New Hyundai Elantra range from $21,490

Hyundai has officially launched its sixth-generation Elantra small sedan in Australia.

Initially available in entry-level Active and mid-spec Elite specification, the range will be completed by the sporty SR variant later in 2016.

Boasting updated ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0’ exterior styling, the new Elantra cuts a fine figure with a 0.27Cd drag coefficient and offers improved front and rear shoulder room, as well as better rear head room.

The new Elantra is 20mm longer, 25mm wider and 5mm taller overall. Inside, there’s 7mm additional front shoulder room, 12mm rear shoulder room, 4mm more rear headroom and 59mm rear leg room.

It also benefits from an all-new chassis, despite it riding on the same 2700mm wheelbase as before (the same as Toyota’s Corolla and the Mazda3 sedan). The new chassis comprises 53 per cent ‘ultra high tensile’ steel, which is up from the previous car’s 21 per cent. This contributes to 29.5 per cent greater torsional rigidity.

Using this stronger platform as a base, the revered Hyundai local engineering team has set to work, testing 15 front and 34 rear damper sets to come up with ride and NVH levels truly tuned to Australian conditions. The move to vertically-installed dampers has come at the cost of boot space, however, which is down from 485 to 458 litres, but still 50 litres up on the Mazda3.

Priced from $21,490 plus on-road costs (for a white car; the rest of the palette is metallic, and costa an extra $495 to specify), the Active model comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission and is priced $500 above the model it replaces, though Hyundai says there’s around $2000 of added features, starting with the new engine.

Displacing 2.0 litres, the naturally-aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine drives the front wheels. This engine produces 112kW and 192Nm torque, offering two per cent more poke and eight per cent more torque than the 1.8-litre motor it replaces. Peak torque is generated some 700rpm lower, at 4000rpm, improving drivability.

Where the larger engine loses out, however, is in fuel consumption. Paired with the manual transmission, the new Elantra consumes 7.1L/100km of fuel on the combined cycle. Opt for the six-speed automatic (a $2300 option, taking the Active to $23,790 plus on-roads) and that figure increases to 7.2L/100km.

While the auto’s fuel consumption is only upped 0.1L/100km, the manual is a full 0.5L/100 thirstier than its fifth-generation equivalent.

Standard equipment in the Active includes a 7.0-inch touch-screen highlighting a cleaner centre stack design (canted seven degrees towards the driver), Apple CarPlay connectivity with Siri voice activation (Android to follow), Bluetooth capability, six-speaker audio, reversing camera with park assist, cruise control, manual air-conditioning, cloth trim, LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels with full-size alloy spare running 205/55/R16 tyres and automatic headlights.

Safety is also a strongpoint with six airbags and a full suite of electronic stability systems.

Move up to the auto-only Elite variant, priced from $26,490 plus on-road costs, and Hyundai says there’s between $2000-2500 of added value at a price that's $300 less than the outgoing equivalent.

Dual-zone climate-control with rear air-vents is standard on Elantra Elite, as are 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45/R17 tyres and a full-size alloy spare.

Black leather-appointed trim is an Elite standard with a beige option. Rain-sensing wipers, smart key with push-button start, a smart boot that opens according to proximity key location (rather than a gesture as in others), electric folding exterior mirrors and auto-dimming interior mirrors are also included in Elite.

Other key equipment includes LED tail-lights, one-touch up/down function on the driver’s power window and a 3.5-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster.

The latest Hyundai iCare aftersales program is also included for Elantra. It includes a lifetime servicing plan, five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, complimentary roadside assist for 12 months, roadside support plan for up to 10 years and a complimentary 1500km initial service.

2016 Hyundai Elantra pricing (plus ORCs):
Elantra Active manual — $21,490
Elantra Active auto — $23,790
Elantra Elite auto — $26,490
Metallic paint — $495