[Taboni] The Return of the People’s Sedan Avante... Now Smarter and More Spacious

Test Drive of the Gasoline Model for 40 km on August 24
Equipped with the "Smart Assistant" Pleos Connect
Includes NSCC 2 and Memory Reverse Assist Functions

The Avante, a global best-selling car with over 16 million units sold worldwide, has returned as a fully redesigned eighth-generation model. On August 24, I took the all-new Avante gasoline model for a test drive of approximately 40 kilometers from Ilsan in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province to Yeongjongdo in Incheon. My first impression after driving the all-new Avante was that it has become noticeably smarter and more spacious compared to the previous generation.

The memory recall assistance function in operation. Photo by Youngchan Choi

One of the most anticipated features by consumers in this eighth-generation Avante is Hyundai's Pleos Connect, which is being introduced for the first time. I tried commanding Glaio, the next-generation generative artificial intelligence (AI) agent. When I said, "I'd like to ventilate," it slightly rolled down the driver's window. When I asked, "How do I connect my phone to Bluetooth?" it emphasized that I just needed to find the Bluetooth connection menu on the center screen and touch it, making the process easy to follow.

The All-New Avante Exterior. Photo by Youngchan Choi

The gasoline 2.0 model delivers a maximum output of 149 horsepower and a peak torque of 18.3 kgf·m. Driving it on public roads, I never felt a lack of power. Switching to sport mode allows for a firmer driving feel and more responsive acceleration. Noise and vibration (NVH) control is also commendable. The first row features laminated acoustic glass, providing one of the highest levels of cabin quietness in the compact segment. At high speeds, some wind noise is slightly noticeable.

It is a bit disappointing that there is no head-up display (HUD). Although there is a digital dashboard in the front, it does not display navigation information, so you must refer to the main screen to check your route. With a length of 4,765mm, a width of 1,855mm, and a wheelbase of 2,750mm, the vehicle is now closer to the size of a traditional midsize sedan—a change that is clearly felt. Even when a man over 180cm tall sits in the back, there is generous knee room remaining.

The All-New Avante Interior. Photo by Youngchan Choi

The "Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control 2," which makes its Hyundai debut in this Avante, was also very convenient. Not only on highways and exclusive motorways, but even on regular roads, while the smart cruise control is engaged, it automatically decelerates in specific zones such as safety zones, speed bumps, and intersections, and then resumes the preset speed after passing through those sections.

The "Memory Reverse Assist" function, first introduced in the recently released Grandeur facelift model, has also been equipped in the Avante as the second Hyundai model to receive it. When driving at speeds under 30 km/h, the system remembers your path and driving speed, then reverses along the same route automatically. After my test drive, I tried this function in an underground parking lot. Simulating a dead-end situation while maneuvering around a corner, I activated the memory reverse assist: after putting the car in reverse and pressing the on-screen button, the vehicle retraced its path backward, and the central screen previewed the route it would follow. This feature seems particularly helpful for drivers who are not confident about reversing in tight alleys or parking structures.

The All-New Avante shows ample knee room when seated in the rear seat. Photo by Youngchan Choi

The Avante's prices for the gasoline 2.0 model are as follows: Modern at 23,980,000 won, Premium at 27,710,000 won, and Inspiration at 31,520,000 won. For the 1.6 hybrid model (before tax benefits), Modern is priced at 30,420,000 won, Premium at 33,610,000 won, and Inspiration at 36,990,000 won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.