2024 Hyundai Elantra Up Close: Hey, We’ve Seen This One
Though it’s been a decent block of months since we first saw the refreshed 2024 Hyundai Elantra, the 2024 Chicago Auto Show was our first crack at seeing the zhuzhed-up compact sedan. Contrary to appearances, our in-person inspection confirms the Elantra is refreshed for the new model year, even if the changes are remarkably subtle. Here’s what we liked.
Related: More 2024 Chicago Auto Show Coverage
Stylistic Flair
The biggest difference between the retouched Elantra and the old car is found up front, where thinner LED headlights visually connected by a metallic trim plate sleeken the front profile and add a slight stylistic flair. The lower front portion of the fascia has been massaged, as well, with new design touches around the lower intakes. Our favorite bit? The large Hyundai “H” badge is now stainless steel.
Around back, you’ll find a reworked lower diffuser and, uh … that’s it. From a side profile, we hope you like wheel choices, as there are new trim-dependent designs offered ranging from 15 to 18 inches in size. A suite of new colors are available, and we’re more than a little sassy that the automaker populated its showfloor exclusively with gray and white Elantras. Where’s the Exotic Green? The Ultimate Red? Eh, we’re just grasping at lighty refreshed straws. Overall, we already liked the looks of Hyundai’s smallest sedan, and more is (usually) better. Keep it coming, Big H.
Some New Bits Inside
Moving into the cabin, we found that sentiment a common theme. There’s not much “new” to play with inside, though rear passengers will have a ball with two USB-C charge ports. We dug the new soft-touch materials in the door panels and were pleased to learn that if we owned one of these fresh Elantras, we could use our phones as a Digital Key 2, something Hyundai claims as a segment first.
Again, little changes make us a little happy — all right, medium happy. Though the safety suite is also updated for 2024, there was (thankfully) no way for us to sample the new standard rear-side airbags, rear seat belt reminder and steering-wheel haptic feedback for lane departure steering assist, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
Unchanged Powertrains
The same can be said for the powertrains, which remain entirely unchanged. It was hands off the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission, as well as the optional turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with mandatory seven-speed dual-clutch automatic offered on the upper trims. The popular Elantra Hybrid also returns with the same heart, carrying over the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that combine forces for up to an impressive EPA-rated 51/58/54 mpg city/highway/combined.
That’s all we got for now on the 2024 Hyundai Elantra, but this just covers the new accoutrement on non-N variants; we expect to see the similarly refreshed Elantra N sometime later in the year, where we’re sure to subject it to the same magnifying glass.
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