First Drive: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

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.

Comments

[Ken]

Too bad about the buzzy engine - otherwise this might be my next car!

I notice how small the "Elantra" name is on the back. Should have just kept the "I30" name of the Euro model!! Esp. since it looks nothing like the Elantra sedan, looks more like a Saturn/Opel Astra in front!

[Tony]

I wouldn't worry about price too much. come to
Hyundai dealer 6 months from now and you'll buy it under invoice price anyway.
One thing Hyundai still not getting is how to remove that rear hump on the floor. Toyota somehow figured it all out. Do they actually have a single car with the hump?

[Tony]

I wonder if this baby will make 32MPGs?
It has iron block = heavy. Come on! I thought, noone makes an iron block anymore. And Hyundai has that global engine which is actually a global aluminum block, in Hyundais, Mitsus and Chryslers. May be Hyundai does some cost cutting by using iron?

It has the Genesis genes by the way it looks in the front.

Other than the interior, I really fail to see the Elantra likeness of it, just like the Genesis Coupe to the sedan.

Not bad though; the steering wheel reminds me a lot of the one in the Genesis coupe. I was expecting more Sonata quality over the Elantra sedan, but this looks fairly promising :) Just get rid of the iron block!

[Mart]

I think everyone needs to get used to the idea of paying a little more for their cars. Especially so called "economoy" cars.

I mean, come on. Increased quality doesn't come for free. Back in the day, Hyundai was cheap, but they were also rubbish. Slowly, their quality has increased and new models like this are as good as their competitors. As this has happened though, prices have crept up too. Could this POSSIBLY be because increased quality actually COSTS more to produce??

Maybe the other manufacturers haven't been resting on their laurels after all and have actually been charging rock bottom for the quality they are offering. It seems that the once budget makers are now finding that to make competitive cars they have to charge higher prices.

We'll probably find the Chinese or Indian makers enter the market at some point, selling cheap cars of inferior quality. And then they will start to improve and start to charge more and then eventually everyone will be priced roughly similar. Low employment costs obviously have an effect on cost, but I'd imagine it's negligible between USA and South Korea, for example.

[Dave T.]

mileage is 23/31 manual, 23/30 auto

[Dave T.]

Mart,
My point on the price was that the competition is less money with more features. Not that small cars aren't getting more expensive.

[Tony]

Mart,
the quality of the car doesn't affect MSRP or dealer's price. Demand does. For example, in the recent forum we discussed the Volvos. They not hight quality or high tech cars but their price is high and now, since their sales went 50% into pipe they give you $5000 off.
What really makes manufacturers charge more is standard equipment that didn't exist on older cars. Like, stability control or limited slip differencial, which now standard on many models. Then full set of airbags. Go 8 years back and you'll find 2 airbags per car in most cases. With all this equipment cars start to weight more. So the manufacturers have to work technology for stronger, lighter materials and more new engines,which will be more powerfull and at the same time more frugal, as reliable, as light or lighter, etc. And as you know, technology cost money.
Here is another major reason cars are expensive - the materials. You can make fortune by selling scrap metal to SE Asian countries. The oil has been as expensive as ever and so all the polimers used in the interior. Copper is really expensive now and that drives cost of wiring in the car.
I would say, this is why cars are generally more expensive but not because their quality improved.
Of course, when Koreans will build a loyal customer base, they will go for higher price more easily but this is still not the case. They still sell mostly because improved quality (not meaning excellent), great warranty, great deals (discounts), improved drivability and refinment.
But their resale still very bad and this is big deal. May be one single reason not to buy one. And Koreans know well, that without vast discounts they will not sell untill their customer base will grow well, so that they can guarantee that in 7-8 years time they will sale again and this time they can charge a little more. But they need another 10 years to grow to such onditions.

[Tony]

So, with mileage of 23/30 (seriously - not many people buy stick) they are not exactly in good position because Matrix is in the close price range with what, 26/33? Slap Toyota name into the argument and there goes obvious choice for many. Don't understand me wrong way - I don't say Matrix is a better car. Likely - not. Just perception.
I don't know about xB. Still, many call it ugly and not interested in it just because of that. But I agree that xB is a good alternative for comfort and utility. Drivability - I don't know.

[Red]

Tony is right. The Matrix is a nicer car with better mileage. If you can do without the wagon, the Corolla gets 40 on the highway.

[Cj]

Red check your numbers. The EPA on the Corolla tops out at 35 mpg.

The Matrix gets up to 32 with the manual and up to 31 with the auto, so it's not a huge difference in mileage.

If you really want an affordable high mileage hatchback/wagon wait for the Honda Insight. It'll only be $18,XXX and get up to 45 mpg.

[rwcmick]

I think the dash looks a little plain around the HVAC controls, but exterior wise I like it!

[allen]

Does anyone know when we will be able to purchase this car in the U.S. ?

[fc]

Remember Hyundai offers one of the best warranties in the USA like the 10 year or 100,000 powertrain warranty and the basic warranty 5 years or 60,000, not to forget the roadside assistance for five years.

I agree Hyundai's are getting more expensive, now Nissan offers the Versa sedan 1.6 model which is about $2,000-3,000 less than a Hyundai Accent GLS sedan.