The Hyundai Elantra received a bold facelift for
2019 and now the company is following up by revealing a handful of updates for
2020. The biggest change is the addition of a new Intelligent Variable
Transmission which replaces both the previous six-speed manual and six-speed
automatic on models equipped with the 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder
engine.
While it’s sad to see another manual fall by the
wayside, the new gearbox enabled the car to return an extra 2 mpg combined. As
a result, the Elantra SE is now rated at 35 mpg combined. Likewise, the Elantra SEL, Value Edition and
Limited all return 34 mpg combined.
Besides the new gearbox, the 2020 Elantra gains
additional standard equipment including a dual-zone automatic climate control
system, a 3.5-inch TFT display in the instrument cluster and several SmartSense
safety systems. The latter include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane
Keeping Assist and Driver Attention Warning.
Under the hood, three engines are available. The
aforementioned 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 147 hp, while
the Elantra Eco has a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 128 hp. Speaking of the Eco, it gains a new engine start/stop system.
The Elantra Sport returns to the lineup, but it
ditches the manual transmission. As a result, the turbocharged 201 hp 1.6-liter
four-cylinder engine is connected
exclusively to a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox.
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra will go on sale shortly and
pricing starts at US$ 18,950 which is a US$ 1,750 jump from last year. That sounds
like a huge increase, but it’s only a US$ 750 climb when you factor in the newly
standard gearbox.
