The seventh-generation Hyundai Elantra looks properly crazy in pics (we meant that in a good way, good crazy), but nothing quite prepares you for seeing the CN7 in the metal. The riot of lines, and on a C-segment family sedan at that – Hyundai has gone its own way before, but this has to be the Korean carmaker’s most deliberate attempt ever.
The new Elantra follows the Sensuous Sportiness design identity as per the new Sonata, but if the D-segment model is all about curves, the Elantra is full of sharp lines and triangles. Hyundai says that triangular shapes is a “taboo” in car design, and this is a bold attempt that achieves “geometrical beauty”. Definitely a love or hate design, but it’s certainly bold, and no one can accuse Hyundai of playing it safe and boring. Also see the just-revealed fourth-gen Tucson.
After you finish playing “find the lines” with the Elantra’s Parametric Jewel body, take a step back and you’ll notice that this sedan is larger than the sixth-gen AD. According to the spec sheet, this car is 4,675 mm long, 1,825 mm wide and 1,430 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,720 mm. This makes the CN7 55 mm longer and 25 mm wider than its predecessor, but 20 mm lower.
The wheelbase is 20 mm longer than the AD and MD’s 2.7 metres, a spec sheet hint at the new third-generation modular global platform underneath, as used in the DN8 Sonata. The new architecture – which is said to improve safety, efficiency and driving performance – replaces the second-generation global platform family introduced in 2013.
The AD Elantra is not a very common sight, so for a better mental comparo, the new Elantra is 27 mm longer, 26 mm wider and 14 mm taller than the current Honda Civic, and its wheelbase is 20 mm longer. Boot space is 474 litres (no spare tyre but a repair kit) versus the Honda’s 519L.
Behind that low snout is a Smartstream G1.6 engine. This latest 1.6 litre unit is naturally aspirated and has dual port injection (MPI, as opposed to direct injection), pushing out 121 hp at 6,300 rpm and 154 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm.
Also known as the “Gamma II” engine, the DOHC and Dual VVT unit is paired to Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) with eight virtual speeds. IVT is the carmaker’s in-house developed and produced CVT, with a chain-belt, promising better response and the shift pattern of a manual transmission. This would be the first Hyundai sold here with a stepless automatic – we’ve had torque converter and dual-clutch autos before.
The Smartstream engine and gearbox combo powers the 1,245 kg Elantra from 0-100 km/h in 10.4 seconds, while top speed is 196 km/h. The in-house claimed combined fuel consumption figure is 5.6 litres per 100 km, or 17.85 km/l. In terms of performance, it’s not quite at the level of the previous-gen AD Turbo, or even the Civic FC’s 1.5T engine (173 PS/220 Nm), but Hyundai does produce the Elantra N Line with a 1.6L turbo engine, 201 hp and 264 Nm. Someday perhaps?
In the chassis department, it’s the standard front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension. Brakes are ventilated discs in front and solid discs at the back. Electric power steering (EPS, or MDPS in Hyundai-speak) and an electronic parking brake with auto hold are also in the mix.
This contender is more about design and features than outright performance, and the single CBU Korea variant that Malaysia gets is very well equipped. On the outside, you’ll find bi-LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, full-width LED tail lamps (H-shaped) and 17-inch two-tone alloys (225/45 Kumho Ecsta PS71 tyres) that match the car’s parametric design. Note that these are factory wheels and not locally-sourced items – speaking of that, the only local addition to the CN7 are “Smartstream” badges on the front wings.
The new Elantra’s interior matches the wow factor of the exterior, even if it’s not as sharply cut. There’s a very prominent boundary between the driver’s cockpit area and the front passenger, brought about by a physical barrier that slopes down from the dashboard to the centre armrest, and trim colour.
The horizontal vents made popular by Audi is employed in this driver-centric cabin, and above that strip are screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system.
The meter panel is a 10.25-inch Supervision LCD colour display (dials will change colour according to drive mode), while the head unit is an 8.0-inch unit touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There’s also a Bluetooth multi-connection function that will take music from different sources. Wireless smartphone charger too, of course.
Other useful comfort and convenience features include ventilated/heated front seats, heated steering wheel (we don’t need this but kit comes in a package), dual-zone auto air con with three step auto blower control, rear AC vents, smart temperature control for the driver’s seat (seat ventilation can be synced with climate control), electronic parking brake with auto hold, tyre pressure monitoring and a hands-free smart trunk.
