One of the drawbacks of being a motoring journalist feted with test cars frequently is that you stop getting wowed by things. New technology, evolutionary engineering, and improved build quality and materials have become de rigueur in the automotive industry, and writers like me stop getting impressed with new cars sooner rather than later.

But the Hyundai Elantra, refreshed in mid-2019 to take on the C-segment saloon space against cars like the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla Altis, and the Peugeot 408, was a truly amazing surprise. Available in Malaysia in just one trim at one price (of RM109,888), it’s clear that Hyundai Sime Darby is focused on getting the left-field buyers, rather than appealing to the broad spectrum that makes up C-segment saloon buyers. This could perhaps end up playing to their advantage by reducing overhead costs – with so many buyers moving towards SUVs, the space for such cars is shrinking rapidly, and having a large and overly-complicated range of products could simply end up spelling financial ruin.

Now with (literally) sharper styling and improved ride & handling, the new Elantra saunters in with a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine with 152PS and 195Nm, paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Unfortunately that marks the end of the 1.6-litre turbo Elantra Sport, a car that caught alot of attention when it was launched, but ultimately failed to entice enough buyers. That engine does at least live on in the excellent Hyundai Tucson Turbo.

With all new cars offered with a 3-year/100,000km service package as well as a 5-year/300,000km warranty, the new Hyundai Elantra is certainly an appealing prospect. With tidy road manners, excellent refinement, and the sort of roughty-toughty build quality that will last ages, will the refreshed 2020 Hyundai Elantra be just the car you need for you and your family?