| Pros | Cons | What's New |
|---|---|---|
Impressive gas mileage | Sluggish throttle response | Completely redesigned for 2011 model year |
Refined ride quality | Not as sporty as some rivals | 2.0-liter engine has been downsized to a 1.8-liter unit |
Plenty of features at an affordable price | Tight rear headroom | New six-speed automatic transmission |
$17,195
price148 hp @ 6500 rpm
horsepower131 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm
torque6-Speed Shiftable Automatic
transmission1.8L 4cyl FWD 6A
engine-
basic warrantyBeing stated as an alternative to the best-selling Japanese compact sedans like the Civic and Corolla, the all-new Hyundai Elantra has now become a tough competitor for the same cars it once feared. All-new ‘fluidic’ design, long list of standard features, a less expensive price tag, exceptional fuel economy, and a lot more standout attractive features of this new compact sedan has helped the Korean manufacturer get back in the game.
There is no lack of features in the standard GLS trim of the Elantra, however, if you desire utmost comfort and luxury, then opting for the Limited trim would be better. A relaxed drive is available in both the trims thanks to the automatic transmission, but GLS comes with a manual transmission as well that allows the driver to be more engaged in the driving experience.
The engine has also been marginally downsized without any compromise in power and is paired up with a new six-speed automatic transmission for the 2011 model year. Prices begin at an affordable MSRP of $15,695 to better compete against the likes of Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Mazda 3 sedan, and Toyota Corolla.
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra is offered in two trim levels. The base trim is named GLS, while the second trim is named the Limited trim. The Elantra comes at a base price of $15,695 and the Limited trim is priced at $20,945. The GLS trim comes with a choice of a manual or automatic transmission, while the Limited trim comes only with the automatic transmission.
|
Trim |
GLS |
Limited |
|---|---|---|
|
MSRP(Manual) |
$15,695 |
- |
|
MSRP (Automatic) |
$17,945 |
$20,945 |
|
Key Features |
1.8-liter four-cylinder engine |
Features of GLS trim plus: Front Fog driving lights |
|
Cruise control |
Leather steering wheel |
|
|
Heated mirrors |
Leather trim shift knob |
|
|
Rear ventilation ducts |
Multi-level heating front seat |
|
|
Satellite radio |
Leather Upholstery |
|
|
Tire Pressure monitoring |
Heated front seats |
We Recommend
There is no lack of features in the standard GLS trim of the Elantra, however, if you desire utmost comfort and luxury, then opting for the Limited trim would be better. A relaxed drive is available in both the trims thanks to the automatic transmission, but GLS comes with a manual transmission as well that allows the driver to be more engaged in the driving experience.
If you are worried about MPG figures then you wouldn’t be disappointed. The EPA estimates state that the 2011 Elantra would return 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway with a combined rating of 32 mpg. The light body, longer gear ratios, and an intelligent engine with a smooth 6-speed transmission combine to provide the best in class Efficiency figures to the car. The small 12.8 gallon fuel tank is disappointing though, but it still offers a respectable driving range on par with the segment.
|
Models |
2011 Hyundai Elantra |
2011 Honda Civic |
2011 Kia Forte |
2011 Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
28 |
28 |
25 |
27 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
38 |
36 |
34 |
34 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
32 |
31 |
29 |
30 |
|
Fuel Capacity (gal) |
12.8 |
13.2 |
13.7 |
13.2 |
|
Range (City / Highway / Combined) (miles) |
358 / 486 / 410 |
370 / 475 / 409 |
343 / 446 / 397 |
356 / 449 / 396 |
The smaller fuel tank of the Elantra does not prove to be an inconvenience in the day-to-day city drive as it provides an overall better range in combined city and highway driving conditions and highway driving. The Honda Civic is next in line in terms of frugality while the 2011 Kia Forte employs the largest gas tank in this comparison, both offer a marginally shorter driving range.
The new design gives the 2011 Hyundai Elantra more of a compact look, and while upfront there is no lack of space even with the optional sunroof, in the rear taller folks would suffer a little due to the tight headroom. Overall comfort is excellent throughout the cabin, and while there is a noticeable use of hard plastic inside, it also uses a few high-quality materials and soft-touch plastics which give the interior an upscale feel.
