The seventh-generation Hyundai Elantra has just been launched virtually by Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM). Previewed last week, the CN7 Elantra arrives as a CBU import from South Korea, in a single 1.6L IVT variant, priced at an introductory RM158,888 on-the-road excluding insurance, with 2020 sales tax exemption. More on the specs and price later.
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. The recently-revealed fourth-gen Tucson has the same Parametric Jewel design theme.
This sharply cut body is larger than the sixth-gen AD sedan it replaces. At 4,675 mm long, 1,825 mm wide and 1,430 mm tall, the CN7 is 55 mm longer and 25 mm wider than its predecessor, but 20 mm lower. Compared to the Honda Civic, the new Elantra is 27 mm longer, 26 mm wider and 14 mm taller, and its wheelbase is 20 mm longer than the Civic FC. Boot space is 474 litres (no spare tyre but a repair kit) versus the Honda’s 519 litres.
This car’s 2,720 mm wheelbase is 20 mm longer than the AD’s, which points to the new third-generation K3 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.
Behind that low nose and “cascading grille” 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 123 PS 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 stepped shift pattern of a regular auto. The chain-belt is said to improve FC by 1.2% compared to a regular push belt, and has a longer lifespan. This would be the first Hyundai sold here with a CVT – we’ve had torque converter and dual-clutch ATs 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 have the Elantra N Line with a 201 hp/264 Nm 1.6L turbo engine. Is that one in the plans, HSDM?
As for the chassis, it’s 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.
As you would have noticed by now, this C-segment contender is more about design and features than outright performance (there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that), and the single CBU variant that Malaysia gets is very well equipped indeed.
On the outside, you’ll find bi-LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, full-width LED tail lamps (forms a wide H) 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” emblems on the front wings.
The new Elantra’s “immersive cocoon” 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 (also functions as a grab handle for the passenger), 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 instrument 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 one phone, and calls from another. Wireless smartphone charger too, of course.
Other useful comfort and convenience features include ventilated/heated front seats, heated steering wheel (we don’t need it, but these kit come 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 boot (no gestures needed, just wait).
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 various drink sizes. If you’re wondering what’s that circular thing on the right of the meter panel, it’s a blank button – in the Elantra N Line, that’s where the Drive Mode button is. Perfect location for a magnetic phone holder, I think.
While we only get one 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 fabric on the door cards that looks and feels nicer than the black leather. The melange-style woven fabric is also found on the back of the front seats.
Both themes come with leather seats – choose the black theme and you’ll get black seats, vice versa. We salute HSDM for giving a non-black cabin option – Malaysian car buyers are a conservative lot, as all carmakers will tell you, 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, Intense Blue and Electric Shadow. The latter is Hyundai’s take on the currently trendy “Nardo Grey” hue.
Last but definitely not least is safety, and the Elantra is strong in this department. 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 features 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 (car will move again from a standstill), and Avoidance Assist for the blind spot monitor and RCTA (stops the car instead of just warning you), 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.
OK, with all the ingredients covered, let’s talk about the price, which is RM158,888 OTR excluding insurance, with 2020 sales tax exemptions (described as introductory, it should go up next year). Being a CBU Korea entry with such high specs, we’re not at all surprised at the Elantra’s price, which is higher than the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. It’s close to the CBU Japan Mazda 3, which tops out at RM154,679 after SST exemption. Hyundai’s factory warranty is for five years or 300,000 km.
Clearly not the cheapest C-segment sedan around then, but the CN7 Hyundai Elantra is well-kitted and looks like nothing else on the road, at least until the next-gen Tucson arrives. What do you think? To check out the new Elantra’s specs in detail and to compare it with rivals, head to CarBase.my.
GALLERY: 2021 Hyundai Elantra 1.6L IVT, Malaysia-spec
GALLERY: Hyundai Elantra official images, US-spec
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Nice. Cheaper then Lexus IS
Ya, cheaper than Audi A4. LOL
Why Sime Darby pandai2 go and declare CBU…. Hyundai cars declare “SKD” but enjoy the CKD incentive..sell CKD priced RM118k sudah la.
Good strategy for Sime Darby to let go the Hyundai brand in Malaysia soon. Good job!
This car is lightyears more frugal than civic that makan minyak like lembu minum air
Is this a Jap car advertisement? It makes me feel like buying popular jap car, and feel they’re a lot cheaper now … LOL
Cannot lah, Rm158k Malaysian buyers will sure go for Japanese Mazda 3 for 160k
Previous 1.6NA, started at RM85k. But now Rm158k… Previous Forte 1.6NA, started at RM88k.. something fishy @ Previous Naza Kia & Hyundai sime darby?
