Ryan Reynolds steals the show from Hyundai’s Elantra in Superbowl ad

By Miles Branman February 2, 2016

Hyundai Superbowl — Image used with permission by copyright holder

When it comes to the concept of supply and demand, there are few better models than Superbowl commercial airtime. Thousands of enterprises would love a chance to market their products and services to over 100 million people in one shot, but big audiences demand big payouts.

In 2015, a 30-second ad cost $4.5 million, which would either be a mid-size company’s entire marketing budget, or a small business’ dream budget. Alas, only the big boys can afford such a hefty sum. For 2016, they’ll need $5 million to foot the bill, up 10% in just a year. The demand is apparently strong enough, though, as the commercial roster is filled yet again.

We’ve shown a few of the automotive ads that will air during the big game, but Hyundai has decided that $5 million for a single ad is small potatoes, and the Korean automaker has signed up for two 30-second slots.

In the first clip, two hikers are being chased by bears. In a panic, one of the hikers uses his smartwatch to start the 2017 Elantra (showing off Hyundai’s Blue Link Remote Start app). Like Honda in its singing-sheep Ridgeline ad, Hyundai went back to the well by using talking animals for humor. For such a massive amount of money, you’d think the company would want to deliver something a bit more original.

…and in their second spot, they did. In Hyundai’s second promotion of its new Elantra compact, two ladies are driving slowly through a town called “Ryanville.” As we soon find out, population is made up entirely of Ryan Reynolds clones. The handsome film star soon proves so distracting that the Elantra’s emergency braking system has to take over when the women almost run down yet another Ryan, who’s out walking a herd of dogs.

Hyundai says the ad is a “lighthearted look at the simple fact that all humans are prone to distractions.” I say it’s pretty funny, and definitely redeems the merely so-so first spot.

In both commercials, the Elantra comes out looking rather feature-rich for its $17,150 starting price. There’s also talk of an Elantra turbo on the way with 200 horsepower. Fiesty!

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