Hyundai Elantra Touring

Hyundai Elantra Touring is a sporty hatchback variant of the similarly named popular Elantra Sedan. It is also known as Avante wagon in South Korea.

Since the Touring model is the European version of the Elantra sedan, there are few differences between the sedan and hatchback. The main difference is the extended roofline and high-mounted taillights that make it look somewhere in between wagon and hatchback.

The front-end styling of the Touring is completely different; it has a longer wheelbase, bigger stabilizer bars, stiffer springs, and enhanced steering for a sportier driving experience.

2009 Elantra Touring

The four-door hatchback Touring was introduced in 2009 and came in a single well-equipped trim.

Touring was equipped with a 2.0-L 4-cylinder engine to deliver 138 hp and 137 lb-ft of torque, mated either to a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual gearbox.

The fuel economy with the manual is an estimated 23 mpg in city, 31 mpg on highways, resulting in combined mileage of 26 mpg, while the automatic reduces the highway mileage to 30 mpg.

2010 Elantra Touring

For 2010, Elantra adds a new entry-level GLS model; the interior of the Touring is spacious (surprisingly, since it’s small being a compact hatchback) with plenty of room for bulky cargo and full-sized adults.

Both models are powered by a 138 hp four-cylinder engine, keeping the fuel economy figures same as that of 2009 version. In performance testing, the Touring trim accelerated to 60 mph from standstill in 8.7 seconds, which is fairly good for this car segment.

Interior Design

Inside the Touring, the soft-touch materials and cabin give a better look and feel as compared to the entry-level Accent model; however it isn’t nearly polished and refined as the Genesis sedan. On the bright side, knobs, switches, optional Bluetooth unit are well-placed and can be operated easily.

The strong suit of the Touring hatchback is its large interior volume; the legroom and headroom are plentiful in every seat and the luggage space is similarly impressive (measuring 24 cu-ft behind the rear seat).

2011 Elantra Touring

The new Hyundai Elantra Touring returns virtually unchanged for 2011; both base and GLS get nearly identical mileage and power output as that of 2010 model.

It comes fully stocked with traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes, and front-seat active head restraints.

Buying Guide

If you’re looking for a hatchback, there are few things to consider; if you are interested in a 40-plus gas mileage, we’d suggest taking the VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen out for a spin. If a little sportier driving experience is your priority, then Mazda 3 hatchback is the best choice and if it’s show-up styling you’re after, consider the Nissan Cube and Kia Soul. But, while each of these automotives may excel in few areas, the new 2011 Elantra Touring offers most of the above qualities in affordable package.

Pricing

The MSRP of 2009 Elantra Touring was tagged at $17,800 and in 2010, the base price dropped to $15,995 thanks to the entry of GLS model. The base price of 2011 Elantra Touring is priced at $16,000.