2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

Pros: Room, Value, USB, Stereo, Handling, MPG, Storage, Reliability

Cons: Bluetooth a bit cludgey, rear seat adjustments

Summary: Handling seems fine for a commuter car. I've heard other reviews online say that
the feedback from the steering wheel wasn't good, OK, I guess I can buy that, personally I just don't notice this as a problem. Took this car on a long trip, handles curvy roads just fine, fun on hairpins with the tight turning circle. High speeds are
just fine, unless you are on a consistently bad piece of pavement, then road bumps
become a little too pronounced.
Overall feels very responsive to me.
In city driving at slow speeds I do seem to feel the potholes more as well.
Power could be better, but it's sufficient. I'm getting about 27 mpg in the city and got 32
on the highway on the long trip. Some reviews indicated that Hyundai?s decision
to go with a 4 speed automatic was not a good choice as a 5 speed automatic. Right
now, I guess I haven?t noticed it being a problem.
Ride is acceptably quiet on the highway but not a Cadillac. Rear "D" pillars don't get too much in the way, but you do have to know that they are there. Front view is just great; it seems to sit higher than a regular coupe or 4 door.

Comfort & convenience
Overall interior quality fit and finish is as good as a comparable Honda, Toyota
or Nissan. Better than Mazda and Mitsu.
Console, controls and gauges are well laid out and well lit. Seats were comfortable on a long trip. I'm 6'1", plenty of room in front and in rear. Seat adjustments are good for the driver; the passenger could use a lumbar support adjuster like the driver. Rear seats have a lot of room even with the driver seat adjusted all the way back. Rear seats do not recline, that would be a nice addition, to the headrests that are installed. Tilt and telescoping steering wheel is great to have for the long trips.
USB is great! Load your songs into a USB stick, stick it into the port...and viola...plug and play music and in my opinion a better option than an iPod. XM radio is nice to have. Storage nooks are plentiful and well paced in the hatch and in the front, air conditioned glove box is a nice touch. I wish the Bluetooth was hooked into the car speakers instead of standalone, and/or that the stereo would mute itself when using the phone. Leather seats would be a great option to have in this car.

I came across this car accidently. I never, I mean Never considered Hyundai before.
I really have not been impressed by the exterior styling of Hyundai?s. But I love
the European styling this car has, the first time I saw one, I was completely floored
"This is a Hyundai?" I had a friend stop by and asked me who's Audi was parked in
my driveway (It was evening-light though). I really looked long and hard at the
Hondas. The Fit was nice, but I couldn't handle the styling. My wife has a 2008
Mitsu Outlander, the Elantra Touring is an inch shorter, just as wide, seems to
have as much passenger room, gets better gas mileage and costs much less comparably equipped. Add the ECS, tire pressure monitors, Antilock brakes, all the air bags to help you feel safe.
If Honda is the bar to reach, Hyundai has made and in some
cases exceeded it with the Elantra Touring. It looks way cool. This car is a great
value, well appointed, it's well put together, has great styling, great warranty,
handles well and gets great gas mileage, all for at least $1500 less than a comparably
equipped Civic, Mazda 3, Fit, Corolla, Vibe, Matrix, Astra, Versa or Sentra.