RM158k is an INTRODUCTORY price, which means it will be even more expensive than it is now. not sure what Sime Darby’s marketing team are doing thinking that they can sell the car at this price level.
If Turbo engine 1.6 T sure they is some Hyundai supporters, but is 1.6 NA with price $158…is a bit over price。
Too underpowered at this price point. just a measly 121bhp, the Jazz has 110bhp and the base civic has 139bhp. Way too expensive.
Some say jepunis 7 seater xspender is not underpower, why kimchi underpowered pulak?
Comparing against the top of the line Mazda 3 isn’t really fair from the Mazda’s standpoint, it has a significantly more powerful 2.0 Skyactiv G engine under its hood with similar specs.
With this pricing, should be offer batter engine combo. As the competition, minimum with 1.8 NA, 2.0 N/A or 1.5 turbo offer with lower price.
The greatest spec and look of Hyundai’s car you can buy right now in Malaysia. But omg that price is so ambitious, much higher than mazda3 2.0 . Good luck HSDM for selling Elantra. I wonder what is the price of N-Line version if they want to sell it here.
If they really bring N spec Elantra they are likely contest toward Civic Type R. Lolz
With this price, surely gonna sell very well.
Higher prices compared to more established brands with better after sales service and si called resale value is an excellent strategy by Sime Darby
LOL @ THAT PRICE TAG
GG the price.
can’t accept left side black door trim, right side white/grey door trim
Dead on arrival. Only Koreans will buy it here. As much as I love the kit that comes with the car, its RV sucks big time when u wanna sell it. I recently sold one of my KIAs and had to direct sell to a buyer as the dealers wanted it for dirt cheap. The CKD price will somewhat offset the value of they ever decide to assemble it here since they are not gonna sell many here to begin with to warrant their expenditure costs.
Even the Korean will not buy it at this price
Was expecting to give below rm140k so that it will be good sell….But nearly rm160k, that’s really sad and expensive than mazda 3…..Why? How come? I think there is an issues about pricing, if I’m not wrong. Anyway, Hyundai Malaysia should gives this ckd elantra between rm120k to rm130k, so that it will be good sell as c segment.
Volume is not justified to invest as CKD. In the past Hyundai and Kia CKD cars are actually “SKD” but enjoy the CKD incentive. Nowadays government no longer support SKD model, SKD is almost CBU, only few parts assembled in Msia. Government request carmakers either full CBU or full CKD. A CKD assembly line is RM 40 million as heard from a friend worked at Naza. That’s why Naza gave up coz the amount is huge and return is minimum.
In fact I hope Sime Darby takes up Kia. By then it is justified to CKD since Hyundai and Kia cars sharing same chassis, engine, gearbox and etc. Assembly method almost the same so can utilize same assembly line.
RM158,888 for 1.6NA? See you in Holland!
Oh, 2x in price.
Previous 1.6NA before rebrand, started at RM85k.
Oh, 2x in price. dulu RM85k, skrg RM158k..
Becuz dulu HSDM lupa bayaq cukai kastam. So no problem.
Torsion Beam cars like Mazda3.
Nowadays torsion beam cost more, I think. lMAO!
We get the smallest & least powerful engine available in the world and yet the price like Mazda 3 2.0L.
Looks like they are forcing all non-national car brands to naik harga so that Proton & Perodua got room to breath, and for Proton & Perodua to increase their own prices(of future products) without looking bad.
Just look at those recent C-Segment cars, where they had to bring in the smaller engine just to try to maintain the same level pricing as before and that also doesn’t work out very well.
Annyeong Hyundai Elantra
No spare tyre, but smaller boot than Civic?
Corolla TNGA gives same boot size, with full size sport rim tyre, some more with double wishbones.
Torsion beam should give more space in Elantra, but otherwise.
Because is imported from Korea,Korean cars dont get spare tyres as their tow trucks come very quickly.
South Korean market. It is priced from KRW 15.31 million which coverts to just RM57K , here extra RM100K , the transportation and tax so high.
need to add in the alibaba AP cost into the equation ah?
Well, even this is nearly rm160k cbu car, at least come with AEB, Smartsense 1.6 engine with IVT gearbox, beauty design and reliable
The Smartstream 1.6L engine is actually just a rebranding of the old 1.6 Gamma MPi engine.
The new rebranded Gamma engine is having lower output than previous one. This is really ironic since Hyundai is downtuned the engine.
The only selling point the new Elantra has is the full ADAS. 1.6MPI and IVT is basically junk. My Forte 1.6 also MPI has more horsepower and NM than this new Elantra. IVT is just CVT with using chain belt, not an advance tech and still a slow reaction gearbox.
