Category Archives: Elantra Touring

First Test: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

Economy Plus: How to Travel — With Room and Class — On the Cheap

Traveling business or first class is like having a private cabana at a crowded YMCA swimming pool — it may be crammed and noisy around you yet nothing but space, comfort, and relaxation are filling your world. But c’mon, unless it’s on the company dime, sitting up front in the Airbus and eating with real silverware aren’t really worth the sky-high premiums. Of course, there’s always economy class, which pleases the pocket book but not much else — namely, the feet, knees, shoulders, elbows, well, you get the picture.

Then there’s economy plus — still easy on the wallet but actually roomy enough to prompt a smile after buckling up. In the field of compact hatchbacks, the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring, with its $18,495 base price and 125 cubic feet of interior volume, symbolizes the economy-plus ticket.

Our tester, which was equipped with a $1500 Premium Sport Package (sunroof, heated seats, 17-inch wheels with 215/45 Kumho Solus KH16 rubber), $95 floor mats, a $30 iPod cable, and $325 Bluetooth hands-free system, came in at $20,445, or around $1400 less than a comparably equipped Toyota Matrix S. Compared to the Hyundai, the Matrix offers less front and rear legroom, less rear headroom, and less cargo room whether the back seat is up or down. Granted, the Toyota delivers more oomph, thanks to a larger 2.4L 158-horsepower four-banger in light of the Elantra Touring’s 2.0L 138-horse engine. But the Hyundai’s fuel-economy advantage (23/31 mpg city/hwy versus 21/28 for the Matrix) arguably offsets the Toyota’s performance edge — 0-60 in 7.3 seconds compared to 8.1 for the Elantra.

Further, the Elantra, wearing the low-pro Kumhos, produced a curt 60-0 braking distance of 122 feet, eight feet shorter than that of the Matrix. Unfortunately, we were unable to conduct our usual battery of handling tests, but we’re confident the Hyundai would deliver numbers on par with the Toyota’s — lateral acceleration of 0.81 g and figure eight of 28.4 seconds at 0.58 g. Despite its rather humble powerplant, the 3000-pound Elantra is a lively, fun-to-drive hatch. Power is perfectly adequate. Handling dynamics are generally crisp. And the ride is comforting without being too stiff. The only nits to pick are very light, somewhat numb steering and a loosely gated gearshift.

As we’ve come to expect from Hyundai, the Elantra Touring comes standard with stability and traction control, six airbags, satellite radio, front-seat active head restraints, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Moreover, the cabin is attractive, well laid out, and boasts high-quality materials.

Based on Hyundai’s European i30, the U.S.-badged Elantra Touring is a cavernous, competitively priced hatchback that not only undercuts the price tags on offerings from Mazda, Pontiac, and Toyota, but also delivers noticeably more interior space. Further, both its straight-line and handling numbers, not to mention its gas mileage, are solid. For around 20 large, a well-equipped Elantra Touring is an economy-plus ride that represents first-class travel.

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
Base price $18,495
Price as tested $20,445
Vehicle layout Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door hatchback
Engine 2.0L/138-hp/137-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4
Transmission 5-speed manual
Curb weight 3000 lb (mfr)
Wheelbase 106.3 in
Length x width x height 176.2 x 69.5 x 59.8 in
0-60 mph 8.1 sec
Quarter mile 16.3 sec @ 84.3 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 122 ft
EPA city/hwy fuel econ 23 / 31 mpg
CO2 emissions 0.75 lb/mile

By Ron Kiino
MotorTrend.com

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring: Hyundai’s brightest star isn’t necessarily its biggest

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When you think about it, the excitement is understandable. Of all the cars in Hyundai’s fleet, the Elantra Touring is the first wagon. And since wagon popularity has been on the rise, it’s no wonder Hyundai dealers are more than a little giddy.

But it might have been easy to miss the Touring since Hyundai also unleashed what many consider to be its most exciting vehicle ever: the Genesis luxury sedan. Yes, it’s a headline stealer, but as good as that car might be, the Elantra is more practical, better on gas, less money and will sell, by comparison, like hotcakes.

Over the years, the mainstream Elantra sedan/hatchback has served to enhance the company’s reputation of building well-designed automobiles for the sensible-shoes crowd. They’re solidly constructed and relatively conservative.

The Elantra Touring manages to break free of the humdrum with clean-slate good looks and a sporty driving profile that contrasts its more practical nature.

