Driving Experience
Includes acceleration and handling
What Owners Say
"It handles great. I drive it for the fun of it. I could get better mileage if I drove differently but I think it accelerates good enough. the 16 in. rimes and Michelin tires work to give it a better ride and handling than when I bought it"
JOHN R., AZ (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"Acceleration on entering highways is not as fast as I would like"
Anonymous, FL (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"Engine is underpowered with a/c on"
JOHN R., IL (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"The suspension needs some serious tweaking as the rear end has a tendency to lose it over smaller imperfections in the road such as a 'washboard' effect."
LARRY W., WA (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"Quite a bit of road noise"
Anonymous, CA (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"The Elantra has decent acceleration up to around 55km/hr. Above that it lacks and makes it difficult to pass on the highway above 100km/hr. The handling is stiff and jarring, but that it most likely the 'sport' trim package."
RYAN K., MB (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"Handling is fine, and on long trips it's no problem. Seats are only OK; I need cushions to get to a comfortable height, as the seat isn't adjustable vertically. My main complaint is with the ABS, which, when it engages, is crude and to my mind ineffective (I could do better on my own). But I'm told by others, including my mechanic, that this is how ABS works. I wish I could disengage it, to be honest."
Anonymous, MA (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"This car has gotten me through more serious snow storms than I could have ever imagined a rear-wheel drive car doing. I feel so safe in this car and I am just so impressed with how well it handles in inclement weather."
MELISSA S., MD (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"The suspension allows for the driver to feel every bump and the road noise is terrible."
BRADLEY O., WI (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"Rough, noisy ride. Can't last more than an hour."
Anonymous, NY (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"SLOW TO PICK UP SPEED-NOT ENOUGH POWER"
JOHN K., ON (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"Acceleration is quite good when starting up from a stop light. When getting onto a highway it is a little slow. The automatic is not as good as a manual shift. The handling is quite good at slower speeds and is not bad at higher speeds or in an emergency situation."
Anonymous, NJ (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"Small engine can't generate much acceleration and handling is a little "loose" with brief, initial "hesitations" in response to steering wheel movements. A light vehicle, so you must be careful on curved roads that have bumps."
Lonnie P., AL (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"good for a mid-priced car"
Anonymous, CA (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"It can be fun to drive and love the moon roof. I drive most months with the moon roof open unless it is fairly cold outside or extremely hot. Cold being in 30's and extremely hot being in the 90's."
James M., FL (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"Lack of power and harsh ride on bumpy roads but excellent handling and feel of road."
John-Brenda S., OK (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"Acceleration is sluggish"
Pamela W., GA (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"The size of the vehicle and ease of handling are ideal for a new driver."
Gary D., CT (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"This is a very smooth car. It accelerates nicely and it drives very smoothly. Out of the two cars we own, I prefer to drive this one over our newer car, which is a different make."
Anonymous, AR (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"The 4-cylinder engine would be happier as a 5-speed. The transmission seems to slip between gears and doesn't know what to do when decelerating."
Monica T., PA (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"It is extremely reliable but the seats are very cheap as they stain too easily"
John B., ON (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"Peppy and sporty"
Anonymous, KS (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"When I needed to replace the tires, I bought performance tires. Yes, it costs me a little in fuel economy (2 MPG) but they way they handle makes the Elantra into a little sporty sedan. Hate it when I have to put the winter tires on as they have the same fuel penalty but without the 'fun factor.'"
Anonymous, PA (2011 Hyundai Elantra)"The selection of the gearing ratios is very poor. It's constantly hunting between gears and you're either under-geared or over-geared. I question the competence of the engineers who designed the transmission in this car."
Anonymous, OH (2011 Hyundai Elantra)
"Rather under powered. Poor low-end torque. Revs too high in top gear at highway speed (3,000 RPM@110 KMH in 5th gear with manual transmission.) Handling is fine."
LES T., BC (2011 Hyundai Elantra)