Not only is South Korean automaker Hyundai talking the talk, it's walking the walk....while pimping the pump at the same time.
As gas prices reach stratospheric heights, forty miles per gallon highway has become the new benchmark for tried-and-true internal combustion engines. Gas-electric hybrids, including long-time segment sales leader Toyota Prius, have successfully attained this worthy goal, but at a cost premium. Same holds true for newly-arriving technologies found in the 2011 fully-electric Nissan Leaf ($33,630) and Chevrolet's extended range Volt plug-in hybrid ($41,000). Enticing mileage numbers get off-set at times by sticker prices out of grasp for some families, even after generous federal income tax credits (up to $7,500) from Uncle Sam are factored (1040 forms were due April 18th by the way).
Hyundai has been driving home the point to anyone listening during the recent stretch of major auto shows (including Chicago), that a growing number of their traditional engines reach or soon will attain 40 miles per gallon with no gas-electric hybrid, diesel or all-electric technologies and without specially-tuned, high-mileage packages. Simply put, walk into any dealership and ask for all cars attaining a government rating of 40 miles per gallon highway with a standard, regular unleaded fueled, gas engine. Hyundai's newly revamped, fifth-generation 2011 Elantra tops a very short list, which will shortly include the 2012 Accent and all-new, 2012 three-door, funky-looking Hyundai Veloster.
The front-wheel-drive Elantra is Hyundai's compact offering, falling between the long-running Accent subcompact sedan/three-door hatchback and popular mid-size Sonata sedan. In addition to a sedan body style, a five-door hatchback dubbed "Elantra Touring" is also available.
Hyundai's large collection of family-friendly vehicles has grown to include the Equus, a large luxury sedan tackling the likes of BMW and Lexus. About the only sandbox Hyundai doesn't play in involves mid-and-full-sized pickups and truck-based SUVs; but with recent fuel-price spikes, the South Korean automaker is in no hurry to join. Also, as with General Motors and Ford Motor Co., Hyundai opted out of the Soccer Mom sweepstakes after a couple years of marketing the Entourage minivan.
Hyundai's sole assembly plant in America is home to Elantra production. Churning out vehicles since 2005, the Montgomery, Alabama facility also builds the mid-size Sonata.
Elantra promotes two trims; base GLS and up-level Limited. Starting a shade under $15,000, GLS is one of the lowest-priced compacts. Hyundai provided a 2011 Limited with a $19,980 starting price. The only extras were carpeted floor mats ($95) and an iPod cable ($35) for an attractive bottom line of $20,830 including a $720 destination charge. By comparison, a compact 2011 Ford Focus sedan (which undergoes major reconstruction in 2012) starts at $16,640 and Toyota's long-running Corolla starts at $15,600 in 2011. Elantra easily tops both in fuel economy and horsepower.
Both Elantra trims include a nice array of standard safety including stability control/ traction control, anti-lock brakes, front side impact air bags, side curtain air bags and daytime running lights. Also included are secondary blinker bands smartly built into side-view mirrors. Air conditioning is optional in GLS, while standard in Limited.
Standard in all Elantras is a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine cranking out 148 horsepower; 10 more horses than the 2.0-liter four-cylinder it replaces from 2010 (and 74 pounds lighter). Our Limited included the fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmission. Many compacts are content with four or five-speed versions. Standard in GLS trims is a six-speed manual transmission (not offered in Limited). Regardless of manual or automatic, government fuel estimates check in at 29 mpg city and an eye-popping 40 mpg highway. In real world testing with relatively few 3,560 odometer miles, our Limited averaged a shade less than 25 miles per gallon in city driving.
Elantra follows an industry trend whereby newly redesigned compact sedans and crossovers almost match mid-sized dimensions of a decade earlier. Cloth seats come standard in GLS while leather-trimmed varieties adorn Limited. Front buckets are positioned lower than most mid-size sedans and some compacts, so try one out before any purchase. Comfort tilts towards soft, rather than firm support. Heated front seats are standard in Limited, but not available in GLS. A segment first includes Limited's optional heated rear seats. With a sloping roof line, the back row, seating two adults in optimal comfort, poses less head room than the first row.
The attractive, two-tone serpentine-ish dashboard includes brushed aluminum accents. The ignition cylinder is found on the steering column's right side (electronic push start is optional in Limited). A 'U" shaped ventilation systems with defrosting push buttons along the frame, are anchored along the bottom by a dual-dial center with the outer ring controlling temperature and the center operating fan speed. Push buttons inside the "U" monitor fan direction. Below is a flip-up door revealing a USB port for portable electronic devices and 12-volt outlet for larger gizmos necessitating juice. Above the ventilation "U" situates the sound system (XM satellite radio is standard in both trims) with a flying "V" design anchored by a combo center on-off push button and volume knob. Cool blue backlighting accents the radio display window as well as the rectangular digital clock above. This same hue illuminates the entire dash at night with decorator touches of fire red. An in-dash navigation package, with built-in rear backup camera, is optional in both trims.
Door mounted beverage holders are slightly angled towards occupants, same concept as the driver's door window, power mirror and lock switches positioned at a 45-degree skew. Two additional in-line beverage holders, hand-operated parking brake and deep storage bin/ arm rest are found in between the bucket cushions. Sun visors include extenders. A retracing holder for sun glasses is found adjacent to ceiling map lights. The four-spoke, telescoping and tilting steering wheel is home to cruise control and secondary radio functions ( optional in GLS while standard in Limited). The smallish instrument panel includes similar-sized, deep set, dual circular analog gauges with a diamond-shaped digital window in between and a sun-blocking visor atop.
The four-door Elantra borrows the profile of a sporty coupe thanks to narrow side windows, a back-to-front gently sloping fender-door belt line and narrow head/tail light housing stretching prominently onto side fenders. Hyundai dubs it 'fluidic sculpture." The sloping roofline and low-to-ground profile creates visually pleasing curb appeal. Fog lights, not available in GLS, come standard in Limited. Of special note; a power slide sunroof is standard in Limited.
The short, rear deck lid opens to a 14.8 cubic-foot trunk (hearty compact dimensions), including pull-tabs unlocking 60/40 split second-row back rests. Under the flat floor panel, don't expect any extra tread. Full and temporary spares are going the way of eight-track tape players in many new cars, driving down overall weight; a low-tech, but highly effective way of stretching fuel efficiency. In its place is a tire inflation/repair kit designed to get a few extra miles out of a disabled tire until service is reached. Fifteen-inch varieties come standard in GLS while larger, 17-inchers come with Limited.
Much has been written about the South Korean automaker's near-death experience in the late 1990s to its current resurgence where it's hitting on just about every cylinder. Much has to do with Hyundai simply building a better quality of vehicle, but to convince a skeptical public, Hyundai took what at the time was a daring marketing maneuver by introducing a 10-year 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The public stood up, took notice and has been flocking to dealerships ever since. This same coverage can be found with the 2011 Elantra.
In addition, the company has a working presence in suburban Chicago, expanding a huge 350,000 square-foot distribution center in Aurora in 2002. The South Korean automaker began selling cars in the United States back in 1986.
2011 Hyundai Elantra
Price as tested: $20,830
Engine: 1.8-liter, four cylinder
Horsepower: 148
Fuel Economy: 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway
Length: 178.3 inches
Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
Curb Weight: 2,877 pounds
Built: Montgomery, Alabama
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