UPDATE 9/6/2018: This story was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated with pricing information.



We were in Park City, Utah, to get some seat time in the new Hyundai Santa Fe crossover, but on the way to dinner, Hyundai served up a surprising appetizer: a first look at its refreshed 2019 Elantra sedan. Midway through its sixth generation, the Elantra dons a look that moves it closer to Hyundai’s stylish Le Fil Rouge (HDC-1) concept car from the Geneva auto show last March. It also offers new safety features and a new infotainment system with revised center-stack controls.

The styling takes a step upscale with its new front end dominated by a wider grille with horizontal slats. It’s underscored by a shapely bib with vertical outboard turn signals and nacelles that allow air to pass through them, à la 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. The hood and front fenders are also new, as are the wedge-shaped headlamps with LED running lamps that appear to pierce the upper corners of the grille. Out back, the trunklid is new, as are the taillamps. The license-plate housing has been relocated from the trunk to a new rear bumper.

Inside, the changes include a new instrument binnacle, center screen, air vents, and different HVAC controls. Trim levels include SE, SEL, Value Edition, Limited, Eco, and Sport, with base models getting a 5.0-inch color audio-system display, manual-transmission SE models now featuring steering-wheel audio controls and Bluetooth, and Limited models adding wireless charging. An uplevel audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, navigation, and an 8.0-inch screen is once again available but now has a faster processor. All 2019 Elantras also will benefit from additional sound-absorbing material and a standard rearview camera with dynamic guidelines.

View Photos Steve Siler Car and Driver

The Elantra Sport trim level will continue to stand apart from the rest of the Elantra lineup in terms of performance. Although Hyundai hasn’t yet released full details on the 2019 Elantra Sport, the carmaker says that it will feature sport seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, sportier instruments, a revised headliner, and new door trim. Power will come from the same turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque and a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions.

Meanwhile, the Eco model will continue with its turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 128 horsepower and 156 lb-ft and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. All other Elantras soldier on with Hyundai’s naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft, with base SE models offering a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic; the latter is standard on SEL, Value Package, and Limited models.

View Photos Steve Siler Car and Driver

On the safety side, the Elantra receives many of Hyundai’s SmartSense features, most of which are fitted to SEL models and above, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention alert. Limited models with the Ultimate package also include Safe Exit Assist, which warns passengers exiting the car if another vehicle is approaching from behind, as well as pedestrian-detection functionality for the forward-collision-warning system.

Pricing only rises slightly, with the base manual-transmission SE starting at $17,985 ($150 more than before), the top-trim Limited at $23,485 ($860 more than before), and the Sport at $23,285 ($600 more than before), to list a few examples.



View Photos Steve Siler Car and Driver

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