2019 Hyundai Elantra facelift gets a triangular makeover

Mid-cycle facelifts are usually comprised of a new grill, slightly reshaped lights and, perhaps, new wheels. Hyundai's facelift for the 2019 Elantra however, goes beyond that and, by the looks of it, it's far from a mild update.

For the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, the new look is all about triangles. Just take a look at the front end. Gone is the slim, upswept headlights and in its place are larger units which are, you guessed it, in the shape of a triangle. There's more of the three-sided polygon at the lower half of the front, particularly on the bumper corner and the foglights. Lastly, the grill takes inspiration from the all-new Santa Fe and Kona with a wider, bolder, Y-shaped piece.

Changes to the rear as just as dramatic as the front. The shape of the trunk lid is totally different from the pre-facelift model, and it sees the license plate holder relocated to the bumper. Tail light clusters are also totally new, which now employ an inverted L shape. There's even an integrated diffuser to give the rear a little more flair. New wheel designs are also part of the 2019 update. As for the rest of the body, it's largely carried over from the current Elantra.

Inside, one will need a sharp eye to spot all the differences. When you do see it, you'll notice the redesigned center stack with rearranged buttons. There's also a new steering wheel and the air-conditioning vents get a brushed-aluminum look. On top of those is a new instrument cluster which comes with more styling details. Hyundai adds that the infotainment system has also been given an overhaul.

The complete engine range has yet to be announced but for the US market, there are three options. First is a 1.4-liter turbocharged mill with 128 PS while a 2.0-liter unit with 147 PS sits in the middle of the range. Serving as the range-topper is a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, although exact figures haven't been released yet. Transmission options include a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic or seven-speed dual clutch transmission.