2027 Hyundai Elantra Sedan Debuts With Radical New Styles

Hyundai's compact sedan is a signal that sedans are so back.

The next-generation 2027 Hyundai Elantra made its global debut this week at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show in South Korea, where it's sold under the Avante name. Arriving five years after the current generation Elantra debuted, the redesigned sedan adopts Hyundai's latest design language with sharper styling, a more minimalist cabin, and an updated hybrid powertrain.

The reveal comes just days after prototype Elantras were spotted testing in Europe and North America, giving us an early look at what U.S. buyers can expect when the new model arrives next year.

The biggest change is the exterior

Gone are the dramatic Z-shaped body creases that defined the outgoing Elantra. In their place is a much cleaner, more angular design that looks like it borrowed a few ideas from Hyundai's EV lineup. Up front, a wide, geometric grille dominates the fascia, while slim vertical headlights replace the current car's swept-back lighting signature.

The sharper body lines continue down the sides, where sculpted fenders and a straighter shoulder line give the sedan a more planted stance. Hyundai has also blacked out the B-pillar to visually connect the front and rear side windows, while the painted C-pillar creates a floating roof effect.

Around back, the familiar full-width taillight design remains, but it's been reworked with a more squared-off appearance. Vertical lighting elements mirror those up front, and the subtle integrated decklid spoiler carries over with crisper edges.

Inside, Hyundai has taken a dramatically different approach.

The traditional gauge cluster has been reduced to a slim digital display positioned near the base of the windshield, while a much larger central touchscreen handles most vehicle functions. The system runs Hyundai's new Pleos Connect software and introduces an AI-powered voice assistant called Gleo.

Although the dashboard is cleaner than before, Hyundai hasn't eliminated physical controls altogether. Dedicated buttons for climate and audio functions remain beneath the touchscreen, something many drivers will likely appreciate.

The gear selector has also moved to a steering-column-mounted stalk, freeing up additional storage space in the center console.

Under the hood, buyers will once again have a choice between gasoline and hybrid powertrains.

The standard engine carries over the familiar 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower. Hybrid models, however, receive a new two-motor system built around a 1.6-liter engine, boosting total output to 155 horsepower while promising improved efficiency.

Hyundai hasn't announced whether performance variants like the Elantra N Line or the track-focused Elantra N will return, though both have become important parts of the model's lineup in recent years.

The Avante will go on sale in South Korea later this year, with the North American-spec Elantra expected to follow sometime in 2027. Pricing and full U.S. specifications will be announced closer to launch.

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