Article Comments - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Full Test

45 messages, Last post on Aug 11, 2009 at 2:12 AM

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2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Full Test - Bottom Line: An undeniable value combined with inspiring dynamics wrapped in a tepidly styled wagon shell. (more)

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#1 of 45 Article Comments - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Full Test by KarenS HOST May 01, 2009 (9:58 am)
"Boring is better than stupid" might be an axiom applicable to haircuts, aircraft design and your behavior at the office holiday party, but with a car as compelling as the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring, it's a shame Hyundai didn't go for something a little more stupid in the way it looks. 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Full Test Replies to this message: stephen987 (May 01, 2009 11:31 am) ppellico (May 01, 2009 1:59 pm)
#2 of 45 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Full Test [KarenS] by stephen987 May 01, 2009 (11:31 am)
Replying to: KarenS (May 01, 2009 9:58 am) It's almost impossible to find a manual transmission on any Hyundai in Georgia, for some reason. They're all automatics, as far as the eye can see. OTOH the four-speed auto in the Elantra I drove last fall was pretty impressive, and the engine seemed to be matched well to it. I am not sure that a five-speed auto would be an improvement.
#3 of 45 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Full Test [KarenS] by ppellico May 01, 2009 (1:59 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (May 01, 2009 9:58 am) OK. Now help me out. You grabbed me into this review with the initial question, is it better than the Mazda. Well, is it? Read the entire review and couldn't find your answer to your own question. I test drove the new 3 and own an 05. And the new 3 is awesome. It had better be a pretty damned good car to better the 3. Paul.
#4 of 45 Hyundai needs to introduce the real Mazda Competitor by kdoodoo May 01, 2009 (6:56 pm)
They have the one called "i30" in Korea which is same as the Hyundai Elantra Touring at the front look but it is much shorter version like Mazda 3. And the back is in much better look. Hyundai makes car great but has no balls to compete. I don't know why they even put the name, Elantra. The "i30" is set as to European market, So it has much stiffer suspension. I like this one more.
#5 of 45 Which is better depends on what the driver wants by g_designer May 01, 2009 (9:36 pm)
This seems like one of the more positive reviews of the Elantra Touring despite the intro statement. Based on the early specs, did anyone seriously think it would drive as sporty as a Maza3?? It is longer and has a smaller engine. And yes it definitely doesn't look very sporty either(The ET rear reminds me of a Volvo wagon a little, but the front is kind of sleek.)--- not as cool as the i30 hatch or the 2010 Mazda3. BUT if you are looking for something with more capacity and comfort than a Mazda3 hatch, Fit, Matrix or small SUV, and something with slightly better driving dynamics than a Elantra, Corolla, Camry, Spectra5, or Rondo, and you don't need to be the sexiest, most fun car on the block, plus you are craving bang for the buck, the Elantra Touring may provide the right mix of performance, features, and practicality. (BTW: Has the recall already been posted? I only found out today from US News. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE LIGHT HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 531,894 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED
#6 of 45 I love mine... by eba55 May 02, 2009 (7:29 am)
I seriously considered the Fit and Matrix/Vibe. The Fit just doesn't come with as much stuff for the same price and the back seat is less comfortable. The Matrix/Vibe has very poor visibility, and Matrix especially has hardly any standard safety features. I didn't look at a Mazda 3- which I think looks awesome, but since I'm a 40ish mom of three, sportiness and speed aren't high on my list. Safety, comfort, decent mileage and lots of cargo room are (without getting a minivan- blech!). I do have the Sport package, so this is actually the least boring of all the cars I've had. Very unboring compared to my old Elantra with a trunk that it replaced, but now we can fit more sports equipment, instruments, backpacks and groceries. I highly recommend this car to moms who don't want an SUV or Minivan. Replies to this message: zolix (May 04, 2009 11:24 am)
#7 of 45 Better than the Mazda 3? by hyundaismoke May 03, 2009 (7:39 pm)
It better be better than the 3. Hyundai is an Affordable/Environmentally Responsible Near Luxury make now, and KIA makes the cheap cars. This car was made to compete with the SAAB 9-3 Wagon, and Volvo C50 Wagon. Get the one with leather for $3000 more than the base model, its better than the SAAB that costs $10,000 more. The interior is better quality than the SAAB as well. Yes, even in black. Dont worry Chris Walton, the styling will get more bolder. American Hyundais will be bolder than the European Hyundais in styling. This Elantra is a strop gap between current and next gen Hyundai design. Look at the 2011 Accent, and you will see the hint of the next Gen Ealntra. By the way, wheres them 2011 Accent spy pics at? It will debut a some auto show in less than a year, and then hit the dealers October 2010. Find some pics or renderings please? Replies to this message: stephen987 (May 04, 2009 2:15 am)
#8 of 45 Re: Better than the Mazda 3? [hyundaismoke] by stephen987 May 04, 2009 (2:15 am)
Replying to: hyundaismoke (May 03, 2009 7:39 pm) Make up your mind. Is it a stopgap, or is it a quantum leap intended to compete with $30k cars? (Or are you just blowing some Hyundai smoke??) If it's really supposed to compete with Saab and Volvo, then Hyundai better do something about those seats. . .
#9 of 45 Re: I love mine... [eba55] by zolix May 04, 2009 (11:24 am)
Replying to: eba55 (May 02, 2009 7:29 am) I have my Mazda 5 for almost a year now. Love it with the slide doors. About the same size as the Mazda3 but seat 6.
#10 of 45 The Seats by hyundaismoke May 04, 2009 (9:46 pm)
What's wrong with the seats? Replies to this message: stephen987 (May 05, 2009 1:47 am)