 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring GL Sport. Click image to enlarge |
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2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
Oshawa, Ontario – I’ve always been a fan of wagons. I like hatchbacks, but given a choice, I’ll go for a wagon’s smoother profile. They have the hauling capacity of many SUVs, a smaller footprint, better fuel economy and lower prices, all of which add up to a major plus in my book. And my tester this time, the Hyundai Elantra Touring, fills all of those roles very well.
A brand-new model for 2009, the Elantra Touring isn’t just an Elantra sedan with a liftgate, as was the case with the Elantra Hatchback last seen for 2006. Instead, while it shares the Elantra’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and its cockpit looks similar, it’s based on a different platform. It’s also a global design, and is sold as the i30 in Europe, Asia and Australia. Two wheelbase lengths are available overseas, but the North American market only gets one of them, and not surprisingly, it’s the longer version. Models destined for Europe are built in the Czech Republic, but ours come from South Korea.
 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring GL Sport. Click image to enlarge |
It’s also sold here in four trim lines; as per Hyundai’s tradition, the equipment level is fixed and rises for each one, rather than features being available as stand-alone options. The base L comes in at $14,995, the L with Preferred Package is $17,245, the GL is $18,795, and my tester, the GL Sport, is priced at $21,195. The only add-on is a four-speed automatic transmission, which adds $1,200 when it replaces the five-speed stick shift that is the default on all trim lines. That was the case with my vehicle, which came to $22,395 before freight and taxes.
And that price, which undercuts almost all of its competitors, seems more than fair for this trim line, which includes 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, stereo with iPod control, leather-wrapped wheel with audio controls, and a power sunroof, on top of the full range of features – power windows and locks, wiper de-icer, fog lights, heated mirrors, cruise control, cooled glovebox, heated seats, and trip computer — that work their way up through the other trim lines.
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at 6:20 am
You Canadians are always getting ripped off on price and equipment. A mid-level Touring in the States gets all the airbags, ESC and traction with ABS for $15k. Hyundai insults Canadians with their prices and equipment packages.
at 9:42 am
I agree with that,it’s like our $ worth 65 cents,people are stupid they will buy anyway,what about a symbolic new car buying day boycot(a week would be better,last of the month best).
Look at the freight $1,495,big rip off!
at 10:55 am
Jil, when accelerating on a slippery surface, shouldn’t one start in a lower gear, so as to limit torque? I usually start off in 2nd in snow/ice.
at 11:00 am
I agree wholeheartedly,
Hyundai Canada really rips us on the safety gear, side air bags,curtain air bags, abs,esc….
We cant even get side air bags in a base accent hatch here yet in the states it’s standard equipment. been like this since my 99 Accent I had.
at 11:15 am
For that much money you could be getting a better car the Mazda3 hatchback. Hyundai should be cheaper if they want to compete with the better brands.
at 11:25 am
The mechanicals and chassis may be pretty good but the exterior design is about a generation behind the competitors in my opinion. There again, Hyundai needs to wait for the competitors to design their’s in order for them to copy their designs. I’m pretty sure that’s their design philosophy.
at 11:34 am
I keep reading in other reviews that this car is needlessly unrefined. One even said it’s a $20,000 car that sometimes feels like a $12,000 car. I hope that’s not the case, because on paper it’s perfect for my needs.
at 1:02 pm
Being a Mazda fan myself past owner of Protege as well as 02 Elantra, I don’t see the basis for saying that Mazda is a “better” brand, at least not today (maybe 10 years ago).
Seems like statements like these are not based on recent personal experience.
Take it for a test drive and then start bashing.
at 1:09 pm
I still don’t understand the pricing and warranty discrepancies between U.S. and CAN pricing. Our dollar is only off the greenback by 10 cents, so why is the same car available for $5-$6000 less only a few hundred km away? Even with the exchange rate we would save a bundle getting one there. Alas, they won’t let us register it here – gee, I wonder why.
Plus, the warranty of 10 years is double that of the 5 yr offered in Canada. Hyundai, our countries are separated by an invisible line, not an entire ocean. The pricing game is not going to work, and will keep me out of a Hyundai until you straighten things out.
at 1:10 pm
iSpec I don’t know where you get your information but the touring starts at $17,800 in the US(they have a $1500 rebate right now)In the states you only have the automatic($800) and the sport package options($1500).
at 2:07 pm
This is probably the best designed car released in 2009, and yes I’m including German cars, Japanese and American in their as well.
