The 2011 Elantra is available in two trims that get the job done. Budget-conscious drivers couldn’t ask for a better daily driver than the GLS, and the Limited offers the cushiest ride you’ll ever find in a compact car.
Key Points
- The 2011 Hyundai Elantra is offered with two engines: A nimble 148 hp 1.8L in the GLS and Limited, or a 138 hp 2.0L in the SE.
- The 1.8L engine is the more fuel-efficient of the two, delivering an impressive 28/38 mpg city/highway to the 2.0L’s 23/32.
- The GLS and Limited are built in a classic sedan style, and entry-level features are generous for the price, including remote keyless entry and heated exterior mirrors.
GLS Trim is an Affordable, Efficient Daily Driver that Doesn’t Skimp on Basic Features
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra sets the bar in the compact sedan category, offering a class-above midsize car interior volume, modern design, decent fuel economy, and many comfort and convenience features all at a starting price of $14,830 when new. Powered by a then-all-new 1.8-liter “Nu” engine, the fifth generation Elantra boasted best-in-class standard fuel economy of 40 mpg highway.
Elantra also continued to lead the industry in standard advanced safety technologies, offering a new vehicle stability management system to optimally manage electronic stability control.
The 2011 Elantra is only offered in two trim levels, but both add something special to the overall package, from the base GLS to the luxury-oriented Limited. Here’s what you’re getting for starters with the GLS trim:
- Remote keyless entry
- Power windows with auto-down for the driver
- Choice of 15″ steel wheels
- Vehicle stability management (Hyundai’s integrated stability/traction/brake assist system)
- Heated and power mirrors
- Cloth seating
- Six-speaker stereo system with CD, Satellite Radio, and USB connectivity
Many of the features in the 2011 GLS Elantra may seem basic today, but remember, this car came out about a decade ago. Remote keyless entry wasn’t a given in base-level trims in 2011, so, starting at less than $6,500 in the Kelley Blue Book, the GLS isn’t a bad value.
The GLS is a front-wheel drive that comes packed with a 1.8L DOHC MPFI D engine. That’s going to crank out 148 horsepower and 131 lb.-ft. of torque at 28/38 miles to the gallon, city/highway. Seating for five and cargo capacity of 14.8 cu. ft. puts the car in the typical compact-sedan range for interior space.
In 2012, the engine would be equipped with an ActiveECO system, and for 2013, the entry-level sedan would be redesigned and renamed. So, if you like the look and feel of those early-21st Century compact sedans, the 2011 GLS is, in many ways, the last of its kind.
Stylish Limited Combines the Cushy Features of the SE with a Sportier Performance
If you want the near-hybrid-level fuel efficiency of the GLS, but with a sportier performance, then you’ll want to save up for a Limited, which KBB puts at a starting price of around $1,700 over the entry-level 2011 Elantra. Here’s what you’re getting for the money:
- Leather-wrapped shift knob
- Power windows with one-touch up and down for the driver
- Leather heated front bucket seats
- Power tilt/slide sunroof
So, you’re getting the sedan body and mechanical specs of the GLS with most of the style-and-comfort upgrades of a much higher-end trim, minus all of those extra pockets and storage nooks, of course. A worthwhile upgrade to the GLS if you want something affordable, a bit sporty, and with a hint of luxury.
For the Best Value, it’s Hard to Beat the GLS
While the Limited offers many exciting features, that doesn’t quite justify the $1,700 price bump. The 2011 Elantra is most appealing to drivers looking for something affordable, efficient, and a little bit sporty, and if that’s what you’re after, the GLS trim level makes for one of the best cars you’re ever going to find for under $6,500.
Photos: Hyundai
