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THE LAST TIME Hyundai tried wading into the local small sedan segment, its weapon of choice was the Elantra. Against competition like the Toyota Corolla Altis, this bold strategem was the equivalent of diving into a full-blown Schwarzenegger-type gunfight, nude, and armed only with a small vegetable peeler.
This time round, the fast-growing Korean manufacturer is giving things another go with the Elantra's replacement. Despite all the engineering and developmental care lavished on the new model, Hyundai's not taking any chances whatsoever. Therefore, it's also gone and changed the car's name entirely; the Elantra is now the Avante.
The new car is larger than the one it replaces, but not that you'd really notice as Hyundai has contrived to keep the overhangs very short. The styling features the recurved side character line that all new Hyundais now so prominently sport, but with specific regard to the Avante, the line makes the car look like a Lexus IS 250 from the B-pillars windows back. Probably not coincidental.
Oddly, the rear has the most visually interesting detailing. The Avante's rump echoes those of all manner of cars, depending on the lighting and on the sort of angle you're looking at it from.
The nose is far more subdued. The corporate grille is small and neatly framed by perky-looking headlamps. Overall, the effect is generally quite pleasing, and there's no hint of any fussy, insecure application of chrome.
Underneath all that sheetmetal sits a brand new platform, Hyundai's seventh new model in 24 months. The suspension setup is MacPherson struts up front and a trick multi-link job at the rear to ensure stable handling.
Plenty of attention has been paid to the chassis's passive safety features, too, bulkheads have been reinforced, and optimised impact absorbing structures have been incorporated. Our test car even came with airbags apparently stuffed into every conceivable crevice, as well as Electronic Stability Control.
This time round, the fast-growing Korean manufacturer is giving things another go with the Elantra's replacement. Despite all the engineering and developmental care lavished on the new model, Hyundai's not taking any chances whatsoever. Therefore, it's also gone and changed the car's name entirely; the Elantra is now the Avante.
The new car is larger than the one it replaces, but not that you'd really notice as Hyundai has contrived to keep the overhangs very short. The styling features the recurved side character line that all new Hyundais now so prominently sport, but with specific regard to the Avante, the line makes the car look like a Lexus IS 250 from the B-pillars windows back. Probably not coincidental.
Oddly, the rear has the most visually interesting detailing. The Avante's rump echoes those of all manner of cars, depending on the lighting and on the sort of angle you're looking at it from.
The nose is far more subdued. The corporate grille is small and neatly framed by perky-looking headlamps. Overall, the effect is generally quite pleasing, and there's no hint of any fussy, insecure application of chrome.
Underneath all that sheetmetal sits a brand new platform, Hyundai's seventh new model in 24 months. The suspension setup is MacPherson struts up front and a trick multi-link job at the rear to ensure stable handling.
Plenty of attention has been paid to the chassis's passive safety features, too, bulkheads have been reinforced, and optimised impact absorbing structures have been incorporated. Our test car even came with airbags apparently stuffed into every conceivable crevice, as well as Electronic Stability Control.
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DRIVING IT
The car you see here is actually the 143bhp 2.0-litre model, which won't be made available locally. That said, this is the same engine that currently powers the 2.0-litre Sonata, so it's not entirely unfamiliar. What we will be getting locally, though, is the 1.6-litre 121bhp model.
Performance was more than satisfactory with the 2.0-litre, and in the confines of Singapore's road network, the 1.6-litre version should be adequate as well. More on the latter when we finally do get our mitts on one. Both the 1.6-litre and 2.0 litre engines are mated to a newly-developed four-speed automatic gearbox. The unit is extremely smooth and very responsive.
The steering is part electric, and offers variable assistance according to road speed. Like some similar systems, the Avante's does take a while to get used to. It's light and quite accurate but feels a touch too quick to self-centre. When you first turn into a corner, things are fine, it's when you straighten up as the corner opens that the steering's too-enthusiastic self-centring action becomes bothersome.
Normally, when you wind off steering lock, a bit of self-centring action is a big help, especially for lazier drivers. However, too much of it means that you end up turning more than you need to, and this in turn results in you having to make plenty of tiny steering corrections through any given sequence of bends.
That said, you do get used to how the steering works quite quickly. And you might even find vigorous self-centring a boon if your daily commute involves a whole mess of u-turns.
Body control is very good. Thanks to relatively beefy front and rear anti-roll bars and the sophisticated suspension set-up, the Avante's cornering attitude is remarkably flat. Dive and squat under heavy braking and acceleration are both very well contained, too. The trade-off is a ride that's solidly on the firm side, at least at low speeds.
