All-New Hyundai Sonata Teased, Launch Before 2021 Possible?

If how Hyundai Sime Darby Motor’s (HDSM) operates its Facebook page is anything to go by, the all-new Hyundai Elantra should be coming to Malaysia soon. The C-segment sedan will soon join the recently launched Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Sonata (both are teased on HDSM’s Facebook prior to their launches).

Apart from the usual PR talk, nothing much has been revealed, not even the price. With the sales tax drawing close in slightly over a month, we do not know whether the Hyundai Elantra will be launched or delivered by the end of the year. 

With its Sensuous Sportiness design language, the all-new Hyundai Sonata should be an attention grabber on the road - the liberal use of sharp lines should divide opinions. What do you think of it? Let us know. 

Compared to the outgoing model, the all-new Elantra takes on an even sportier stance with a more coupe-like silhouette - the roofline is 20mm lower. Everywhere else, it has grown. The new C-segment sedan is wider by 25mm at 1,826mm and longer at 4,676mm (+56mm). Wheelbase has also increased 20mm to 2,720mm.

Globally the Elantra is available in a few powertrains, including a hybrid option which makes 139hp and 264Nm of torque paired to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Your guess is as good as ours when it comes to the powertrain options for our market. But we wouldn’t be surprised if the 2.0-litre MPI will form the base variant while the range topper will be powered by the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine - just like the Hyundai Kona. 

We expect the all-new Elantra to be fully-imported from South Korea, although we can only be sure when the car is formally launched. 

When it comes to safety, the car is available with the Hyundai SmartSense suite of driver assistance features, like autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and a reverse camera with dynamic guidelines.

To take it up a notch, it could be further specced with Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Radar Smart Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, Safe Exit Warning, and Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist.

Locally, HDSM’s strategy is a little bit intriguing because the lower-priced Kona comes with the SmartSense ADAS suite of driver assistance systems, but the higher-end Sonata is not. If we look at the fiercely competitive C-segment, perennial favourites like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are decently specced with passive and active safety features - for the all-new Elantra to go without SmartSense would be a very glaring omission.

We will certainly know more nearing the car’s launch. If you can’t wait though, do check out the current-gen Elantra and its predecessors from our certified dealers.