Other than wearing an Elantra badge, there’s virtually no sheetmetal that’s shared between the sedan and the Touring, which was originally designed for the European market where compact wagons are even more popular. From its open-mouth front air intake to its oversized vertical taillamps, the Touring appears more sleek than utilitarian.

Interestingly, the tale of the tape reveals that the Touring is about an inch shorter and a half-inch narrower that the sedan, but enjoys a two-inch advantage in distance between the front and rear wheels. The result is more rear-seat leg room and less body overhang, especially in the rear.

Still, Hyundai says you can cram more stuff in back with the rear seat folded than in either the Toyota Matrix, Mazda3 or Dodge Caliber as well as some major heavyweight haulers such as the BMW 3-series or Audi A4 Avant wagon.

In its own economical way, the Touring tries to emulate its pricier German rivals by tweaking the steering and suspension to provide a sport-wagon driving experience and not a station-wagon driving experience. Significantly stiffer springs, larger front and rear stabilizer bars and short-sidewall tires are the order of the day plus the steering rack has been adjusted to deliver more direct “feel.”

The sense of sportiness extends to the interior where a set of sport bucket seats with extra bolstering helps keep everyone in their place. The five-speed manual transmission (a four-speed automatic transmission is available) comes with a short-throw shifter from California-based aftermarket-parts company B&M Racing. Sporty doesn’t mean brash, though, as Hyundai has installed additional sound deadening material to keep the experience a pleasant one.

So far, so good, but don’t expect to find a fire-breathing dragon under the Touring’s hood, just the sedan’s 141-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder that twists out 137 pound-feet of torque. However, this powerplant has served the Elantra sedan well and should be capable of propelling the 3,000-pound Touring with adequate gusto.

Hyundai has graced the Touring with a veritable full load of gear including air conditioning, tilt and telescopic steering wheel with built-in audio controls, automatic speed control, keyless remote entry, eight-way adjustable driver’s seat (including lumbar support), heated outside mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels and a complete range of safety gear. The Touring also comes with a six-speaker 172-watt sound system that also includes XM satellite radio.

In fact, the Elantra arrives so complete that the only options consist of a power sunroof, heated front seats and 17-inch wheels.

Hyundai has yet to announce the base sticker for its upcoming wagon, which is expected to arrive early in 2009. But you can be sure that, with its history of competitive pricing, not to mention its standard five-year basic warranty coverage, the Elantra Touring will become a highly sought-after model and another feather in the company’s cap, along with the Genesis, of course. Whether you’re a buyer or you work at a Hyundai dealership, there’s plenty of excitement. And that’s understandable.

What you should know: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

Type: Four-door, front-wheel-drive compact wagon

Engine: 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder (141 hp)

Transmissions: Five-speed manual; four-speed automatic (opt.)

Market position: Compact wagons occupy a small, but growing niche that’s being filled by a variety of European, Japanese and North American manufacturers.

Points: Unique body styling improves on Elantra sedan; More powerful engine, turbo option would match extra cargo capacity; Exceptionally spacious interior; No leather interior, backup warning, navigation system options a surprise; Most of the automotive world adopting five- and six-speed automatic transmissions for this class, except Hyundai; Price, fuel economy, will be strong selling points.

Safety: Front airbags; side-impact airbags; side-curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes; traction control; stability control.

The numbers: MPG (city/hwy) 23/31 (MT); Base price $17,000 (est., including destination)

By comparison

Mazda 3 5-Door

Base price: $19,300

Popular hatch is fun to drive. New 2010 version arrives soon.

Dodge Caliber

Base price: $16,300

Bargain-priced base model shy on content. SRT4 offers big power.

VW Jetta Sportwagen

Base price: $19,700

Generously sized with loads of power. Diesel option available.

By Malcolm Gunn
Wheelbase Communications

Hyundai Announces Pricing for Fuel-Efficient Elantra Touring

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FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., December 23, 2008 — Hyundai Motor America has announced prices for its Elantra Touring five-door compact, starting at $18,495 for a very well-equipped entry-level model and $19,995 for one featuring a Premium-Sport package. The all-new 2009 Elantra Touring is a sportier, more functional variant of Hyundai’s popular Elantra sedan, and will be available at dealerships in the first quarter of 2009.