In any event, things don't become harsh or crashy, and once you get up to expressway speed, everything smoothens out nicely. Refinement is pretty good, also. A bit of wind and road noise does filter into the cabin but if you've got the stereo on you'll probably won't notice.
Keener drivers will also appreciate the fact that the Avante musters quite a bit of grip in the corners. We drove with a fair degree of abandon along the test drive route, and even on comfort-oriented tyres the car held on gamely to the tarmac.
And while there isn't much steering feel to be had, you do get vital information from other sources. For the most part, body roll is kept in check, but there's still enough of it present for you to sort of tell when you're about to run out of grip. And when you do, there's still a big safety net available in the form of mild, easily correctable understeer.
The car you see here is actually the 143bhp 2.0-litre model, which won't be made available locally. That said, this is the same engine that currently powers the 2.0-litre Sonata, so it's not entirely unfamiliar. What we will be getting locally, though, is the 1.6-litre 121bhp model.
Performance was more than satisfactory with the 2.0-litre, and in the confines of Singapore's road network, the 1.6-litre version should be adequate as well. More on the latter when we finally do get our mitts on one. Both the 1.6-litre and 2.0 litre engines are mated to a newly-developed four-speed automatic gearbox. The unit is extremely smooth and very responsive.
The steering is part electric, and offers variable assistance according to road speed. Like some similar systems, the Avante's does take a while to get used to. It's light and quite accurate but feels a touch too quick to self-centre. When you first turn into a corner, things are fine, it's when you straighten up as the corner opens that the steering's too-enthusiastic self-centring action becomes bothersome.
Normally, when you wind off steering lock, a bit of self-centring action is a big help, especially for lazier drivers. However, too much of it means that you end up turning more than you need to, and this in turn results in you having to make plenty of tiny steering corrections through any given sequence of bends.
That said, you do get used to how the steering works quite quickly. And you might even find vigorous self-centring a boon if your daily commute involves a whole mess of u-turns.
Body control is very good. Thanks to relatively beefy front and rear anti-roll bars and the sophisticated suspension set-up, the Avante's cornering attitude is remarkably flat. Dive and squat under heavy braking and acceleration are both very well contained, too. The trade-off is a ride that's solidly on the firm side, at least at low speeds.
In any event, things don't become harsh or crashy, and once you get up to expressway speed, everything smoothens out nicely. Refinement is pretty good, also. A bit of wind and road noise does filter into the cabin but if you've got the stereo on you'll probably won't notice.
Keener drivers will also appreciate the fact that the Avante musters quite a bit of grip in the corners. We drove with a fair degree of abandon along the test drive route, and even on comfort-oriented tyres the car held on gamely to the tarmac.
And while there isn't much steering feel to be had, you do get vital information from other sources. For the most part, body roll is kept in check, but there's still enough of it present for you to sort of tell when you're about to run out of grip. And when you do, there's still a big safety net available in the form of mild, easily correctable understeer.
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INSIDE IT
Nothing to complain about in this department. The Avante's cabin design is very sober, but everything is neatly laid out and contemporary-looking. Hyundai's even adopted a soothing blue theme for the instrument lighting. Ergonomics are good, all the major controls fall easily to hand and there's plenty of storage.
The most striking thing about the cabin, though, is how well things are put together. If you still harbour any qualms about Korean build quality then you should have poke around the Avante's innards. The plastics used are all first-rate, and they'd even put the sort found in many a name brand to shame.
Our highly-specced test car came with a sunroof, cruise control, integrated stereo and digital climate control, as well as a multi-function steering wheel. Locally-bound cars will get a dealer-fit radio but the fancy climate control setup will be included as standard.
Space in front and in the rear is ample, although taller passengers might feel the need for more headroom. The boot is a very decent size, too, although the slightly narrow opening could hinder the loading of bulky objects.
Nothing to complain about in this department. The Avante's cabin design is very sober, but everything is neatly laid out and contemporary-looking. Hyundai's even adopted a soothing blue theme for the instrument lighting. Ergonomics are good, all the major controls fall easily to hand and there's plenty of storage.
The most striking thing about the cabin, though, is how well things are put together. If you still harbour any qualms about Korean build quality then you should have poke around the Avante's innards. The plastics used are all first-rate, and they'd even put the sort found in many a name brand to shame.
Our highly-specced test car came with a sunroof, cruise control, integrated stereo and digital climate control, as well as a multi-function steering wheel. Locally-bound cars will get a dealer-fit radio but the fancy climate control setup will be included as standard.
