2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited:

By Ric Green

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited is a very visually appealing compact automobile. It looks very much like its larger and very popular big brother, the Sonata. If only Hyundai did not use the company term "Fluidic Sculpture," to describe this current styling type. What does that mean? Lets just say it looks good enough to cost a lot more than its MSRP of $19,980.

The four-door, five-passenger 2011 Elantra, designed in Southern California and built in Montgomery, Alabama features a sloping low profile, Mercedes-like roofline spread over a 106.3-inch wheelbase that delivers 40-mph on I-95 and the Turnpike. This EPA highway number puts Elantra at or near the top of the fuel economy list during a time when fuel prices keep going up.

The reason for the impressive fuel economy is Elantra's drive train, which features an aluminum 1.8-liter four-cylinder DOHC engine that produces 148 horsepower and 131 lb. ft. of torque. A newly designed six-speed automatic transmission helps produce a 29 city MPG to go along with that impressive 40 on the highway. Acceleration is acceptable taking 8.7 seconds to go from zero to 60 MPH.

If the price for the Limited edition doesn't fit your budget, check out the entry level non-air conditioned Elantra GLS starts at just $14,830, while a GLS "Popular Package" adds $1,250 and features nearly all of the equipment important for most buyers. The base GLS comes with a 6-speed manual, while a GLS with the 6-speed automatic starts at $17,080. Both deliver the same EPA averages

All Hyundai Elantra's feature top quality safety rigging. Included are airbags front, side and rear, electronic stability with traction control, four-wheel disc ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist.

Thanks to the extended wheelbase and a strut front and rear torsion suspension and 17-inch tires on attractive alloy wheels. It is not a sports car but this Hyundai rides way better than the four previous generations of the Elantra.

The 2011 Elantra interior features room for almost everyone, with good head, leg and foot room in both rows of seating.

Standard items on the Elantra Limited include: leather heated front and rear seats, power sunroof, remote keyless entry, steering wheel mounted cruise-audio-phone controls, integrated Bluetooth, tilt and telescopic, leather steering wheel, pass through 60/40 folding rear seat and even a folding rear center armrest with cup holders. For sound aficionados there is a 360-watt AM/FM/CD/XM Satellite with MP3 and six speakers, and iPod jacks are also standard.

You cannot have a column on Hyundai's without mentioning their ten year limited powertrain warranty. Hyundai was the first of two manufacturers (Kia was the other) to offer such an extensive warranty which has since been copied by many.

The previous four editions of the Hyundai Elantra used to be the poster child for the low side of the compact-sedan bell curve; but with the 2011 Limited edition it's at the top of the class in terms of styling, refinement, comfort, and amenities.