Hyundai Australia has brought it the first of the automaker’s 2019 batch of Elantra saloons, most notably arriving with a bit of a facelifted exterior. Along with it, the range has expanded to include the value-focused Go variant, kicking off the range at $21,490 before on-road costs.
They term the restyled Elantra as visually more “crisp”, but we struggle find the merits of this new front and its scrunched up expression over the outgoing car’s fascia. Regardless, the 2019 Elantra also comes with redesigned tail lights and an integrated boot lid spoiler.
Perhaps more impactful to potential new owners is the upgraded interior, done up with Hyundai’s ‘Supervision Cluster’ driver’s display and gauge panel, a new steering wheel design, as well as a variety of new trim material and finishes.
Above the entry-level Elantra Go is the Active, and here the equipment levels improve still with standard satellite navigation via its larger 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system (the Go gets a 7.0-inch unit) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support along with an 8-speaker Infinity premium audio system. Prices for the Elantra Active with an automatic transmission is $25,990.
Hyundai Australia has yet to reveal pricing information for the rest of the 2019 Elantra range.
In terms of safety kit, both the Go and Active can be optioned with Hyundai’s SmartSense suite which adds features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. However, these come standard on the more expensive Sport and Sport Premium variants - both are powered by a turbocharged petrol engine and replaces the Elantra SR.
The familiar 1.6-litre four-cylinder T-GDI mill generates 150kW and 265Nm and can be teamed to either 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. In the Active and Go, however, receives the equally acclimatised 2.0-litre MPI naturally aspirated four pot with 112kW and 192Nm.
As is the norm with Aussie-spec cars, the 2019 Elantras all benefit from market-specific suspension tune and electric power steering calibration developed through extensive local testing.
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