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flcerberus |
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7th December 2010 - 05:19 PM Last post by: elantragt |
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Brookie |
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17th June 2010 - 11:52 AM Last post by: Bobzilla |
True Delta pretty much gives the Touring based on their data (maybe limited) a less than stellar reliability report. I also looked at True Delta's report on the Elantra Sedan; that was average-mediocre at best according to True delta (Karesh).
I researched this car using Consumer Reports and JD Powers plus Edmund's etc, etc.
How come those companies data paints a very different picture, ONE OF RELIABILITY! And True Delta shows poor to average reliability?
Is it an issue of not having enough data or does it really show a real problem?
Here is the link to his site
http://truedelta.com/Not sure what to think here....
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Brookie |
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8th June 2010 - 08:33 PM Last post by: MEly |
I discovered that the bottom of my front center divider has a false bottom, (where you plug in your iPod) . There is only a sheet of some flimsy material that covers the bottom of the divider. This cover will not prevent items from falling into the bottomless hole. Is this normal? Or did someone on the assembly line fail to add a solid bottom part here? Any knowledge about this would be highly appreciated.
Thanks...
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MEly |
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1st June 2010 - 09:50 PM Last post by: winc |
So I haven't updated you guys in a while... but here it is.
Picked up my brand new 2010 Elantra Touring GLS Sport in White on Friday May 21st just after returning from a brief business trip to Houston. Of course, I couldn't wait to start working on it - got it tinted the same day (click-able thumbnails below) - Don't think I have any mods other than a new exhaust tip in the foreseeable future.
More Pictures Available HereSo far I'm loving it! It feels very similar to my GT but feels like it was made in 2010 (instead of 2002). It's absolutely feature filled and my oh my do I ever love the
actual blue gauges (though I thank Steve immensely for all his help getting my cluster blue again in my '02).
My biggest problem so far is road noise. It's not "whisper quiet" but definitely not as loud as my '02. I guess I'm comparing it to the Mazda3 which did seem quieter from a road noise point of view - but it was definitely not a deal breaker.
The best part of the whole thing is that when I went to the dealer, he told me that they just got a new promotion - 0% APR financing out to 60-months (when I purchased they only offered 0% out to 48 months), so I'm saving $20/month!!!
Like I've said before - I'm here to stay!
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afob3 |
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10th May 2010 - 05:39 PM Last post by: sschung |
I found an 09 Touring with less than 10k miles on it and had a closer look today. Carfax is clean just like the car and I was really tempted. The numbers are close but I have really gotten used to having no payments for a while. Downside would be losing the 10/100 warranty. I could get into a leftover similarly equipped O9 Optima or a plain Forte for similar money and have full warranty. Perhaps a day or two or another visit will get the numbers closer.
Discuss....
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slowgls |
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28th April 2010 - 04:56 PM Last post by: slowgls |
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elantragt |
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18th April 2010 - 07:00 PM Last post by: slowtony |
Britain has never been a huge Hyundai zone so this comes as
huge news:
QUOTE
The Public Has Voted - Hyundai's i30 Is The Most Satisfying Car In Britainclick to enlargeHIGH WYCOMBE, UNITED KINGDOM – April 14, 2010
Hyundai isn’tjust turning sales charts on their heads – the company has now caused shockwaves by winning another satisfaction and reliability survey. The i30 shot straight to the number one slot in the Driver Power Top 100 to be named the most satisfying car to own by the people who should really know – the drivers who run them.
Completed by over 23,000 drivers, the Driver Power survey is compiled by Auto Express, the UK’s best-selling weekly motoring magazine, and is considered to be Britain’s definitive poll on car reliability and satisfaction. The i30 beat all other brands, including a raft of prestige marques and last year’s winner, the Jaguar XF. It’s the first time a Koreanmaker has won in the nine year history of the survey.
Hyundai as a brand made the biggest overall leap up the charts, jumping 12 places to finish sixth. Auto Express editor-in-chief David Johns said: “Congratulations to Hyundai. This is a huge breakthrough for the brand. Over the years, owners have told us how reliable their cars are and what good value they are too. But this is the final proof that they can now match that with real
all-round satisfaction.”
