Overview:
This week we’re visiting the Elantra that I first had in 2008 so it’s a pleasure to see the 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4-door sedan. The competition is so close in price that it won’t be the determining factor for most. I suspect it will be based on individual brand preference. I drive them all and have to tell you this would be a ‘jump ball’ for me, or I guess eeny meeny miny moe would work too. Remember that children’s rhyme used to select who would be it in games of tag and other playground games?
Well, when things are as close as these are in style and quality and of course price you would be just as well advised to use a dart board. Ford, GM and Chrysler are represented and I would think they would appreciate unsophisticated methods of consumer choice so they would have a fighting chance. Japanese and Korean brands are fighting for their piece of the market and in many cases winning. There is however a movement to convince Americans to buy American made cars and that is bound to have some impact on American Patriots.
Well, guess what, many of these foreign brands are no longer foreign but rather made right here in the US of A.
General Info:
2% of Parts are from the US and Canada; 96% come from Korea including the Engine and Transmission. It is assembled in Ulsan, Korea. Class is Midsize. Cars from Hyundai – Accent, Azera, Elantra, Elantra Touring, Entourage, Equus, Genesis, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Tucson & Veracruz.
Opinion:
Speed and time: I gotta tell you I have always been known to have a lead foot and got my share of tickets for speeding, but my second mom, a Sweed from the old country would tell me, “Vee get too soon ‘oldt undt too late schmart”.
I encourage you to slow it down and avoid the high cost of tickets these days. But more importantly, you should do a little observation on your own. You’ll find all the break neck driving will gain you only a few precious minutes. I’ve found on my daily drive of 50 miles each way to the office, ‘hell bent for leather’ only saves me 4-5 minutes and the gas I burn and the ulcers aren’t worth the five minutes.
And slowing it down will give you the satisfaction that you may just be joining together with others to put a few CHP out of a job if they can’t tax you to keep the department in full force. They may even have to get a REAL job instead of stealing from all of us traveling the roads to do our jobs which may just add to the GNP or GDP (depending on your generation – Gross National Product or Gross Domestic Product).
One last thought about time saved – most of us have a watch but never have enough time while Aborigine’s don’t have watches but always seem to have time. Ok, one final one… Friend Richard always says a man with one watch knows the time but the man with two is never quite sure.
Handling & Performance:
Very good indeed and this car is definitely fuel friendly.
Styling:
This is a very pretty car and you gotta give a lot of ‘atta boy’s’ to Korea.
Fit and Finish:
Very good.
Cost:
Everything in the list below of competitors is amazing. Isn’t free enterprise great. Competition makes us all better. Let’s see anything made or done by government do as well. Not likely is it. $600 toilet seats purchased by the Pentagon should have been a clue that they were about to pull the handle and flush us all down the crapper, can, porcelain princess, thrown, commode, john or whatever you care to call it.
Conveniences and comfort:
No complaints in all the features that are standard and they are not so different from much more expensive brands at any price. It didn’t use to be that way but today the lines are blurry indeed.
Consumer Recommendation:
I suggest you pick one from each manufacturer and see which one impresses you the most. If it is this Hyundai, I suggest adding the options for $550 that includes Alloy wheels, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth hands free phone system with voice recognition and a few other niceties.
Recognized Competition:
Hyundai Elantra $17,000, Chevrolet Cobalt $16,000, Chevrolet Cruze $17,000, Dodge Caliber $17,000, Ford Focus $17,000, Honda Civic $17,000, Honda Civic Hybrid $24,000, Kia Forte $15,000, Kia Forte Koup $17,000, Mazda 3 $16,000, Mitsubishi Lancer $17,000, Nissan Sentra $16,000, Scion xD $16,000, Subaru Impreza $17,000, Suzuki SX4 Sport $19,000, Toyota Corolla $16,000, Volkswagen Golf $18,000.
Good News:
Fantastic pricing, great fuel economy, comfy, very good safety features and advanced engine technology – specifically continuous variable valve timing.
Bad News:
None noted.
Standard Equipment:
1.8 liter 148 horsepower inline 4-cylinder engine, continuous variable valve timing, 6-speed auto transmission with Shiftronic paddle shifter, front wheel drive, 4-wheel anti lock disc brakes, 16” wheels, electronic stability with traction control, tire pressure monitoring system, power windows, locks & mirrors, 60/40 split folding rear seat, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, air conditioning, audio with CD/MP3/XM, trip computer, iPod / USB / Aux ports, steering wheel cruise controls, remote keyless entry, fog lights and Bluetooth phone system, rear spoiler, power lift gate and roof rack side rails, front, side and side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitor and EZ lane change assist.
Gas Stats:
$3.67/ Gal avg. October 5, 2011
for more information.
29 City and 40 Highway MPG