Seats all around are comfortable and offer good support, with a huge trunk. The seats in the rear can be folded to help increase the overall cargo space, but the inability of the seats to fold fully flat seems like a missed opportunity. The trunk of trunk capacity is one of the best in the segment too at 14.8 cu-ft of cargo space, which is enough to carry around a small family’s weekend worth of luggage comfortably.
|
Models |
2011 Hyundai Elantra |
2011 Honda Civic |
2011 Kia Forte |
2011 Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front Row (Head / Shoulder /Leg) (in) |
40.0 / 55.9 / 43.6 |
39.0 / 56.6 / 42.0 |
40.0 / 55.7 / 43.3 |
38.8 / 54.8 / 41.7 |
|
Rear Row (Head / Shoulder /Leg) (in) |
37.1 / 54.8 / 33.1 |
37.1 / 53.3 / 36.2 |
37.6 / 54.7 / 35.0 |
37.2 / 54.7 / 36.3 |
|
Trunk Capacity (cu-ft) |
14.8 |
12.5 |
14.7 |
12.3 |
The Elantra is a bit tight at the rear, it comes with less legroom than the rivals, yet the sloping roofline still does not hamper the headroom that much, as it stays at par with the segment rivals. It also has the biggest trunk which may be a result of the smaller rear row. The Toyota Corolla offers the best in class cabin space but cuts off significant cargo volume at the back. As for the Kia, it also offers similar cargo space as Hyundai.
Some of the key interior features are:
The infotainment system inside is placed in the middle of the dash, and has a 'waterfall' like design to it, with neatly placed climate control knobs completing the overall design. While there is an optional display screen available for navigation, (which we have to say is one of the biggest screens in a car of this segment) the standard system also has a lot of features which include satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity.
Some of the key infotainment features are:
The new design concept of Hyundai has been named ‘Fluidic’ and it shows. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra has all sorts of wavy lines, curves, and swirls in the body, which not only makes it more appealing but also increases the airflow around the car. The headlights also come with a wave-like design that moves from the grille wrapping up to the front wheel center. The rear sees a bit more character and the design gets a bit aggressive and sporty with a humped trunk. The overall design of the car looks aggressive.
|
Models |
2011 Hyundai Elantra |
2011 Honda Civic |
2011 Kia Forte |
2011 Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lb) |
2,661 |
2,608 |
2,729 |
2,734 |
|
Length (inches) |
178.3 |
177.3 |
178.3 |
180 |
|
Width (inches) |
69.9 |
69 |
69.9 |
69.4 |
|
Height (inches) |
56.5 |
56.5 |
57.5 |
57.7 |
|
Ground Clearance (inches) |
5.5 |
5.5 |
5.9 |
5.8 |
|
Wheelbase (inches) |
106.3 |
105.1 |
104.3 |
102.4 |
The higher ground clearance in the Kia Forte makes it slightly better to move over high bumps and uneven road surfaces. The Honda is the lightest yet, it still fails to match the MPG provided by the Elantra which has its primary focus on being a lightweight vehicle but it still weighs more than the Civic. Although the Elantra still offers better MPG, which shows how well engineered it is.
Some of the key exterior features are:
The new redesign graces the car with improved safety, and it passed the crash tests with flying colors. The NHTSA gave the car 4 out of 5 stars for its overall safety rating, whereas the IIHS awarded the Elantra with their ‘Top Safety Pick’ accolade as it managed to score the top rating of ‘Good’ in almost all the tests. The standard list of features includes airbags, traction control, ABS, and stability control, a feature which is mostly seen as an option in cars of the segment.
Some of the key safety features that come with the Elantra include:
New always does not mean better, but in this case, it surely does. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra not only gets a new design but has significantly improved overall. It gets better fuel economy, more comfort, and a lot of standard features. All this for a price that seems so low for such a well-equipped and upscale feeling car. If affordability is what matters the most, the 2011 Elantra is the perfect compact sedan for you.
