2019 Hyundai Elantra facelift unveiled in Malaysia

Team OD Updated: April 23, 2019, 10:58 AM IST

Hyundai Malaysia has unveiled the facelifted 2019 Hyundai Elantra, giving us a better idea of what the facelifted sedan will be like when it comes to India. We expect the facelifted Elantra to launch in India within the next couple of months.

The Asian-spec Elantra looks near identical to the car that was unveiled in the US last year, just with splashes of more chrome. So the car gets a fairly substantial styling upgrade for a mid-cycle refresh. The front end design is much more angular now. The sharp triangular LED headlamps and the new larger trapezoidal grille are the major changes. The front bumper and fog lamps too have been updated to reflect this new design theme.

In profile, there don't seem to major changes other than a new alloy wheel design. The rear again has had a lot of work done to it in the same angular theme. There is a new boot lid, new taillamps and a bumper that now incorporates the number plate housing. The tail lamps look especially detailed with new LED detailing.

The interiors get a minor refresh with a new steering wheel, a new pattern for the gauges, chrome inserts for the aircon vents and a new layout for the climate control buttons. A new infotainment system and wireless phone charging round off the changes on the inside. The Malaysian car only gets a manual AC

Engine options have been carried over from the previous car. This means that the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol motor with 152PS/192 Nm and the 1.6-liter diesel 128PS/260 Nm continue as is. Transmission options are a 6-speed manual and automatic.

Internationally, the Elantra is also available with a 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol motor which put out 130PS and 204 PS.

The new edgy styling will see compete aggressively with the new Honda Civic, as well as established rivals like the Toyota Corolla and Skoda Octavia. The new car will likely build on the qualities of good features and engine refinement of the earlier car but it would do good to improve on the ride and handling package of the last car.