elantra boasts superior key interior dimensions – with an increase of 2.2 inches in overall length, 0.8 inch in its wheelbase and one-inch in the overall width. The overall height dropped by 0.8 inch and the front cowl point has been moved back almost two inches. Though seemingly minor, this dramatically changed the shape of the car without encroaching on cabin space.
Though the car now has a sleeker roofline compared to its predecessor, its headroom is not compromised. The Elantra boasts 40.6 inches of front headroom and 37.3 inches of rear headroom. The longer wheelbase also provides a best-in-class 38.0 inches of rear legroom while the wider track width means improved shoulder room in the front and rear. With over 407 litres of boot space and 60/40 split folding rear seats, this also makes it convenient to transport big bulky items with ease.
The Elantra also delivers outstanding comfort, functionality and practicality. The “immersive cocoon” interior envelops the driver in a technologically advanced and sophisticated cabin that is akin to entering an airplane cockpit. A large interface consisting of two harmoniously connected 10.25-inch Supervision TFT and an 8-inch floating display enhances the futuristic feel of the car.
Its 8-inch infotainment system displays a wide variety of useful information such as utility, driver assistance and navigation. The Elantra’s segment-first wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and multi-connection Bluetooth support also allow for two devices to be paired at the same time — one for phone calls and one for streaming audio.
On safety features, apart from being equipped with 6 airbags and a host of other standard safety equipment, the Elantra is also fully equipped with Hyundai’s Smartsense package which includes:
- ïBlind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- ïSmart Cruise Control (SCC) makes highway and long-distance driving more comfortable
- ïLane Keep Assist (LKA) and Lane Following Assist (LFA)
- ïForward Collision Avoidance Assist
- ïRear Occupant Alert
- ïSafe Exit Warning
- ïDriver Attention Warning
- ïLeading Vehicle Departure Alert
The Elantra comes with a five-year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) warranty. It is available for viewing at all Hyundai showrooms nationwide.