Also included are an eight-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar, keyless entry and push start, auto headlamps and wipers and multi-angle reverse camera. The front cupholders are variable and can fit different sizes of beverage.
In addition, Hyundai’s full and latest SmartSense suite of driver assist features are present. In the pack are Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), Forward Collision Assist Junction, Blind Spot Collision with Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Collision (RCCA) with Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA) and Rear Occupant Alert.
The basic SmartSense tech are familiar, but there are new functions such as LFA (keeps one in the centre of the lane), cyclist detection for the FCA, junction FCA, Stop & Go for the SCC, and Avoidance Assist for the blind spot monitor and RCTA, among other things. LVDA is like Perodua ASA’s front departure alert. All that is in addition to six airbags and two rear Isofix child seat mounts. Comprehensive safety.
While we only get one single variant, there are two interior colour schemes, which is all black and light grey. Black is self-explanatory, but the grey scheme is nice as it highlights the cockpit zone with an all-round grey border. It also comes with a nice grey melange (my description, not Hyundai’s) fabric on the door cards that looks and feels nicer than the black leather. The fabric is also found on the back of the front seats.
Both come with leather seats – choose the black theme and you’ll get black seats, vice versa. We laud Hyundai-Sime Darby for giving a non-black cabin option – Malaysian car buyers are a conservative lot, we’re told by all carmakers, so no one would bat an eyelid if black was the only choice.
As for exterior colours, the Elantra will be shipped here in Polar White, Amazon Grey, Electric Shadow and Intense Blue. The striking blue wasn’t at the media preview, but Electric Shadow is Hyundai’s take on the currently trendy “Nardo Grey” hue.
Lastly, if you’re wondering what’s that circular thing on the right of the meter panel, it’s a blank button of sorts – in the Elantra N Line, that’s where the Drive Mode button is. If it annoys you, just stick a phone holder there for an easy fix!
There you go, full specs and details on the new Hyundai Elantra, which will debut here in a single 1.6L IVT variant. The only thing we don’t know is the price of the car, which will be revealed when the C-segment contender is officially launched next week.
Being a CBU Korea entry with such high specs, we’re guessing that it won’t be priced at the level of the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. Perhaps, the CBU Japan Mazda 3, which tops out at RM154,679 after SST exemption, is a better indication.
It won’t be the cheapest C-segment sedan around, but the CN7 Hyundai Elantra will be trading on “feel” and design, much like the Mazda, although one is curvy and the other is sharp. Variety is the spice of life, right? What do you think of the new Elantra?
GALLERY: 2021 Hyundai Elantra, Malaysia-spec
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Nice
CBU? Sad. But, if price below rm130k, then it will be good sell.
Yours truly has a Hyundai.I m a hardcore diehard Hyundai supporter.
The only concern,not only me but many Hyundai loyalists…the ultimate skyrocketing premium pricing.
Being an ex Sime Darby staff,I understand the working culture.As a GLC,profits are top priority.
But looking at the pricing of the Sonata,this ‘Zorro” car will cost an arm or a leg even in a covid ravaged economy.
Bashers will harp on this brand keep teasing here and there but never announce the price. Oh wait, they only harp on proton for doing that.
Bashers never owned korean before, just like bashing for proton, toyota, mazda, nissan, conti cars but never owned too
Design wise, both interior and exterior, that’s really sharp looking modern car. Something different. Japanese could learn from them. Really cool looking. WOW factor to the max. Well done. Power may be lower than competitors, but if you’re into acceleration, then this will do just fine. It’s cool to be different.
Lexus has been doing this sharp and edgy design a long long time ago…even the taillights look like lexus…
you mean that spindle grille copied from audi and that mother fugly logo?
IVT auto gear. Really awesome
Well done HSDM!!!
Best spec C-Segment sedan, do enough of marketing and ads then it will sell like hot cakes.
Duckling face,
Lexus IS rear
Nice interior
Definitely striking in that Nardo Grey shades… but still miles behind the good looking powerful Civic 190HP..
boring, no turbo
only good thing, it has the adaptive cruise control.
interior is ok but the meter panel and the head unit look awful (don’t know whether this is low spec version or the rest will get this awful design)
gear knob looks premium unlike the x50 flimsy looks.
steering looks disgusting, the one on elantra before this looks so much better. even the ioniq steering also looks better.
tire repair kit looks like it is an afterthought.
exterior, front looks ok, back also ok, but from side, it is ugly.