2009 Elantra Touring Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing
Touring M/T
Standard Equipment
Five-Speed M/T with B&M Sport shifter
$18,495

Touring A/T
Standard Equipment
Four-Speed A/T
$19,295

Touring M/T
Premium-Sport
Five-Speed M/T with B&M Sport shifter
$19,995

Touring A/T
Premium-Sport
Four-Speed A/T
$20,795

Note: All prices in this release contain a freight charge of $695

“The all-new Elantra Touring is a fun-to-drive, functional five-door,” said Mark Dipko, manager, small car product development, Hyundai Motor America. “Elantra Touring provides buyers a unique offering in the compact segment, raising the bar as Hyundai likes to do in value, safety and quality. It is remarkable how many features a customer can get for under $20,000 in such a versatile five-door.”

The Elantra Touring is the first five-door compact to offer standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) in addition to a host of other class-leading safety technologies. As with all Hyundai vehicles, the Elantra Touring was designed and manufactured to meet the most stringent quality standards in the industry, exemplifying Hyundai’s quality leadership position worldwide.

THE GOOD STUFF COMES STANDARD
Elantra Touring builds on Hyundai’s reputation for offering loads of standard equipment, including air conditioning, power windows, heated mirrors, door locks, remote keyless entry with alarm, steering wheel-mounted cruise control and audio controls, eight-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, a cooled glove box and plenty of storage compartments. For audiophiles, an integrated 172-Watt AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, USB input and auxiliary input jack are standard. The Premium-Sport package adds a power sunroof with tilt and slide functions, heated front seats and 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/45VR17 tires.

STANDARD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES
Like every Hyundai, top-tier safety was a key development goal for the Elantra Touring, which is fully equipped to protect driver and passengers. Passive safety features include dual front, side and curtain airbags — a total of six protective airbags in the vehicle. Other safety features include active front headrests, seatbelt pretensioners and seatbelt reminders. The combination of side and curtain airbags, which help protect the head and body during side impacts, can reduce fatalities by more than 50 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS also notes that active front head restraints improve rear crash protection.

The Elantra Touring comes standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), one of the industry’s most effective life-saving technologies. NHTSA studies show that passenger cars equipped with ESC experience 30 percent fewer fatalities in single-vehicle crashes than cars without ESC. Santa Fe, Veracruz, Tucson, Sonata, Azera, Elantra SE, Entourage and Genesis are all equipped with standard ESC. Elantra Touring has earned five-star frontal and four-star side crash ratings in the compact passenger car segment from NHTSA.

ROOMY AND REFINED INTERIOR
The long wheelbase and generous width of the Elantra Touring, combined with Hyundai’s expertise in interior packaging, have produced an interior that delivers class-leading comfort, functionality and practicality. Elantra Touring has the most interior volume (passenger volume plus cargo space) of any five-door in its class at 125.5 cubic feet. In fact, Elantra Touring’s cargo capacity is 65.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, which is more cargo space than many larger wagons and crossovers.

The Elantra Touring is the first compact five-door to offer XM Satellite Radio® and USB/iPod® auxiliary inputs as standard equipment. When an iPod or flash drive is connected through the USB port, located in the center storage compartment, not only does it play music through the vehicle’s six-speaker audio system, but it also charges the iPod and allows the driver to access tracks with the steering wheel audio controls. This system also allows both driver and passengers to easily view song/artist/title information and control the music from the audio head unit rather than only the iPod itself. The center storage compartment location of the USB assures that iPods can be safely stowed out of sight.

The roomy and functional interior is also a quiet place to be. Based on internal tests, Elantra Touring has four decibels lower road noise levels than the Mazda3 five-door.

IMPRESSIVE PACKAGE EFFICIENCY
The Elantra Touring’s exterior dimensions (176.2 inches long, 69.5 inches wide and 59.8 inches high) make it a great fit in the compact five-door segment, while its long wheelbase (106.3 inches) offers class-leading interior volume. Elantra Touring features outstanding front legroom and both front and rear shoulder room. In addition, every Elantra Touring has 60/40 split folding rear seats that fold when needed for added storage, functionality and practicality.

The Elantra Touring matches best-in-class passenger volume with best-in-class cargo capacity. There is a useful 24.3 cubic feet of luggage space with rear seats upright and a cavernous 65.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. As in any Hyundai, the utility and convenience in the Elantra Touring has not been overlooked, with a stow-and-go removable luggage cover that stores conveniently out-of-site under the trunk area compartment. An optional restraining net is also offered.

The Elantra Touring includes a number of convenient, standard stowage and storage features, including a sunglass holder, two front and two rear cupholders, door bottle holders, dash storage, central console storage, front storage tray, front seatback pockets and a cargo area under-floor storage. For tailgaters, the cargo area also has a power-retained, 12-volt outlet that does not require the vehicle to be turned on in order to work.

ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Elantra Touring is powered by the same fuel-efficient, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder found in the Elantra sedan. This sophisticated, 16-valve powerplant employs Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC) and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) for a power band, coupled with high fuel efficiency and low emissions. Elantra Touring is certified as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV). With a manual transmission, the Elantra Touring’s mileage is 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway according to the EPA. With the optional four-speed, automatic transmission, the Elantra Touring’s EPA rating is 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

AMERICA’S BEST WARRANTY
The 2009 Elantra Touring is protected by the Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Elantra Touring buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit), including emergency service.

First Drive: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

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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.

Hyundai’s New Elantra Touring

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Station wagons aren’t dead. But, Hyundai isn’t calling its upcoming wagon version of the 2009 Elantra a wagon. It’s a “Touring.” Very European. Which is appropriate considering the Europeans appreciate wagons, um… tourings, as much as anybody… and the Elantra Touring is as handsome as any from The Continent.

Said John Krafcik, vice president, product development and strategic planning, Hyundai Motor America, “The all-new Elantra Touring is a fun-to-drive, functional five-door. Elantra Touring provides buyers a unique offering in the compact segment, raising the bar as Hyundai likes to do in value, safety and quality.”

Well-penned forms provide a flowing shape from front to rear with tension lines down the sides, giving the car a handsome and athletic feel. The front looks like a cross between a Honda Civic and Mazda RX-8, which aren’t bad company for a cargo machine. If Audi or Volkswagen had launched this car, nobody would have been surprised. Interior design is very similar to the mid-size Sonata, which is to say modern, handsome, and functional. It all looks very good.

All Elantra Touring models come with a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and routed to the front wheels through a five-speed manual or four-speed SHIFTRONIC® automatic transmission. The latter has a manual shift mode for fun driving. Fuel economy should be close to 25/35 mpg city/highway.

Options read as upscale as the exterior looks. For safety, buyers can get electronic stability control, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, side curtain airbags, and front side airbags. Remote keyless entry, eight-way adjustable drivers seat, MP3 input, XM Satellite Radio, power sunroof, heated front seats, and 17” alloy wheels are all available.

Wagons are certainly not dead, and with high gas prices, could soon be at a premium. Hyundai is on top of it, offering the value for which it is known, and with style that could send some European automakers to the drawing board. Expect prices to start around $16,000. Competition will include the Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, Chrysler PT Cruiser, and Saturn Astra 5-door.

Fuel-Efficient 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Arrives In United States

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Fuel-Efficient 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Arrives In United States

CHICAGO, February 6, 2008 — Hyundai Motor America took the wraps off its Elantra Touring five-door compact at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show today. Making its United States debut, the all-new 2009 Elantra Touring is a sportier, more functional variant of Hyundai’s popular Elantra sedan, and is slated to hit dealerships in the winter of 2008. Elantra Touring is based on the i30 CW model that was designed for the European market.

“The all-new Elantra Touring is a fun-to-drive, functional five-door,” said John Krafcik, vice president, product development and strategic planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Elantra Touring provides buyers a unique offering in the compact segment, raising the bar as Hyundai likes to do in value, safety and quality.”

The Elantra Touring, with its modern, sleek styling and fun-to-drive qualities, was developed by Hyundai in response to the growing demand for stylish and functional five-door vehicles, sales of which doubled from 2001 to 2006. Five-door vehicle sales are projected to be strong into the next decade. The Elantra Touring will also be the first five-door compact to offer standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), in addition to a host of other class-leading safety technologies. As with all Hyundai vehicles, the Elantra Touring was designed and manufactured to meet the most stringent quality standards in the industry, exemplifying Hyundai’s quality leadership position worldwide.

ASSERTIVE EXTERIOR DESIGN

Flowing curves and strong character lines highlight the broad stance and long wheelbase of the Elantra Touring. The clearly defined, unbroken, rising beltline unifies the vehicle’s functional proportions. The effect is an exciting shape that provides a dynamic impression of performance and capability. Elantra Touring has a low coefficient of drag for optimal fuel efficiency at highway speeds and minimal interior noise. Up front, the pronounced dual air intakes flow smoothly into the hood and A-pillar lines. Sharp projection headlamps, fog lights and available 17-inch alloy wheels complete the modern design.

