True they are no considered elite infatry:
"Panzerfusilliers
The way Panzerfusiliers are deployed has been changed to better match their role as an alternative mainline infantry to Volksgrenadiers. They will be slightly weaker than Volksgrenadiers at the start but have access to the Anti-Tank Rifle Grenades, slightly better combat veterancy, and more powerful upgrades, giving them increased power in the late game. This should make for interesting choices and compositions."
I guess the question is are they elite compared to what. Compared to Falls/Obers they fall short of being elite but compared to other mainlines they are significantly better.
Compared to most mains they have better vision, better damage while moving, similar damage stationary, similar price, flare, sprint, similar durability to Allied squads, techless AT nade.
They are all around better than VG while only being weaker than them for the first 4-5 mins of the game which truly is not that much time.
Most would argue that Rifles and Penals are semi-elite units, Rifles with Bars and vet while Penals start with SVT which are good and have great combat VET. Looking at Rifles, they really only outclass them if they are not moving at point blank range. Best way to do this is to be behind cover which they can only build with a commander or crappy tank traps. If both units are moving, the G43 PF will dominate the Rifleman while having access to flares and increased vision to pick and choose engagements. They literally are better Pathfinders while also having access to snares.
Penals are a bit of a weird match up as they dominate pretty much every unit at the start of the game. However once the G43 upgrades come online this almost completely reverses. They are both 6 man squads with the same RA vet and non-vet yet the G43 upgrade is a buff at all ranges. Yet PF have access to snares so they don't have LV weakness and they are not much weaker at long range compared to Penals which is a bit strange. Using Serelia, Penals do 3.4 DPS per model at max range while G43 do ~ 3 DPS and Kar do ~ 2.8 DPS for a grand difference of 3 DPS per squad. The difference should actually be closer since Serelia is using the old Penal VET3 acc instead of the newer 20%.
That seems to be to close for a long range squad vs close/mid range specialist. I think losing the 6th man would be enough to open the gap at range while also equalizing the Rifle/PF mid range engagements.
Sorry for the disjointed thoughts typing this between pts at work.