Generally the small-car compromise goes something like this — among style, content or affordability, pick any two. It turns out that making inexpensive cars that are profitable — and therefore worthwhile for the automaker to invest in — is tricky business.
With the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, the company is attempting to take that box of compromise and shake it all about. Hyundai's taking the fight to the compact side of the sedan spectrum with the new Elantra, the latest in the reinvention of its model range. We're getting the impression that the company's just lining up dominoes and flicking them over, one by one. It's making this look easy.
Bold Style
It's not going to be easy, of course, as the compact car class is chock-full of mainstays like the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla, plus the new Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Fiesta sedans.
The Elantra's visual presence suggests confidence. Although similar to the outgoing Elantra in width and length, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra chops nearly 2 inches out of the height and instead adds it to the wheelbase. The effect is dramatic, and no longer does the Elantra look frumpy.
The new car's cohesive and unusually purposeful look is the product of Hyundai's California design studio, and while there are hints of Civic in the greenhouse and some Lexus IS at the rear, the Elantra largely has a look all its own. The subdued aggression of the nose, the long wheelbase, sharp character lines — this is definitely not a toylike small car.
Styling nits to pick? It looks a bit awkward with the smaller 16-inch wheels, but little else. The Elantra simply looks terrific in the metal.
Not Bad Inside Either
Inside the cabin, the pinched-waist look to the center stack adds a bit of flair while presenting the various and sundry controls in a clean and straightforward manner. Materials are of the hard-but-look-soft variety, and there are mercifully few surfaces that don't have a matte finish.
Despite the deep cowl, the interior feels breezy and spacious — headroom up front is plentiful for 6-footers and the steering wheel is a bit smaller in diameter than usual, which enhances the sense of space up front. The backseat is a different story, as headroom is cramped, although legroom is plentiful even for tall folks. Also of note — rear seat heaters. Yep, and they're standard on the Elantra Limited.
One Engine for All
All 2011 Elantras are powered by an all-new 1.8-liter four-cylinder generating 148 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 131 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. The new engine is the single most significant contributor to the Elantra's fuel-sipping ways, mainly because the outgoing Beta iron-block four was kind of a dinosaur. The all-aluminum engine has a two-step variable-length intake manifold and continuously variable intake and exhaust cams to help broaden the torque curve while improving fuel economy. An intelligent alternator further ekes out fuel economy by charging primarily when it is most efficient to do so.
Hyundai is quite proud of the Elantra's 29 city/40 highway mpg, taking great pains to point out that those fuel economy numbers apply to all Elantras regardless of transmission, trim level, wheel size or even paint color. No premium need be paid for a special high-efficiency version as with the Cruze Eco or Fiesta with the Super Fuel Economy package. This way, everyone wins — consumers and CAFE-conscious automaker alike.
Balancing Fun and Frugality
High fuel economy numbers such as these often come at the expense of any semblance of fun since they typically rely on a transmission (well, for automatics, anyway) that upshifts to 6th gear before you leave the driveway and low-rolling-resistance tires that howl like a pack of coyotes when you think about turning the wheel. Not so the Elantra. It's nimble and there's a solid amount of grip on tap when you bend it into a corner. The fully electric steering doesn't have Mazda 3 levels of driver engagement, but it is very precise and certainly feels better resolved than the Sonata's odd tiller.
Isolation from road noise could be better. The Elantra relays coarseness through its structure in a way that reminds you that, yes, you're driving a car priced somewhere in the teens.
The Elantra rides firmly, but it's a well-damped firm and not an underdamped cheap-car crashy-firm.
Although it delivers fully class-competitive power, the Elantra's engine still relies on revs to tackle large hills or freeway merging situations. Thus, the transmission's ability to seamlessly change to the right gear for the occasion is that much more critical. Fortunately, gearchanges from the Elantra's autobox are creamy smooth and downshifts are served up willingly when needed. No stodginess or hunting here. A six-speed manual is standard on base models, but the six-speed automatic is optional on the GLS and standard on the Limited.
The front suspension consists of MacPherson struts up front and there's a twist-beam rear suspension. This compact rear suspension allows for ample cargo volume of 14.8 cubic feet. Its short-length rear deck makes for a deep cargo area, and the wide deck lid is supported by gooseneck hinges.
