The times they are a changin' at Hyundai. Its premium offerings will be spun out to a new luxury marque, but the mainstream Hyundai brand's lineup will expand to accommodate the Ioniq trio of green cars, a new subcompact crossover and a fuel cell crossover, along with variants from the N performance subdivision that will breathe some much-needed excitement into Hyundai's sportier models.
Accent: Hyundai's subcompact car gets a redesign in 2017 for the 2018 model year. It will likely come with only minor changes to the 1.6-liter (nonturbo) four-cylinder engine that's in the current model. But say goodbye to the Accent hatchback in the U.S. It's being replaced by a new subcompact crossover.
Elantra: The latest generation of Hyundai's compact sedan went on sale this year. For the 2017 model year, the Elantra Sport joins the mix with 200 hp and a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. In 2017, Hyundai is expected to launch the Elantra GT N, a hot hatch aimed at the likes of Volkswagen's Golf R and Honda's Civic Type R. Using the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the Theta family, the car could pack close to 300 hp and will likely come with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Sonata: Hyundai's modest midsize sedan will be freshened for the 2018 model year and is expected to gain back some of the curvy styling that made the previous generation such a hit. Engine choices (base four-cylinder, turbocharged four-cylinder, hybrid and PHEV models) will likely remain, though Hyundai will add its new eight-speed automatic transmission to its gasoline models for better fuel economy.
Veloster: A second generation of Hyundai's quirky three-door sport coupe is happening, likely showing up in 2017 as a 2018 model and using Hyundai's 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The Veloster also is expected to be one of the models tuned by Hyundai's N performance subdivision, which would use the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as in the expected Elantra GT N hatchback. Look for the Veloster N no earlier than 2018.
Ioniq: Hyundai's new dedicated green-car lineup starts with the Ioniq EV, which goes on sale this fall. It will have 120 hp, 215 pounds-feet of torque and a 110-mile range. The Ioniq hybrid hits the market over the winter, and the Ioniq plug-in hybrid joins the mix next summer. The hybrids share a 1.6-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder engine. The PHEV will have an electric-only range of more than 25 miles.
Genesis Coupe: Hyundai's long-running rear-wheel-drive coupe likely won't return in its current form. Instead, look for the model to reappear in the Genesis column as the G70 Coupe, arriving after the sedan version debuts in late 2017 or early 2018.
Azera: The large sedan soldiers on for the 2017 model year, and then its future becomes more cloudy. The model has good prospects abroad -- it's sold as the Grandeur in Korea, where it's immensely popular -- but large-sedan sales are withering across the board in the U.S. If it does serve another tour stateside, the redesigned model would likely be a 2018 model and would be the first Hyundai model to carry the brand's new eight-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel-drive applications.
Subcompact crossover: New for 2018 (and debuting next year), this yet-unnamed crossover replaces the Accent hatchback in the U.S. market and shares a platform with the Accent. The value-priced vehicle will slot below Hyundai's Tucson in its crossover lineup and be a slightly smaller competitor to the likes of Honda's HR-V and Chevy's Trax. Expect a similar powertrain to the Accent, with all-wheel drive coming as an option.
Tucson: Redesigned for 2016, this compact crossover now comes with either a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a six-speed automatic transmission or a 1.6-liter turbocharged four paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Now that it carries Hyundai's most advanced powertrain, expect only a light freshening for the 2019 model year.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle: Hyundai's hydrogen-powered Tucson fuel cell crossover will be replaced by a new stand-alone crossover, likely in 2017 as a 2018 model. Look for styling to echo that of the handsome Intrado concept from the 2014 Geneva auto show. Range and pricing are unknown but are expected to be competitive with Honda's Clarity and Toyota's Mirai (around $60,000 and with a 300-mile range).
Santa Fe: Freshened for 2017, Hyundai's large crossover stands to get redesigned in 2018 as a 2019 model. Hyundai will continue the two-model approach here, with the smaller Santa Fe Sport offering five-passenger seating while the larger Santa Fe is widened to make room for eight. Engine choices will likely be the same (base 2.4-liter inline four or 2.0-liter turbo in the Sport, 3.3-liter V-6 in the Santa Fe), but Hyundai is expected to add a new eight-speed automatic transmission to the mix.
