Hyundai's 'New Avante CN8' to be Unveiled in the Second Half of the Year, What Will It Look Like?

The launch of the eighth-generation new model of Hyundai’s popular compact car, the Avante, is expected to take place within this year. The Avante began with the first-generation model, the Elantra, launched in 1990, and has been a flagship model up to the current seventh generation.

The eighth-generation Avante, known by the codename CN8, is expected to feature an improved version of Hyundai’s third-generation platform K3, which is dedicated to compact cars. The powertrain is anticipated to have a similar configuration to the current model, including a 1.6-litre petrol engine, along with enhanced LPG and hybrid systems.

Hyundai Motor Group’s next-generation infotainment system, Pleos Connect, is also set to be applied. Pleos Connect is based on the Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS) and was developed by Hyundai’s software affiliate, 42dot. The facelifted model of the seventh-generation Grandeur, a large saloon, also features the Pleos Connect infotainment system equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8255 chipset.

At the front, exposed through camouflage, design elements similar to the mid-sized saloon Sonata are noticeable. The eighth-generation Avante also adopts a horizontal light bar in line with Hyundai’s latest design philosophy, with split headlamps positioned on either side at the lower end.

The rear lamps are expected to adopt a vertical design, creating a distinctly different rear-end appearance compared to the current seventh-generation model. A horizontal light bar spans the body between the left and right rear lamps, visually emphasising a wider body.

A unique change is also noticeable in the shape of the C-pillar. A split design has been applied to create the effect of a longer body when viewed from the side. By securing design similarities with the higher-end Grandeur, it is expected to continue the family look unique to Hyundai’s saloon lineup.

Hyundai’s new compact saloon, the Avante CN8, is expected to be unveiled in the second half of 2026. Earlier, Hyundai CEO José Muñoz stated that new models of the Avante and the SUV Tucson, both key models in Hyundai’s lineup, would be launched this year.