The interior is sleek, modern, and very cool. The engine is purr-fect, and the transmission is smooth as butter. I drive a BMW, and recently tested one of these babies, and I’m going to go with Hyundai.
You won’t believe it’s true, but I beg you all to take a real test drive of one of these. One time, I drove an Audi S6 through the Austrian alps. Well, that experience has nothing on what this new touring Hyundai can offer.
at 11:38 pm
@Dr. Car
I think the Elantra Touring is a great choice for a sub-$20k economy car, but… there is no comparison between how the Elantra Touring and an S6 perform and handle. Either you’re being sarcastic, or you’re trying overly hard to justify your choice. Going so far to say that “this is the best designed car released in 2009″ is definitely a bit too far (it’s buzzy, the interior, while built well, is charcoal pit-esque, the automatic needs another gear…).
at 12:22 am
I test drove both an Elantra Touring and a 2010 Mazda3 GX Sport. Bought the Mazda. It handles and rides better, it has more power out of the same size engine. It has visibly better quality interior trim. A very nice 5-speed vs 4-speed auto tranny. And since it was primarily for my wife – it had a better selection of colours. The big advantage of the Elantra is space.
at 2:21 pm
Have driven car and am quite fond of it. Also drove the Mazda3. the Mazda does handle better, however here in MB we need front licence plates, and the Mazda looks like bugs bunny!!! Score one for Hyundai on front end styling.
at 9:19 am
Regarding the US warranty being longer – that’s only for the first owner. If sold after 3-4 years, the second owner only gets 5yr/60,000mile warranty. In Canada, the warranty goes with the car and cannot change for second or third owner… Also, freight number of $1495 includes freight, pre-delivery service, full tank of gas, and admin charge…
at 10:10 pm
I have 2009 Mazda6. I thought the Mazda was priced competitvely and looked stylish. My wife drives a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. In terms of quality and reliability, I will definitely choose a Hyundai. My Mazda6 (only 7 months old) has rust all over its muffler, part of bottom panel and brakes. And I found they used some cheap parts. On the other hand, my wife’s Santa Fe (similarly priced to the Mazda6) is basically rust free (or relatively minor), very solid and reliable. Mazda may never emerge as a top-tier automaker while it seems that Hyundai is already becoming a top-tier, IMHO.
at 1:53 pm
I saw this elantra touring in person the other day and I liked it. Very stylish as a wagon imo. I loved its two-tone alloy wheels and upscale looking chrome accents in particular. I think it should be as reliable as what toyota or honda has to offer as Consumer Reports suggests these days. I personally agree that hyundais are better than mazdas in general.
at 8:22 pm
I test drove this car as well and came away with mixed feelings. Excellent space and features , decent interior, noisy underpowered engine (Dr.Car must be smoking something to compare this to BMW or Audi). Interestingly, Kia’s Forte gets a newer, more powerful version of this engine. I ended up buying a discounted Sonata ($3000 off), but was dismayed at how Hyundai padded in the extras.The $1495 destination charge was an insult but not as ridiculous as packaging block heater and wheel locks (!!) for $500.I should have passed on that as modern cars don’t really need block heaters and wheel locks are worth about $35. GM charges $85 for a block heater.Decent car, but can’t wait to see the depreciation in 5 years
at 9:13 pm
Sacrat, the dealership you dealt with charged too much. When I bought my 09 accent last year, I paid $45 for the wheel locks but declined a block heater for $155. Some dealers really try to rip off naive or uninformed customers. Bad Bad!!!
at 3:45 am
Just picked up my red auto GL sport yesterday. Came from a 93 Integra hatch so sounding pretty quiet to me. Engine’s willing but car is not quick. German references are to the meaty and centred feeling from the cars steering. Turns on a dime and turning radius is smaller than my past Acura. Fit and finish is impressive and I like the bright clear dash. Something to get use to, high beams are engaged by pushing the left accessory stock on the steering column away from you (towards the dash) and it stays in that position. To disengage you pull the stock back to the driver. In the acura, I pulled the stock towards me and it returned to original position and I also pulled the stock towards me to disengage the high beams (click towards me on and click towards me off). In reference to the 2 entries dated June 17th, on Hyundai’s web site, nuts are $38.95 and the block heater is $34.95, but the cost after installation are $68.35 and $132.95 respectively.