Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) unveiled the eighth-generation Avante at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show on June 26, marking the compact sedan's first full redesign in six years and extending the automaker's Pleos Connect software-defined platform beyond its flagship Grandeur.
The new model — sold as the Elantra in export markets and one of Korea's best-selling nameplates — arrives with a 55-millimeter longer cabin, a 30-millimeter extended wheelbase and a 30-millimeter wider body, pushing it closer to the midsize segment. A revised 2.0-liter gasoline engine produces 149 horsepower, a 26-horsepower increase over the outgoing generation; a 1.6-liter hybrid variant delivers 157 horsepower combined. Hyundai will open order books and release full pricing in the third quarter of 2026.
Pleos Connect and Gleo AI
The generation shift pivots heavily on software. Pleos Connect, Hyundai's next-generation connected-car infotainment system, is embedded in the Avante as its second domestic model after the new Grandeur. At the centre of the interface sits Gleo AI, a generative artificial-intelligence agent that lets drivers control vehicle functions and query information through conversational voice commands — a step beyond the tap-and-swipe paradigm of prior systems.
"[The Avante] sets a new benchmark for its class by offering a balanced combination of distinctive design, a spacious interior, safety, and digital experiences," said CEO Jose Munoz at the Busan reveal.
Naver Partnership
Alongside the hardware launch, Hyundai Motor Group formalized a technology partnership with Naver (035420.KS), Korea's dominant search and digital platform. Beginning with the new Grandeur and extending to the Avante and the broader next-generation lineup, the deal layers three Naver services natively inside Pleos Connect: the Naver app, Naver Maps and the Whale browser.
The Naver app's in-car adaptation delivers a pre-trip "Today Briefing" summarizing weather, top news and calendar appointments, while Naver Maps surfaces personalized driving data — nearby fuel stations, driving scores and local merchant coupons — without requiring a smartphone connection. Whale browser adjusts automatically to cabin ambient lighting with adaptive light and dark modes.
"Together with Hyundai Motor Group, we aim to deliver new experiences in the mobility ecosystem as vehicles evolve into platforms that seamlessly connect users' daily lives with their digital experiences," said Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon.
Market Context
Hyundai showcased the Avante on a 2,040-square-meter floor at BEXCO in Busan, Korea's second-largest city, at the biennial Busan Mobility Show — the same venue where BYD launched Korea's first plug-in hybrid SEAL at KRW 37.5 million (USD 27,200) this week, underscoring the competitive pressure that makes software differentiation increasingly consequential for Korean automakers.
Hyundai Motor Group has separately pledged KRW 125.2 trillion in domestic investment by 2030, with Saemangeum designated as a new AI, hydrogen and advanced mobility hub. A prime minister-led government task force has been established to accelerate the Saemangeum project, adding policy tailwinds to the group's domestic manufacturing push.
Sources: Korea Herald — Naver, Hyundai team up to bring AI services into connected cars · Korea Herald — Hyundai unveils all-new Avante with AI, larger cabin
