Don’t be led astray; this is not the Hyundai Elantra sedan you’ve grown to know so well. Not that we have a problem with the standard Elantra, but the Touring is a different matter altogether. This is the Touring, a hatchback styled on the classic Elantra design. While you won’t get everything in the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring that you would get in a Hyundai Elantra sedan, you do get a pretty reliable and practical hatchback.
While there are definitely drivers who enjoy the style of a hatchback, the main reason you probably are considering a vehicle of this nature is for the trunk space, and the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring has an impressive amount of space, all you could probably expect and more. That doesn’t come at the expense of passenger space, there’s lots of that too.
While the Hyundai Elantra Touring does have a good-looking exterior, it’s not exactly upscale, either in its exterior styling or interior design. If this is an issue for you, you may want to go out and find a pricier car, perhaps a luxury crossover or a German-engineered wagon. But if you’re looking for a sporty hatchback that’s affordable, has a fun ride, and offers plenty of needed space, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring may be a very exciting option for you to consider.
The Hyundai Elantra comes in two trim levels, The GLS and the SE.
New For 2012
One complaint many have about the Hyundai Elantra Touring is that its styling feels a bit dated, and unfortunately, that’s not going to change for 2012. Right now, there are some color additions and there’s been some option package shuffling, but the 2012 Hyundai Elantra is otherwise the same as last year’s model.
Exterior
While no one will mistake it for a BMW or a Bentley, the exterior of the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring has its positives. Its shape is something akin to a compact crossover SUV, but a streamlined version with a sloping back roof and windswept headlamps. For some, however, the shape is too reminiscent of a wagon, a vehicle style that crossovers are rapidly making extinct. The GLS features 15-inch steel wheels with all-season tires and options such as a rear spoiler, wheel locks, and a rear bumper protector. With the SE, you get a power glass sun roof and roof rack, along with 17 inch alloy wheels. Exterior color options range from Polar White to Atlantic Blue to Chilipepper Red to Black Noir Pearl.
Interior & Cargo
Although the interior of the Hyundai Elantra Touring may not appear as upscale as a luxury sedan, you do get full power accessories, a tilt steering wheel which comes leather wrapped in the SE, cloth upholstery, six speaker sound with CD player, satellite radio and input for iPod and USB. The option package adds a telescoping feature to the wheel as well as upgraded upholstery and a trip computer. The SE also has leather trim on the shift knob, the tilt and telescoping steering wheel with audio and cruise controls on the wheel, and multi-level heated front seats.
Naturally, space is your big concern with a hatchback, mainly cargo space but passenger space as well. You’ve got nothing to worry about with the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring in this area, as you start out with a full 24.3 cu. ft. of cargo space, and folding the rear seats allows you to expand to an expansive maximum cargo capacity of 65.3 cu. ft. There’s comfortable seating for five, with a full 43.5 inches of front leg room and 36.4 inches of rear leg room.
Again, while the Elantra Touring doesn’t get huge marks for styling, mostly because other cars in its class have upgraded their interiors while Hyundai has remained the same, you can certainly get comfortable inside this car, and the dashboard is simple and intuitive. There’s not that much to get excited about with the Elantra Touring interior style, but not much to complain about either.
Safety
Hyundai has included plenty of features to help ensure safety while driving the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring. For brake safety, you’ll find a four-wheel anti-lock braking system, ventilated front disc and solid rear disc brakes, electronic brake force distribution and emergency braking assist. With regard to airbags, the Elantra Touring comes complete with front and rear head airbags and dual front side-mounted airbags. For theft protection you’ll find an engine immobilizer and alarm system, and for child safety, seat anchors and rear door safety locks.
Other safety precautions included in the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring are such features as stability control and traction control, tire pressure monitoring, front seatbelt pretensioners, whiplash protection systems for driver and passenger and a rear center three-point belt.
Driving Experience
If you have any concerns about style, you’ll probably forget all about them once you get the Hyundai Elantra Touring on the road. This roomy hatchback is surprisingly sporty and fun to drive, with a well-tuned suspension that gives you impressive handling and a relatively quiet, comfortable ride, with a choice between a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine actually has a nice amount of pep for this vehicle, and can generate 138 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is fairly impressive for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring as well, with gas mileage ratings of 23/30 mpg city/highway, 23/31 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission option. If you’re looking for a car to load up with friends and weekend fun gear and zip along some country roads, this is a great car to do it in. Of course, you’ll probably find many more practical uses for the Elantra Touring as well.
Key Competitors For The 2012 Hyundai Elantra-Touring
- Mazda 3
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Volkswagen Golf