Hyundai has launched an updated version of its executive sedan — the Elantra — at a starting price of Rs 14.13 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). There are a few styling changes made to what is already a striking car, but you’d have to be really familiar with the Elantra to spot them at first glance. The most prominent are the new headlamps, which now have a blacked-out housing, incorporated projector elements, and a really cool looking LED-illuminated strip. There are new L-shaped fog lamps that sit inside deeper enclosures in a front bumper that is more contoured. The only change you’ll see on the sides are the new 16-inch alloy wheels, but move to the back and you’ll find a new rear bumper with a blacked-out lower section, and new tail-lamps whose lighting pattern mimics LEDs.
There’s a more significant change in store on the inside, where Hyundai has chosen to swap the beige and grey two-tone colour scheme for an all-black one. The dashboard has been changed slightly too, with a new audio system and the welcome addition of a 4.3-inch colour touchscreen in place of the dated monochrome screen. This now also acts as the display for the rear-view camera, rather than the rear-view mirror as before. The tiny central air-con vents have also been replaced by larger ones that now sit higher up on the dashboard, on either side of the infotainment screen. The air-con display, much like many new Hyundais, gets a more upmarket-looking blue on black monochrome display instead of the black on blue colour. Hyundai has also given the Elantra metal-finished pedals.
The engines remain unchanged, of course, and that means a 1.8-litre petrol engine that produces 148bhp and 18.1kgm, and a 1.6-litre diesel engine with 126bhp and 26.5kgm of torque. Both engines can be had with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox, and Hyundai says the manual diesel’s 22.7kpl ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figure is the best in the segment. As ever with Hyundai, the Elantra is still very well equipped, and apart from the new colour touchscreen, you’ll find things like auto headlamps, keyless entry and go, cruise control, electric front seats with ventilation, six airbags, ESC and of course, Bluetooth.
The manual-transmission cars are available in S and SX trims (the diesel version additionally gets a lower base model), while the automatics are only available in SX trim. The Hyundai Elantra petrol ranges from Rs 14.13-16.49 lakh and the diesel version goes from Rs 14.58-17.94 lakh.
Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Petrol
S - Rs 14.13 lakh
SX - Rs 15.41 lakh
SX (automatic) - Rs 16.50 lakh
Diesel
Base - Rs 14.58 lakh
S - Rs 15.35 lakh
SX - Rs 16.68 lakh
SX (automatic) - Rs 17.94 lakh