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elantragt |
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12th April 2010 - 03:12 PM Last post by: av8989 |
Kelly Blue Book just announced their top ten family cars for 2010. Most of them were large, expensive cars... Accord Crosstour, Chevy Suburban, Ford flex, etc...
But nestled in amoung the big boys was our very own 2010 Elantra Touring.
QUOTE
Sporting a roomy and flexible cargo area, a slew of safety features, an outstanding warranty and a low starting price, one could make a case for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring as the most family-friendly small car out there. It's also easy on gas and not afraid to have a little fun.
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sarge |
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29th March 2010 - 09:17 PM Last post by: zero10 |
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/12/10/i...ng.htm?page=allWhile the tester has some valid points he shows a lot of personal preference in the review (which is fine).
I'll agree with him that the hubcaps need to go, I think even plain steelies would be better... but the alloys are where it's at.
The test was done with a GLS model, and yet a few concerns were mentioned for the L model. I'm not sure how the L compares to the US models, but it's below the GLS.
Overall a great little review complimenting on the various aspects of the car with only a few dislikes/issues. Like glovebox space, rear cup holder stability, dull centre stack (US model has a larger stereo)... really simple things.
I kept looking at the pictures and thinking of the fun I'd have filling up that space and enjoying the drive. Though I would have to get the GLS Sport/SE model to make it comparable to my XD with the mods I've done..... if only I had the need to change, and the cash.
And yes, I've got a great idea for the 'bland' centre stack for when I get my Touring... it'll be a 12" touchscreen like I've got now. Yep I'd mod it right away.
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afob3 |
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5th December 2009 - 12:30 AM Last post by: natesi |
I think it was Mitch that noticed a while back that the Touring would have a new 'lower' GLS trim for 2010. I spotted 5 on the lot this morning while I waited for some service work. Both here are GLS's with I imagine different packages since the red one has black plastic door handles. It reminds me of of the GLS hatches they made the last year or two of the XD.
The pricing looks more inline with what I remember in 05.
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/elantrat...omparetrim.aspxThe 'popular package' gets you a lot for only 700 bucks but allas you have to go SE to get the sunroof.
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afob3 |
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21st September 2009 - 08:39 AM Last post by: Dhalgren |
Just dropped off my EGT for some service at the dealership & was given a loaded out touring as the loaner. I have been wanting to take one for a drive for a while but didn't want to deal with sales people till I'm truly a serious buyer so when I saw it on the line of loaners I asked if I could have it for the day. First impression is that it is very nice to drive. I have several locations I am working at today so we will see how it fits through the course of the day.
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elantragt |
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19th August 2009 - 08:19 PM Last post by: sciphi |
This is great news. For 2010 Hyundai Motor America is offering a new GLS base model of the Touring for only $15,995. That's $1,800 less than last years cheapest Touring model.
Even at the strippo price you still get:
Air conditioning, power windows, heated mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry with alarm, four-way adjustable driver's seat and plenty of storage compartments, including a cooled glovebox. The Elantra Touring also offers standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and a host of other class-leading safety technologies. Cruise control is also standard on all GLS models equipped with automatic transmissions. For audiophiles, an integrated 172-watt AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers and iPod/USB/Auxiliary inputs is standard.
That's one helluva deal! Great move Hyundai.
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natesi |
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14th August 2009 - 03:25 PM Last post by: elantragt |
After finally seeing the Touring in person, it’s a pretty nice car. But I can’t help but think about how under powered it is. So I was thinking about other alternatives and stopped by the Mazda site to configure a new 2010 Mazda 3 5-door.
I thought it would be a lot more expensive, but MUCH to my surprise, the cars are priced almost identically – with Hyundai costing $15 more dollars.
For this price, features are pretty much the same, but here are the differences that I can find…
Hyundai Elantra Touring:
• Gets heated mirrors
• Sunroof
• Heated front seats
• 5 year/60K bumper to bumper warranty
• 10 year/100K warranty power train warranty
• More cargo room?
