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2011 Hyundai Elantra First Impressions

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Mathieu St-Pierre
Stylish is the word! Or is it ''40 mpg''?
Is it getting hot in here? The competition is fierce! You can almost cut the tension with a knife! Yes, the compact car war rages on and like most warm-blooded humans, I love a good fight.

The Elantra is one hot, perhaps the most blistering, compact car of the moment. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com)

If you're thinking new compact car in your near future, you're in luck. The Chevrolet Cruze, the Mazda3, the Kia Forte, the Volkswagen Jetta, the next Ford Focus, the upcoming new Honda Civic and the all-new Elantra are all aiming to please. In this lot, it's all gold. Design AND economy have never been more in the forefront as they are now.

The matter at hand: the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. What's a Hyundai? You're obviously not hip as this Korean manufacturer has been named one of the hottest brands. They are the makers of some of the most popular cars in Canada.

Hyundai's had a banner year. The month of December is still a few weeks away from being over and everyday, they are setting a new sales record. In fact, as of October 29th 2010, they had already busted their all-time numbers (103,234). Can they maintain the momentum? According to Hyundai, the new Elantra will practically ensure it.

Viva la difference!
Hyundai is making stunning cars these days. This is a relatively new phenomenon as they were not recognized for beauty when they started out. Honestly, the Excel was cute but the Stellar, which could only have been best described as “pre-crashed for your convenience” (thank you Michael LaFave), was simply dreadful. The times, they are a changin'.

On the heels of the best-ever-looking Sonata, handsome Tucson and eye-catching Genesis duo comes the new Elantra, joining the ranks of the modern Hyundai.

So, the Elantra is one hot, perhaps the most blistering, compact car of the moment. It's fluid. It flows. It has waves and it sports Hyundai's new-found front end à la Sonata. It all really works. Unlike the Germans or the Japanese, the Koreans have thrown subtlety off the boat and it's working. I like it. You'll probably like it too. As you walk around it, you'll notice flared fenders, a rounded tail, wraparound head and taillights and, if you're circumnavigating a Limited, some tasty 17” Euroflange alloys. Yes, it's all there folks.

And once more, Hyundai knocks one out of the ballpark with another genial cabin design that is sure to please both young and old. It's all about perceived quality and value, and Hyundai's got it in droves. The seats, especially the cloth-covered ones (leather is available), are supportive and cozy. There's plenty of room for four passengers and a large trunk for more than a weekend’s worth of fun.

Hyundai knocks one out of the ballpark with another genial cabin design that is sure to please both young and old. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com)
Mathieu St-Pierre
Mathieu St-Pierre
Automotive expert
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