ROOMY AND REFINED INTERIOR

The long wheelbase and generous width of the Elantra Touring, combined with Hyundai’s expertise in interior packaging, have produced an interior that delivers class-leading comfort, functionality and practicality. Elantra Touring has the most interior volume (passenger volume plus cargo space) of any five-door in its class at 125.5 cubic feet. In fact, Elantra Touring’s cargo capacity is 65.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, more cargo space than many larger wagons and crossovers.

The Elantra Touring was conceived from the beginning as a driver’s car. The clarity of the instruments, standard B&M Racing sport shifter, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and a supportive eight-way adjustable driver’s seat all contribute to a superior driving experience. For extra clarity, Hyundai’s signature blue LCD lighting technology has been used for the central information display and gauge cluster. Two-tone interior trim, with special attention to the upholstery fabrics and materials, delivers a more premium feel. Black and beige are the two interior color choices.

The Elantra Touring is the first compact five-door to offer XM Satellite Radio® and USB/iPod® auxiliary inputs as standard equipment. When an iPod or flash drive is connected through the USB port, which is located in the center storage compartment, not only does it play music through the vehicle’s six-speaker audio system, but it also charges the iPod and allows the driver to access tracks with the steering wheel audio controls. This system also allows both driver and passengers to easily view song/artist/title information and control the music from the audio head unit rather than only the iPod itself. The center storage compartment location of the USB assures that iPods can be safely stowed out of sight.

The roomy and functional interior is also a quiet place to be. Based on internal tests, Elantra Touring has four decibels lower road noise levels than Mazda3 five-door.

INTELLIGENT ERGONOMICS

With its leading-edge designs, Hyundai has proven through the years that vehicles do not need to be large to feel spacious, nor carry a premium price when offering intelligently designed interior cabins. The Elantra Touring is just the latest expression of this thoughtful approach, incorporating conveniently located steering wheel audio/cruise controls and column stalks, easy-to-reach heating and air conditioning knobs, as well as conveniently positioned power windows and mirror controls. Even the positioning and precise feel of the automatic gearshift has been optimized. The integrated 172-watt AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio®/CD/MP3 audio system, map pockets and other storage areas round out the car’s conveniently and intelligently designed interior space.

Sporty front seats, designed to complement the athletic driving dynamics of the vehicle, and carefully contoured rear seats, provide long distance comfort and support. Hyundai engineers focused not just on the seats’ form and function, but also on the stitching, materials and bolstering. The front driver seat is fully height adjustable and includes lumbar support. The result is seating fit for the spirited driving that Elantra Touring inspires.

IMPRESSIVE PACKAGE EFFICIENCY

The Elantra Touring’s exterior dimensions (176.2 inches long, 69.5 inches wide and 59.8 inches high) make it a great fit in the compact five-door segment, while its long wheelbase (106.3 inches) means that Elantra Touring offers class-leading interior volume. Elantra Touring features outstanding front legroom and front and rear shoulder room. In addition, every Elantra Touring has 60/40 split folding rear seats that fold when needed for added storage, functionality and practicality.

The Elantra Touring includes a number of convenient, standard stowage and storage features, including a sunglass holder, two front and two rear cupholders, door bottle holders, dash storage, central console storage, front storage tray, front seatback pockets and a cargo area under-floor storage. For tailgaters, the cargo area also has a power-retained 12-volt outlet, where the vehicle does not have to be turned on, for consumers who desire an outlet to plug in their portable electronic devices.

ENGINE PERFORMANCE

Elantra Touring is powered by the same fuel-efficient 2.0-liter, in line four-cylinder found in the Elantra sedan. This sophisticated 16-valve powerplant employs Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC) and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) for a very broad power band, coupled with high fuel efficiency and low emissions. Elantra Touring is certified as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).

TRANSMITTING THE POWER

Hyundai understands that performance means more than just engine output, which is why transmission choices have been optimized for real driving satisfaction.

An ergonomically located gear shift with a SHIFTRONIC® manual feature controls the Elantra Touring’s four-speed automatic transmission, delivering confident mode selection and quicker, easier, more precise manual overrides. A unique-in-segment B&M Racing sport shifter delivers smooth, short-throw shift control for the standard five-speed manual transmission.

AGILE STEERING, SUSPENSION AND BRAKING

The Hyundai Elantra Touring offers a dynamic driving experience. A MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension have been fitted to perfectly complement the body structure’s high rigidity. Ventilated 11.8-inch front and solid 10.3-inch rear discs with ABS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) provide excellent stopping power with added handling control.

