The 2011 Elantra: A Compact Sedan That Rivals Luxury Cars

Hi there, I'm Rebecca Grant and I'm Jeff Vistad here with AutoTrader's review of the all-new 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Hyundai's management says you shouldn't have to pay more for better fuel economy, and they're right - you don't have to pay much at all with Hyundai starting below $11,500. And for that price, you get a six-speed manual transmission, a nice stereo system, power mirrors, power windows, six airbags, and antilock brakes.

All of these features add up to good looks that are light years ahead of last year's model. The sleek aerodynamic lines really help with gas mileage too - all the way down to the tail lights. If you've been thinking about downsizing for your next car but don't want to give up your interior space and a whole lot of amenities, this new Hyundai could help make up your mind.

The front seats adjust easily and quickly, and there's good all-around visibility from the driver's seat. The dashboard is nice and well-positioned, with easy access to all the switches and controls. Front seat space is ample, even without crowding the people in the back - they can get heated seats too for a little extra. There's also good storage space in the center console, plus a large glove box.

Other handy features include a 12-volt outlet, a 7-inch screen for the navigation system, and a backup camera. Hyundai is proud of the low cabin noise level - wind and engine noise barely register when the car is in motion. And despite being front-wheel drive, this car still manages to accelerate surprisingly well, thanks to direct fuel injection and variable valve timing.

The engine itself is made up of an aluminum block and aluminum head, putting out 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque. But what's really interesting is that Hyundai actually makes its own steel - why would they do that? Well, it's so their chassis is strong enough to deal with the demands of crash testing, yet still lightweight enough to get great fuel economy.

This car also has lightweight suspension components, which help to improve handling and stability. However, the nose does want to turn a little wide around the corners, and the electronic stability control does steal a bit of power from time to time. But overall, the 6-speed automatic transmission shifts so smoothly that you can hardly feel it.

And if you're interested in manual transmission, there's also a six-speed option available - we like it for its smoothness and responsiveness. All of these features add up to a car that's not only affordable but also impressive - all this for under $23,000, depending on the trim level and options chosen. And don't forget Hyundai's 100,000-mile, 10-year warranty - you're all set.

So what do we think? We think that this car puts itself firmly at the top of its class. It's a great option for anyone looking for a compact sedan that's both stylish and practical, with impressive fuel economy to boot. And with options like heated seats, sunroof, and more, there's something for everyone in the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe 2011 Elantra is an allnew version of Hyundai's popular compact sedan it Rivals more expensive cars while making a gallon of gas lasts 40 miles that's the best fuel economy in its class hi there I'm Rebecca Grant and I'm Jeff vistad here with auto traders review of the allnew 2011 Hyundai Elantra Hyundai's management says you shouldn't have to pay more for better fuel economy in fact you don't have to pay much all with Hyundai starting below $115,000 and for that price you get a six-speed manual transmission a nice stereo system power mirrors power windows six airbags and antilock brakes it all adds up to good looks that are light years ahead of last year's model these Sleek aerodynamic lines really help with gas mileage too all the way down to the tail lights yeah so if you've been thinking about downsizing for your next car but you don't want to give up your interior space and a whole lot of amenities this new Hyundai could help make up your mind the front seats adjust easily and quickly and there's good all around visibility nice dashboard and good positioning of all the switches and controls front seat space is ample and that's without crowding the people in the back they can get heated seats too for a little bit extra there's good storage space in the Center Council plus a large glove box some other handy features include a 12volt outlet a 7-in screen for the nav system and backup camera and Hyundai is proud of the low and cabin noise level they say wind and engine noise barely register when the car is in motion you know this acceleration is surprisingly good for a 1.8 L 4- cylinder engine yeah some of that's due to the direct fuel injection and the variable valve timing the engine is made of aluminum block aluminum head puts on 148 horsepower 131 lbet of torque and get this did you know that Hyundai actually makes its own steel no why would they do that well they do that so their chassis is strong enough to deal with the demands of Crash testing and still lightweight enough to get great fuel economy this thing has even got lightweight suspension components it is still front-wheel drive though and the nose wants to turn a little wide around the corners and the electronic stability control steals a little bit of the power but the 6speed automatic it shifts so smooth you can hardly feel it there's also a six-speed manual that I like so all this for under $155,000 it's true the base price is $1,830 there's also a GSL and a limited edition you can get options like OneTouch power windows heated seats sunroof all sorts of cool stuff and the Elantra fully loaded comes in at under $23,000 don't forget Hyundai's 100,000 m 10-year warranty you're all set so what we're talking about is styling build quality fuel efficiency and low price I'm thinking that puts this car at the top of its class I'm Jeff vist and I'm Rebecca Grant and thanks for coming along with us on this review of the 2011 Hyundai Elantra right here on AutoTrader the ultimate Automotive Marketplace that's itthe 2011 Elantra is an allnew version of Hyundai's popular compact sedan it Rivals more expensive cars while making a gallon of gas lasts 40 miles that's the best fuel economy in its class hi there I'm Rebecca Grant and I'm Jeff vistad here with auto traders review of the allnew 2011 Hyundai Elantra Hyundai's management says you shouldn't have to pay more for better fuel economy in fact you don't have to pay much all with Hyundai starting below $115,000 and for that price you get a six-speed manual transmission a nice stereo system power mirrors power windows six airbags and antilock brakes it all adds up to good looks that are light years ahead of last year's model these Sleek aerodynamic lines really help with gas mileage too all the way down to the tail lights yeah so if you've been thinking about downsizing for your next car but you don't want to give up your interior space and a whole lot of amenities this new Hyundai could help make up your mind the front seats adjust easily and quickly and there's good all around visibility nice dashboard and good positioning of all the switches and controls front seat space is ample and that's without crowding the people in the back they can get heated seats too for a little bit extra there's good storage space in the Center Council plus a large glove box some other handy features include a 12volt outlet a 7-in screen for the nav system and backup camera and Hyundai is proud of the low and cabin noise level they say wind and engine noise barely register when the car is in motion you know this acceleration is surprisingly good for a 1.8 L 4- cylinder engine yeah some of that's due to the direct fuel injection and the variable valve timing the engine is made of aluminum block aluminum head puts on 148 horsepower 131 lbet of torque and get this did you know that Hyundai actually makes its own steel no why would they do that well they do that so their chassis is strong enough to deal with the demands of Crash testing and still lightweight enough to get great fuel economy this thing has even got lightweight suspension components it is still front-wheel drive though and the nose wants to turn a little wide around the corners and the electronic stability control steals a little bit of the power but the 6speed automatic it shifts so smooth you can hardly feel it there's also a six-speed manual that I like so all this for under $155,000 it's true the base price is $1,830 there's also a GSL and a limited edition you can get options like OneTouch power windows heated seats sunroof all sorts of cool stuff and the Elantra fully loaded comes in at under $23,000 don't forget Hyundai's 100,000 m 10-year warranty you're all set so what we're talking about is styling build quality fuel efficiency and low price I'm thinking that puts this car at the top of its class I'm Jeff vist and I'm Rebecca Grant and thanks for coming along with us on this review of the 2011 Hyundai Elantra right here on AutoTrader the ultimate Automotive Marketplace that's it\n"