Space in front and in the rear is ample, although taller passengers might feel the need for more headroom. The boot is a very decent size, too, although the slightly narrow opening could hinder the loading of bulky objects.
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DOLLARS AND SENSE
The 1.6-litre model that we'll be getting locally comes in two versions, with and without sunroof. These list for $56,999 with COE and $58,699 with COE respectively. You get climate control, as well as twin front airbags as opposed to our test car's umpteen. Still, these are all considered serious luxury items on a Hyundai, so there's no reason not to be happy with the spec.
The basic version of the Avante's closest rival, the Toyota Corolla Altis, lists for $55,988 with COE. Considering that the Altis has been knocking around for a fair old while now, the $1,000 premium commanded by the Avante seems awfully reasonable. And with most buyers typically taking out seven or ten year loans, a $1,000 difference in list price hardly factors into your monthly instalments.
CONCLUSION
While the last Elantra didn't really synch with local buyers, its replacement has a darn good chance of doing so.
Plenty of buyers still privilege cars that are built by Japanese manufacturers, and for good reason, but the Avante should go a long way to helping Hyundai change those sentiments. It's better built, more technologically sophisticated and fresher looking than the closest competition.
The 1.6-litre model that we'll be getting locally comes in two versions, with and without sunroof. These list for $56,999 with COE and $58,699 with COE respectively. You get climate control, as well as twin front airbags as opposed to our test car's umpteen. Still, these are all considered serious luxury items on a Hyundai, so there's no reason not to be happy with the spec.
The basic version of the Avante's closest rival, the Toyota Corolla Altis, lists for $55,988 with COE. Considering that the Altis has been knocking around for a fair old while now, the $1,000 premium commanded by the Avante seems awfully reasonable. And with most buyers typically taking out seven or ten year loans, a $1,000 difference in list price hardly factors into your monthly instalments.
CONCLUSION
While the last Elantra didn't really synch with local buyers, its replacement has a darn good chance of doing so.
Plenty of buyers still privilege cars that are built by Japanese manufacturers, and for good reason, but the Avante should go a long way to helping Hyundai change those sentiments. It's better built, more technologically sophisticated and fresher looking than the closest competition.
NEED TO KNOW
Model : Hyundai Avante 1.6 (A)
Engine Type : 1,591cc 16V in-line 4
Maximum power : 121bhp @ 6,200rpm
Maximum torque : 153Nm @ 4,200rpm
Gearbox : 4-speed automatic
Top speed : 180km/h
0-100km/h : 12.2 seconds
Price : $56,988 with COE
Warranty : 3 years / 100,000km
Contact : Komoco Motors at 6475-8888
PLUSES
Great build quality, well-crafted interior, looks like a Lexus from the rear
MINUSES
Steering takes some getting used to
VERDICT
Hyundai's latest small sedan should spell real trouble for its competitors
SIMILAR CARS WE HAVE DRIVEN
Chevrolet Optra 1.6 (A) $55,488 with COE
The Optra is another Korean competitor but by way of the United States. It might be more bare-boned and basic than the others here but it's roomy and comfortable on the inside, and boasts a genuinely cosseting ride.
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6 (A) $55,988 with COE
The Altis is the undisputed king of the small sedan segment, as nobody does eminently practical, fuss free comfortable transport quite like Toyota. The Atis is getting old, though, and this one area is where rivals can capitalise on.
Model : Hyundai Avante 1.6 (A)
Engine Type : 1,591cc 16V in-line 4
Maximum power : 121bhp @ 6,200rpm
Maximum torque : 153Nm @ 4,200rpm
Gearbox : 4-speed automatic
Top speed : 180km/h
0-100km/h : 12.2 seconds
Price : $56,988 with COE
Warranty : 3 years / 100,000km
Contact : Komoco Motors at 6475-8888
PLUSES
Great build quality, well-crafted interior, looks like a Lexus from the rear
MINUSES
Steering takes some getting used to
VERDICT
Hyundai's latest small sedan should spell real trouble for its competitors
SIMILAR CARS WE HAVE DRIVEN
Chevrolet Optra 1.6 (A) $55,488 with COE
The Optra is another Korean competitor but by way of the United States. It might be more bare-boned and basic than the others here but it's roomy and comfortable on the inside, and boasts a genuinely cosseting ride.
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6 (A) $55,988 with COE
The Altis is the undisputed king of the small sedan segment, as nobody does eminently practical, fuss free comfortable transport quite like Toyota. The Atis is getting old, though, and this one area is where rivals can capitalise on.
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