Hyundai has been eating off the high table for several years now with a wide range of affordable compact, crossover, and SUV offerings.

The Korean brand's meteoric rise in the automotive world has filtered down and brought a new lease on life for one of its once outdated models - the Elantra.

Ten years ago, the Elantra would have never been named in the same breath as an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series, because it lacked the design, vigour, and reputation that many other brands possessed. Oh, how times have changed.

The first generation launched in 1990, and if you're lucky enough, you might still see a few older models driving around. There is a clear difference between the models of then and now.

Hyundai Elantra. Image: QuickPic

Overnight change

From all the planning and design done in the background, the Elantra went from an ordinary family sedan in the early 90s to one of Hyundai's flagship models virtually overnight. Engineers knew that a good-looking car could only take you so far, and in adding a 150kW performance model to the latest generation, made the car more appealing to a broader audience.

As the brand continually got exposure and flaunted its seven-year/200 000km drivetrain warranty, people now wanted to drive a Hyundai. Finally, Hyundai could compete against premium rivals at a far lower cost. Interestingly, some markets had the Elantra in station wagon guise.

The current sixth-generation is where everything has come full circle. An edgy design, mixed with the performance to match, finally ticked a box that was never there to begin with. Customers can revel in comfort and reliability from the base trim.

Sedan sales might be dipping because of SUVs' rising popularity, but for those seeking a premium-quality family option, you no longer have to look at established brands, only.

Robin Classen is the editor of Car Choice.

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