Hyundai's Elantra hurdles $20K barrier

Hyundai dealers are taking delivery of the next-generation Elantra ahead of the car's public unveiling at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne next month.

And the importer has announced pricing details for the new car, as well as a new slogan: 'New Thinking. New Possibilities'.

While the entry-level Elantra remains priced below the traditional small-car segment king, the Toyota Corolla Ascent, it's not far behind and is now sitting above the $20,000 price ceiling for small-car buyers on a budget.

The only manual variant in the range, the Elantra Active kicks off at $20,590 and the price rises a further $375 for buyers specifying metallic paint. Available as standard on the Elite and Premium-grade variants, the six-speed automatic transmission is a $2000 option for Elantra Active, taking the purchase price to $22,590.

The Elantra Elite is priced at $25,590 and the flagship Elantra Premium caps the range at $28,990. All variants are powered by the same 1.8-litre port-injected petrol engine, matched to a six-speed manual in the base model, or the six-speed automatic for other variants.

Hyundai's North American design team in Irvine California undertook the task of designing the new Elantra, which embodies the company's 'Fluidic Sculpture' styling philosophy.

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