EXCLUSIVE: Spies Get Early Christmas Present, FIRST Real Life Shots Of The 2011 Hyundai Elantra

To *my* eyes, that exterior styling is seriously awkward-looking.

Yea It's a little much in not necessarily the right way, but I want to encourage more of this and less of the competitors' in this segment!

I saw a new light blue Elantra a couple of weeks ago in a north Dallas parking lot (sorry, I didn't have my cell phone or a camera with me.) In person, it looks like what it is: a slightly smaller take on Hyundai's new design direction. It looked great, but not as radically different as it once would have because we now see sooooo many Sonatas on the road. Nevertheless, it made the Corolla parked nenear it look like a very cheap, fuggly econocar. Kudo's to Hyundai for putting some real style in a small car.

PS: The headlight design is a big WOW!!!

I see one of the Elantras doesn't look like the others. It's got hid lamps. What's up with this?

Thats a hybrid Sonata.

No it's not the Sonata, look at the 7th picture down from the top.

Probably a fully loaded model, most(not all) fully optioned cars have HIDs now.

Fully loaded Corollas, Cruzes, Civics and Sentras do not come with HIDs now. However if Hyundai actually chooses to offer them, Hids have truely jumped the shark.

It looks a little bloated but with the options and design it should do well. Especially against the aged Civic and the overly boring Corolla. Honda and Toyota really need to step up the game and stop offering boring beige economy.

Take notes from Ford and the upcoming Focus.

One of those has a panaramic room... if that's an option on the Elantra I would be truly impressed.

I've never seen a more blatant copycat automotive brand in my entire life. What's sadder is the absolute cheerleading of this brand piled on to the masses by this site's authors. Think about it, have you ever seen ANY negative post about hyundai here? EVER? Nope, they're the brand that's singlehandedly taking down audi, honda, bmw, mercedes, and lexus all at the same time if you listen to these experts.

Personally, I'd rather see objective and dare I say potentially favorable reviews/comparisons of the cars from manufacturers our tax dollars bailed out. At least then there'd be a poor man's chance we'd see a return on investment within our economy.

This is the spies' present? Looks like someone's on the naughty(payroll) list :|

Looks great, very similar to the Civic, but probably cheaper, if it is as safe and reliable as the Civic I would own one.

Its a good looking car - even if the design elements are a bit derivative of other makes.

I really don't expect Hyundai to be a design leader and these still look better than any of the Acura's, so kudos to Hyundai for at least not screwing it up.

Is it just Me...Or are Kia's better looking?

looks so overweight. still lovely headlight design