I spent years testing Hyundais, and the 2026 Elantra looks slick, but the road reveals surprises dealers don’t show you.
✨ AI Overview
Elantra's New Look: Hits and Misses
Summary generated by AI · Reviewed by Gear Choice Team
The new Elantra features an aggressive front design, but its rear styling is considered uninspired.
While the cabin is comfortable, rear seats are notably cramped for tall passengers on long trips.
Past models faced tech issues like battery indicator glitches, though current technology is reportedly improved.
So, here’s the thing. I’ve been around the Indian automobile market for over 10 years, and the Hyundai Elantra has always been on my radar. Saw the new model the other day. First thought Hmm, not bad, but something’s missing. On the road, it’s a different story altogether. Showrooms can make anything look perfect, right? But reality well, reality tells you otherwise.
Design and First Impressions
Let me tell you about the design first. The front grill is aggressive. Love it. The rear? Meh. One day, standing at a dealer with a client, an uncle walks up and goes Brother, the front is great, but the back looks a bit boring. And honestly, I had to nod. Inside, cabin is comfortable, however rear seats, especially for tall parents on lengthy trips, experience cramped. Funny issue, my friend as soon as took his 2019 Elantra for a 500 km drive. Battery indicator was acting all crazy. We had to stop mid-way to check manually. Tech is better now, sure. But still software glitches can make you scratch your head.
Photo : Sleek exterior with bold front design.
Driving Experience
Driving this car? Ah, mixed feelings. Steering is smooth, suspension feels nice. But city traffic throttle sometimes feels jumpy. Highway’s better. Around 120 km/h, car is stable, but road feedback is muted. Reminds me of 2017 Elantra test drive. Lane assist freaked out once, nearly hit the divider. Scary, man. New model? Improved. Not flawless though. Always keep your eyes open.
Engine and Performance
Engine talks. Company says 180 PS turbo. Yeah, it shows. But mid-range torque feels weak sometimes. City traffic, fine. Hills? You push the engine. Another story a client had the 1.6L diesel. Claimed mileage was 16-17 km/l. Reality? 12-13 km/l in traffic. Marketing-friendly numbers, I tell you. Always check real-world performance.
Infotainment is smart, touchscreen responds well. Mostly. But once Apple CarPlay crashed during a dealer demo. Client looked at me, disappointed. Navigation works, yes, but only if software updates are on point. Convenient, no doubt, but reliability hmm, sometimes questionable. A little patience required.
Photo : Modern cabin with comfy seats.
Safety and Practicality
Safety wise, airbags, stability control, ABS all there. Crash test ratings? Good. But maintenance and sensor calibration need attention. Practicality is decent. Boot space, cabin, okay for family. Rear seats? Long trips, little tight. Not a dealbreaker, but notice it.
Here’s my final thought. Elantra is a strong contender. Comfort, design, tech plus points. Software quirks, mid-range torque minus. Insider tip don’t just trust showroom demos. Drive it yourself. Feel the road. Make your call. Premium feel? Definitely. But careful approach for enthusiasts is smarter. And yeah, always compare dealer demo vs. real-world drive. Makes a difference. Big difference.