First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Elantra

Family Friendliness: 8.1

Recommended: Yes

Specifications apply to all models.

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There are a lot of reasons to buy a small car, like low price, good fuel economy, or the maneuverability of a vehicle that doesn't require its own zip code. But until now, impressing your neighbors with head-turning style, or pleasing yourself with luxury features simply weren't considerations.
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra changes all that. Like all small cars, it offers great fuel economy, it's easy to drive, and it doesn't cost much. But that low price includes features normally only found in more expensive cars, and its design makes it one of the most eye-catching cars on the road today at any price.

It all sounds too good to be true, so when Hyundai invited me to drive the all-new 2011 Elantra in San Diego, I jumped at the chance to get behind the wheel and see if Hyundai's new car could live up to its promises.

What's New

Hyundai scrapped virtually everything about the old Elantra, so there's an extensive list of what's new. However, two key points about the 2011 Hyundai Elantra really separate it from its competition.

The first is fuel economy. Hyundai's 40 mpg highway economy applies to all 2011 Elantras, not just a special fuel-economy model as in the Chevy Cruze or Ford Fiesta. Part of the credit belongs to the all-new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic and manual transmissions. Although it boasts a lot of fuel saving technology, it still puts out 148 horsepower, so the new Elantra feels quick. But maybe more important than the engine is Hyundai's obsession with reducing weight. Less weight means the engine doesn't work as hard, and the new Elantra weighs hundreds of pounds less than competitors like the Nissan Sentra, Mazda 3 and Chevrolet Cruze.

The second distinction is price, not just the dollar amount, but what you get for it. The most expensive Elantra costs $22,700 including a $720 destination charge, and that includes navigation, a backup camera, sunroof, heated front and rear seats, and advanced safety technology. Some features -- such as the heated rear seat -- are class exclusives, and others would cost you thousands more. From a stuff-per-dollar standpoint, the Elantra is tough to beat.

Models

The Elantra is available in GLS and Limited models. All Elantras come standard with front, side and curtain airbags, stability and traction control, brake assist and anti-lock brakes. Hyundai also includes Vehicle Stability Management, which uses the Elantra's electric power steering to help nudge the car back on course when it loses traction. This is an advanced technology that's unusual at this price. They also all get a USB input for the six-speaker audio system, a trip computer, and power windows.

While you can get all that in the $15,550 price-leader manual transmission GLS, that particular model lacks air conditioning and cruise control; you'll have to add the $1,300 Popular Equipment package to get them. Most people will go for automatic-transmission Elantra GLS models, which cost $17,800 and get all of the manual's optional Popular Equipment standard. Two options packages are available for automatic-equipped Elantra GLS models. The first is a $550 Preferred Equipment package that adds alloy wheels, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth, a center armrest, and nicer interior trim. To that you can add a $1,750 navigation package that includes a backup camera, upgraded audio system and automatic headlights.

If you like leather upholstery, a sunroof and heated seats, then step up to the $20,700 Limited, which also adds one-touch up driver's window, fog lights, mirror-mounted turn signals and heated rear seats. A $2,000 Premium package adds navigation and a backup camera, premium audio, and keyless entry and ignition. Like I said, a lot of stuff for the money.

First Impression

While the 2011 Hyundai Elantra is undoubtedly pretty, the big question is whether it drives as nice as it looks. Front seat room is excellent, and it's easy to find a comfortable driving position. The dash design also does a remarkable job of packing in plenty of style without sacrificing practicality. The sole exception may be the knob-within-a-knob layout of the climate control temperature setting and fan speed, but it was a minor quirk, not a major flaw.

Once you hit the road, it becomes clear that Hyundai's fuel economy boasts are for real. The trip computer consistently reported average fuel economy in the 35-mpg range, and it remained good even on mountain passes. The engine's power is for real as well, but you have to let it rev to get the most out of it, and it gets noisy.

Whether on Interstates or intra-mountain byways, the Elantra proved to be a satisfying driving companion. Hyundai gave the new Elantra good handling, which inspires confidence in emergency maneuvers. But it also managed to make it just soft enough to be comfortable most of the time. Large, sharp bumps like railroad tracks or highway Botts dots intrude, but overall it's a pretty good compromise between ride comfort and handling.

But while the 2011 Hyundai Elantra is a tough competitor, and one that will give the best-selling Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla headaches, there are downsides. The first is interior noise. While far from the loudest car in its class, there was considerably more tire and wind noise on the highway in the Elantra than in the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze we drove to the event. If most of your driving is in the city you might not hear it, but if you ever decide to take a road trip to grandma's, the noise can get fatiguing. Surprisingly, another is the styling. It looks great now, but one of the ironies of cars with cutting edge design is that they often wind up aging faster, and the Elantra's flowing lines might look dated in a couple of years.

Family Friendliness Potential

Like its predecessor, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra is actually a small midsize car, and not an actual compact. This means it has more interior and trunk space than many of its competitors, a key advantage in a market where inches count. However, the Elantra just barely crosses the threshold, and in some measurements -- such as headroom -- it actually offers less space than its predecessor.

We drove both a fully loaded Limited and a GLS with the Preferred Equipment package, and neither car lacked for features. The Bluetooth phone integration and iPod hookup were especially nice, and the on-wheel audio controls mean that you keep your hands where they belong. The Limited boasted navigation and a backup camera, and considering the Elantra's high trunk and small rear window, the latter was especially appreciated.

While the Elantra strives to make its driver comfortable, the rear seat is a different story. The low roof requires a deep stoop for adult passengers, and once seated there's not a lot of headroom for anybody over 6 feet tall. Small kids won't notice, but you will when it comes time to cinch them into their car seats. Similarly, rear legroom is tight, especially with a tall driver, so your infant seat could rub against the hard front seatback. Complaining that a small car is small may sound like I'm fishing for negatives, but the reality is that others in this class offer more space in the rear. On the plus side, LATCH points were easy to find between the bottom and seatback cushions, and kids who are out of boosters will appreciate the Limited's heated rear seats on cold days.

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra's trunk is surprisingly roomy. At 14.8 cu.-ft. it's one of the biggest in the class, and it easily accommodated a big Graco stroller, room left over for groceries or other items. The rear seat offers a split-fold as well, so you can expand the cargo area when needed, albeit at the expense of passenger capacity.

Conclusion

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra is an extremely well thought out small car that will have its competition scurrying back to the drawing board. It offers up outstanding fuel economy, very strong styling, and a comfortable interior, with only a handful of relatively minor drawbacks. But most of all, it does it at a price that's considerably lower than its competition. If you're in the sub-$20,000 sedan market, then the Elantra should be on your list when it goes on sale in late December, 2010.

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