It’s the beginning of May, so it’s the perfect time to continue our series on the history of the best-selling vehicles in Canada… and around the world! Today, we continue our trip to Asia, this time not in Japan, but rather in Korea with one of the country’s largest manufacturers, Hyundai.
Among the Hyundai lineup, the favorite of consumers around the world is by far the Elantra. Even here, last year, it was the third most popular passenger car on the market with 26,312 units sold. Its record of nearly 55,000 in 2012 shows just how much Canadians love it!
A newer model
Unlike the F-150 or the Civic, we’re not talking about a model that’s half a century old. The Elantra may have become a classic on our roads, but its introduction to the market is rather recent. It made its debut in Asia in 1990, and began selling here a year later. It was a time of economic boom for Korea, which had just experienced one of its biggest events of the 20th century: the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
In ten years, the Elantra would go through three different generations, all of them more and more modern in terms of both design and engine. Also available in five-door format, it quickly became a reference in terms of practical and reliable vehicles. It must be said that its low fuel consumption also helped it to carve out a place of choice among motorists!
The round and rather cute look that we know today takes shape in the mid-2000s with the fourth generation of the Elantra. Today, we are already at the seventh generation and it is available in a number of different variations. The N version, for example, which I recently had the chance to test drive, offers a much sportier and more dynamic driving experience while maintaining its sedan-like charm in everyday life.
Elantra, Lantra or Avante?
Interestingly, it’s not called Elantra everywhere! In some Asian countries, including Korea itself, it’s called Hyunda Avante, while Europe and Australia know it as Lantra. Whatever you call it, it’s still the same little car that makes thousands of Canadians happy!
If you’re one of those Elantra owners, don’t wait to get some summer tires! You’ll be able to take full advantage of its mechanical capabilities and, above all, of its rather dynamic engine for its price range. A high-quality model like the Hankook Kinergy GT H436 will ensure comfort and handling, but for more modest wallets, you can also easily turn to the Nexen NPRIZ AH8.
