Hyundai Elantra in Elite spec with LED DRLs, projector headlights and 16-inch wheels

Singapore – Hyundai dealer Komoco has launched the new, sixth-generation Hyundai Elantra sedan here. While the car has been on sale at the showroom, Friday, March 4, marks the official launch of the car in Singapore.

As mentioned in our preview, the new sedan incorporates 53 percent high-strength steel in its construction. While it’s not much lighter than it used to be, the material increase should mean the Elantra is stronger, safer and more refined than before.

Hyundai-Kia has invested big in metallurgy with various suppliers and its own subsidiary, Hyundai Steel, to make this possible.

While the group has been invested heavily in turbocharging and direct-injection technology for some time, sadly this time around the Elantra doesn’t receive either locally. In left-hand drive markets like the USA, the Elantra has a 128bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged engine or a 147bhp 2.0-litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) with Atkinson cycle operation.

Like Kia’s new and very impressive Optima, the car’s body and design have greatly improved but cost issues stop it from receiving the latest drivetrain. Komoco says that it’s a two-fold issue: First turbos are for left-hand drive markets only, and it’s likely the engine would be a Category B car if launched here.

The new Elantra has the same inline four-cylinder, 1.6-litre ‘ Gamma’ multi-point injection engine as before with 126bhp at 6,300rpm and 155Nm of torque at 4,850rpm. Performance is marginally improved, with 0-100km/h down 0.1 seconds (11.6 seconds), top speed is the same at 195km/h. Fuel economy dips slightly, from 6.9L/100km to 6.8L/100km, while CO2 emissions drop from 163g/km to 162g/km.

The car’s design takes many of its cues from the Tucson and Sonata, both of which were the first mainstream Hyundai’s featuring new Fluidic Design 2.0 language – the progenitor of which was the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan. It’s worked well, giving the sedan a much improved road presence, with the Elantra appearing lower and wider than it really it, while the ‘shark mouth’ front grille now a recognisable Hyundai hallmark.

The Elantra comes in two trim levels locally, S and Elite, with a single choice of 1.6-litre engine and six-speed automatic gearbox. Standard safety features include six airbags, quite impressive for a ‘budget’ sedan, ESP and ABS.

Hyundai Elantra S, the lower spec model, with smaller wheels

The S model is the basic sped, priced at $92,999 with COE. It comes with a 3.5-inch ‘supervision’ LCD display in the driver’s instruments, conventional lights all round, non-gloss centre fascia, 15-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth/USB connectivity and monochrome LCD display. There’s also locally-fitted dashcam, reverse camera and parking sensors.

A $8,000 premium gets you the Elite model and quite a lot more features for the money. Automatic projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, a larger 4.3-inch driver’s instrument LCD display, driver’s powered memory seat, chromed front grille, rear cooling vent for passengers, leather covered steering wheel. Factory perforated leather seats with ventilation and heating are also standard, as are 16-inch alloy wheels. A factory-fitted reverse camera and parking assist system is also standard.

Infotainment features the same USB/AUX/Bluetooth connectivity and a larger five-inch colour display. Notable additions to the Elite trim are the keyless entry and start system that includes hands-free boot opening, a blind spot indicator system.  

All in all the new Elantra looks like another strong offering from Hyundai in a very competitive segment – it’ll probably give smaller rivals like the Mazda 2 Sedan and Suzuki Ciaz a good run for the money.