Spy Video Confirms Hyundai Is Giving Elantra a Daring New Design for 2026 originally appeared on Autoblog.
Redesigned Compact Sedan Expected To Debut In 2026
Distinctive styling helps the current-generation Hyundai Elantra stand out, and judging by new spy shots and video of what appears to be a next-gen prototype, that will likely be the case for its successor as well. The new Elantra is expected to debut next year, meaning it will likely go on sale in the United States as a 2026 or 2027 model.
HealerTV posted a video of an alleged camouflaged Elantra prototype to YouTube, and Korean Car Blog noted that what can be seen through the camo looks awfully close to its renderings of the next-gen Elantra. Those renderings predict an evolution of Hyundai's current design language with its own visually-interesting details.
An Edgy Look
The next-gen Elantra looks set to adopt a version of the visor-like front fascia used on the refreshed Sonata. Korean Car Blog's renderings predict thin daytime running lights connected by a light bar running parallel to the hood shut line, with headlights blended with the grille below. Lighting elements peeking through the camouflage of the real-life prototype match up with that.
It also looks like the Elantra's front end will be defined by hard edges. The front fenders come to a point where they meet with the lower part of the DRLs, while the grille is comprised of a protruding, rectangular form. The area around the headlights is more obscured by the camouflage, but these shapes appear to set up angled headlights and a sharp lower front fascia that give the entire front end a zigzag profile.
New Tech, Familiar Powertrains
A previous report said the Elantra, along with a redesigned Tucson also expected to debut next year, will get a new infotainment system called Pleos Connect. The first product of Hyundai's new Pleos software division, Pleos Connect is Android-based, and will likely put more emphasis on the main touchscreen, with fewer physical controls than in current models.
The styling and in-car tech might be getting a major rethink, but the powertrains will likely remain familiar. With the exception of the Kona Electric, Hyundai appears content to leave EVs to its Ioniq sub-brand, meaning the Elantra should continue with naturally-aspirated and turbocharged inline-four engines, plus a hybrid option. We hope the fun-to-drive Elantra N makes a comeback as well.
Spy Video Confirms Hyundai Is Giving Elantra a Daring New Design for 2026 first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 20, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Comments