Surprisingly, Hyundai fitted monotube dampers to the Elantra's rear suspension rather than cheaper twin-tube dampers. Engineers can usually dial in better ride quality with monotubes since they can generate meaningful damping force even at very small piston movements. And sure enough, although the Elantra rides firmly, it's a well-damped firm and not an underdamped cheap-car crashy-firm. The kind of firm that we can get behind.
Ride quality has a lot to do with chassis stiffness, too, and there the new Elantra is said to boast a 37 percent increase in torsional rigidity over the outgoing model. The fundamental goodness of the Elantra's chassis is, er, good.
Two Trim Levels, Many Choices
Like the Sonata, the Elantra will be offered in two trim levels, GLS and Limited. GLS runs the gamut from the $15,550 bare-bones loss-leader version with a six-speed manual gearbox, 15-inch steelies and no cruise or air-conditioning, to the optioned-up GLS Navigation.
The automatic-only Limited grants access to options like leather, heated front and rear seats, 17-inch wheels and other goodies you expect in a fancy-pants version with a name like "Limited." To this you can add a Premium package, which forms the upper bound of Elantra pricing at $22,700. Weight weenies will be pleased to know that the base GLS with manual gearbox weighs 2,661 pounds, whereas the gussied-up Limited weighs some 215 pounds more.
Don't expect to find many base GLSs that exist primarily to feature the low starting price. Realistically, most Elantras will be equipped somewhere in between — with the six-speed automatic and a few creature comforts but sans navigation. The GLS with the Preferred package starts at $18,350.
Optioned smartly, the Elantra is more than just a lot of car for the money. It's a sharply dressed, roomy and amply equipped car for the money. It was before to some degree, but now it has classy looks to match. And when it comes to economy sedans, that still matters.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
Add A Comment »
wizard_ says:
07:22 AM, 12/02/2011
http://www.leftlanenews.com/consumer-watchdog-asks-epa-to-evaluate-hyundai-elantra-fuel-economy-claims.html
"Consumer Watchdog requests that the EPA re-test the 2011 and 2012 Elantra models in its own facility, to seek an explanation for the MPG disappointments of so many Elantra buyers,"
travai says:
10:32 PM, 02/25/2011
@rdk2: Apostrophes indicate contractions or possession. They DO NOT indicate a plural. A plural, like "Honda's" is written as simply "Hondas".
P.S. You can afford to buy a new car every year? Must be nice.
n2guru says:
12:01 PM, 02/22/2011
@ tsxdude04:
Coming from a Honda/Acura product, this says a lot about how far Hyundai has come from a
previous owner. Hyundai is on top of their game right now, for the best bang for your dollar, w/o
compromising quality, performance, and style. Their timing in this economy couldn't be better.
Can't wait to see the coupe and the Veloster to come out this summer. The Veloster could be my
next car :-)
tsxdude04 says:
06:50 PM, 02/21/2011
I just bought the 2011 Elantra Limited, with premium package, in Indigo Blue Pearl on 02/11/2011. I traded in my 2004 Acura TSX. Up untill now I would have never considered Hyundai. However, this car is is surprisingly luxurious. It's fit and finish is excelent. The dash design flows well and the materials used give it a rich look and feel, that of a more expensive car. With such feateres as auto haedlights, heated front and rear seats, NAV with a 360 watt stereo the Elantra out prices the Cruz, Corolla and Civic ( in comparably equipped models).
The car drives wonderfully as well. Smooth ride on the highway and handles really well on windy and twisty raods. (I have lots of those where I live). I considered a Honda Civic Si, and Chevrolet Cruze LTZ but at 24,405, and 26,645 (respectively) with Navigation they are more expensive then the Elantra. (And no heated rear seats or proximity key with push button start). The gas mileage is also better. I am getting 33 miles combined.
I am also very impressed with Hyundai's customer service. Mysteriously my front fog light broke. I tought i had hit something. I took the car to the service department. They inspected the car and I tought for sure I was looking at a costly repair. However this was not the case. They found no evidence of me hitting anything. The repair will be covered under waranty. I would reccomend this car to those looking for a little luxury minus the over 30 grand price tag.
rdk2 says:
04:36 PM, 02/18/2011
First I buy a new car ever year, mostly Honda's or Toyota's, right now I own a Prius. I like the looks of the 2011 Elantra Limited, buy guess what, you can't buy one. I called over 17 dealers, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, and WV area. Also the red one that's advertised on TV, ain't even in USA, as of Yet. (Sounds like mis-leading Consumer's). So to make a long story short, when the Limited comes in with the Nav, I have to take, that color that comes in, and also you can't order one either.
ferrusivicible says:
08:01 PM, 02/14/2011
I am in love with the car, I want the manual and agree they should have more options but the article is incorrect you Can get the base manual gls with air, 16 inch rims (still steel with covers, sadly) and cruise control, its 1250 extra, called the Popular package
powered_by_k20 says:
04:39 AM, 01/31/2011
I love the lower vents (hate hot air blowing in my face like every other car) but the interior is over styled up top where the navi is. Too bad. I love this car.