• 23 mpg city / 30 highway / 26 combined
• Timing belt and “green stuff” coolant – more maintenance, more money, more inconvenience, and more chances for someone to screw up your car.
Mazda 3 5-door
• Bigger engine with significantly more power (167 hp, 168 torque)
• 5-speed automatic (compared to Hyundai’s 4-speed)
• Turn signals built into mirrors
• Legendary handling
• 3 year/36K bumper to bumper warranty
• 5 year/60K power train warranty
• 22 mpg city / 29 highway / 25 combined
• Timing chain and long-life coolant; lower cost to maintain. Less headaches.
I could care less for a sunroof and heated seats. So, even if you subtracted the $1500 “premium sport package” from the Touring (assuming you can even get it that way in the US, at this moment), that would only make the Touring’s MSRP $1500 cheaper (with less-eyecatching16 inch rims) than the Mazda. It’s a significant amount of money, BUT, if I plan on owning the car 10 years, I’m not sure how much I’m going to miss the $1,500 – especially considering how many people have been commenting on the lack of power – that would make for a long 10 years.
However, I suppose if you take the 1,500 savings and throw in a 1,500 rebate, we’re talking $3,000 price difference. Now you have my attention. Still… can’t they just put a bit more power in the Touring? I mean, come on.
Reliability wise, I’d put the Hyundai up against the Mazda any day. In fact, from looking at the Mazda 3 forums, I’d guess the Hyundai would be more reliable. But who knows – only time will tell. The Hyundai requires more maintenance though -- which could negate your initial savings -- I guess it would depend on how good of a bargain you got and how much your mechanic costs (or if you do the maintenance yourself).
ANYWAY, if you want the Touring with the 17 inch rims, you gotta opt for the “premium sport package” which makes it more expensive (MSRP wise) than the Mazda 3 hatch. The Touring is a great car, but I don't understand Hyundai's strategy here... Plus, even if all else were the same (handling, features, gas mileage, etc), throw in the Mazda's better resale value and less demanding maintenance schedule.... and from a "dollars and cents" point of view, reasons to buy the Touring get diminished even more. Problem is, "dollars and cents" is kinda suppose to be Hyundai's specialty.
PS -- "yes" I see the typo in my image: "expsnive". Too lazy to fix: Should be "expensive".
= )
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13th August 2009 - 06:00 PM Last post by: Dhalgren |
The author is an engineer, and he might have been too forgiving of the engine. Then again, he was driving the 5-speed, which everyone agrees improves the Touring's acceleration. Also, he would be in the minority on how good the wagon looks. But the 17" wheels add a lot of appeal. People who compliment my touring are really complimenting the beautiful wheels - surprised to see such good rims on a wagon.
http://www.automedia.com/2010_Hyundai_Elan...rts20090801he/1
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elantragt |
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9th August 2009 - 12:33 AM Last post by: natesi |
They say the wagon is nice overall but (and I knew this would be the problem) other cars for the same money are sexier and more fun. They shoulda brought the i30 hatch over instead but they never listen to me! lol
QUOTE
Two weeks ago I got the chance to drive an early version of the Elantra Touring due out later this year. I was impressed with the little wagon as were others on our staff like Bill Jackson, our resident Weekend Athlete. We’ll be posting a video with his thoughts on this car in the near future, but for my initial impressions and a photo gallery keep reading.
I enjoyed driving this economy car a lot more than I thought I would. Besides a lot of buzzy engine noise — it’s amazing how you rarely hear buzzy engines anymore — the little wagon did everything right. The ride was comfortable, and there wasn’t a lot of road noise. The manual transmission was a joy with light clutch feel and smooth shifter.
As a package, the Touring seemed a bit nicer inside than the Elantra sedan. The backseats folded flat with one button, and there was a lot of cargo room. But I was shocked by the starting price of nearly $18,000 for a manual transmission. Although Hyundai hasn’t announced its official pricing yet, there was a sticker inside our test car, so I assume the price is accurate.