Dead on arrival. That engine is a joke.
What a bombshell ….insane,stupendously skyrocketing overly premium type of pricing.
At 160 grand,the buyers must be HYUNDAI hardcore,diehard loyalists who dont mind an arm or leg or eat less just to get a decent hire purchase loan.
Sime Darby must be thinking the economy is still rosy,while the reality is only those buyers with Plan B or C can afford to splash the cash and be tied to another 84 or 108 months bondage loan.
Anyway,there will be buyers no matter how alarming the car might cost.
Errrr…. Rm130k can aaa? & rm180k for the N Line?
Aiyah,sub sub sooi…only 160 grand mah…I buy one” Zorro” Elantra for my wife..she can park at Pavilion wor.
At this price we can only said good luck. Altis CBU is RM 137k while this Elantra is RM 159K, it is 22k different meanwhile Altis has better powertrain as 1800cc. Or probably Hyundai thought they can place new Elantra to direct challenge to Mazda 3. Mazda has their own die hard fans and it was built by Bermaz hardwork over the years. What has HSDM done in recent years toward Hyundai? Literally nothing. Both Hyundai and Kia are good car brands but unfortunately both distributors are not focusing on Hyundai and Kia.
RM 158,888?? Better buy their more handsome cousin KIA Cerato 1.6L at RM91,888. Or even 2.0 variant RM119,888 only
Then mazda3 2.0 CBU Japan is worth to buy
bye…bye….less than 100 units per year..i guess..as korean car..they should reduce the price as part of the strategy..at least lower than civic ketam…
Such a wise specs car by hyundai..but lil bit pricey compare to its competitors..yet still a good variety of c segment sedan..the choice is in your hands(buyer)…
It has good specs with safety wise. But at this price its too high for a 1.6L NA. Sad for Hyundai
If it were GDI engine people may not so upset but it was MPI, the most basic port injection engine but selling at premium price.
Mahai nak mampuih
So it’s 1600 cc engine…and it’s RM160k…1cc = RM100 ….Korean car…hmmm…who will pay for this?
As a sudden, the expensive mazda3 CBU become cheap now…lol
The price is very high for 1.6 liter engine. Is there any plans to make this car CKD in future?
Hyundai Malaysia should need to seriously take in to consideration of lowering the car price to an affordable price tag below RM100k as the previous model with 2 liter engine was sold at below RM110k. Furthermore with the COVID19 pandemic ongoing, the market for new cars are very bad.
Sorry for Hyundai with wrong pricing due to various reason. Another failure in the pipeline.
Sime Darby, good job!!!!!!!!
Good luck selling a 123 PS 154 Nm car at RM160k. The competitions smoke this car and are selling for far less money. I wonder what they are smoking at Hyundai Sime Darby.
Tu dia aih harga dia. Biaq betoi!
I feel like sime darby is finding gaps in the market and filling those gaps which is no bad thing.
There is no gap, its already a expensive Mazda3 there
Woohoo… Another display car launched in Hyundai showrooms Nation wide!
Like: Honda Civic TC-P 1.5T 174BHP RM134k
Dislike: Hyundai Elantra 1.6NA 125BHP RM158k
Such a disappointment. Looks like my next car will be civic…tot to get this but since ut priced that high,nope
That’s exactly how I felt. I thought this car will be replacing my ageing Civic, but with this pricing, I am now looking for the next Civic instead.
Wah! Good good! The price is a lot cheaper than the Mercedes S Class! LMFAO!
Seems like everyone is pretty spot on with comment on the pricing. We are used to seeing Korean cars that are cheaper than the Japs. It will take a lot of effort and time to change the mindset of Malaysians to pay more for a Korean car. Yes, it might have bolder designs and the technology side improved but all these mean nothing to Malaysians.
The same thing happens to Conti cars…better build quality and better safety than Japs but resale value is bad. I don’t even know how or when the mindset of Malaysians will change honestly.
I think Malaysian acceptance of European cars nowadays is definitely higher than Korean cars. For better resales value it is always Toyota and Honda. In fact other Japanese cars like Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru etc are kind of low resales value too. Merc C200 second hand value is quite strong.
Will change if myvi can fly !
Nice car, but RM158k for 1.6NA is too much for me, any 1.3NA variant available?
What is this C segment Korean and Japanese car suddenly being 150k+ thing? Someone is trying to set a new price range for this segment, but its just won’t work!
Blurdyhell with this pricing…Bye bye hyundai malaysia…dear malaysian…pls stop madness…just buy civic better….
