New Avante: Advanced driving aids impress, but AI and engine noise disappoint

Hyundai's "The All New Avante" aims to justify a price increase of over 3 million won with enhanced features, but the driving experience presents a mixed bag. While the car boasts improved driving assistance, including navigation-based smart cruise control that now extends to regular roads, and a generally more stable ride, drawbacks like an inconsistent AI voice assistant and noticeable engine noise during high-speed acceleration temper the enthusiasm.

The tested Inspiration trim, the highest-spec model, came in at 36.87 million won. This is a substantial jump from the previous generation's 27.56 million won Inspiration trim. The advanced driving assistance, particularly the NSCC2, impressed during the test drive. It adeptly managed speed adjustments for curves, speed bumps, and traffic on both highways and city streets. However, the lane-keeping assist occasionally struggled in areas with faded or wide lane markings, exhibiting slight, awkward steering corrections.

On the road, the Avante offers a smoother ride than its predecessor, with less of the "lightly bouncy" feel. This improvement is attributed to features like double-floor carpeting, frequency-selective damping, and hydraulic rebound stoppers. Yet, the cabin is not immune to noise. Accelerating past 100 km/h, the engine sound becomes prominent, feeling more like a sports mode engagement than expected for a car in this segment, especially at the higher price point.

The interior, featuring a large central display, offers a premium feel. However, the "Gleoo AI" voice assistant proved unreliable. While it handled some commands, it faltered with others, such as controlling windows or adjusting climate settings. The system's inability to consistently understand nuanced commands or provide clear feedback on executed actions leaves room for improvement, despite Hyundai's plans for future OTA updates to expand its capabilities.