There is no such thing as a bad donut. Once you manage to break the industrial-strength tape holding the lid on the flimsy pink box, it's more about picking a favorite flavor than sorting good from bad. The entry-level sedan market is virtually the same. With names like Civic, Focus, and Corolla in the box, choosing one might be more about preferring sprinkles or filling rather than considering reliability and value. Quality in this segment is higher than ever, and entry-level models are packed with a variety of near-luxury-level equipment. Even though it had some less-than-stellar products in the past, Hyundai has reworked its recipe for the newest Elantra.
Buyers in this market are brand loyal, but willing to take a chance on something new and interesting. While Toyota and Honda are still offering conservatively styled vehicles for the C-segment, Hyundai spent extra time massaging its clay into a shape with more curves and creases than a Tim Hortons cruller. Some critics have celebrated the daring design details, but others wonder if the collection of arcing edges will soon become as stale as a week-old donut.
Say what you will about the outside of the new Elantra, because it's the interior that really sells it. Our test car's two-toned cabin is trimmed in a classy combination of light tan and black. (Picture a donut dipped in dark chocolate.) The colors look surprisingly rich and the material quality seems a notch above its Japanese competitors. The door panels are finished with perforated leather inserts, and the door tops, while plastic, feel like a thicker gage than used by Honda or Toyota. The swoopy profile still offers a decent amount of headroom in front and a livable amount for adults in the back.
24-05-2011, 05:24 AM
2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited
