2011 Hyundai Elantra Trims and Specs

Re-tooled and re-powered, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS is far from the forgettable little four-door of yore. With a standard six-speed manual transmission, this base trim level offers seating for five, 15-inch steel wheels, premium cloth upholstery, power accessories including heated mirrors, tilt-wheel steering, and front and overhead consoles. Entertainment is handled by a 172-watt single-CD player with six speakers, XM satellite radio, and a USB connection. Trunk space, meanwhile, is a sizable 14.8 cubic feet, though this is compromised a bit by a too-small opening. Choosing the GLS with the new six-speed auto-manual transmission adds such standard appearance, comfort, and convenience features as 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, cruise control and a telescoping tilt-wheel steering that are optional on the stick shift version. Added options, meanwhile, include 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth technology, a rearview camera, voice-activated navigation, and 360-watt audio, all in the Preferred Equipment Package.

Standard safety items for the 2011 Elantra GLS include four-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, front head restraint whiplash protection, daytime running lights, and remote anti-theft alarm.

Powering the entire Elantra lineup is a new-for-2011 variable-valve-timed (VVT) 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder (I4) engine. The GLS can be delivered with the standard up-graded six-speed manual transmission or a new six-speed auto-manual transmission. With either shifter, expect 148 hp and 131 lb-ft of torque, to the tune of 29/40 mpg.

The flagship trim of Hyundai’s totally re-designed Elantra flotilla is the 2011 Elantra Limited. This compact five-passenger sedan boasts, besides a new body and powertrain, such standard appearance and interior features as 14.8 cubic feet of trunk space, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, power accessories including heated outside mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning, a power sunroof, and telescoping tilt-wheel steering. Standard entertainment and communications features, meantime, include a single-CD player with six speakers and 172 watts of power, satellite radio, and a USB connection, as well as Bluetooth hands-free technology. The optional Premium Package throws in voice-activated DVD navigation, a rear-view camera, electronic push-button start, and 360 watts of audio push.

Safety equipment for the top-shelf 2011 Elantra Limited includes four-wheel ABS, front side-mounted and front and rear head airbags, front head restraint whiplash protection, traction and stability control, daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, and remote anti-theft alarm. Additionally, automatic headlights are included with the optional Premium Package.

As with its GLS sibling, the Elantra Limited is powered by a new-for-2011 variable-valve-timed 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine (I4) and standard six-speed auto-manual transmission. This combo nets 148 hp and 131 lb-ft of torque, and fuel economy is boosted to an eye-popping 29/40 mpg.