The 2015 Hyundai Elantra facelift gets some subtle extrerior changes along with upgraded interiors that bring freshness to the D-segment sedan, says Faisal Ali Khan of MotorBeam.com.
The D-segment sedan space has been plummeting in demand while prices for the cars in the segment have been on a rise. With the imposing SUVs available as an option, customers too are opting for the same instead of the very classy sedans that are currently on offer.
Exactly why Hyundai India took almost two years to bring the Elantra facelift to the country, which is essentially a stop-gap measure to keep the sales momentum going until the next generation model arrives in 2016.
With the pre-facelift model already being a popular choice in the segment, MotorBeam samples the 2015 Elantra facelift that promises a host of upgrades to improve this sedan's appeal further.
While some say it is too flashy, no one will deny that the Hyundai Elantra is a good looking car with its fluidic design philosophy. For the 2015 facelift, the D-segment sedan gets subtle upgrades that go easily overlooked.
The headlights are new and feature projector units with LED guide lights and the housing has been blackened out.
The front bumper has been revised and gets new L-shaped fog lamps.
The side profile is the same from the outgoing version but features new 10-spoke alloy wheels; while the rear gets new LED-like tail light graphics and a new redesigned rear bumper with a blackened diffuser on the lower section to reduce the visual bulk.
The exhaust tip is now visible, unlike the pre-facelift version.
Despite the changes, the 2015 Elantra facelift does not look drastically different from the older model.
The interior upgrades on the 2015 Elantra facelift are far more significant than the exteriors.
The dashboard gets finished in a new sporty black and grey colour scheme but misses the airy feel that the older black and beige interior brought to the cabin.
The air-con vents are repositioned on the dashboard while the climate control display and buttons are new and come with blue on black illumination.
There is also a new 4.3-inch touchscreen audio system that doubles up as a display unit for the rear view camera.
The Elantra retains its key attributes from the older version like the spacious cabin, comfortable seats and is loaded with a host of equipment including Bluetooth connectivity, keyless GO, push button start, automatic headlights, leather seats, electric adjustment for the front seats and six airbags.
However, Hyundai has omitted audio controls on the rear-seat armrest as part of a cost-cutting measure while the distance to empty function is still missing.
Power continues to come from the same 1.6-litre diesel and 1.8-litre petrol engine options under the hood that get no upgrades.
The 1.8 petrol gets Dual VTVT and is tuned to produce 149.5 PS and 177.5 Nm of torque.
This motor though needs to be revved to keep it going. Coming to the 1.6 diesel, the oil burner churns out 128 PS and 260 Nm of torque and is the same unit found on the Verna.
Power lag is apparent and the engine only shows some urge post 2000 RPM.
The Elantra diesel gets a strong mid-range but the top-end lacks grunt.
Nonetheless, floor the throttle and the sedan will do the 0-100 km/hr run in 10.56 seconds.
Both the engines come paired to 6-speed manual and automatic transmission options.
The automatic gearbox is a single-clutch unit and isn't really the quickest in the segment, but is smooth and is complimented by excellent NVH levels.
Neither of the engines are targeted at the driving enthusiast but offer a good balance of power and fuel economy.
With the 2015 version, Hyundai India has missed out the stop-go system that is available on the Elantra globally and could have further improved the economy and reduced CO2 emissions levels.
The 2015 Elantra facelift continues with the same dynamics as its predecessor and isn't really tuned to please the driver.
It does handle decently, but the steering is vague and lacks feedback.
At low speeds, the D-segment sedan feels extremely light aiding in easy city manoeuvrability while high-speed stability isn't much of an issue.
The Elantra offers good ride quality at low speeds while there is a tad bit of bounciness at high speeds. Nonetheless, the Korean sedan feels calm over road undulations. Stopping power is good but pedal bite could have been better.
The Hyundai Elantra facelift isn't the car for the enthusiast. It does not offer the same kind of fun like its European rivals including the Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Jetta or the brand value like that of the Toyota Corolla in the segment.
However, the Elantra emerges as the one for those who need a comfortable sedan that is loaded up to the brink with features and at the same time is easy to maintain.
With the facelifted version, Hyundai has further improved the aesthetics of the car and will certainly make heads turn wherever it goes.
Priced between Rs. 17.70 - 21.75 lakhs (on-road, Mumbai), what helps matters further is that it is significantly cheaper over its rivals, making it even more desirable.
