The Elantra Touring is one of the best affordable wagons in its category. It is a very well rounded vehicle making one of the best purchases you can ever have for you and your family. Elantra Touring boasts of quality and design, coupled with affordability, making it a truly competent vehicle in its own class and category.
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: Compact Wagon | Base Price: $15,995.00 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 14 gallons (53 liters) | MPG: 23 city / 31 hwy |
| Length: 176.6 in. (448 cm) | Width: 69.5 in. (176 cm) |
| Height: 59.8 in. (151.8 cm) | Wheel Base: 106.3 in. (270 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 2937 lbs (1332 kg) | Ground Clearance: 5.9 in. (14.9 cm) |
| Luggage Capacity: 24.3 cu ft | Maximum Seating: 5 people |
| Engine: 16-valve DOHC w/ CVVT 4-cylinder | Displacement: 2.0 liters |
| Horsepower: 138 HP | Max RPM: 6000 RPM |
| Torque: 136 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm | Transmission: 5-Speed Manual |
| Option:Elantra Touring SE | MSRP: $19,495; MPG: 23 city / 31 hwy |
Performance
With its sleek design and ample cargo space, one thinks that style and quality need not be directly proportional to its price. It is very stylish and it does not look cheap at all. The first thing you’ll notice is that the Elantra Touring does not resemble, not even remotely, the Elantra sedan. It is actually based on the Hyundai i30 which is marketed for the Europeans who think that economy cars need not feel cheap.
It is more of a competent comfort ride, a cruiser, but definitely not a sports car. They are both sporty cars. It comes with a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine with 138 horsepower. Most people say that is not enough, and the power even diminishes when there is heavy cargo (or people in the car). The standard in the five speed manual but there is also the four speed automatic transmission, most people recommend buying the manual version because it offers more power than the automatic one; it is also reportedly easier to operate. Fuel efficiency for the Elantra Touring is 23/31 mpg city/highway.
Trims
There are two models available for the Elantra Touring: GLS and SE. The 2011 has this one touch triple turn signal stalks and it has also keyless entry. The headlights turn on when the owner unlocks the car via keyless entry.
Exterior & Interior
The Elantra Touring’s exterior also exceeds expectations. Since compact wagons are not exactly known for sleek and swanky designs, the Touring delivers. The vertical tail-lights, the sculpted rear end and the lines make the car very stream lined.
The Touring has a large interior. It also has a clean layout. Some may call it Spartan but it would be better to accurate to call it simple and it can be elegant (depending on your taste). It is not lavish, but understandably so to keep costs down. After all, it is not a fancy car. It can have up to 65 cubic feet of cargo space when the seats are folded (24.3 when the seats are up), making it one of the roomiest compact wagons in the market. In fact, that number can be seen in compact sport utility vehicles.
Pros & Cons
In terms of class and space, the Jetta takes the cake with its luxe interiors. The Touring’s chairs also offer good legroom and excellent support that prevents fatigue, making it a good thing for drivers. Bluetooth is available too. There are a lot of storage bins throughout the car, making it very useful for stashing things. Another good thing about the car is that the glove compartment has an aircon vent, in which you can actually store your drinks and keep it cold.
Safety & Reliability
Hyundai cars always receive high scores on safety and reliability. It comes with a lot of safety features like the four wheel disc brakes and anti-lock brakes. It has traction and stability control, and a total of six airbags from the front seats to the passenger seats. The warranty for this car is very long with the power train warranty that lasts for 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The limited warranty lasts for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Hyundai also offers a free 24 hour roadside assistance for five years.
The Competition
The car performs well in all aspects, although it is not for people who are looking for more power. They can be suited with the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen (MSRP $19,995; 23 city / 33 hwy) or the Mazda3 (MSRP $20,045; 20 city / 28 hwy).
Overall Rating
69 out of 100
What others say:
“The electric power steering is quick but feels a tad light. Tourings have sharp response and with strong grip. The brakes furnish fine stopping control and pedal feel.”Consumer Guide
“Large cargo capacity, spacious cabin, entertaining handling, smooth ride, plenty of standard features, generous warranty.”Edmunds
