Ready For Revival

Can the Hyundai Elantra energise a dwindling segment? Well, with a bold new design, it certainly looks like a force to be reckoned with.

- Ishan Raghava

India’s premium sedan segment has had a tough run over the past couple of years, with its sales numbers in free-fall. Customer sentiment has a role to play of course, but there are other factors too. You see, SUVs have been able to woo customers with their overall ‘utility’ – in terms of space for the whole family, as well as their ability to tackle our miserable road conditions. But another factor could be the lack of choice in this segment, as new launches in this space have been few and far between over the past couple of years. And so, because of this unpredicted lull, the premium sedan segment has become a tough nut to crack. So, can the brand new Hyundai Elantra inject some much-needed life into this segment? Well, we drive the Elantra on the lovely ECR road from Chennai to Puducherry to find out.

Vehicle dynamics and safety are two of the most important aspects that a buyer in this segment would consider. In light of this, Hyundai now seems to be more focussed than ever on the increased rigidity and safety of the new Elantra. The use of high-strength steel in the structure has gone up from 21% to 53%, which means that the car is more rigid – which is certainly a plus considering that we have the worst road safety record on the planet. Not only does the car perform better in safety tests, but the stiff structure also ensures that the car feels a lot more solid on the road than the previous generation.