Hyundai unveils larger, AI‑rich eighth‑gen Elantra (Avante) sedan

Hyundai announced the eighth‑generation Elantra, marketed as Avante in South Korea, at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show. The new compact sedan adopts the brand’s “Art of Steel” design language, featuring sharper lines, flared wheel arches, split LED headlamps and an H‑shaped rear light signature. Dimensions have grown to 4,765 mm length, 1,855 mm width and a 2,750 mm wheelbase, moving the car toward midsize‑segment interior space.

The cabin is equipped with Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect infotainment system and the generative‑AI assistant Gleo AI, enabling natural‑language voice control of vehicle functions. Physical buttons and rotary controls remain for key settings. Safety equipment includes ten airbags, Navigation‑based Smart Cruise Control 2, Pedal‑Misuse Safety Assist and other ADAS features.

Powertrain options for the South Korean market are a 2.0‑litre naturally aspirated gasoline engine delivering 147–149 hp and a 1.6‑litre self‑charging hybrid rated at 155–157 hp, both paired with Hyundai’s latest transmission. The Avante will go on sale in South Korea in the third quarter of 2026, with a global rollout slated for 2027.