2021 Hyundai Elantra Premium Review

In Malaysia's C-segment sedan market, most consumers demand practicality for daily commuting while valuing competitive design and smart features. In recent years, many models have used cost-effectiveness or specific highlights to capture market share. The 2021 Hyundai Elantra Premium, as a popular option in this segment, has garnered attention with its class-leading wheelbase, standard Level 2 driving assistance, and dual electric seats. This test drive will focus on verifying whether its static experience meets expectations and whether its dynamic performance balances comfort with fuel efficiency, providing potential buyers with a reference.

The exterior design adopts Hyundai's family design language, "Sensuous Sportiness," with overall smooth and angular lines. The large blacked-out mesh grille at the front pairs with sharp LED headlights, creating high recognizability. The side features waistlines running from the front fender to the rear, coupled with 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels to enhance the sporty feel. At the rear, the through-type LED taillights align with the slightly upward duck-tail design, while the diffuser-style design below the rear bumper further strengthens the sporty vibe. The lighting system comes standard with LED sources across the range, while automatic headlights and daytime running lights enhance practicality. The nighttime illumination effect is clear and uniform.

The interior is predominantly black, with the dashboard covered in soft-touch materials and accented by silver trim, which is appropriate for this price range. The central console layout is simple, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the middle that supports CarPlay and Android Auto, offering smooth operation without noticeable lag. Below it retains some physical buttons, making it convenient for blind operation while driving. Key configurations include a 10.25-inch full LCD instrument cluster that provides rich information and allows different themes. The dual-zone automatic air conditioning features rear air vents, with the front seats supporting 8-way electric adjustment and lumbar support. The rear seats offer a 60:40 split-folding design, enhancing storage flexibility. Additionally, keyless entry, electrically folding side mirrors, and rain-sensing wipers are all standard features, providing high daily convenience.

The vehicle measures 4675mm×1825mm×1430mm, with a wheelbase of 2720mm, giving it an advantage in its class. The front row offers ample space, where a 175cm tall person would still have a fist’s worth of headroom after adjusting the seat. In the rear row, legroom exceeds two fists, and headroom is about four fingers, ensuring it doesn't feel cramped when seating five passengers. In terms of storage, the trunk has a capacity of 474 liters and can accommodate three 20-inch suitcases in its regular state. Folding the rear seats further expands the usable space. Inside the car, door storage pockets, a central armrest box, and front cup holders are well-designed and practical for storing small daily items.

Under the hood, the powertrain features a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 123PS and a peak torque of 154N·m, paired with a CVT gearbox. The power output is smooth during the initial acceleration, and throttle response is linear, making it suitable for city traffic conditions. After accelerating to 60km/h, there is sufficient power reserve, and pressing the accelerator hard for overtaking prompts the transmission to simulate gear shifts by increasing the RPMs, ensuring smooth power transitions without noticeable delays. The vehicle offers three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Eco mode, throttle sensitivity is reduced, ideal for daily commuting. In Sport mode, the RPMs are maintained at higher levels for more responsive power delivery, but overall, the tuning remains biased towards comfort.

The chassis adopts a combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort. When driving over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out most vibrations, and the body shows no obvious bounce; when cornering at high speed, body roll is well controlled, the steering wheel offers precise handling with minimal play, providing ample driving confidence. The braking system performs consistently with front ventilated discs and rear ventilated discs. The brake pedal feels linear, and the vehicle maintains a stable posture during emergency braking. In terms of noise control, the cabin remains quiet at speeds below 60 km/h, with tire and wind noise barely noticeable; once the speed exceeds 80 km/h, wind noise gradually increases but remains within an acceptable range.

Fuel efficiency meets expectations. This test drive covered both city traffic and highway segments, with a combined fuel consumption of about 5.8L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 5.4L/100km. However, considering real-world driving conditions, the performance remains excellent. Safety features are comprehensive, including standard equipment such as six airbags, lane change assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and other Level-2 driving assistance functions, providing effective security for daily driving. The parking sensors and reversing camera are highly clear, offering great convenience during parking.

In conclusion, the core advantages of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Premium include the spacious interior provided by its 2,720mm long wheelbase, standard Level-2 driving assistance features, dual electric seats, and balanced fuel economy. Compared to competitors in the same segment, its configuration level is more competitive, while pricing remains reasonable, offering excellent value for money.

This car is suitable for family users who prioritize spacious practicality and rich features. It is fuel-efficient for daily commutes and comfortable for fully-loaded trips. Additionally, its sporty exterior design satisfies young consumers’ aesthetic preferences. If you are looking for a mid-size sedan that balances comfort, intelligence, and efficiency, the Elantra Premium is worth considering.