The 2015 Hyundai Elantra facelift gets some subtle extrerior changes along with upgraded interiors that bring freshness to the D-segment sedan, according to MotorBeam.
The D-segment sedan space has been plummeting in demand while prices for the cars in the segment have been on a rise. With the imposing SUVs available as an option, customers too are opting for the same instead of the very classy sedans that are currently on offer.
Exactly why Hyundai India took almost two years to bring the Elantra facelift to the country, which is essentially a stop-gap measure to keep the sales momentum going until the next generation model arrives in 2016.
With the pre-facelift model already being a popular choice in the segment, MotorBeam samples the 2015 Elantra facelift that promises a host of upgrades to improve this sedan's appeal further.
While some say it is too flashy, no one will deny that the Hyundai Elantra is a good looking car with its fluidic design philosophy.
For the 2015 facelift, the D-segment sedan gets subtle upgrades that go easily overlooked.
The headlights are new and feature projector units with LED guide lights and the housing has been blackened out.
The front bumper has been revised and gets new L-shaped fog lamps.
The side profile is the same from the outgoing version but features new 10-spoke alloy wheels; while the rear gets new LED-like tail light graphics and a new redesigned rear bumper with a blackened diffuser on the lower section to reduce the visual bulk. The exhaust tip is now visible, unlike the pre-facelift version.
Despite the changes, the 2015 Elantra facelift does not look drastically different from the older model.
The interior upgrades on the 2015 Elantra facelift are far more significant than the exteriors.
The dashboard gets finished in a new sporty black and grey colour scheme but misses the airy feel that the older black and beige interior brought to the cabin.
The air-con vents are repositioned on the dashboard while the climate control display and buttons are new and come with blue on black illumination.
There is also a new 4.3-inch touchscreen audio system that doubles up as a display unit for the rear view camera.
The Elantra retains its key attributes from the older version like the spacious cabin, comfortable seats and is loaded with a host of equipment including Bluetooth connectivity, keyless GO, push button start, automatic headlights, leather seats, electric adjustment for the front seats and six airbags.
However, Hyundai has omitted audio controls on the rear-seat armrest as part of a cost-cutting measure while the distance to empty function is still missing.
Power continues to come from the same 1.6-litre diesel and 1.8-litre petrol engine options under the hood that get no upgrades.
The 1.8 petrol gets Dual VTVT and is tuned to produce 149.5 PS and 177.5 Nm of torque.
This motor though needs to be revved to keep it going. Coming to the 1.6 diesel, the oil burner churns out 128 PS and 260 Nm of torque and is the same unit found on the Verna.
Power lag is apparent and the engine only shows some urge post 2000 RPM.
The Elantra diesel gets a strong mid-range but the top-end lacks grunt.
Nonetheless, floor the throttle and the sedan will do the 0-100 km/hr run in 10.56 seconds.
Both the engines come paired to 6-speed manual and automatic transmission options.
The automatic gearbox is a single-clutch unit and isn't really the quickest in the segment, but is smooth and is complimented by excellent NVH levels. Neither of the engines are targeted at the driving enthusiast but offer a good balance of power and fuel economy.
With the 2015 version, Hyundai India has missed out the stop-go system that is available on the Elantra globally and could have further improved the economy and reduced CO2 emissions levels.
The 2015 Elantra facelift continues with the same dynamics as its predecessor and isn't really tuned to please the driver. It does handle decently, but the steering is vague and lacks feedback.
At low speeds, the D-segment sedan feels extremely light aiding in easy city manoeuvrability while high-speed stability isn't much of an issue.
The Elantra offers good ride quality at low speeds while there is a tad bit of bounciness at high speeds.
Nonetheless, the Korean sedan feels calm over road undulations.
Stopping power is good but pedal bite could have been better.
The Hyundai Elantra facelift isn't the car for the enthusiast.
It does not offer the same kind of fun like its European rivals including the Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Jetta or the brand value like that of the Toyota Corolla in the segment.
However, the Elantra emerges as the one for those who need a comfortable sedan that is loaded up to the brink with features and at the same time is easy to maintain.
With the facelifted version, Hyundai has further improved the aesthetics of the car and will certainly make heads turn wherever it goes.
Priced between Rs 177,00,00 - 217,50,00 (on-road, Mumbai), what helps matters further is that it is significantly cheaper over its rivals, making it even more desirable.
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