While the Elantra Touring is a nifty economy wagon, the Scion xB offers more utility and style, the Pontiac Vibe is more fun to drive, and a base Subaru Impreza gives you all-wheel drive. And all can be had for a similar price. Economy car indeed.
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cobas |
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9th July 2009 - 09:13 PM Last post by: natesi |
Buried in this article about how bad CR thinks the new Insight is is the fact that the Elantra Touring
came a close second in their comparison of small wagons. "...the Volkswagen Jetta Wagon and the Hyundai Elantra Touring, which scored 80 and 79 points, respectively." Sorry, actually the Touring was further down the list, with the Rabbit S and Mazda 3 closer to the top.
"The Elantra Touring wagon is fairly roomy and versatile, with a nicely finished interior and lots of amenities for the money. The Touring's ride is noticeably stiffer than the sedan's ride, with some sharp impacts. The Elantra Touring wagon, ($19,475, MSRP as tested), is powered by a 138-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers average performance and a respectable 26-mpg overall. The four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and responsively. Braking is Excellent. Folding down the 60/40 seatback makes for a fairly commodious load volume."
It's "Recommended," by Consumer Reports. They also tested the Kia Soul but this article just says it's "Very Good," but not recommended because it's brand-new and has no reliability history.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/i-consu...anks-it-21-out/
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1st July 2009 - 10:47 PM Last post by: cobas |
The ride is really good overall. No one is going to confuse it for a Volvo V50 or Mazda 3. It doesn't have strong acceleration from a stop or at-speed. But the car I would compare it to is the Volkswagen Rabbit 5-door. The suspension is sporty and stiff without being too painful over bumps. The steering is electric, but it provides excellent road feel. It takes a little more muscle to turn the steering wheel compared to the Volvo V50 and Ford Focus. I like that. The turning radius is sharp - the car has the same turning circle as the Elantra sedan despite the longer wheelbase.
A direct-injection, alloy block engine and 5-speed automatic transmission would vastly improve acceleration. That would put the Elantra Touring firmly in the sport class (think the European Honda Accord wagon / Acura TSX). But I really cannot complain about the dated, yet highly efficient drivetrain thats in the car. I only have 300 miles on it, but I am already flirting with 30MPG on the highway.
Looking at the UK, the same car (the i30 Estate) is powered by a weaker 1.6L engine, or a more fun 1.6L turbodiesel. In the Czech Republic, Australia, and New Zealand, the drivetrain is the same as the one in the US (2.0L, 4-speed). So the US is not being denied the most powerful engine available for this car.
Another car that the Elantra Touring has been compared to often is the previous generation Mazda 6 wagon. It's a bit of a contradiction to be compared to both the Mazda 6 wagon and the VW Rabbit. But the dynamics, suspension, economy, and power-to-weight ratio are similar for all 3 cars, and the Touring has the extra benefit of having massive interior space. It even has more rear passenger room than the Mazda 6, or for that matter, the previous generation Subaru Outback. Rear passenger room was a major selling point for me, as I didn't want to get a car too uncomfortable for my future mother-in-law. :-)
As far as front-wheel drive wagons go, the Elantra Touring is an excellent choice for those who don't mind giving-up the extra power (and 5th cylinder) of the VW Jetta Sportwagen. The Volvo V50, Jetta TDI, and Saab 9-3 Sport Combi are the gold standards in front-drive wagons. But this Elantra Touring, being designed in Frankfurt, and resembling the Jetta inside, has to qualify as a genuine European 'estate.'
So I'm saying it's a sleeper. A very likable car. I just hope it becomes a hit. Hyundai reports that about 40% the cars it sold this year are hatchbacks (including their SUVs), so it is trying to cash-in with the Touring.
Maybe this 4th of July, I can take it out onto some upstate parkways (like the Saw Mill or the wonderfully curvy Taconic State Parkway).
