Intro: The small car market has long been dominated by Japanese automakers, but that may be about to change with the all-new 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Completely redesigned for 2011, the 5-passenger compact Elantra sedan has instantly vaulted itself to among the leaders of the small car pack.
Part of that transformation is its striking new design that features large angular headlights, an aggressive chrome slatted grille, and an overall design that gives the Elantra an innate sense of speed. 15-inch wheels are standard equipment for the base GLS model, while the uprated Limited comes with 17-inch alloy wheels and fog lights.
Performance: The Elantra comes equipped with a 1.8-liter inline-4, sending 148 horsepower to the front wheels through either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy: Regardless of transmission selected, the Elantra gets 29 miles per gallon city and 40 miles per gallon highway.
Features: The Elantra treats all five passengers to a curvy, futuristic cabin, a standard 6-speaker stereo with CD-MP3 capability, XM satellite radio, and iPod/USB auxiliary audio inputs.
The Limited model is where the Elantra shines, and is the model that we would recommend for anyone looking to add features such as leather seating surfaces, heated front AND rear seats, a power sunroof, and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity with voice recognition.
To get even more from your Elantra, the Premium package adds a 360-watt premium sound system, push button start, and a 7-inch touchscreen navigation system that incorporates real-time traffic updates, and a convenient rearview camera.
Safety Features: Standard safety features include antilock disc brakes, vehicle stability management, traction control, and a full array of front and side airbags.
Pricing: Base MSRP for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra is $14,945. A range-topping Limited model starts at $20,195.
Warranty: The Elantra is backed by a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Summary: With a striking new design, an energetic and fuel efficient powerplant, and available features rivaling that of a luxury car, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra has become one of the must-see options in the small car market place. (2:35)