Review: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

[Sal Collaziano]

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Hatchbacks, Hyundai

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring - Click above for high-res image gallery
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Hyundai has been batting a thousand of late, with new vehicles like the Genesis sedan and Genesis coupe shaking up their respective segments and leaving class leaders looking over their shoulders. The equally new Elantra Touring hasn't created as much buzz as its rear-wheel-drive brethren, but the five-door hatchback competes with a host of vehicles available in the sub-$20,000 range, all of which are screaming for attention from an increasingly picky buyer who demands something practical, affordable and efficient for his dwindling dollars.

In order to be heard above the noise, Hyundai chose to import one of its existing models from abroad rather than developing a new Elantra model from scratch. They chose the i30, designed in Germany and currently on sale in Europe, Australia and South Korea. The Elantra Touring is very much a direct port of the i30 and actually has little in common with the four-door Elantra sedan, save for its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and transmission choices. Rather, its closest mechanical cousin is the Euro-only Kia cee'd.

It would seem, then, that the i30 was not originally developed with U.S. customers in mind. Will the resulting Elantra Touring be a hit here, or has Hyundai finally foul tipped a ball? Follow the jump to find out.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring



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Review: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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[need4speed]

The elantra needs styling and performance that will rival mazda 3. Volkswagen and mazda still own@this segment based on fun to drive and practical / economical sector. But the elantra is nice excellent quality and inoffensive. But the style is forgetable and will look dated quickly.

 

[YEH]

The Kia Cee'd (on which the i30 is based off of), particularly the sport-tuned Pro Cee'd is sportier and better looking.

Too bad it won't be brought to the States.

Btw, the Elantra Touring is the wagon model - the hatch version (which we won't get) is better looking.

 

[gopack504]

I was following this car until it came out as I am looking for a family car. I was hoping it was going to be slightly bigger and have more cargo room. I might have to opt for the Entourage instead.

 

[need4speed]

If this is a wagon I would hate to see the hatch. Lol
Its good looking though. Just throwing in the word touring
With such a powerless engine is misleading.
There should b a 0 to 60 in 7.0secs or less. N .85g ,min. to use the
Touring or grand touring name. Just cuz touring is synonymous with 2÷2 coupes
And hatchbacks with sports car like ACCeLERATiON and hanling