Oh yeah, the garage! It's a small one. It holds about 22 vehicles and almost every spot requires the driver to park close to a wall or column. I have a wall spot. It can be stressful parking it, but I'm getting used to it. But to have an affordable parking spot in my Manhattan building.....after a 3-year wait......priceless!
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15th June 2009 - 08:03 PM Last post by: JerseeJerry55 |
I am new to the club and am very glad to have found you guys on the web. I live in NJ and I want to buy a new Elantra Touring. I am looking for auto trans. and no other option packages. There is a $1,500.00 rebate that expires on 6/1/09.Can anyone tell me what a good price would be before taxes. Thanks
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11th June 2009 - 10:56 AM Last post by: ROG |
I took delivery of this Elantra Touring on Monday June 1st. I tried replacing a dome light with an LED and I think I blew a fuse. Now the car doesn't lock. It's embarrassing. But it is a great wagon, er, I mean hatchback. The European styling on the outside make it far different from the Elantra sedan. Now to get that fuse fixed (I hope it's just a fuse)....
Another pic...
[attachment=2776:post_722...44312419.jpg]
[attachment=2775:post_722...44312299.jpg]
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elantragt |
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4th June 2009 - 08:20 PM Last post by: Stevetheriddler |
I think he likes it!
QUOTE
By James R. Healey, USA TODAY
Isn't this a sweet surprise? The 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring could be the best auto bargain going.The small/midsize wagon seems to fashion contradictions into complementary attributes, rather than settling for compromises. For instance: Elantra Touring takes up the road space of a compact, but provides the passenger room of a midsize and the cargo area of a middling SUV.
It's simple in presentation to keep costs down, but comes across as elegant and refreshingly restrained.
It's not very powerful, but is loads of fun to fling. It looks dumpy in pictures, but appealing in the flesh — resembling an elongated, well-proportioned Honda Fit without the Fit's silly spoilers and other plastic dreck.
It offers an automatic transmission, of course, but almost demands that you take the manual, to enjoy the tingling satisfaction of manipulating the B&M Racing brand sport shifter.
It's an economy car, but comes with sophistication lacking in some pricier cars, including independent suspension front and rear, disc brakes all around, standard stability control and alloy wheels.
It has an enticingly long warranty — five years or 60,000 miles overall, 10/100,000 powertrain — that's better than some luxury brands.
And you probably won't need it. The Touring hasn't been on sale long enough to have a track record, but the Elantra sedan on which it's based has a "recommended" rating from Consumer Reports magazine with top scores in reliability and ownership cost. Two-thirds of all Hyundais on sale long enough for a record are recommended by CR.
If you still think Hyundai's the cheap brand you buy instead of what you really wanted, boy, are you out of date.
In addition, most details got unexpected attention. Some examples:
•The top model has an exceptionally well done and useful storage tray under the cargo floor, sitting atop the spare tire.
•Bottle holders in the door panels are angled for easy grab-and-gulp moves while underway. (If the bottle's much smaller than the holder, though, it merely tilts precariously.)
•All three rear seating slots have safety head restraints. You find only two on some higher-price cars, as if somebody decided that the middle rider needed no whiplash protection.
The Elantra Touring test car was so unexpectedly good that it called for two separate test periods, to see if the good first impression was illusory. It wasn't.
Touring is a daring car because it's a wagon introduced into the U.S. market, which doesn't like those much. ("We don't call it a wagon here; kiss of death," says Hyundai's small-car product manager in the U.S., Mark Dipko. "We call it a versatility vehicle.") In Europe, its main market, it's a "crossover wagon."
And, truly, it's easy enough to think of it as a hatchback with very generous cargo space.
Hyundai has added the Touring to the U.S. lineup, Dipko says, because "We saw the opportunity to enliven the Elantra line with something styled in Europe."
The gripes, and it's a short list:
•All-wheel drive. Not available. It wasn't designed to accommodate it, so don't expect it, period, Dipko says. "We have the Tucson (SUV) if you need all-wheel drive," he says.
•Leather. Not available. Cloth was comfy (and available heated), but leather sheds spills better.
