Americans: you have a new Hyundai and it looks rad

Well, there’s something we weren’t expecting. The all-new Hyundai Elantra – otherwise known as the Avante in the Korean market – features some seriously distinct styling.

We can’t criticise it for being boring, that’s for sure, and we actually quite like it. The rear three-quarter angle shows it to be a fantastically swoopy four-door coupe with properly sharp lines below the windows. Can’t say we’re sold on the face just yet though.

This is the seventh generation of Elantra and the first that follows Hyundai’s NSFW ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design philosophy – as also seen on the new i20 and the brilliant Prophecy concept. It won’t be sold in the UK, but for our American friends it’s lighter, lower, wider and has a longer wheelbase than before.

There are two powertrain options, a 2.0-litre petrol with 147bhp and 132lb ft of torque, or a hybrid system with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder connected to a small battery and electric motor for a total output of 139bhp and 195lb ft of torque.

Inside there are two 10.25-inch screens, one for the dials and the other for infotainment, and the whole thing is reasonably stylish – if you ignore that strange-looking steering wheel of course. Hyundai also says there are 64 different colour options for the mood lighting. Didn’t even know there were that many different moods.

The Elantra will go up against saloon/sedan versions of the Toyota Corolla, the Honda Civic and the Mazda 3 in the US and sales will start at the end of this year.

Reckon we should lobby for a hot Elantra N in the UK?