Hyundai Elantra’s back in style

The Hyundai Elantra is back on local roads. Hyundai Motor Philippines chose the 2025 Manila International Auto Show to reintroduce one of its most recognizable nameplates, giving it a fresh face and a few new tricks under the hood.

Kicking off the brand’s opening day program was Hyundai Philippines President Jiho Son, joined by celebrity ambassadors Paulo Avelino and Kim Chiu. The moment felt like a big reveal and a bit of a reunion — Hyundai fans have been waiting for the Elantra’s return for a while now.

“This is a major step forward,” said Son during his speech. “Hybrid tech is shifting how people drive, and this new Elantra is our way of showing we’re not just keeping up — we’re pushing forward.”

The all-new Elantra now sports a more aggressive, angular look, led by what Hyundai calls its Parametric Jewel Design. The powertrain lineup is equally eye-catching.

For the first time in the Philippines, Hyundai is offering an N Line version of the Elantra, with a 1.6-liter turbo engine, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, 18-inch alloys, paddle shifters and sporty bucket seats. Basically, it’s built to be fun without going full racecar.

There’s also the Hybrid Premium variant. It pairs a 1.6-liter hybrid engine with the brand’s signature fuel-saving tech, making it a good fit for anyone trying to cut back on gas costs without giving up comfort or style.

Both versions come with modern touches like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite — stuff that used to be reserved for top-end models but is thankfully becoming more standard.

Prices for the all-new Elantra start at P1,065,000, and it comes in five colors with names that sound like paint swatches from a design studio: Ultimate Red Metallic, Meta Blue Pearl, Atlas White, Cyber Gray Metallic and Abyss Black Pearl.

Hyundai is offering free preventive maintenance for two years and P10,000 worth of fuel vouchers for anyone buying the new Elantra until 31 May 2025.

Aside from the Elantra spotlight, the Hyundai booth at MIAS also features the Tucson and Santa Fe hybrids, plus the high-performance Elantra N. Guests can sign up for test drives on the spot, and if you’re into freebies, Hyundai’s teamed up with Knowell PH to give away custom bags. Even better — every bag claimed at the booth means one gets donated to a local foundation.