•Visor notch. Too small. Hard to get a finger behind the sun visor to fold it down. Wearing gloves? Forget it.
•Lighting. Too light. The small green lamp that shows the air conditioning is on was unreadable in daylight. The dashboard lighting is a gorgeous, classy blue, but it didn't illuminate the gauges as well as expected.
•Shifting. Mainly terrific, and that B&M linkage delivered a light metallic click as you moved it among the gears, somewhat like the precise sound of a rifle bolt. But the shift between first and second gears, up or down, sometimes took an extra push.
The clutch engagement could be tricky. If you sit close enough that your left leg always can let out the clutch pedal smoothly, you might find your right leg too close to the throttle and brake pedals.
Most people probably could adjust their way around that. The driver's seat had what seemed like more notches, closer together, than most manually adjusted seats. Thus you could slide very slightly fore or aft to fine-tune your relationship with the pedals. The manually adjustable seats in most cars have big gaps between the positions.
Touring is a slick piece of work; a lot of satisfying automobile for the money. It'd be tragic if America's aversion to cars that look like wagons killed it in showrooms.
ABOUT THE ELANTRA TOURING
• What? Compact, front-drive, four-door, five-passenger wagon. (Must you? asks Hyundai. How about crossover-utility hatchback or some such, since "wagon" is the kiss of death in the U.S.) New to the U.S. lineup, based on the Elantra sedan that was new for '07.
• When? On sale since fall.
• Where? Made in South Korea.
• Why? Already being manufactured for the European market, where buyers are wise enough to appreciate the benefits of wagonlike cars; not a big investment to test the waters in the U.S.
• How much? Starts at $18,495 including $695 shipping. Premium model starts at $19,995. Nearly loaded test vehicle: $20,455.
• Who'll buy? Hobbyists, do-it-yourselfers and others who like a trim-size car, but need extra capacity. About 55% female, 65% married, 45 years old (plus or minus), $65,000 median annual household income.
• How punchy? More than the specs suggest: 2-liter, four-cylinder engine is rated 138 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 137 pounds-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm; five-speed manual with B&M Racing brand sport shifter is standard; four-speed automatic is optional.
• How deluxe? Unexpected standard features: stability control, fog lights, outside mirror defrosters, four-wheel disc brakes, four-wheel independent suspension.
• How big? Compact outside, midsize inside. Elantra Touring is 176.2 inches long, 69.5 inches wide, 59.8 inches tall on a 106.3-inch wheelbase.
Weighs 2,937 to 3,112 pounds.
Passenger space listed as 101.2 cubic feet. Cargo space: 24.3 cubic feet behind rear seat, 65.3 cubic feet when rear seat's folded.
Turning circle: 34.2 feet.
• How thirsty? Rated 23 miles per gallon in town, 31 (manual) or 30 (automatic) mpg on the highway, 26 mpg combined.
Trip computer in manual test car showed 22.7 mpg in spirited suburban driving (4.41 gallons per 100 miles).
Burns regular, holds 14 gallons.
• Overall: Terrific surprise; pocket change for remarkable blend of practicality and satisfaction.
Gotta love this from the review:
"If you still think Hyundai's the cheap brand you buy instead of what you really wanted, boy, are you out of date."
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sarge |
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5th May 2009 - 10:38 PM Last post by: Alex2004GT |
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/04/review-...lantra-touring/QUOTE
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.... READ MORE
There's a whopping 46pictures in this article's gallery - some nicely detailed ones that show off how nice it is... they've worked on the picture taking skills it seems.
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elantragt |
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2nd May 2009 - 10:40 AM Last post by: Spectre |
QUOTE
By Warren Brown
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 26, 2009
A decade ago, I wrote several columns urging readers to take seriously Hyundai Motor, Korea's largest automobile manufacturer.
I was impressed by the willingness of the company to adapt, and by the speed with which it shifted gears to meet the changing realities of the marketplace.
It is a story now turned cliche: The Hyundai that entered the United States with motorized junk in 1985 -- the Excel subcompact -- is now a bona fide competitor in the global automobile industry.
