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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Hyundai Elantra

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Hyundai Elantra

Overview

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2011 Hyundai Elantra Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.5

For years Hyundai was dogged by a negative reputation for sub-par vehicles, but the Korean manufacturer has turned the corner and drastically improved its image by producing higher-quality and more appealing products like the 2011 Elantra. Often costing about a thousand dollars less than similarly equipped versions of the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra, the Elantra is an exceptional value with a host of standard features, one of the best warranties on the market and an EPA rating of 40 mpg on the highway. For 2011, the Elantra has been redesigned and sports a style that is sure to steal some attention away from the category leaders.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a compact sedan with a sporty design, excellent fuel economy and loads of safety and tech features at a lower cost than comparably-equipped competitors, then the Hyundai Elantra should be on your test-drive list.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you don't hang on to your vehicles for a long time, the Hyundai Elantra might not be the right choice for you. Although its 36-month residual value is on par with the gold-standard Honda Civic, the Elantra loses its value faster over time and falls behind the Civic after five years - meaning you will get less on your trade when it's time to buy a new car.

What's New for 2011

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra ups the ante in the compact-car segment by offering 40 mile-per-gallon fuel economy at a price lower than many of its competitors.

Driving the Elantra

Driving Impressions The Hyundai Elantra may not be the sportiest car in its class, but it is still fun to drive. You can feel enough of a connection to the road that...

you wouldn't mind putting it through the paces on a curvy weekend drive, but you also won't feel every pothole or road imperfection, making it a great daily commuter car. Steering is just right, and the turning radius is one of the best in its class - which helps in crowded parking lots. Our one caveat is that the engine can get a little buzzy when pushed on a grade or on the highway, but the shifts are smooth and the minor engine noise is a small price to pay for the savings you'll see at the gas pump.

Favorite Features

Heated Rear Seats
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited offers not only heated leather seats in front, but also in the rear - a feature practically unheard of in anything less than a luxury vehicle.

Navigation Package
It's true that with the onslaught of smart phones having a navigation system in your car is less of a priority, but Hyundai integrates the seven-inch screen so well into the Elantra's instrument panel (and includes a rearview camera) that we would spend the extra money to get the optional package.

2011 Hyundai Elantra Details

Interior

The Hyundai Elantra's interior is nicely appointed and, although plastic can be found on nearly every surface of the cabin, the style is functional and well-done. The Elantra's gauges and center-stack controls are very user-friendly and the integration of the optional navigation system is one of the best we've seen. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra also features 43.6 inches of front legroom, allowing even tall people to stretch their legs. In back, passengers have equally robust legroom, but headroom is a different story. Since the exterior design of the cabin roof slopes to the rear quite a bit, back-seat passengers over six feet tall might find themselves hitting the headliner. Trunk space is larger than most competitors (only bested by the Chevrolet Cruze) and 60/40 split-folding rear seats make it easy to transport bulky items.

Exterior

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra looks sporty, with a sculptured fascia and an aggressively sweeping shoulder line. Competitors offer less-flashy styling, giving the Elantra sedan a leg up in terms of aesthetics. The GLS rides on 15-inch steel wheels while 16-inch alloys are optional. Moving up to the Limited adds athletic 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps and turn signals on the body-color heated power mirrors.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra's base GLS trim level comes with the essentials and more, including a six-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, power accessories, tilt steering wheel, 60/40 split-folding rear seats and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system with Satellite radio and USB/auxiliary input jacks. The Elantra includes an impressive array of standard safety equipment, including six airbags, electronic stability and traction controls, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and a remote keyless entry anti-theft system with panic button.

Optional Equipment

Opting for the up-level Limited trim adds a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC, 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls and leather seats. Packages available for the GLS include a Preferred Equipment Package, which adds Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and 16-inch alloy wheels; and a Navigation Package, which adds a seven-inch navigation screen, automatic headlamps and a rearview camera. The Limited can be equipped with the Premium Package, which features remote push-button start, navigation, a rearview camera and automatic headlamps.

Under the Hood

The only engine offered in the 2011 Hyundai Elantra is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. It can be matched with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC for those drivers who want to shift their own gears on occasion. We had the opportunity to drive both the manual and automatic Elantras and found both drivetrains have their virtues. The manual transmission shifts smoothly and easily and would make a solid choice if you wanted to save the $2,000 premium that the automatic adds to the bottom line. The automatic provides sure shifts, and if you want to shift your own gears, the SHIFTRONIC system is easy to use.

1.8-liter in-line four cylinder
148 horsepower @ 6500 rpm
131 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/40 (manual), 29/40 (automatic)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Hyundai Elantra vehicles for sale near you.

