Review and photos by
Greg Wilson, Autos.ca

Hyundai is on a tear. If you hadn’t noticed, the new Hyundai Sonata, Tucson, Elantra sedan and Accent have all been dramatically re-shaped in the past couple of years and the reaction has been generally positive. Still, major styling changes are always a bit of a gamble: they can backfire if the styling is seen as too trendy, overstated, or perhaps even ugly – just ask Acura! While handsome new styling is often the easiest and most cost effective way to attract new customers, bad styling is also the easiest way to lose them.

2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited

But you can’t argue with Hyundai’s sales numbers: since its introduction in December, the new Elantra has shot to the top of its class, a considerable achievement when you consider that its main competitors include Canada’s (formerly) best-selling car, the Honda Civic, the popular Toyota Corolla and Mazda3, and a host of other worthy compact sedans and hatchbacks.

While the 2011 Elantra might look like a “baby Sonata”, we think its sculpted bodywork, flowing form, and wraparound head and tail lights work better in this smaller package. The Elantra is tighter, leaner, more cab-forward with shorter front and rear overhangs. It has presence. (more…)