Refreshed 2023 Hyundai Elantra Debuts In South Korea

Pictured here are images of the refreshed 2023 Hyundai Elantra that was just released quietly by the Korean automaker in its home market of South Korea this week. Known as the Avante in said market and the i30 Sedan in several others, it sports several light styling refreshments, especially with its front end.

For the 2023 model year, Hyundai has revised the Elantra’s front end, the most noticeable change being the headlights and grille. The former is now flatter and flanks the latter that’s now split into two sections with the addition of body-coloured elements in the centre. Faux air intakes at the bumper corners also adds a sportier touch here.

At the rear, the changes are less visible though we can still see a restyled rear bumper with a faux diffuser and a wide U-shaped silver element spanning across the entire part’s width. The taillights have been carried over and it seems there are more glossy black surfaces whilst the red horizontal reflectors have been widened slightly.

Elsewhere, the refresh adds new design dual-tone alloy wheels though these appear to be an existing design seen in other models. Additionally, the plastic panel primed on the C-pillar gets a more intricate pattern now while the chrome beltline is slightly thicker at the end. Lastly, the cabin is now furnished with new eco-friendly trim materials.

Current pre-facelift 2021 model pictured above.

In South Korea, the Elantra is primed with Hyundai’s Smartstream 1.6 litre 4-cyl petrol mill that develops 121 HP and 154 Nm of torque. Paired with it is Hyundai’s own take on the CVT type transmission called Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) that offers eight virtual cogs – the same setup is offered here in Malaysia too.

Speaking of which, the current Elantra is still offered locally by Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) where the C-segment saloon commands a starting price of RM168,888. What are your thoughts of this lightly refreshed 2023 model that’ll likely hit our shores in the near future, then?