2019 Hyundai Elantra Facelift – new looks, safety tech

2019 Hyundai Elantra Facelift – new looks, safety tech

Hyundai itself describes the design of the 2019 Hyundai Elantra Facelift as “intense”, which is saying what we want to say, in a nice way. Gone is the Audi-style face of the sixth-generation AD, and in comes a bold face with plenty of sharp edges and triangles. At the back, the number plate has moved down, and the spot it vacates now hosts a spaced out Elantra badge, as seen on the Sonata facelift.

“Refinements to both the interior and exterior were initiated on the 2019 Elantra to maintain its emotional design character. The hood, front fenders, fascia, grille and headlights as well as the rear fascia, trunk and taillights each have been redesigned to convey a catchy and confident image. On the rear, the license plate has been relocated to the lower fascia to further enhance the new body sculpture,” explains Scott Margason, director of product planning at Hyundai Motor America.

There are also new 16- and 17-inch wheel designs, and a new 15-inch alloy design on the Eco trim in the US. Those super sharp clusters house LED headlights on Limited and Sport trim levels. Pre-facelift or this new look for you?

2019 Hyundai Elantra Facelift – new looks, safety tech

New safety features is a main selling point for this facelift. Hyundai’s SmartSense suite has been added to the SEL trim level and above, meaning it’s now available on 75% of the Elantra’s US lineup. It includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (camera-only type), Lane Keep Assist and Driver Attention Alert. These are in addition to Blind-Spot Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist.

The SmartSense features included on the top Elantra Limited with Ultimate Package include Safe Exit Assist and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection. The latter utilises a camera and radar for warning and auto braking, and it works with pedestrian too. Safe Exit Assist sounds an alert when a vehicle approaches from behind, letting passengers know it may not be safe to open the door to exit the car – this is a novel feature that’s rather useful.

The 2019 Elantra also debuts with Hyundai’s next generation AVN 5.0 infotainment system, which features an upgraded processor for better responsiveness, as well as an 8.0-inch screen (an inch up). Using presets is now easier because AM, FM and SiriusXM channels are now combined on one screen, and also feature HERE HD Traffic. A bird’s eye view has also been added to navigation maps and drivers can now get traffic flow and incident data without paying for a subscription via HD Radio. There’s also a reverse camera with dynamic guidelines.

The Elantra is also available with conveniences like Infinity Premium Audio with Clari-Fi and eight speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Qi wireless smartphone charging. The air con control panel design looks new too, along with the faces of the dials.

No changes in engine options, which includes a Nu 2.0 litre MPI Atkinson cycle unit with 147 hp, and a Kappa 1.4 litre Turbo-GDI with 128 hp. The facelifted Elantra Sport will debut later this year, Hyundai says. Mechanically, it will have the same level of differentiation as the pre-facelift, which means a 1.6 litre Turbo GDI engine paired to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. In Malaysia, the 7DCT Sport comes with 204 PS and 265 Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm.

Powertrain aside, the Elantra Sport will sport a revised trim headliner, paddle shifters, sport front seats with leather, flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel, sport instrument cluster and door trim garnish. The fastest Elantra comes with multi-link independent rear suspension instead of a torsion beam.


GALLERY: Pre-facelift Hyundai Elantra Sport

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • So many triangular lines. Is it trying to be a Lamborghini?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 1
    • Sense on Aug 23, 2018 at 4:36 pm

      Hyundai:”We neda mak it moore korian!!”
      2019 facelift~
      The current front end is more sexy.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
      • When kimchi decide to ditch their Jerman designers, this is what u get.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • pudong on Aug 23, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    Old design is better. This one is fail. It is like 5 years old toddler design.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 3
  • autobahn on Aug 23, 2018 at 12:57 pm

    Its ok la..msian dont need.those 205hp 7 speed dct…175hp cvt civic lagi best maa..looks oso more weird n ketam than this elantra.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 4
  • SexInTheRain on Aug 23, 2018 at 1:02 pm

    Dated look inside out

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
  • The rear and the interior is nice update. but the front……..walaaooo……OMG…….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • “Hyundai itself describes the design of the 2019 Hyundai Elantra Facelift as “intense”, which is saying what we want to say, in a nice way.”

    What’s that other word? Hmmm….ugly?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  • Oh god…why???

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Ssangyong : nobody can make uglier cars than us!

    Hyundai : hold my kimchi…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 1
  • Hyundai should change the interior instead of exterior

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • AutoFrenz (the original) on Aug 23, 2018 at 3:00 pm

    Wow better looking than civic in terms of avant garde design…not evergreen design like corolla or mazda3

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 6
  • The joke has comes true.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • What the F is this on Aug 23, 2018 at 4:11 pm

    This is what 10min assignment look like

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
    • What the H is this on Aug 23, 2018 at 5:48 pm

      They dont want to copy audi design language yet the rear look identical to opel/vauxhall insignia

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Korean Audi

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Bernard on Aug 23, 2018 at 8:47 pm

    Obviously don’t know how to design cars! They should hire the Alfa car designer…

    This is just plain ugly and it’s a Hyundai!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • Why u guys hating!? It’s gorgeous.. way to go Hyundai.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 9
  • DonkeyKong on Aug 23, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    Not ugly enough. They should have made the awful Malaysian-spec Elantra Sport eye-poking red leather seats as the standard offering globally across all trim levels. Then, it would be the undisputed champion of hideous cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • sack the designer on Aug 23, 2018 at 10:05 pm

    Front looks like old outdated pug 407 design

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • OMG it’s too bold for the segment … ???? Ttoo much things going on front and back ‍♂️

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • anonymous_crazy on Aug 24, 2018 at 1:44 pm

    Dejavu… following Honda Civic foot steps?

    Civic 8th generation (2006–2011) was with curve and exciting!

    Honda then launch Civic 9th generation (2012–2015), make it more cooperate with more straight lines design.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • pokmang on Aug 24, 2018 at 2:23 pm

    macam ultraman bellial

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Kelvin Kong on Aug 24, 2018 at 3:00 pm

    For me, the front looks like toyota….. Argghh super ugly !!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Anson Lee on Aug 24, 2018 at 3:47 pm

    Look a bit like a SEAT Ibiza

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mike Khoh on Aug 24, 2018 at 5:37 pm

    Now going for Italian design ka oh my kimchi

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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