Hyundai has begun testing a mid-cycle update for the Elantra sedan. The Hyundai Elantra in its current-generation was unveiled back in August 2016. A first set of spy shots have emerged from Korea showing a heavily covered new-generation Elantra being tested on public roads. A few changes to be seen on the updated model can be noticed on the test mule.

First up, the headlamps, front and rear bumpers and tail-lamps will see minor design tweaks. The positioning of LED daytime running lamps up front and LED inserts on the tail-lamps are both new. With the facelifted Elantra, Hyundai seems to be ditching its current tail-lamp LED-insert placement. Instead, it is replaced with multiple horizontal lines going across the width of the tail-lamps. Also, the rear boot lid sees styling changes with the number plate insert, which will move to the rear bumper for the updated car.

On the inside, expect Hyundai to offer new interior shades and textures for the dashboard and seating surfaces. The infotainment system is likely to get a refresh, too.

Under the hood, there are talks of Hyundai adding the next-generation Smart Stream engine and gearbox options, which were recently introduced on the Kia Forte sedan, which shares the same underpinnings as the Elantra.

On a global scale, the Hyundai Elantra takes on the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla, the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Jetta. Expect the refreshed Elantra to be unveiled sometime later, this year, with an India launch scheduled, thereafter.

Image source