Breathe Easy

The new Elantra picks up where The last one leftT off. Better?

- Rohin Nagrani

Clinical. It’s not something that one would use to describe a Ferrari. But a Toyota Corolla? No second thoughts there. A dominating, everlasting model that continues to be favoured, it’s been in India for the past 12-13 years and despite competition from the likes of the Skoda Octavia/ Laura, VW Jetta, Chevrolet Cruze and Honda Civic, it’s managed to keep its head high.

For Hyundai, the Elantra was a bit of a mixed bag. The first one made a fleeting appearance, but never quite managed to wow the Indian audience. The segment, too, was yet to mature and Hyundai of the early 2000s wasn’t the Hyundai of today. What arrived in India in 2012 (the fifth generation) is what changed the Elantra’s fate. It was a well-thought-out, well-designed automobile that could really take the fight to the established lot, the Corolla included. And let’s face it, it did well for itself, even if the entry D-segment as it was once termed, was shrinking and continues to shrink.

Which brings us to the question — why yet another Elantra? The answer is in three parts. Firstly, with a target of 300-350 units a month, Hyundai’s CKD operation for the Elantra could still make financial sense. Secondly, Hyundai desperately needs a flagship saloon that works as a torchbearer because, thirdly, the new Verna that’s arriving in 2017 could do with some inspiration. And a stepping stone.