Car Name | 0-60 MPH | Quarter Mile | Top Speed | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #3 | 8 sec | - | - | |||
2011 Kia Optima Ranked #1 | 7.2 sec | 15.9 sec | 132 mph | |||
2011 Saab 9-3 Ranked #2 | 7.4 sec | - | - | |||
2011 Suzuki SX4 Ranked #4 | 8.01 sec | - | - | |||
2011 Kia Forte Ranked #5 | 8.1 sec | 16.2 sec | 120 mph | |||
2011 Ford Fusion Ranked #5 | 8.1 sec | 16.3 sec | - |
Car Name | MPG City | MPG Highway | MPG Combined | Fuel Tank Capacity | Range (C/H) | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #1 | 28 mpg | 38 mpg | 32 mpg | 12.8 gal. | 358.4/486.4 mi. | |||
2011 Ford Fiesta Ranked #1 | 29 mpg | 37 mpg | 32 mpg | 16 gal. | 336/444 mi. | |||
2011 Kia Rio Ranked #2 | 28 mpg | 34 mpg | 31 mpg | 11.9 gal. | 333.2/404.6 mi. | |||
2011 Toyota Corolla Ranked #2 | 28 mpg | 35 mpg | 31 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 369.6/462 mi. | |||
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Ranked #3 | 22 mpg | 36 mpg | 30 mpg | 15.6 gal. | 405.6/561.6 mi. | |||
2011 Kia Forte Ranked #4 | 25 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | 13.7 gal. | 342.5/465.8 mi. |
Car Name | Length | Width | Height | Ground Clearance | Wheelbase | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #12 | 178.3 in. | 69.9 in. | 56.5 in. | 5.5 in. | 106.3 in. | |||
2011 Honda Accord Ranked #1 | 194.1 in. | 72.7 in. | 58.1 in. | 6 in. | 110.2 in. | |||
2011 Mitsubishi Galant Ranked #2 | 191.1 in. | 72.4 in. | 57.9 in. | 5.9 in. | 108.3 in. | |||
2011 Kia Optima Ranked #3 | 190.7 in. | 72.1 in. | 57.3 in. | 5.3 in. | 110 in. | |||
2011 Ford Fusion Ranked #4 | 190.6 in. | 72.2 in. | 56.8 in. | 5 in. | 107.4 in. | |||
2011 Saab 9-3 Ranked #5 | 182.9 in. | 70.9 in. | 57.1 in. | 5.9 in. | 105.3 in. |
Car Name | Trunk Capacity | Passenger Volume | Max Trunk Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #13 | 14.8 cu.ft. | 95.6 cu.ft. | 13.6 cu.ft. | |||
2011 Kia Forte Ranked #1 | 14.7 cu.ft. | 96.8 cu.ft. | 217.3 cu.ft. | |||
2011 Honda Civic Ranked #2 | 12 cu.ft. | 90.9 cu.ft. | 6 cu.ft. | |||
2011 Volkswagen Jetta Ranked #3 | 15.5 cu.ft. | 94.1 cu.ft. | 168 cu.ft. | |||
2011 Kia Rio Ranked #4 | 11.9 cu.ft. | 92.2 cu.ft. | 11.9 cu.ft. | |||
2011 Mazda 3 Ranked #5 | 11.8 cu.ft. | 94.1 cu.ft. | 95.2 cu.ft. |
Car Name | Cargo Volume | Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area | Max Cargo Volume | Bed Length | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #1 | 13.6 cu.ft. | 14.8 cu.ft. | 13.6 cu.ft. | - | |||
2011 Subaru Impreza Ranked #2 | - | 11.3 cu.ft. | - | - | |||
2011 Ford Focus Ranked #3 | 83.1 cu.ft. | 13.8 cu.ft. | 61 cu.ft. | 79 ft. | |||
2011 Kia Rio Ranked #4 | 147.4 cu.ft. | 11.9 cu.ft. | 11.9 cu.ft. | - | |||
2011 Saab 9-3 Ranked #5 | 15 cu.ft. | 15 cu.ft. | 15 cu.ft. | - | |||
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Ranked #6 | 72.1 cu.ft. | 15.4 cu.ft. | 72.1 cu.ft. | 180 ft. |
Car Name | Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Weight | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #4 | - | 1131 lbs. | 2661 lbs. | |||
2011 Subaru Impreza Ranked #1 | 2000 lbs. | 1157 lbs. | 3075 lbs. | |||
2011 Toyota Corolla Ranked #2 | 1500 lbs. | - | 2734 lbs. | |||
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Ranked #3 | 1000 lbs. | 1219 lbs. | 3102 lbs. | |||
2011 Honda Civic Ranked #4 | - | 979 lbs. | 2630 lbs. | |||
2011 Kia Forte Ranked #4 | - | 931 lbs. | 2729 lbs. |
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User Overall Rating
Posted On: June 30, 2024
I call my girl old Betsy I've had her forb3 years now and my dad whom I inherited Betsy from had her for over 10 years she's a great lil car with speed and durability she's always been great on milage and seats about 5 people
User Overall Rating
Posted On: July 31, 2024
This is my detailed version of my car. I have a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. It has good gas mileage and it gets me from point a to point b .I love this car not just because it drives well but it gets me to my destination
User Overall Rating
Posted On: July 7, 2024
I love love love how awesome my car is on gas $40 worth of gas takes me almost 2 weeks to run low then the eco button right my gear shift is the best it's small but not too big alot of room for me and my kiddos but most of all has never failed me