Even high-end companies, such as Germany's BMW, are looking in their rear-view mirrors, checking the Korean manufacturer's rapid progress with models such as the high-quality, high-performance Hyundai Genesis sedan and coupe.
But the Genesis models don't pose the biggest threat to Hyundai's rivals. That, instead, comes in the bread-and-butter segment, the market for compact and midsize sedans and wagons. It comes with models such as this week's subject vehicle, the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring.
Hyundai's strategy in the family car category is as simple as it is complicated: The Korean company wants to beat all of its top Japanese rivals -- Honda, Nissan and Toyota -- by offering better products at a lower price.
"Better," as illustrated by the Elantra Touring, means giving people much more car than they expect for the money.
The subject vehicle, for example, is a five-door compact hatchback wagon. You expect a certain amount of utility in that kind of vehicle. But you don't expect cargo space -- a maximum 65 cubic feet with the rear seats folded -- that matches the room found in many midsize sport-utility models.
You expect a manual transmission as standard equipment. But you don't expect a short-throw, five-speed manual gearbox that shifts with the precision of something found in a vehicle set up for weekend track racing. You certainly don't expect a car that is loads of fun to drive. But that is what you get in the Elantra Touring, a car that offers so much for the money, it makes you suspicious.
You start trying to figure out where Hyundai has cut corners, what cheapskate magic has been worked to give you so much for so little.
I thought I had found it in the suspension work, which did not seem to fare terribly well over potholed and pock-marked city streets. But now I'm not so sure.
I drove two versions of the Elantra Touring -- one with manual transmission and 16-inch radial tires and the other with automatic transmission and 17-inch radials. The model with the bigger tires felt more stable over roads bad and good. It was absent the sometimes irritating choppiness I felt in the car with the smaller tires.
Check out standard equipment. Hyundai offers four-wheel disc brakes (ventilated front/solid rear), antilock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution (which automatically increases brake force to the wheels that need it most), and electronic stability and traction control. Also included are side and head air bags -- all in a car with a base price well south of $20,000. That's a real bargain!
Interior materials weren't the best in the world -- a bountiful helping of bargain-priced vinyl there. But everything appeared stitched and assembled perfectly, as good if not better than anything found in a Honda, Nissan or Toyota -- in this case, for several hundred to a couple of thousand of dollars less.
With an in-line four-cylinder, 138-horsepower engine, there's more than adequate power for most commuter transportation needs. Fuel economy -- using recommended regular unleaded gasoline -- is good at 23 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway.
On top of it all, Hyundai has managed to give car sales a slight boost in a dreadfully dismal market with its Hyundai Assurance Plus program, designed to relieve consumer anxiety by promising to take over car payments within the first year of a vehicle purchase for buyers who lose jobs through no fault of their own.
That program has been successful enough to be copied in various forms by Ford and General Motors. Could it be that Hyundai, once the laughingstock of the car world, will be the company that leads the automobile industry out of recession?
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cardassian-cruiser |
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23rd April 2009 - 07:58 PM Last post by: Sarge |
I've had a quick look around and did not see anything here yet
on the Elantra Touring.
Now that its listed on the Hyundaicanada.com web site i thought
some one might have had a look at one.
I need to compare it to our 97 wagon to see if it is a good
replacement or go with a Tuson.
Any one have any info yet?
CC
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cobas |
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17th February 2008 - 01:01 AM Last post by: cobas |
Autoblog and a press release from Hyundai, since it's formally at the Chicago auto show:
Pretty much what we knew, no mention of the power being 141, just that it's the "same 2.0L as the Elantra sedan." The auto tranny is still 4-speed but now with Shiftronic, but the manual 5-speed comes with a "B&M Racing Sport Shifter." Good choice! A short shifter is one of the best mods! It sounds familiar, like the XD's 5-door GT. We'll see about pricing though.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/03/chicago...lantra-touring/Highlights:
Goodies:
Sharp projection headlamps, fog lights and available 17-inch alloy wheels .
