Hyundai Shows Off the New Avante, Now With AI Smarts and a Sharp, Edgy Look

Meet the brand-new Avante, or as folks in the States call it, the Elantra. Now in its eighth generation, this compact sedan has gotten bigger in pretty much every dimension, packs some clever AI tech, and wears a design that honestly wouldn’t look out of place in a video game.

The seventh-gen model is finally stepping aside after a solid six-year run. Hyundai just revealed the replacement at home in South Korea, and a wider global launch shouldn’t be too far off.

The styling is a clean break from before — it’s futuristic and bold, following what Hyundai calls the “Art of Steel” design language. The whole car looks more muscular and angular, with split headlights and ultra-slim daytime running lights up top. The actual headlights have moved down into what used to be the bumper intakes. Around back, vertical and horizontal LEDs form a sort of interrupted H-shaped taillight setup, tucked under a ducktail spoiler and sitting just above a chunky air diffuser. Six new exterior colors join the lineup, and the Avante rolls on fresh 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels.

In terms of size, the car now stretches 187.6 inches (4,765 mm) long, 73.0 inches (1,855 mm) wide, and 56.1 inches (1,425 mm) tall, with the wheelbase measuring 108.3 inches (2,750 mm). Every single one of those numbers has crept up compared to the old model, and you feel it inside — there’s more room in the cabin and a bigger trunk, too.

Inside, the driver handles most functions through a 14.6-inch screen running the new Pleos Connect system. It comes with a generative AI assistant called Gleo AI that’s designed to handle natural back-and-forth conversations. But don’t worry, Hyundai didn’t go all-touchscreen — there are still physical buttons and switches for the stuff you use most. Buyers can also option things like 100W ultra-fast USB charging ports, a built-in camera, and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Safety gets a nice bump as well. The car packs ten airbags and a long list of driver-assistance features: navigation-based Smart Cruise Control 2, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and something called Pedal Misuse Safety Assist that keeps you from stomping the accelerator when you meant to hit the brake.

Under the hood, Hyundai is offering two powertrains, both with more muscle than before. The naturally aspirated 2.0-liter gas engine now makes 147 horsepower (149 metric horsepower), which is a healthy 26-horsepower jump over the outgoing generation. For those who want to save fuel, the hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter inline-four with an electric motor for a combined output of 155 horsepower (157 metric horsepower). This version also gets Smart Regenerative Braking 3.0 and a Hybrid Hierarchical Predictive Control System that helps squeeze out better efficiency.

If you’re holding out for something spicier, an N version is expected to land around 2027 or 2028, likely with a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. That 2027 timeframe is also when the Elantra is expected to reach North America. And here’s a surprise: the model is reportedly planning a return to Europe, too.

Hyundai hasn’t shared any pricing details yet, so we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see how much all this new tech and extra space will cost.