Verdict
The Hyundai Elantra CN7 is the more complete daily C-segment sedan: it cuts rated fuel use from 7.0 to 5.4 L/100 km, adds 54 litres of boot space and brings stability control, blind-spot monitoring and a reversing camera. Its 121 hp and 154 Nm trail the MD’s 128 hp and 158 Nm, however, so the newer car does not buy more peak output. The MD’s 55-litre tank also exceeds the CN7’s 47 litres. For a Malaysian buyer, the CN7’s safety and cabin-tech gains carry more weight than those small performance deficits.
Pick the Hyundai Elantra MD if lower entry cost, a 128 hp/158 Nm petrol engine and a 55-litre fuel tank matter more than newer safety equipment.
Pick the Hyundai Elantra CN7 if you want the lower 5.4 L/100 km fuel rating, a 474-litre boot and stability control with blind-spot monitoring.
Key differences
- Engine output: Hyundai Elantra MD 128 hp and 158 Nm; Hyundai Elantra CN7 121 hp and 154 Nm.
- Rated fuel consumption: Hyundai Elantra MD 7.0 L/100 km; Hyundai Elantra CN7 5.4 L/100 km.
- CO2 emissions: Hyundai Elantra MD 163 g/km; Hyundai Elantra CN7 124 g/km.
- Dimensions and boot: Hyundai Elantra MD is 4,530 mm long with a 420-litre boot; Hyundai Elantra CN7 is 4,675 mm long with a 474-litre boot.
- Wheels and tyres: Hyundai Elantra MD gets 16-inch alloys with 205/55R16 tyres; Hyundai Elantra CN7 gets 17-inch two-tone alloys with 225/45R17 tyres.
- Safety equipment: Hyundai Elantra MD has no stability control or blind-spot monitoring; Hyundai Elantra CN7 has both.
MD
- Lower purchase price.
- 128 hp and 158 Nm, versus 121 hp and 154 Nm.
- Larger 55-litre fuel tank.
- Higher rated consumption at 7.0 L/100 km versus 5.4 L/100 km.
- Smaller 420-litre boot versus 474 litres.
- No stability control, blind-spot monitoring, reversing camera or front parking sensors.
CN7
- Lower rated consumption and CO2 emissions.
- Stability control, blind-spot monitoring and side/curtain airbag coverage.
- 474-litre boot, dual-zone climate control and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
- Higher purchase price.
- Lower peak output at 121 hp and 154 Nm.
- Smaller 47-litre fuel tank.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM91,273✓ | RM139,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally aspirated with variable intake and exhaust valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,591 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 128 hp✓ | 121 hp |
| Torque | 158 Nm✓ | 154 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 77 mm | 75.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 11.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Automatic | Intelligent Variable Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | —✓ | 10.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7 L/100 km | 5.4 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 195 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 163 g/km | 124 g/km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,530 mm | 4,675 mm |
| Width | 1,775 mm | 1,825 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,430 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,720 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,210 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres | 474 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/55/R16 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55/R16 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16” Alloy | 17" Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16” Alloy | 17" Two-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjust | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-Con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunvisor with Illuminated Vanity Mirror | — |
| Audio | Integrated radio with CD/WMA/MP3 playback, AUX-in, USB, iPod connectivity and 6 speakers | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Remote Control Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 4.2" Colour LCD Super Vision Meter Cluster |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 300,000 km | 300,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
MD vs CN7 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Elantra MD or Hyundai Elantra CN7 better?
The Hyundai Elantra CN7 is better for most buyers because it uses less fuel, has a larger boot and adds stability control, blind-spot monitoring, a reversing camera and newer infotainment. Choose the MD only if its lower cost and slightly stronger engine matter most.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Elantra MD costs RM91,273 and the Hyundai Elantra CN7 costs RM139,888, so the CN7 costs RM48,615 more.
Which Elantra has lower fuel consumption?
The Hyundai Elantra CN7 has the lower rated figure at 5.4 L/100 km, against 7.0 L/100 km for the Hyundai Elantra MD. It also has lower CO2 emissions: 124 g/km versus 163 g/km.