2019 Hyundai Elantra Revealed With Extra-Sharp Facelift

With compact sedans becoming less interesting, plus crossovers and EVs on the rise now is not the time for subtlety. That's why Hyundai chiseled every ounce of modesty away from its little Elantra to reveal this thing.

If anybody ever asks you which car is yours in the parking lot, now you can answer "the one that wants to stab you in the eye." Triangular headlights are the stand-out feature, but the grille and taillights are almost equally bold.

The profile is almost the same, not that there was anything wrong with it. As is the tradition over at Hyundai, the wheels have been refreshed too.

The changes happening under the hood mirror the Kia Forte. Regular trim levels such as the Elantra SE, SEL and Limited are all equipped with a carry-over 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine that produces 147 hp and comes with a CVT. Meanwhile, the Elantra Eco gets a turbo 1.4-liter with 128 hp connected to the front wheels via a 7-speed DCT that allows it to return 35 mpg combined. Finally, there's the Elantra Sport (no pictures!?) which will continue to use a 1.6-liter turbo with either a manual or 7-speed DCT option.

Taking a quick look at the interior, we spot a new instrument cluster and updated switches. The infotainment maxes out at 8 inches and features the new AVN 5.0 configurations, meaning decent rewinding radio and phone connectivity.

On the safety front, the 2019 Elantra boasts SmartSense, which bundles Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, and Driver Attention Alert. Higher-grade models will also get forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Change Assist and Blind-Spot Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.