Hyundai Motor Company has revealed the eighth-generation Avante at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show press conference held at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu, Busan.
Better known as the Elantra outside of South Korea, this is a full redesign of the compact sedan and is the second Hyundai model, after the new Grandeur, to receive the next-generation infotainment system, Pleos Connect, and the generative AI agent, Gleo AI.
Hyundai CEO José Muñoz said, “The All-New Elantra sets a new standard in the vehicle class by balancing unique design, interior space, safety, and digital experience. Hyundai will continue to secure competitive advantages in software and electrification to deliver innovative mobility experiences.”
The Elantra’s exterior follows Hyundai’s relatively new Art of Steel design language (similar to the Nexo). Up front, H-Edge Lighting daytime running lights run along both ends in an H-shape, while the rear taillights carry the same theme. Slim-neck outside mirrors, flush lift-up door handles, and bold side skirts round out the sides, with 18-inch five-spoke wheels.
The new model measures 4,765mm long, 1,855mm wide, and 1,425mm tall, with a 2,750mm wheelbase. Compared to the outgoing model, length is up 55mm, wheelbase up 30mm, and width up 30mm.
Inside, the layout features a symmetrical arrangement, with door armrests and a center console flanking the driver. A large center display sits at the center of the dashboard, paired with a slim instrument display positioned to minimize driver eye movement. Available exterior colors include Kodiac Blue Matte, Raptor Gray Matte, and Graphene Green Pearl, while new interior colors are Cognac, Ivory Rose, and Chalk Beige.
The Elantra will be offered with two powertrains: a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a 1.6-liter hybrid.
The gasoline 2.0 produces 149 PS, up 26 PS over the outgoing 1.6-liter unit, and is paired with an IVT transmission. The hybrid pairs a Smartstream 1.6-liter engine with an improved P2 drive motor and a larger battery, producing a combined output of 157 PS.
The hybrid also gets Smart Regenerative Braking 3.0, which adjusts regenerative braking based on traffic flow and navigation data and supports automatic deceleration to a full stop. A Hybrid Hierarchical Predictive Control System optimizes battery charge based on route and road conditions. A Stay Mode lets occupants use climate control and infotainment while parked, similar to electric vehicles.
Hyundai has applied ultra-high-strength steel and added several ADAS features, including two systems debuting on a Hyundai product for the first time: Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control 2 (NSCC 2) and SBW P-speed emergency braking.
NSCC 2 extends automatic deceleration beyond highways to regular roads, handling speed bumps, school zones, and intersections, then returning to the set speed afterward. SBW P-speed emergency braking allows the driver to decelerate or stop in an emergency by pressing the P button on the electronic gear lever.
The Elantra also gets Pedal Misoperation Safety Assist (PMSA), which applies the brakes when the accelerator is accidentally pressed while stopping or at low speeds.
Standard and available safety equipment includes 10 airbags, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Blind-Spot Monitor, High Beam Assist, Lane Following Assist 2, Highway Driving Assist 2, and Steering Wheel Grip Detection.
The Elantra is also the first in its class to offer Memory Reversing Assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist, alongside Front/Side/Rear Parking Distance Warning, Front/Rear Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, Surround View Monitor, Rear Monitor, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.
The Elantra runs Pleos Connect, built on the Android Automotive Operating System. The main display is either a 14.6-inch or 12.9-inch unit in a 16:9 ratio, supporting split-screen multitasking. Physical buttons are retained alongside the touchscreen.
Gleo AI, the system’s generative AI agent, supports natural language conversations for vehicle control, knowledge search, travel recommendations, and general interaction. The Pleos App Market allows users to download third-party apps, including video and music streaming and gaming services, with over-the-air software updates supported.
Additional features include Bang & Olufsen premium audio, Built-in Cam 2 Plus, Hyundai Digital Key 2, Walk-Away Lock, dual wireless smartphone charging, and 100W fast-charging USB ports for both front and rear rows.
Hyundai will announce trim levels, specifications, official fuel economy figures, and pricing in the third quarter, when order-taking is scheduled to begin. As for a global release? Only time will tell.
Our Take:
We like it a lot, and the design does lend itself more to the executive segment of vehicles. Think Hyundai Sonata or Grandeur, so it does come as a bit of a surprise that this is the design next-generation Elantra, and we are genuinely excited to see it in person.
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