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2011 Hyundai Elantra Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.2

Out of 10

Based on 154 Ratings for the 2011 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.6/10

Quality

8.4/10
Reliability

8.9/10

Performance

7.8/10
Comfort

8.6/10

Styling

8.9/10

Hyundai's False MPG advertising

By GWS (FL) on Saturday, May 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 12,267

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 4/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I purchased 2012 Elantra, mainly for the advertised MPG, 28 city 40 highway. My average in flat Florida is 24 combined highway and city. Hyundai got caught in this lie and said it was a mistake? How hard is it for manufacturer to be accurate on fuel mileage. Now they are paying us owners a few dollars a year to compensate us for bad mileage. This compensation is lucky if it buys a tank of gas. I will never even consider another Hyundai do to it's false advertising."

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Hyundai's False MPG advertising

By GWS (FL) on Saturday, May 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 12,267

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 3/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 4/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

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big disappointment

By cindy (CA) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 21,000

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 4/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 3/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "style, features, warranty"

Cons: "MPG, handling, acceleration"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2

"I sold a genesis and bought this thinking I would give up speed and handling for gas mileage. nope even in eco mode, 25 mpg - doesn't even hit 30 on highway. found out there is a reimbursement program because they falsely represented estimated mpg. integrity seems to be good, air works good, stereo reception on fm terrible, trunk has to be slammed to shut, navigation up to date but takes me miles out of my way. I have owned at least 25 cars, this is just mediocre at best."

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GAS MILEAGE CLAIMS ARE BOGUS...

By kt (CA) on Monday, May 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 45,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "navigation system, heated seats, back up camera."

Cons: "gas mileage claims totally bogus."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 3

"The car is comfortable with all the bells and whistles for an inexpensive car. BUT, I have NEVER gotten over 32 MPG. They claim 40 HW, but I drive a straight, flat highway all the time and have NEVER come close! Very disappointed in this claim."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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My 1st brand new car with 0 miles & loving it!!!!!

By Ken (CA) on Monday, April 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great interior + exterior, cheap, looks good"

Cons: "harder to switch lanes due to pillars, bad mileage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is my 3rd car and my 1st new car. I never thought i would get a Hyundai considering it's the definition of cheap but i couldnt believe what i saw. They have improved in looks drastically over recent years and i decided to give it a shot. I got the 2013 elantra sedan limited with no tech package. I am very satisfied with this car so far but im getting really bad mileage. I know its how you drive but still... i average 20 mpg city with active eco off. I chose the car because of how it looks anyways, not gas mileage. I managed to get it out of the door for 21 grand flat, and it came with floor mats, cargo met, etc. I would definitely recommend this to students like myself who still go to school. Upgrades done: pioneer 8500bh head unit, dual 12s subwoofers, kenwood amp, 6.5 polk component speakers, and backup sensors"

2 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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It's a great car to own with minor exceptions

By Roger (IL) on Friday, April 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 17,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "style, comfort, features, handling"

Cons: "poor MPG lower than advertised, back seat design"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"It's a great car to own with minor exceptions. I purchased a Limited version new. Mechanically I have had no problems after about 1.5 years and 17,000 miles. Some things on the dash could be a bit more logically placed. With the habit of using cigarette lighter holes to charge cell phones and such, there should be at least 1 that stays powered when the car is off. It would be nice to have a headphone jack to listen to the stereo when the driver needs to consentrate and not be disturbed. It would be nice to be able to play a video or DVD on the sound system display (hijack it so to speak). My biggest criticism is the gas milage. It's no where near what was in all the advertising which was a prime reason to look at this car in the first place. Had I know this before I purchased, I'd have probably purchased something else. The company has addressed the issue with a credit, so to speak, but it's not nearly compensating the differences. What MPG number is on dash is not the same as the real calculated amount I get for milage. The dash display averages about 1.5 MPG above what I actually get. My work commute is about 10 miles per day round trip normal city traffic with stop lights. On the weekend I do much more city driving and some country driving. My real average is anywhere from 20 MPG to 26 MPG. Highway on cruise control has been 30-35 MPG. That is a substancial percentage lower than then advertised milage of 29 city and 40 highway MPG. The have been some exceptions but not so often that I can determine what was different. The back seat could have been designed a bit better for access and use. To lower the backseat you have to unlatch clips above th seat then open the trunk and pull a knob. The back seat seatback does not lay flat to the seat bottom. It lays at an odd angle making it virtually impossible to lay anything longer than about 3 feetinto the seating area. I carry a dog with me sometimes and she does not like to stand on the seatback. If you drive with the seatbacks down and open a window in the vehicle there is a disturbing sound that comes from the back seat/trunk and the air moves around. Overal I like the car, but...."

15 people out of 17 found this review helpful

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