As always, orang tamak and bangang just killed an otherwise nice and decent normal spec-ed car. Why the almost 30% jump in price from the previous gen? Pricing it absurd doesn’t make it “premium” la.. Sime Darby never learn from their past Hyundai mistakes
the way you price it with that na engine…i dont really think you are serious in selling this car here… just for the sake of showroom fun only….
and now i suddenly feel Mazda is cheap
Previous Elantra 2.0 at 110k also hard to sell and Hyundai expect to sell this 1.6 for almost 160k? Yes.. Hyundai included the SmartSense but Honda also included the Honda Sensing + turbo Engine to civic FC & maintaining the price vs the previous Civic FB Navi 2.0..
before price revealed = “what a futuristic design car..great move hyundai”
after price revealed = “so damn hideous car”
Finally Korean car more expensive than Japanese car here..Huray…lulzzz
Ha..ha..ha.. 150k+ for such junk , no. 1 joke of the year!
Samsung note 3 engine with note 10 body at iPhone 12 pro max pricing. Only the wealthiest falling in love with the note 10 body without knowing anything under the cover. Mesti HSDM sudah research we have plenty of those folks in our country. Tak mungkin suka2 letak that price. Nowadays people only look what they see, under the hood not important cant see at all.
Hahahahayundaiii. It’s absolute bollocks
i wish this is the price tag for Elantra N-line, the 1 with 1.6 turbo.
I miss the time paying RM138k getting a 2.0L Toyota Camry
this car suitable for poor people who cant afford an audi.
Clearly it will turn heads when this car passes-by because it will be a rare car on the road with such geometrical exterior design.
Malaysian is smart enough to choose cheaper Japanese cars with more engine power. It won’t sell well. Honda/Toyota/Mazda are laughing now. Hyundai CEO should be sacked!
Hopeless…
As usual, HSMD sells car like they don’t care at all about price sensitive malaysia.. With this 1.6N/A.. This price? Same goes to Mazda 3 with 1.5N/A also with an insane price tag..
What a great price selling hyundai or selling bmw..nowdays cars in msia..cc below 2000 very very expensive at this pandemic time…crazy
This car might be more rare than a lamborghini in Malaysia…
the screen is a joke
anyway this rubbish car is dead. proton x70 better.
Yea… Price positioning totally wrong
Price positioning is totally wrong… Who want buy
Honda salesman got some relief today, so as Mazda’s
Lebih baik beli Honda Civic atau Altis. Mazda 3 pun lagi murah. Sime Darby dah mereng
exactly…i rather go for mazda 3…minimalist design
Nice to see, nice to drive but not nice to buy with that price. I want but my wallet points to other brand. Hyundai Getz and Accent and the older Sonata was selling well due to their lower price for their segment last time. Not yet able to walk correctly, want to run.
Car looks damn good and with good specs too. But the price, I would got near it even with a 10 feet pole…….♂️Sad
At RM158K which is way too expensive and you get way inferior specs than the Civic Turbo. Elantra has a smaller boot space with no spare tire, underpowered engine that can do 0-100 in a remarkably slow 10.4 seconds and a laughable top speed of 196kmph, and Hyundai top it up with an inferior torsion beam suspension. that’s a rip off even though it’s CBU. so what if it’s CBU when the specs are all crappy.
Oh God what d price…rm158k is nonsense..the price should be around rm130k – rm140k for segment c..sime darby should make a price research before tag the price..another good korean car goes to longkang
This car is priced at 25,500 dollar in US, which is around RM 103K. How come it’s so much much more expensive here in Malaysia?
Something wrong with Hyundai lineup. Their flagship Sonata > 200k without SmartSense Suit, the sporty Elantra C segment sedan come with only 1.6NA but the lower B segment smaller family SUV Kona come with 2.0 or 1.6 turbo???
there was one time quite alot of Elantra on the road for the 5th gen Elantra, but have never seen the 6th gen Elantra on the road before. i guess 7th will follow the path of 6th.
OMG!!!! Either you love it or hate it. Anyway, it is hideous.
RM 158K! Best of luck to Hyundai Sime Darby Motors. The fact that the new Toyota Altis hasn’t rake up the numbers like previous generation is due to it’s price hike, let alone the Elantra badge.At a time when the global Covid pandemic has wrecked many economies, still manufacturers dreams of taking a chance of proliferating the situation
After 2 years, this car RV drop till 50-60k
Owner will rugi 100k…lel
Seriously Hyundai/ Sim darby?
hahahahahahahahahahahahah…..I can’t stop laughing
This is more expensive than Mazda 3 (RM154k)
Hope I will see ONE after 1 year (if lucky)
:D
Wow introductory price RM158,888 …. so cheap ! Can’t wait to see normal price perhaps RM198,888 ….LOL Is this April Fool joke ?