Beijing 2008: Hyundai debuts facelifted Elantra
by John Neff on Apr 23rd 2008 at 1:58PM 
Click above to view high-res gallery of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra in China
As we learned last week, Hyundai used the occasion of Auto China in Beijing to debut its slightly refreshened Elantra. Its face now features a wider grille flanked by larger headlights, and a new lower air intake has also been reshaped. The overall effect is that the Elantra's friendly face has been been given a healthy dose of attitude. Likewise, the Elantra's rear also gets reshaped and loses its bulbous butt complex. We do expect these design updates to eventually reach the U.S.-market Elantra, as well as some new interior niceties like improved connectivity for digital music devices. As for when that will happen, your guess is as good as ours.
Gallery: 2008 Hyundai Elantra (Chinese)
Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Elantra
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[Source: Autoblog Chinese]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
FThorn 2:03PM (4/23/2008)
Okay. That's not totally ugly.
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Aprime 2:09PM (4/23/2008)
Yeah, the present iteration of the sedan has a lot of redeeming qualities, but looks isn't one of them.
This is an improvement, but I wouldn't say it's the best-looker in its class. Still, it makes the package more attractive as I won't be able to confuse it for a prior-gen Corolla or even Civic (note: I usually wear glasses, and I make those assessments when I'm not wearing them. :v).
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Way of the Future 2:13PM (4/23/2008)
the rear looks like the last corolla
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Aprime 2:38PM (4/23/2008)
Lacks the buldge and the typical Corolla 3-color scheme.
Try again.
Spike 2:26PM (4/23/2008)
Yawn
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Matt 2:32PM (4/23/2008)
Gross. Looks like a previous-gen Saab 9-3 hatchback had drunk sex with a Pontiac LeMans. Fail.
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Will 2:39PM (4/23/2008)
It's not ugly, maybe a little bland at the most. It looks like they tried to make the headlights/taillights look kind of like the Genesis Coupes
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Aprime 2:39PM (4/23/2008)
Wow, am I the only one that likes the front?
Well, I do think it would Fit Kia better, but meh whatever.
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Tagg 2:49PM (4/23/2008)
I thought Hyundai wanted to move upmarket? This strategy of a lineup consisting of luxury or near-luxury and cheap cars is fine almost everywhere else in the world but in the U.S.
I guess it depends on Hyundai's goals are in the U.S. but this seems it would be better badged as a Kia. Kia needs new product more than Hyundai which is launching its flagship Genesis sedan this year which is upscale where this is low end.
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Noah 3:01PM (4/23/2008)
Hey AB, can I work as a photographer for you? Well, I'm not that experienced at it, but I know how to work my $150 camera's EV and White balance to get pictures that don't look all washed out by the harsh show lights. Also, I can figure out exciting camera angles to accent certain pieces better.
Not only that, but I could write for you! I read articles carefully so that I quote them accurately, and I also am a grammar-nazi (blame my mother), so that would also work out for you if you need me to write for you.
Any open positions?
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MajorGeek 2:55PM (4/23/2008)
This is one of those I can sum up in one word.
NO
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jsjs 3:00PM (4/23/2008)
Looks better in the photos than in the previous images.
While hardly a gorgeous car (are there any at this price-point/category?), it is, nonetheless, more pleasing to the eye than the current Corolla - and maybe even the Civic).
As for moving "upmarket" - Hyundai is only doing that (up to a point) in order to raise its image against the likes of Toyota and Honda.
Once American consumers start seeing Hyundai as a viable alternative to Toyota/Honda, Hyundai will likely then introduce its own separate lux brand.
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Disgruntled Goat 3:30PM (4/23/2008)
I'll agree that this Elantra looks better then the current Civic (what doesn't) but the Corolla definitely has a more substantial and attracive form than this. There's something about the wimpy slope of the rear third of the Elantra that just makes it look toy-like. Too bad too, since the Elantra is a fine car saddled with poor clothes.
I_Hate_China 3:06PM (4/23/2008)
This is for China-market only. The rest of world gets to keep old look.
Elantra has been a top seller(actually the no. 1 seller of all brands for a couple of years) in China for many years, and this gives Hyundai an incentive to do a China-only model.
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chris berezny 5:06PM (4/23/2008)
Actually, the VW Santana, Buick Excelle, Toyota Camry, Corolla, and Chery QQ all outsold Elantra. Although the Elantra was #2 back in 2006.
Of course, I'm surprised the Chinese take a Buick over a Hyundai unlike us Americans :)
http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/5894/China-s-top-10-best-selling-sedan-models-in-February.html
I_Hate_China 3:07PM (4/23/2008)
This is for China only. You won't see it in the US.
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Aprime 5:32PM (4/23/2008)
Prove it.
bc 3:13PM (4/23/2008)
Front and rear are definitely improved, but now the rolly-poley side profile looks even more out of place. Hyundai seems to have two design teams--one that did the Accent, Sonata, and Tuscon,which are a bit boxy; and one that did the Santa Fe, Vera Cruz, and Azera, which look like the front and rear ends got slightly melted. The Elantra looks like it was originally styled by team 2, and then freshened by team 1.
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jsjs 11:38PM (4/23/2008)
LOL!!
This the best description I've heard/read of Hyundai's designs.
And you're right - the side looks a bit out of place w/ the new front/back.
The Talking Hamburger 3:12PM (4/23/2008)
There wasn't anything notably bad about the earlier Elantra's design, but this is still a good improvement. I like the new front end better than the original.
Folks complaining about "It looks like they copied a Corolla/Sentra/Civic/whatever" : What a revelation, people. Short of openly defying NHTSA standards, there's not going to be much in the way of hyper-styling a mass-produced car.
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