- The redesigned 2011 Hyundai Elantra starts at $15,550, including a $720 destination charge.
- It undercuts the 2010 Toyota Corolla, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2011 Honda Civic.
- The Elantra made its world debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.
LOS ANGELES — Hyundai has carefully priced its redesigned 2011 Elantra to slot in below its key competitors such as the 2010 Toyota Corolla, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2011 Honda Civic. The base 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS starts at $15,550, including a $720 destination charge. The Elantra made its world debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The Elantra goes on sale in December. A top-of-the-line 2011 Hyundai Elantra Premium starts at $22,700, including shipping.
In comparison, the 2010 Toyota Corolla has a base price of $16,210, including a $760 destination charge. Pricing has not yet been announced for the mildly restyled 2011 Corolla, which also debuted at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze starts at $16,995, including a $720 destination charge. The 2011 Honda Civic DX starts at $17,305, including a $750 destination charge.
The Korean automaker's pricing strategy may be a tipping point for many consumers, given that the key competitors in the segment have a lot in common — including the fact that the base vehicles are all equipped with 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines. However, the base Corolla and Civic get a five-speed manual transmission, while the Cruze and Elantra are both equipped with six-speed manual transmissions.
The redesigned Elantra gets the new 148-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that replaces the 2.0-liter from the previous generation Elantra. The so-called "Nu" engine is smaller, weighs 74 pounds less and achieves an 18 percent improvement in highway fuel economy, said Hyundai in a statement. The 2011 Elantra gets an estimated 29 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway, said the automaker. The EPA has yet to rate the new Elantra.
The Elantra features Hyundai's new "fluidic sculpture" design and rides on a 106.3-inch wheelbase. It is longer and lower than its predecessor. Other key details include optional heated rear seats and an optional navigation system with a rearview camera.
Inside Line says: Even with new hardware, Hyundai doesn't abandon its strategy of being a value leader. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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jce1 says:
06:42 PM, 05/03/2011
Leased a 2011 Elantra Limited 6 weeks ago. Assumed it had at least a "doughnut" spare tire. It did not. Standard equipment is a small air compressor and a can of sealant. Not even a jack! Last week I got a flat. Called Hyundai service who could do nothing except tow me to the closest Hyundai dealer. They did not have a new tire in stock. In fact, they could not locate an OEM tire in all of Florida and had to order it from a wearhouse out of state. A three to five day waiting period. Yes, they provided a loaner in the interim, but what if I was traveling away from home. Not having a spare tire presents alot of problems and I would not have leased this car had I known. Buyer beware!!!!!
easym1 says:
01:28 PM, 12/06/2010
In case you missed something, the Sonata was selling like hot cakes and I won't be suprised that this Elantra will do the same...Style, style,style and good quality... Honda and Corolla designers fell off the cliff while Ford and GM can be ranked along with the Korean car maker for good designs.
jm1212 says:
04:34 PM, 11/26/2010
so why isnt this powertrain immediately being put into the Soul and Forte/Forte Koup to replace their 2.0L engines and four-speed automatics? the Soul could be a very, very fuel efficient vehicle with that setup, and it would likely help its leisurely acceleration as well. many people have talked about the Forte feeling 'flat-footed' because if its transmission, and this powerplant could only make it better.
tbone85 says:
03:20 PM, 11/22/2010
The Corolla has inertia on it's side. Car consumer choice often lags the reality of design and execution leadershp by several years. GM was the number one seller of cars in the world for a good 2 decades beyond the point at which its product leadership expired. In this segment overall, I'd rate Sentra, Corolla, and Lancer near the bottom. The Civic is a step up, and the Cruze, Mazda3, Elantra, and Focus all offer different aspects of class leadership. Other's opinion's vary, but few who like cars would rate the sales leaders as the most desirable vehicles in this class. It's just the way it is.
blueguydotcom says:
10:40 AM, 11/19/2010
Hyundai's got a much better warranty and that in that market being $500-1000 less is a big, big deal.
Baffled that the Corolla sells at all...
erik25 says:
05:35 AM, 11/19/2010
finally a reason to leave honda and jump over,this will beat the civic 2012 by far.A good name is not enough anymore to sell cars.
ronnjc says:
11:11 PM, 11/18/2010
Airport rental companies...Rejoice! You car is here.
dg0472 says:
07:29 PM, 11/18/2010
Oops. The "Premium" they're talking about is the Limited with the Premium package, which is what includes Nav. So yes, all that would be included at the $22,700 price.
dg0472 says:
07:16 PM, 11/18/2010
@hondalvr4life
The Limited (not Premium) includes everything in your list except Nav., which comes in a package that includes auto headlights, proximity key, back-up cam. and prem. audio with external amp.
As for the Nu engine, this was long-rumored to be a GDI 2.0L, so that well may be an option later.
blackdynamite0 says:
06:28 PM, 11/18/2010
Mazda has a very stylish, feature-laden, powerful Mazda3
It sells, but it doesn't damage the leaders (Civic/Corolla)
This will get closer
But Hyundai's name has a few more years of seasoning required
Before it can sit with the Knights of The Round Table
But another 5-10 years, it'll be ready to really hunt the big game
BD