What a joke bro. Look properly on design for both interior and exterior. Korean cars are getting better these days. And if you think this car is more boring and think that this car is very slow, then go for test drive. After that, come back again and how is it?
replace with n line steering
upgrade the dashboard to premium version (refer US model)
and turbo
this is will a perfect ride.
10.4 sec with 196 km/h. Great
Wooo so cute
Looks good, will the price be better?
Copy and Paste II: “if CBU Elantra touches nearly rm140k, it would good sell too and would able to compete with all c sedan segment rivals.”
This is a good potential for OpenPilot. Might be number 2 below Corolla G-spec. Sorry, Civic, CR-V, Accord with Honda Sensing might be below that due to limited steering torque.
Even, if CBU Elantra touches nearly rm140k, it would good sell too and would able to compete with all c sedan segment rivals
a very attractive all round package. Which only means, it will be priced to the skies in bolehland haiz.
The car look good but price is most important. Despite Korea car improve a lot but Malaysia distributor not doing good, buyer confident level still low. IMO, if the price same as Mazda high spec, why not just buy Mazda? And Mazda give 3 variants for this C-segment. High plus have sunroof + 18 inch sport rim.
The price, if higher than the jap cars (T&H), would make this car not sell well at all. The features and designs are great, but the lack of performance will turn a lot of ppl away with a high price. The “korean car” perception may affect the justification of the price even more.
CVT sudah berjangkit ke Korea? WTH, Hyundai! You are supposed to use transmission with gears only. This only shows that your 8-speed tranny is problematic. Had my eyes on Ioniq before but due to the ACC is not until stop, I turned into Corolla (sadly, it is a CVT). Nope, never consider Honda, even though Honda’s stock LKAS is one of the best, Honda still suffer with low quality issues.
So fast, you said 8 speed tranny is problematic. This IVT is very new thing. Test drive jer lol.
Nope!
New 1.6 engine with IVT gear will be slightly faster
Now this italic H is way better looking than the other H (Ah beng, lala, ricer favorite brand)
Better than 6th gen elantra AD facelift
Mazda3 has been a sales Flop because of Torsion Beam in the Premium Sedan category.
Hyundai have not learn from it.
Hybrid and N-Line have multi-link in the rear. Sadly they are not in Malaysia.
Look very sporty and too young
if it’s priced around rm160k for a 1.6cc car, it will be a rare sight on the road.
The best hyundai car you can buy after the Kona. Well done HSDM. Hoping for other hyundai’s cars to get SmartSense and better spec for Malaysia specially Sonata.
kona is crap compared to fantastic x50.
Poll result will tell the truth. If this priced at the same level as the Mazda 3, which one will you buy?
Hyundai Elantra (LIKE)
Mazda 3 (DISLIKE)
Interior Stim.. Exterior potong Stim
for a 121bhp segment car to be able to achieve the century sprint in 10 seconds is considered gòod.
Cool
Handsome looker
150k for a hyundai elantra. proton salesman not worried.
Hyundai is the best. Keep improving sime darby hyundai. And also good job to hyundai designers for making good cars
We are so exciting to see this. It will be fun
With SmartSense ADAS and SmartSense 1.6 Engine but horsepower a bit lower. However with 8 speed auto, more likely to be game changer but slowly. Also, because this is CBU but maybe will be priced between RM130,000 to RM140,000. But keep it up and finally you have put giving us extra more features that we want.
My guess RM130k, slightly lower than Mazda 3 1.5 and Corolla 1.8G
Cars these days emphasize more on gadget than horsepower.
I think this will be the last Elantra before they discontinue the Elantra name in Malaysia.
Macam insider news…
i agree with tsi. leet sime daery read this. price must be low SO MORE PEOPLE CAN BUY
the grey exterior with black interior look cool!
Aku dah book online… Intense blue color with white interior.
In my honest opinion, front-end design is like copying the current MZ3’s (Mazda 3) front-end but with more sharper lines and edges. Still I think Mazda’s KODO design wins
Love the interior. Looks really upscale for the segment it’s in.
Don’t be deceived by the cosmetics. They are all fake and like virgin, worn out after some fun. The real soul is the RV.
honda civic turbo can do 0-100 in 8.2 seconds and can still overtake the elantra after giving it a 2 second headstart.
160k….sigh…
Interior is superb. But not fan of the exterior design
1.6 NA, $154679, why is not the 1.6 turbo? What happened to Hyundai MSIA?