Safety was a major point of emphasis for Hyundai when they were redesigning the Elantra. A large part of this push was accomplished by adding new technology to the car, rather than by simply adding more crash protection. Hyundai are taking a more preventative approach to accidents with the new car. Technologies now available on the Elantra include a Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system which uses a forward mounted camera to read the road ahead and can, in an emergency, engage the brakes to prevent an accident.
A lane keep assist system is also available this year which will apply subtle steering corrections if it notices the car wandering out of its lane at speeds above 40 mph. A driver attention alert system monitors the driver and will warn them if they begin to display patterns consistent with someone who is drowsy. Other cool new safety technologies include a Safe Exit Assist system that can warn occupants trying to open the door if there is a vehicle approaching from behind, as well as a Pedestrian Detection system that utilizes radar to help prevent the Elantra from hitting any pedestrians.
Interior tech has also been improved. An 8-inch screen replaces last year's 7-inch model, while the processor behind the screen has also been replaced with a much more advanced one. The interface is now easier to use, for instance all radio functions including SiriusXM can now be accessed from a single screen. An Infinity 8-speaker surround sound system is available to take advantage of the new interface and of course Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both available. A rearview camera is also standard.