'Expensive? Think again' — the all-new Avante Hybrid is a genuinely different car

"40 million won ($30,000) for an Avante?" Some have argued that if a compact sedan costs that much, they would rather buy a mid-size car. But a test drive changed that thinking.

On Saturday, this reporter took Hyundai Motor's eighth-generation fully redesigned model — the all-new Avante Hybrid — on a drive to Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. The exterior alone was a clear departure from the past. Sharp character lines running across the body, voluminous fenders and horizontally stretched lighting gave the car a tighter, more refined look. The new design is a significant improvement over the somewhat bold styling of earlier models — not striking at first glance, but more appealing the longer you look at it.

The car has grown in size as well. Overall length is 4,765 mm, up 55 mm from the previous model, while width has increased 30 mm to 1,855 mm. The wheelbase, which determines interior space, has also grown 30 mm to 2,750 mm. The new Avante is longer, wider and has a longer wheelbase than the New EF Sonata launched in 2001. Compared with the current Sonata, the width difference is a mere 5 mm.

Settling into the driver's seat, the first impression was one of generous space. There was ample room on both sides, and the seat provided comfortable support. A look at the rear seats reinforced the sense that this car no longer needs to be thought of as a first car for young professionals — it is a genuinely appealing space for a family road trip.

The trunk is impressive too. The hybrid model offers 467 liters of cargo space, and the actual room feels even more generous than that figure suggests. It is easy to imagine fitting two strollers inside. For families with young children, trunk practicality matters as much as rear-seat space, and on that count the Avante scores well.

Once underway, the most striking quality was the quietness. At first it seemed attributable to the electric motor running in hybrid mode, but even when speed increased and the engine kicked in, the cabin remained quieter than expected. Road noise and wind noise were well suppressed, and passengers could hold a conversation at a normal volume without any difficulty.

Hyundai Motor fitted the new model with a double-layer floor carpet, reinforced sound-absorbing and insulating materials, and acoustic laminated glass on the windshield and front doors. The difference was unmistakable from the driver's seat — not simply a quieter engine, but a car that moves with an overall sense of calm and composure.

Pressing the accelerator, the car did not lurch forward impatiently. It built speed smoothly in response to driver input, and the steering felt fluid through corners. The brakes were a particular highlight — they have an almost honey-like softness to them. Hybrid vehicles can sometimes feel awkward as they transition between regenerative and mechanical braking, but here the progression from deceleration to a full stop was remarkably natural.

The new hybrid pairs an upgraded 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a 45 kW electric motor and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Combined system output is 157 horsepower, up 16 hp from the previous model. Hyundai Motor says passing acceleration from 80 km/h to 120 km/h has improved by about 16.7 percent. In practice, the appeal lies less in outright thrust than in a relaxed, responsive quality — the car moves exactly as the driver intends.

The safety and convenience features also reduce driving fatigue. The safety systems were particularly impressive: audible warnings sounded when vehicles approached or passed from behind, and steering wheel vibrations alerting the driver to road hazards were intuitive — a tactile signal that communicates danger without requiring the driver to glance at a screen.

The driver-assistance features exceeded expectations. Smart cruise control maintained a stable following distance and adjusted speed smoothly, while lane-keeping assist felt natural. Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control 2, which automatically slows the car for speed zones, speed bumps and intersections on both highways and ordinary roads, was especially useful. These remain assistance features that require the driver to stay alert and in control, but they meaningfully reduce the fatigue of repeatedly accelerating and braking in traffic.

Inside, a slim 9.9-inch display stretching across the dashboard in front of the driver caught the eye. The layout felt unfamiliar at first, but proved quite convenient in use. By placing speed and key information close to the driver's line of sight, it largely eliminated the need for a head-up display. The way it delivers essential information without obstructing the forward view was a thoughtful touch.

The Pleos Connect system on the large central display was another new experience. It takes some adjustment coming from Hyundai Motor's previous infotainment setup, but becomes easier to use as familiarity grows. Key information is visible at a glance, and main functions can be accessed without navigating through multiple menus.

Most welcome of all was the decision not to bury every function behind a touchscreen — physical buttons were retained for frequently used controls such as climate. The placement and operation of each button gave the impression that the designers had paid close attention to the habits of Korean drivers.

The audio system, not a feature this reviewer had anticipated, delivered a pleasant surprise. The Bang & Olufsen sound system fitted to the test car includes 12 speakers and an external amplifier. The rich bass from the subwoofer and the clarity of the sound were impressive — and the quietness of the cabin made the music come through all the more crisply. Driving toward Yangpyeong with a favorite playlist on, the interior felt like a small private listening room.

Fuel economy also demonstrated the hybrid's strengths. The figure recorded during the day's drive was about 19 km/L. Price, of course, remains a point of consideration. The all-new Avante Hybrid starts at 29.42 million won after tax incentives for the Modern trim, 32.61 million won for the Premium trim and 35.99 million won for the Inspiration trim. Adding options such as the Bang & Olufsen sound system, a wide sunroof and parking assistance can push the total past 40 million won. Buyers who remember what an Avante used to cost will understandably feel the sticker shock, and the same budget does open the door to comparisons with vehicles in higher segments.

But the key question is what you are comparing it against. If the benchmark is the Avante of old, the answer to "why spend 40 million won on a compact sedan?" is a hard one to give. If, however, the expectation is a family sedan with a spacious interior, outstanding quietness, a comfortable ride, advanced safety features and strong fuel economy, the conversation changes entirely.

For prospective buyers who still feel uneasy about that 40 million won price tag, the recommendation is simple: sit in the driver's seat and press the accelerator. Experience the car's quality and competitiveness firsthand, then fill out the scorecard again.