Maybe in 3yrs when this car gets a MMC the interior will be simplified to my tastes. :p
buddy904 says:
06:21 PM, 01/05/2011
By the way, I've been reading the comments and find it amusing that a car review can devolve into a "whoever sells the most must be the best" kind of argument.
As I said previously. I had to open my mind to buy the Hyundai, and I am glad I did. I have owned more cars than I want to admit. I have sold Honda, Ford, Nissan & Toyota. The only brand that completely bored me - completely left me cold - was Toyota. I may have well been selling toaster ovens. The only vehicle in their lineup I liked (or owned) is the Tacoma pickup. As for the Elantra, I won't heap more accolades on it than I already have - I'll wait a while to see how it drives a few years from now. My guess is it's gonna hold up well, because it reeks of quality right now, but we'll see.
As for being the sales leader vs Toyota, who cares? Brittney Spears sells way more records than Dylan, or Mozart, but a gazillion people are far more talented than her. Sales don't necessarily equal excellence. I mean, the Chevy Cavalier was a best seller, as was the Aveo a few years ago. Excuse me for not running out to buy one.
I find Toyotas amazingly boring. I do not care how reliable or unreliable they are. And I don't care how many units they sell. They don't appeal to me. They are DULL. Some Hondas, some Fords, some Mazdas do appeal to me. And now so do some Hyundais.
I don't like GM either. Not because of the bailout, but because they burned me too many times with horrible, accountant designed trash. It took me 30 years to finally write them off for good. Now I don't care if each of their cars turns exhaust fumes into gold - I'm done. Fool me once....fool me 10 times....not ready to be fooled again.
Like many people, I like cars, but can't afford the ones I lust for, so I settle for ones I just like a lot. I've made some bad bargains along the way, and some good ones.
At first blush, this one seems the best all around bargain around. That's how my wife & I see it, and in the end, that is all that matters.
I'd be interested in hearing reviews from people who actually own one of these cars, or who at least have driven one. Could care less about which corporation has the infrastructure and brand equity to sell the most the most units.
buddy904 says:
01:57 PM, 01/05/2011
Just bought a 2011 Elantra on the 23rd of December. It is my wife's car - she traded in a 2008 Civic Coupe (we've had 5 Hondas). This is our 1st Hyundai, and it is very impressive.
It is quieter than the Civic (which I expected - Civics are loud & I like them anyway) - it drives beautifully, smooth, a bit more powerful than the Civic, and it handles very well. We drove to South Florida for New Years - about a 600 mile round trip - and got 37 MPG overall. When I kept it at 70, I was getting 41-44 MPG. Of course, I usually drive 80+ down I-95.
It has safety features only available on top level Hondas, it looks great, is comfy has features I never would have dreamed of for 18K.
I am a Honda guy and a Ford guy, and was considering the redesigned 2012 Focus, Civic, or an Accord. But the new Focus seems like it will never be released, Civic apparently won't be redesigned for another year, and frankly, the Accord - as good as it is - is too big, and doesn't do it for me style wise (except for the coupe).
I sold Hondas and Fords, and like both companies. I never saw a Hyundai in my future, or my driveway.
That has definitely changed. This is a truly nice automobile, loaded with features, my wife loves it. It is safe, efficient, a smooth driver and a good looker. Look out, I think I'm hooked.
phill1 says:
08:02 AM, 01/01/2011
Although I`m a huge Hyundai and Kia fan, I also own a 2011 Ford Fiesta SE Hatchback with a 6 speed auto/trans. This vehicle is 6 months old and has been driven about 6000 miles. It get 35 m.p.g. city and 41 m.p.g. highway with hard driving and no effort to be gentle to accelerator to achieve great gas mileage. I hope when I replace my aging 06` Kia Rio5 SX Hatchback with the new 2012 Hyundai Accent when it finally arrives it too will be able to match Ford`s excellent fuel economy.