- 2021 Hyundai Elantra GT to get mid-cycle refresh
- New powertrains with 48-volt mild hybrid systems to launch in Europe; unlikely for Canada
- Available 10.25-inch infotainment system touchscreen
The Hyundai Elantra GT’s European counterpart, called the i30 across the pond, will receive a mid-cycle refresh and is scheduled to appear at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show. We can safely assume that the North-American variant, which rivals the Honda Civic, the Volkswagen Golf, the Mazda3 Sport and the Kia Forte5, will look pretty much like the i30 in these pictures.
While the overall shape of the GT won’t change, we can spot new headlight clusters with v-shaped LED daytime running lights, a reshaped grille that mimics the one found on the redesigned 2020 Hyundai Sonata, and revised bumpers. New alloy wheel designs should also be part of the exterior changes.
Inside, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra GT will receive a new digital instrument cluster in addition to an available 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. That’s pretty much the biggest we can find in the compact-car segment right now. There will be some other minor trim changes, but like the car’s sheetmetal, the basic design will remain the same.
In Europe, three new powertrains with 48-volt mild hybrid systems will be introduced. The turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine will develop 118 horsepower (120 PS, 88.3 kW) and 127 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo 1.5-litre four with 48V assistance nets 158 hp (160 PS, 117.5 kW) and 187 pound-feet. There’s also a turbo-diesel 1.6-litre four with 48V assistance which boasts 134 hp (136 PS, 100 kW) and 236 pound-feet.
None of them are noticeably more powerful than their non-hybrid predecessors, but we’re assuming fuel economy will improve quite a bit. Also, we’re not expecting any of these to be offered in the North American 2021 Hyundai Elantra GT. That means we’ll be sticking to the 161-hp, 2.0-litre four and the 201-hp, turbo 1.6-litre four for the time being.
We’re particularly fond of the other i30 variants that we don’t get on our shores—the i30 Fastback and the i30 Wagon. The latter will be available for the first time in N Line trim.
The current-generation Hyundai Elantra GT was introduced for the 2018 model year, and received the N Line package a year later. Meanwhile, the latest Elantra sedan hit the North American market and received a mid-cycle refresh for the 2019 model year.
