Hyundai Elantra upgraded and repriced

The updated 2019 Hyundai Elantra small sedan has arrived in Australia priced from $21,490, showing off a sharp new design inspired by the IONIQ EV and NEXO FCEV .

Boasting an angular front-end design and restyled tail-lights, the 2019 Hyundai Elantra is powered by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (112kW/192Nm) and six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission as its predecessor.

Opening the line-up is the new entry-level Go ($21,490) model grade. The Active ($25,990) variant is only available with an automatic.

There's no word on whether a hardcore Hyundai Elantra N model is in the works, powered by the same scorching 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (202kW/353Nm) as the i30 N hot hatch.

Although sales of the Hyundai Elantra sedan are relatively low in comparison to its hatchback sibling, the i30 (3615 sales thus far in 2018 compared to 26,416 last year), a go-fast version of the Elantra is not beyond the realms of possibility.

More popular with customers in the USA, a fully-flavoured Hyundai Elantra N to crown the range is unlikely but there's always room for mid-strength N Line version of the vehicle.

All Elantra models come with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and capped-price servicing in Australia, while standard features on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra Go include cruise control, automatic headlights and a reverse parking camera hooked up to a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality.

Tinted windows, 15-inch steel wheels with hub caps are also part of the package and all models feature a redesigned interior with new-look dashboard, steering wheel and cabin trims. A new 'Supervision' 3.5-inch trip computer joins the cast as well.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra Active lifts equipment levels with a digital radio and larger 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that adds satellite navigation with 10-years' worth of map updates. Alloy wheels (16-inch) replace the steel rims of the Go model grade, while faux leather covers the steering wheel and gear stick adding a bit more tactility.

Other extras for the Active variant include an upgraded Infinity eight-speaker stereo, reverse parking sensors and power folding mirrors with LED indicator signals.

As is the case with the Hyundai Tucson SUV, the entry-level Go model with a manual gearbox is not available with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), while automatic versions of the Go and Active only gain the safety feature as part of a $1700 SmartSense pack.

The safety pack also adds adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor.

Small sedan buyers looking for a little more gusto can check out the Hyundai Elantra Sport and Sport Premium models, expected to arrive in January 2019. They are propelled by a more advanced turbo-petrol 1.6-litre engine (150kW/265Nm) that provides more acceleration, hooked up to a twin-clutch seven-speed automatic gearbox.

Pricing and spec for the high-output turbo models have not yet been released by Hyundai Australia but the safety packages are likely to be standard.

The new-look Hyundai Elantra is available in Australia now and like all models features Australian-tuned suspension. The Korean brand will be keen to see the fresh-faced model in dealerships with year-on-year sales down by almost one third, from 5246 units in 2017 to 3615 thus far in 2018.

How much does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra cost?
Elantra Go 2.0 manual - $21,490
Elantra Go 2.0 automatic - $23,790
Elantra Active 2.0 automatic - $25,990
Elantra Sport 1.6 automatic - $TBA
Elantra Sport Premium 1.6 automatic - $TBA

How much do the options cost?
Metallic/mica paint – $495
SmartSense Pack (Go, Active) – $1700

*Prices exclude on-road costs