What a surprising car. It reminds me of how shocked I was when I first drove the Suzuki SX4 Crossover. A feeling, as Joe noted, that doesn't happen too often these days. It's roomy, versatile, and handsome, if a bit generic. The interior materials in the Elantra are a mixed bag though, with fit and finish ranging from so-so (seat fabric) to excellent (dash layout, displays and controls). The blue lighting on the gauges and radio display is nice and the ability to see artist and song title for each satellite radio station before making a selection is a great feature, one that I've seen on very few vehicles in any class.
Power doesn't come hard or fast in any gear, but if you really keep the manual moving you can squeeze out adequate power. The shift action is firm and smooth, but it becomes notchy if the clutch is not fully depressed when changing gears. Pedal placement is good but they seem especially deep in the footwell, so I was happy to see that the steering wheel adjusted for both rake and reach since I was too close to the wheel once I had adjusted my seat.
Overall, this car is a decent drive and a fairly good value, but if I were looking to buy a mid-size wagon, a Jetta Sportwagen would be my choice. A similarly equipped Jetta SE model (one step up from the base S model) is only about $1500 more than the Elantra Touring. Bluetooth is not offered but the Jetta brings best-in-class interior fit and finish, more comfortable, partially electronic seats for both driver and passenger, a smoother-shifting manual, and a much more responsive engine with a reduction of only 2 mpg for both city and highway fuel economy. Of course, there is no denying that this Elantra Touring, like the Genesis, is an impressive effort and an example of how far Hyundai has come. It's yet another warning to automakers around the globe to watch their backs.
Jennifer Misaros, Production Editor ...next page >>