Welly 1:43 2017 Hyundai Elantra, Sonata, and Tucson

Welly has been on a roll with making almost every Hyundai and Kia model out there since the start of the 2010’s.  Their latest includes the updated models of the Elantra, Sonata, and the second version of the Tuscon SUV.

Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra is the second smallest Hyundai below the Sonata and above the Accent sedans and for 2017 a new refresh to the sedan continues its popular streak with the previous-generation’s wild fluid sculpture styling.  The new styling goes for a more fastback roofline with a larger grille shared with the second-generation Genesis sedan, while the rest of the vehicle is more of an evolutionary step from the previous-generation.  Compared to past generations this one has a much more stylish look and also includes the I30 hatchback even though the I30 does not share the same styling as the Elantra.  The interior is redesigned with a dashboard that places the radio controls next to the gauge cluster as found on some earlier Kia models.  The engine is a 2.0L DOHC I-4 that produces 147 horsepower through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Offered in solid colors like this red the Elantra looks sleek even if it lacks the sporty look of a sport trimmed model.  The front has projector headlights with LED running lights that run on the lower edge of the headlight setup, a large grille with silver horizontal bars and the H-logo in the center, and signal lights and foglights that run vertically below the headlights.  The side profiles show a typical sedan look with sweeping upward side windows, a large sunroof, and 5-spoke wheels, while the rear has a typical sedan look with smooth and featureless surfaces and horizontal taillights; not that exciting but then again better than the Kia Forte (Cerato) that I reviewed last year.  The base does not feature much aside from the exhaust system as most of the undercarriage is covered up, while the doors open to an interior with seating for five (with the rear seats taken up by the pullback motor), the dashboard with detailed center stack controls, gauges, 3-spoke steering wheel, center console with shifter, and detailed inner door panels.  Again, not the most exciting car out there but it does at least look pretty good for the only Elantra model in diecast of this generation model.

Hyundai Sonata

It is strange to find out that not only did Welly miss out on the 2010 Elantra but also the 2011 Sonata, both with the revolutionary styling for Hyundai.  Just like the Elantra Welly makes up for it with the 2017 second-generation Sonata, though Welly did do the previous-generation Sonata as the higher-market Azera with V6 power and smoother styling.  As with the Elantra the current generation tones down the look of the previous-generation and that is evident as the hood now blends in with the fenders, which in turn raises the headlights up a bit while taillights in the rear look more like the platform-mate Kia Optima.  The interior also resembles the Optima with the center infortainment system now level with the gauges and also includes a large panoramic sunroof, while the engine is the 2.4L DOHC I-4 produces 176 horsepower through a six-speed automatic transmission.

As with the Elantra the Sonata does not look as stylish and unique as the Azera (Grandeur) was, but at least it has a few unique touches.  The front has edgier headlights that are detailed and are level with the smaller grille that has silver trim touches and the H-logo, while the lower bumper has more aggressive side scoops that feature LED running lights just above them.  The side profile shows a typical sedan profile with larger windows than the Elantra, 5-spoke wheels in a snowflake-like pattern, and the large black sunroof for the panoramic roof, while the rear has round taillights that recess into the trunklid to allow the lower plate area of the trunk to be wider and also note the exhaust pipe sticking out to break up the bland white of this car.  The base does not show much except for the exhaust, like the Elantra, while the interior features more room for five than the Elantra with a wider center console that houses the shifter and cupholders.  The dashboard has detailed center stack controls and 4-spoke steering wheels though the gauge panel seems a bit flat.  Again, like the Elantra a nice replica of the current Sonata model if a bit too plain.

Hyundai Tucson 2017

Meanwhile the Tucson joins the Genesis Coupe as the only Welly models with two separate generations side-by-side.  The previous-generation Tucson, done by Welly before and reviewed here, provided some of the fluid sculpture styling early on, but seemed out-of-place with the rest of the Hyundai line when the other models got the revolutionary styling.  For 2017 the Tucson finally gets the fluid styling to match the other Hyundai models and also has a bit of flair borrowed from the previous-generation Sportage in 2012.  The headlights are larger and flow from the now larger grille, the side sills are lower and feature uniquely flared fender flares, and larger rear taillights, while the interior has the new dashboard layout with the infortainment system now level with the gauge cluster.  The engine is a 2.0L DOHC I-4 that produces 168 horsepower through a 6-speed automatic transmission and available with an optional full-time all-wheel drive system.

With the orange paint the Tucson looks much better than the 2010 version even though there are a few nit-pick areas with this casting.  The front has larger headlights that connect to a silver grille that needs blackwash to break up the all-silver look, as well as the lower side scoops where the foglights reside as they match the body-color here.  The side profile has some flair with a new panoramic sunroof, larger fender flares that are asymmetrical where they seem to flow back in motion, and 5-spoke wheels that once again need some blackwash to break up the all-silver look.  The rear has larger taillights with Tucson badging and a lower bumper with exhaust tip details, while the base shows off the drivetrain and exhaust system mostly at the rear.  Inside there is seating for five with detailed seats, center console with visible buttons behind the shifter, and dashboard with detailed center controls and 4-spoke steering wheel.  If there was more attention paid to separating the front-end and wheel details this would be one fantastic SUV casting.