The compact sedan Avante from Hyundai Motor(005380) has been a beloved model worldwide, selling more than 16 million units cumulatively since its 1990 launch. In Korea, it also sold about 3.5 million units thanks to its low price, earning the nickname "the people's first car."
This Avante, now in its eighth generation, was released at a price of more than 37 million won for the fully loaded gasoline trim. With a full redesign, it has grown to midsize sedan dimensions, and with the next-generation infotainment system (Pleaos Connect) onboard and the shift to a software-defined vehicle (SDV), its value proposition has been strengthened. On the 24th, we test-drove The All-new Avante over about 83 kilometers from Goyang, Gyeonggi, to Yeongjong District, Incheon.
◇ A design that packs dynamism into a body larger than older Sonatas; a comfortable atmosphere inside
The most striking change is the size. The All-new Avante measures 4,765 millimeters long, 1,855 millimeters wide, 1,425 millimeters high, with a 2,750-millimeter wheelbase (distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels). Compared with the previous model, length is up 55 millimeters, height 5 millimeters, and both width and wheelbase are up 30 millimeters each.
It is larger in every dimension than the fourth-generation model of the midsize sedan Sonata (EF Sonata). Even compared with the current Sonata (eighth generation, Sonata The Edge), the width difference is just 5 millimeters. The length differs by 145 millimeters, the height by 20 millimeters, and the wheelbase by 90 millimeters. In practice, maneuvering through a café's narrow entrance or parking, it felt like a midsize car.
The design sheds the former sharp impression and takes on the form of an American muscle car. The long daytime running light shaped like Hyundai's H, the voluminous radiator grille, and the heavily flared fenders and quarter panels (the exterior panels running from above the rear wheels to around the trunk) give a low, rugged look.
At the same time, it adds dynamism with features such as the "slim neck outside mirror," which thins the connection point with the body, flush door handles, and a rear diffuser (a structure that speeds up airflow under the body to create downforce).
The steering wheel is made in a sports car-like "double D-cut" shape (top and bottom flattened so it looks like two opposing letter Ds). Its diameter is about 20 millimeters (5.4%) smaller than before, designed to deliver more immediate steering response.
The wheel also adds buttons that let you easily operate ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) lane-keeping assist, smart cruise control, and more while driving. On the left is a turn signal stalk integrated with the wiper lever, and on the right is a column-type shift lever. However, with paddle shifters attached at the 9 and 3 o'clock grips, holding the wheel felt a bit less comfortable.
The cockpit-like driver's seat interior has changed to a wider, more relaxed feel. With Pleaos Connect, the instrument cluster is gone, emphasizing the horizontal line. In its place is a slim 9.9-inch display showing speed, ADAS status, fuel economy, and more.
The lower half of the two-tier dashboard features cushion-like convex forms that create a sense of comfort. The ambient light doesn't shine directly into the cabin; instead, it illuminates concave surfaces on the dashboard and doors, lending an upscale touch unusual for a compact sedan. This interior lighting approach is also used in Hyundai Motor's flagship GV90.
Both front seats feature power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The driver's seat also has a four-way lumbar support and memory function. Between the driver and front passenger are three USB-C ports and two wireless chargers. As a result, the console box is smaller, slightly reducing front storage space.
The rear seat's legroom matches the larger body, securing about 76 centimeters. The backrest reclines to about 117 degrees. The trunk opening width (475 millimeters) has been improved by 45 millimeters over the previous model, and the cargo capacity (479 liters) increased by 6 liters, allowing two golf bags and four Boston bags. A previously absent gas lift now holds the trunk lid open, and an open/close handle has been added.
◇ After Grandeur, Pleaos Connect and GLEO AI adopted; ride quality improved over the previous model
Pleaos Connect, applied for the second time after The New Grandeur, sits in the center of the first row as a 14.6-inch unit. It controls lighting, seats, and climate, and also handles navigation, music, and content playback. Through the app market, you can download apps such as Melon, FLO, and YouTube.
The generative artificial intelligence (AI) "GLEO AI" is also included. It handles simple controls like window operation and volume adjustment, as well as knowledge searches and conversation. However, it still showed some immaturity, failing to answer questions such as "How many speakers are installed in the car?" Hyundai Motor said it plans to improve the AI through over-the-air updates. The audio system is the "Audio by Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound," with 12 speakers and an external amplifier.
The driving feel was stable, backed by the larger body and engine. Even when changing lanes and accelerating to pass on the highway, the body didn't wobble and the steering didn't get unsettled, and it stayed composed even above the speed limit.
However, the acceleration felt lacking compared with the light feel of the accelerator pedal. Unless set to Sport mode in the drive settings, the car picked up speed slowly even with deep throttle input. Even in Sport mode, speed didn't build well beyond a certain range.
The test car that day (gasoline 2.0 Inspiration trim) increased engine displacement compared with the previous model (gasoline 1.6), raising output and torque by 26 horsepower and 2.6 kgf·m, respectively, but curb weight (1,400 kilograms) is up 80 kilograms, which appears to be a factor. The maximum output is 149 horsepower, and the maximum torque, which governs initial acceleration, is 18.3 kgf·m.
Combined fuel economy is 13.3 kilometers per liter, slightly worse than the previous model's 14.3 km/L on the same basis. That morning, driving about 40.6 kilometers from Yeongjong, Incheon, to Goyang, Gyeonggi, mainly using smart cruise control (SCC) in Eco mode, it recorded about 11.9 km/L.
SCC responded flexibly even to cars cutting in from solid lines and worked well on ramp sections. Even when manually steering to change lanes, SCC stayed engaged, and from a complete stop, the car could set off again by pressing a steering wheel button instead of the accelerator. It also allowed hands off for about 30 seconds while operating.
Ride comfort improved compared with the previous model. As with the fully loaded previous trim, dual-laminated acoustic glass is used on both front windows, but with expanded and enhanced sound-absorbing materials, cabin quietness has improved. The new Avante features a dual-layer floor carpet, an upgraded dashboard acoustic pad, and enhanced body sealing. On the highway, opening a window or sunroof still made the cabin feel surprisingly quiet.
Vibrations and impacts from the road surface also felt minimal. The new Avante uses a hydraulically controlled rebound stopper (HRS2) and a front strut ring. Thanks to these, on suburban asphalt with cracks here and there, or in dirt-and-gravel parking lots, unpleasant vibrations were reduced, and the jolts after going over a speed bump without slowing enough were significantly suppressed.
HRS2 hydraulically mitigates major impacts from speed bumps or potholes. The front strut ring increases front-end rigidity, improving steering feel while reducing steering vibration. Both are found in the semi-large sedan The New Grandeur, and the new Avante is the first in its class to adopt them.
Despite the significant price increase, the new Avante is off to a strong start. According to Hyundai Motor, 11,094 contracts were signed on the first day alone. Gasoline models accounted for 72%, and among them, 43% opted for the top trim (Inspiration). The fully loaded test car that day is priced at 37.17 million won. The All-new Avante ranges from 23.98 million to 37.17 million won for the gasoline 2.0 model, and from 30.42 million to 42.64 million won for the 1.6 hybrid model (before tax benefits).