[Goyang = E-Daily Reporter LEE BAE-WOON ] The Avante is not a flagship sedan boasting powerful performance and cutting-edge technology. It is an entry-level model focused on the essentials needed for everyday driving. It is only natural to first consider how faithfully it incorporates the elements a car should have and whether there are any shortcomings that might cause inconvenience during daily use.

On the 24th, while driving the 8th-generation “The All-New Avante” on a round trip of approximately 40 km from Hyundai Motor Studio in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, to Yeongjong Island in Incheon, I thoroughly examined the car inside and out but could hardly find any flaws. The car’s fundamental driving dynamics were solid, and its convenience features and perceived quality exceeded expectations.

The exterior of the new Avante has received consistent praise ever since it was first unveiled at the Busan Mobility Show last June. The actual car is even more appealing in person than in photos; the matte-finish models, in particular, look so much like a concept car that you might believe they were brought straight from the showroom. It strikes a balance that is futuristic without being over-the-top, and distinctive without becoming tiresome.

The interior isn’t as flashy as that of a flagship sedan, but it has a calm, composed feel. The large display and digital instrument cluster offer excellent visibility, and the wireless phone charging pad is conveniently placed within easy reach. It’s truly commendable that frequently used functions while driving—such as climate control, media, and hazard lights—have been left as physical buttons rather than crammed onto the digital screen. The ambient lighting also adds a sophisticated touch to an interior that could otherwise feel bland.

The in-car software has undergone a complete transformation. If the infotainment system in the 7th-generation Avante (CN7), launched six years ago, was like a feature phone, the Pleos Connect-based system in the new Avante is like a smartphone. The menu layout is much more intuitive, and the screen transitions and touch response speeds are in a league of their own. The ability to expand functionality through various applications, including YouTube, is another change that would have been hard to imagine before.

Starting with the premium trim, the vehicle is equipped with the AI assistant “Gleo.” Even if you stammer while making requests regarding vehicle settings and functions, it accurately understands your intent, and it’s also useful for asking about everyday information such as weather and traffic updates.

However, there are still clear limitations when it comes to controlling the vehicle’s hardware. For example, if you ask, “Turn on Auto Hold,” Gleo will display the relevant button on the screen but cannot activate the feature directly. A Hyundai official explained that while many features remain unimplemented due to safety and regulatory reasons, the company plans to continuously expand functionality through future over-the-air software updates.

The 2.0-liter gasoline model delivers a maximum output of 149 마력 and peak torque of 18.3 ㎏f·m, so its acceleration isn’t particularly strong. Even when the accelerator is pressed firmly to the floor, there is a slight delay before the car really picks up speed, and engine noise is quite noticeable inside the cabin. That said, it’s not to the point where one would describe it as underpowered. It poses no issues whatsoever for everyday low- to medium-speed city driving and is more than sufficient for passing other vehicles on open highways.

The ride quality far exceeds expectations. It smoothly absorbs the impact of bumps and speed bumps, and there is minimal vibration. Even at high speeds, the body doesn’t wobble unsteadily; instead, it stays firmly planted on the road, gliding along. It’s enough to make you momentarily forget the difference in vehicle class. The D-cut steering wheel is slightly small, and the steering feel is light, so it lacks a bit of that satisfying “feel” when turning the wheel; however, this is actually an advantage for consumers who prioritize driving comfort.

There’s nothing to fault in the driver-assistance systems either. The car stays firmly centered in its lane, and the Smart Cruise Control recognizes the vehicle ahead, accelerating and decelerating smoothly and reliably. Thoughtful features—such as the blind-spot monitor, vibration-alert steering wheel, and surround-view monitor—which were once expected only in higher-end models—will be particularly welcome to novice drivers.

After the test drive, the average fuel economy displayed on the instrument panel was 14.2 km/L. Considering the driving conditions—which included congested sections on the outskirts of Gimpo—and the fact that I drove effortlessly at speeds up to 140 km/h on the open airport expressway, the fuel efficiency was largely in line with expectations.

The starting price for the new Avante is 23.98 million won, a rise of 3.64 million won from the previous model’s starting price. While consumer complaints are significant, it is difficult to make a simple comparison based solely on the lowest starting price. According to a Hyundai official, less than 10% of 7th-generation Avante buyers purchased the base trim without adding any safety or convenience features. The vast majority of consumers either chose a higher trim level or added safety and convenience features they deemed essential.

In line with this trend, the new Avante has made a host of highly sought-after safety features—such as Lane Keeping Assist 2 and Safe Exit Warning—standard even on the base trim. While the option to purchase the vehicle at a lower price has disappeared, the official explained that when comparing similar trim levels, the actual price difference is only about 1 million won. Considering that the Avante’s primary target audience consists of people in their 20s and 30s with limited driving experience, this product configuration—which makes safety features standard—is a compelling proposition.

Nevertheless, one major flaw remains: the pebble-shaped smart key, designed to resemble the letter “H”—the first letter of Hyundai’s name. Complaints about its unnecessarily large size and lack of sophistication have been constant. Fortunately, a Hyundai official hinted that a new smart key design is currently in development and is planned for future models.