Hyundai Reveals All-New 2027 Elantra With Striking ‘Art of Steel’ Styling
2027 Hyundai Elantra debuts with new design, bigger body, and smarter AI tech
Hyundai unveiled the 8th-gen Elantra, known as the Avante in South Korea, at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show on June 26. This is the Elantra’s first complete redesign since the 7th-gen launched in 2020. After six years, Hyundai has changed almost everything.
Exterior Size and Design
View this post on Instagram
The 2027 Elantra is noticeably bigger than before. It is 55 mm longer, with 30 mm of that added to the wheelbase to create more cabin space. The car is also 30 mm wider than the previous model. Hyundai even says the new Elantra offers interior space that’s close to what you’d expect in a midsize sedan like the Sonata.
It adopts Hyundai’s “Art of Steel” design language, which means lots of edges and sharp lines. Hyundai has replaced the previous daytime running light with its new H-Edge lighting design. The front features slim horizontal LED daytime running lights and vertical light strips at each corner, creating a distinctive H-shaped look.
At the back, there are new taillights, a full-width light bar, a reshaped trunk lid with an integrated spoiler lip, and a redesigned lower bumper featuring diffuser-style detailing.
On the side, Hyundai has switched to lift-up flush door handles, replacing the traditional pull-type handles used on the 7th gen. The auto manufacturer now uses slimmer side mirror mounts to improve aerodynamics, reduce wind noise, and give the car a cleaner look. A small quarter window behind the rear doors makes the side profile feel longer and highlights the Elantra’s larger size. This car also gets new 18-inch alloy wheels with a five-spoke design that complements the sedan’s sharper styling.
The 2027 Elantra front end is heavily inspired by the new IONIQ V, which was revealed in China and other markets earlier this year.
The Interior Is the Real Story
This is where the upgrades feel the most exciting.
The interior of the 2027 Elantra looks like it belongs to a higher-segment car and features Hyundai’s next-gen Android-based PLEO infotainment system. As standard, the touchscreen is 12.9 inches, but customers can upgrade to a 14.6-inch display. The climate-control and media buttons are still present below the screen.
The new Pleos Connect infotainment system supports built-in third-party apps and introduces Gleo AI, Hyundai’s new voice assistant. It understands natural language, handles multiple commands in a single conversation, and lets drivers control various vehicle functions via voice commands.
A small, horizontal digital instrument cluster sits on the dashboard directly in the driver’s line of sight. The gear selector has migrated behind the steering wheel, freeing up the lower portion of the center console, where there are now two wireless charging pads. The new Elantra also has 100W USB-C charging ports for both front and rear passengers, and an ambient light strip now runs across the dashboard and into the front door panels. Higher trims now come with a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, replacing the Bose audio system offered in the previous Elantra.
Powertrains
For the Korean market, Hyundai is offering two engines at launch—first, the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter petrol engine, which develops 147hp. Secondly, you can opt for a 1.6-liter self-charging hybrid that combines a gasoline engine with a larger battery and a more powerful electric motor, delivering a total output of 155 hp.
The hybrid trim uses Hyundai’s latest TMED-II system, first introduced in the 2026 Palisade Hybrid. It features two electric motors—one to start the engine and power onboard systems, and a larger motor to drive the car. The system also includes smarter regenerative braking and predictive battery management that uses navigation data to improve efficiency along your route.
For the U.S. market, Hyundai is expected to keep the current engine lineup with minor updates. That would include the 147-hp 2.0-liter gasoline engine, the 1.6-liter hybrid, and turbocharged 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter engines for the N Line and high-performance N models. Hyundai has not yet confirmed the final U.S. specifications.
Safety
The new Elantra comes with 10 airbags and an expanded range of advanced safety features. These include Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control 2, Remote Smart Parking Assist, Memory Reversing Assist, Shift-by-Wire P-mode Emergency Braking, and Pedal Misuse Safety Assist, as well as several other driver-assistance technologies.
The Ultimate Question: When Can I Buy and For How Much
Hyundai is expected to open orders for the new Elantra in South Korea during the third quarter of 2026. In the U.S., the 2027 Elantra is expected to arrive at dealerships in early 2027, with analysts estimating a starting price between $26,000 and $30,000.
The Elantra remains one of Hyundai’s most important models, with nearly 130,000 units sold in the U.S. in 2025. It will continue to compete with rivals such as the Honda Civic, Kia K4, and Toyota Corolla. Hyundai has also confirmed that a high-performance Elantra N is in development, although it is expected to launch a couple of years after the standard models.
