‘Sonata, what is it supposed to do now, Avante at peak popularity’

For the first time in six years, the fully redesigned compact sedan ‘The all new AVANTE’ is drawing a string of positive overseas reviews. Immediately after being unveiled at the ‘2026 Busan Mobility Show’ on June 26, it has attracted distinct attention in global markets. The Avante’s export name remains ‘Elantra’.

Eighth-generation Avante. A fully redesigned compact sedan with excellent product appeal. Based on the same ‘Art of Steel’ design language as the Grandeur, it has even bolder and more refined sculptural beauty. Photo | Son Jae-cheol

Reactions from overseas automotive media are strong. U.S. Car and Driver called the new Avante ‘an SF movie-style design,’ and Carscoops described it as ‘fender design reminiscent of a supercar.’

The U.K.’s Auto Express also took note of the design’s completeness, calling it a ‘striking debut on par with the N Vision 74 concept.’

The key is that its sleek front and rear styling, represented by ‘H-Edge Lighting,’ along with its crisply drawn ‘body lines’ and surfaces, is outstanding.

The cabin has ‘Grandeur-grade infotainment presence’

The interior, too, goes beyond the line; it is ‘flagship-level.’ It is equipped with the next-generation infotainment system ‘Pleos Connect’ and the generative AI agent ‘Gleo AI,’ and the driver’s seat also features a ‘slim auxiliary cluster.’ This also evokes the new Grandeur, which has the same slim display.

The 14.6-inch large display mounted at the top of the center fascia and the centralized layout that appropriately arranges physical buttons are also boosting evaluations of the eighth-generation Avante.

Given such overwhelming product strength, market attention toward the Avante is shifting to ‘price’ and its ‘relationship with the Sonata.’ This is because the eighth-generation Avante effectively offers size and specifications close to the ‘midsize sedan’ class. In other words, it could threaten the position of its elder sibling, the ‘Sonata.’

‘Sonata, what is it supposed to do now’ Will demand for the eighth-generation Avante, at the peak of its popularity, become split? Looking at the rear, it has midsize-car levels of quality. Photo | Son Jae-cheol

Among consumers, concerns are emerging that ‘the Sonata may end up awkwardly positioned between the Grandeur and the Avante,’ alongside expectations that ‘if the price is reasonable, the Avante will even absorb midsize-sedan demand.’

Ultimately, the key will likely be what pricing policy Hyundai adopts to induce ‘bifurcation of demand’ between the Avante and the Sonata. Given how high the ‘base’ completeness of this Avante already is, the market is already building expectations for the launch timing of upgraded versions such as a ‘high-performance N’ model.

Attention is focused on whether the eighth-generation Avante can move beyond the ‘frame’ of a compact to become a new benchmark in the global sedan market. Meanwhile, future launch plans for the Sonata full model change, namely the ninth-generation Sonata (DN9), remain undecided.