Feels cheap
My last Elantra was a 2018, and I loved that car to death. Improvements on the 2025 include increased trunk storage and a nicer, more comfortable, more luxurious feel to the interior cloth. The 2025 comes with a new lane assist function as well and a fun-to-look-at dashboard display. The 2025 lost more than it gained though. Now without a sunglasses console and a backseat table, this car is less guest-and-family-friendly. The car has an unshakeable oily smell at least for the first 1500 miles. Additionally, the decoration that’s supposed to blend in with the air filter is completely plastic and looks cheap. It would be better if it were metal or not present at all. Along the cheap plastic decorations line, the spoiler is also completely plastic. It’s just plain ugly. On the note of ugly, what’s with the giant wall handle between the driver and passenger? It’s just in the way. Save that space for an armrest. I would say the worst change of all, however, is the change to the blindspot lights on the mirrors. While red might seem like a good color theoretically, it does not work optically. The color red is lower on the wavelength spectrum, so it’s easier to pass over. It’s too easy on the eyes and blends in to the mirror. It’s especially dangerous for people with red-green blindness. The orange blindspot lights on the 2018 were much more effective! I keep trying to like my new car, but I have to admit that it is a downgrade from the 2018 with a $14,000 markup. I’m sad to say after this car, I’m not going back to Hyundai unless I see some major improvements.