Hyundai Elantra facelift launched in Malaysia, RM86,328 to RM115,616

The Hyundai Elantra MD facelift has officially launched in Malaysia, with the refreshed C-segment sedan having arrived at all Hyundai-Sime Darby showrooms nationwide.

Four variants are available: 1.6 Elegance, 1.6 Executive, 1.6 Premium and 1.8 Premium. Externally, the base 1.6 Elegance gets 16-inch alloys covered in 205/55 tyres, chrome door handles, reflector headlamps, rear fog lamps, rear parking sensors and a black grille. Inside, you’ll find two airbags, a tilt-only steering wheel, fabric manual seats, keyless entry (without start), auto-down driver’s side window, manual air-con and a basic radio with CD, MP3, AUX and USB.

Moving up to the 1.6 Executive nets you front fog lamps and a dark chrome grille, while inside, you get a tilt-telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel with FlexSteer (normal, comfort, sport), leather seats, a 3.4-inch OLED Supervision cluster, sliding console armrest, auto-down-and-up driver’s side window, keyless entry and start, auto lights, rear air-con vents, MirrorLink Audio Visual Receiver and a 6.2-inch touch-screen with DVD, AV input, AUX, USB, micro SD, Bluetooth and reverse camera display. Still two airbags, though.

Six airbags and projector headlamps with LED light guides begin at the 1.6 Premium, which is otherwise identical to the 1.6 Executive where specs are concerned. Finally, the range-topping 1.8 Premium boasts 10-spoke 17-inch alloys wrapped in 215/45 rubber, powered Nappa leather seats with lumbar function, auto wipers, an eight-inch touch-screen with navigation, cruise control, auto dual-zone air-con and front parking sensors.

This time round, the 1.8 Premium variant is no longer offered with a sunroof. All variants get ABS, ESC, VSM, hill assist, manual headlamp levelling, electric folding wing mirrors with LED indicators and steering wheel audio controls.

Thanks to reshaped front and rear bumpers, the Elantra facelift is 20 mm longer than its predecessor at 4,550 mm. New L-shaped fog lamp housings, too. Inside, the oddly-placed air-con vents on the pre-facelift car now sit higher in a more conventional position on the dashboard. The centre console now features a darker theme while the gear lever now has a leather gaiter.

Mechanically, status quo is maintained – the 1.6 litre Gamma soldiers on with 130 PS at 6,300 rpm and 157 Nm at 4,850 rpm, while the 1.8 litre Nu continues to produce 150 PS at 6,500 rpm and 178 Nm at 4,700 rpm. Both engines are connected to a six-speed auto – no manual option this time.

Locally-assembled (CKD) in Kulim, Kedah, the Hyundai Elantra MD facelift is priced at RM86,328 for the 1.6 Elegance, RM96,116 for the 1.6 Executive, RM100,986 for the 1.6 Premium and RM115,616 for the 1.8 Premium, OTR without insurance. Creamy White, Carbon Grey, Phantom Black, Sleek Silver and Tomato Red body colours are available.

Offered is a five-year, 300,000 km warranty and 24-hour road assist. If you buy the 1.8 Premium between March 5 and April 5, a free three-year, 60,000 km service (at 10,000 km intervals) will also be offered.

- Source: paultan.org