Standard B&M Racing sport shifter, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and a supportive eight-way adjustable driver's seat.
172-watt AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio®/CD/MP3 audio with Aux-In and powered USB port for charging MP3 players, and steering wheel buttons control the USB device tracks. The head unit even displays the file information.
Trunk area retained powered 12V outlet.
Dimensions (in): 176.2 long, 69.5 wide, 59.8 high, wheelbase 106.3.
Trunk: 24.3cu-ft, max cargo volume (with seats folded) 65.3cuft. (The XD's hatchback is about 37, right?)
Total interior volume: 125.5cuft ("the most of any five-door in its class" - not saying that much, IMO)
Powertrain: "powered by the same fuel-efficient 2.0-liter, in line four-cylinder found in the Elantra sedan."
Four-speed automatic with Shiftronic That's something, at least. I'll take the manual with the short shifter.
Suspension & Brakes: 24 percent stiffer front spring rate, a 39 percent stiffer rear spring rate (also heavier...), a larger front stabilizer bar (24 mm) and larger rear stabilizer bar (21mm) than the Elantra sedan. Ventilated 11.8-inch front and solid 10.3-inch rear discs with ABS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Turning radius 34.2ft (pretty tight) - that's usually bad for 'sporty' though, right?
Interior Safety Systems: Dual front, side and curtain airbags, active front headrests, seatbelt pretensioners and seatbelt reminders.
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9th February 2008 - 01:56 PM Last post by: CyberGecco |
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/08/first-o...lantra-touring/HYUNDAI ANNOUNCES NAME OF FUTURE FIVE-DOOR
All-New 2009 Elantra Touring Moves a Popular Nameplate in a Sportier,
More Functional Direction
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. Aug. 8, 2007 – Hyundai Motor America Vice President of Product Development and Strategic Planning John Krafcik, speaking at the Center of Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars, announced Hyundai's all-new five-door compact will be named "Elantra Touring." Elantra Touring will reach dealers in the spring of 2008 as a 2009 model year vehicle. The "Touring" name captures this all-new model's combination of high-function and fun-to-drive character.
Elantra Touring will once again extend Elantra's product line into the compact five-door segment. (The previous generation also featured a sporty five-door model). Elantra Touring will come with class-leading standard safety technologies, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and six standard airbags, including side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. The vehicle will be the first compact five-door with standard Electronic Stability Control.1
Elantra Touring will have the most interior volume (passenger volume plus cargo space) of any five-door in its class and will be powered by the same fuel-efficient 2.0-liter, in-line four-cylinder found in the Elantra sedan. This newest Hyundai will also feature unique sport suspension and steering tuned for greater response and handling, while offering Hyundai's first USB port, along with a standard auxiliary jack and standard XM Satellite Radio®. Elantra Touring's competition will include the Toyota Matrix, Dodge Caliber and Mazda3.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide.
Car & Driver article with the same news:
http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/13673/...ra-touring.html
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Silentwolf |
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26th October 2007 - 07:59 AM Last post by: greg841 |
Hyundai has a 5-door hatchback version of the Elantra that will be bowing in 2008, and it's getting an early debut at this year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas as the Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept. The Beach Cruiser is a SEMA vehicle in the truest sense, having been customized by K-Daddyz Kustomz. It features a two-tone paint job of Amazing Grape and Tango Orange with tribal graphics that supposedly incorporate the Hyundai 'H', but we're having a hard time seeing it. There's a giant panoramic sunroof in place of the roof, while the interior is customized to the hilt. The rear cargo space is dominated by a custom enclosure with eight speakers and a plexiglass floor beneath which the high-end audio bits are hidden. There's not much to bolster the Beach Cruiser's performance here, however, except a cold air intake and strut tower brace, although Hyundai lists the painted motor cover and engine accessories as mechanical upgrades. We'll have more pics of this wild concept from the floor of the show next week, but in the meantime check out the official press release after the jump and our gallery below.
[Source: Hyundai]
Sorry but i don't dig it man.
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