Hyundai Introduces Facelifted Elantra/Avante In South Korea
The 2024 Hyundai Avante has debuted for the Korean market, likely foreshadowing updates for its North American counterpart – the Elantra.
Changes appear to be mild, with the automaker sticking with the angular concepts introduced during the previous generation’s 2019 refresh. However, the current (seventh-gen) Avante/Elantra did a lot to mature the model’s looks. It might even be fair to say that the sedan has grown more handsome every time Hyundai has decided to tweak the design, with the upcoming facelift being no different.
Based on what we’re seeing come out of South Korea, the Elantra should be poised to get a revised front grille, new headlamps, and updated wheels. The back end has also been tweaked, with a bumper that looks like it might be more at home on a sporty N model – though the rear diffuser doesn’t seem like it would actually be functional.
The interior appears to be unchanged. Though there’s a good chance of Hyundai offering some new upholstery options and an even better chance that it’ll be advancing some infotainment features not found on older models. But those aren’t things we could have learned even if we were fluent in Korean. We just have to wait to see what the North American side of the business decides to do.
Meanwhile, it’s all but a certainty that the Elantra will retain the powertrains it’s currently using. We’ve heard nothing about the brand dropping the 2.0-liter inline-four, turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four, or Smartstream 1.6-liter Hybrid engines from the lineup. The sporty Elantra N’s 2.0-liter turbo motor should also be sticking around. But the car is rumored to receive some mild styling changes of its own – likely to debut a few months after the standard sedan has had its moment in the spotlight.
We’ve likewise heard rumors that the N model could also see a modest bump in power. Though those rumors are unverified and its current 286 horsepower (with overboost) is enough to keep it competitive. Until dealer markups on the Toyota GR Corolla subside, Hyundai remains a better value than just about everything else it’s competing against and arguably still works better as a regular car. Now that Volkswagen has effectively ruined the GTI’s interior with cheaper materials and an infotainment system everyone seems to hate, only the Honda Civic Type R can really say the same. But it starts at $10,000 higher than the Elantra N.
The standard Elantra should debut soon, especially now that we know what the Avante looks like. Meanwhile, the updated Elantra N is supposed to drop by the end of the year.
[Images: Hyundai]
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A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I'd have a hard time trusting anything from Hyundai or Kia when it comes to durability. My oldest kid was a barely a1st year apprentice and they had him doing motor swaps since the "red seals" were booked solid and were sick and tired of replacing engines.
Johnds--My friend passed away 2 years ago and it was a 2009 Hyundai Accent 4 door with an automatic. I wouldn't say it was a great car but he got his money's worth from it and ended up giving it to a mutual friend of ours that is still driving it. My friend didn't like it well enough to buy another one he bought a Honda Civic. The bad engines would keep me away from buying a Hyundai.