The Hyundai Lavita is the multi-purpose vehicle Hyundai built from 2001 to 2010. It was styled by Pininfarina, mechanically related to the Elantra, and sold in Europe and South-East Asia as the Hyundai Matrix and in Australia as the Elantra LaVita. Sales began in August 2001 and the car was replaced by the ix20 at the end of 2010.
Hyundai Lavita at a glance
| Maker | Hyundai Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Production | 2001–2010 |
| Design | Pininfarina |
| Related to | Hyundai Elantra (XD) |
| Body | five-door, five-seat hatchback |
| Also sold as | Matrix, Elantra LaVita, Inokom Matrix |
| Petrol engines | 1.5, 1.6 and 1.8 litres |
| 1.8 performance | 183 km/h, 0–60 mph in 11.3 seconds |
| Turbodiesel | available in Europe from September 2001 |
| Facelifts | 2005 and 2008 |
| Replaced by | Hyundai ix20 |
History of the Hyundai Lavita
The Lavita arrived in August 2001 as Hyundai’s small people-carrier, a tall five-door hatchback with five seats. Hyundai went to Pininfarina for the styling and based the mechanical package on the Elantra XD, which gave buyers familiar running gear in a more practical body. Petrol engines of 1.5, 1.6 and 1.8 litres were offered, and European buyers could also choose a turbodiesel from September 2001. The 1.8-litre car reached 183 km/h and took 11.3 seconds to reach 60 mph.
The car was sold under several names. In Europe and South-East Asia it was the Hyundai Matrix, in Australia the Elantra LaVita, and in Malaysia it was locally assembled as the Inokom Matrix with 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol engines. Hyundai facelifted it in 2005 and again for 2008, when a second facelifted version appeared at the Geneva motor show in March 2008 with a new front end in the style of the first-generation i30, new wheels and the loss of the C-pillar window kink, plus small changes inside. Production continued until the end of 2010, when the ix20 took over.
Design and features
- Pininfarina styling: the Italian design house drew the body.
- Elantra base: mechanical parts came from the Elantra XD.
- Tall body: a five-seat MPV shape in a compact footprint.
- Many names: Lavita, Matrix, Elantra LaVita and Inokom Matrix.
Hyundai Lavita versions
- Lavita (2001–2010): the Korean and Australian car.
- Matrix: the name used in Europe and South-East Asia.
- Inokom Matrix: Malaysian assembly with 1.6 and 1.8-litre engines.
- 2005 facelift: the first update.
- 2008 facelift: new front end in the style of the first i30.
The Lavita was replaced by the ix20, and its mechanical base was the Elantra. More Hyundai models are in the Hyundai collection.
Video: 2005 Hyundai Matrix GLA Start-Up, Full Vehicle Tour, and Quick Drive
Video by alexlovesmac on YouTube.
Sources
- Hyundai Lavita, English Wikipedia: dates, design, engines, names, facelifts