Elantra Touring delivers high performance steering and adds unique springs, front and rear stabilizer bars and dampers. Elantra Touring features a 24 percent stiffer front spring rate, a 39 percent stiffer rear spring rate, a larger front stabilizer bar (24 mm) and larger rear stabilizer bar (21mm) than the Elantra sedan. Both 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels, with low and ultra-low profile tires, add visual impact and extra grip to the Elantra Touring’s sporty dynamics. The result is a car that simply demands to be driven.

Elantra Touring steering character is another key driver of its sporty driving nature. Hyundai chassis engineers focused on delivering an agile feel, with direct responses to driver inputs. That spirit translates to a fun-to-drive character in everyday driving situations. And all drivers will appreciate Elantra Touring’s nimble turning diameter – at 34.2 feet it is better than Rabbit’s 35.8 feet and Caliber’s 37.2 feet.

UNSURPASSED STANDARD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES

Like every Hyundai, top-tier safety was a key development goal for the Elantra Touring, which is fully equipped to protect driver and passengers. In terms of passive safety, it features dual front, side and curtain airbags, for a total of six protective airbags in the vehicle. The Elantra Touring also features active front headrests, seatbelt pretensioners and seatbelt reminders. The combination of side and curtain airbags, which help protect the head and body during side impacts, can reduce fatalities by more than 52 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Also according to the IIHS, active front head restraints improve rear crash protection.

These passive safety technologies are fully grounded in a state-of-the-art body structure, which includes deformable zones, occupant protection cell and three-way load distribution technology. Further rigidity has been achieved with reinforced A pillars, strengthened bulkhead, front and side members, and strengthened B and C pillars.

The Elantra Touring comes standard with Electronic Stability Control, one of the industry’s most effective life-saving technologies. ESC compares the driver’s intended course with the vehicle’s actual response. It then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed in certain driving circumstances to help correct understeer or oversteer. NHTSA studies show passenger cars equipped with ESC experience 30 percent fewer fatalities in single-vehicle crashes. Santa Fe, Veracruz, Tucson, Sonata, Azera, Elantra SE, Entourage and Genesis are all equipped with standard ESC. Approximately 73 percent of Hyundai vehicles offered in 2008 come equipped with standard ESC – a commitment to this sophisticated and effective automotive safety technology that is unmatched by any other popular automotive brand.

In developing and refining the safety features of the Elantra Touring, Hyundai employed advanced design systems and sophisticated computer simulation, combined with intensive component testing. This is a process used in development of all Hyundai vehicles. From drawing board to prototype testing to final product development, Hyundai uses this extensive process to assure that all its vehicles – including the Elantra Touring – meet or exceed government safety standards, as well as the expectations of vehicle buyers.

THE GOOD STUFF COMES STANDARD

Elantra Touring builds on Hyundai’s reputation for offering loads of standard equipment, offering air conditioning, power windows, heated mirrors, door locks, remote keyless entry with alarm, steering wheel-mounted cruise control and audio controls, eight-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, and plenty of storage compartments. For audiophiles, an integrated 172-watt AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, USB input and auxiliary input jack are standard. The Premium-Sport package adds a power sunroof with tilt and slide functions, heated front seats and 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/45VR17 tires.

AMERICA’S BEST WARRANTY

The 2009 Elantra Touring is protected by the Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Elantra Touring buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit) and that service includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. There is no deductible on any of this coverage.

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Unveiled in Montreal

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2009 Hyundai Elantra Tourning Unveiled in Montreal

The first time we were laid eyes on the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring was at the SEMA show last year. Adorned with a bizzare paint coat and a few other accessories, the new five-door variant of the automaker’s compact Elantra did not receive much attention from the press or the public. Badged as the i30 CW in Europe, Hyundai hopes to cross-shop the consumers who would otherwise look at the Toyota Matrix, Dodge Caliber, and Mazda3.

The production Elantra Touring, without the exterior eyesores, was unveiled for the first time at the 2008 Montreal International Autoshow today. Hyundai also celebrated its 25 years of selling cars in Canada at the launch. Acting as the indirect replacement of the Elantra Hatchback, the Elantra Touring boasts many class-leading features such as standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and the largest interior volume in its class. It will be powered by the same engine that propels its four-door variant, a 2.0L 141 horsepower 4-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, while a four-speed automatic is optional. The Elantra Touring also features a sport-tuned suspension (purely namesake), and a standard USB port alongside an AUX port. Other options include a leather-trimmed interior, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Elantra Touring will reach showrooms in spring of 2008 as a 2009 model. Pricing should be announced closer to its launch date.

[Source: Hyundai Canada]