The older I get the more the idea of a five-door wagon, fastback, hatchback or whatever you want to call it, appeals to me.

If you think the Elantra Touring has European good looks, you're right; it's Korean built, but German designed. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Now, if you would have asked my opinion on these kinds of cars years ago when I was driving the family wagon to and from high school, I would have said otherwise. Oh, how I coveted a coupe or sedan back then!

Perhaps my shift in opinion comes from the practicality a five-door has to offer in regards to moving people (or stuff!) in and out of the vehicle, or the generous amount of cargo room in both the rear seats and trunk. Or perhaps it’s because I’m more environmentally and financially conscious than I used to be and would rather use less and pay less in fuel to operate a vehicle. Partly I think the shift in my opinion is because car manufacturers are now making cool, desirable and super sporty five-doors that not only look good but drive well, and turn the occasional head! I’m so vain.

Hyundai hasn’t offered a five-door hatchback/wagon since its GT model in 2006, but the hiatus is over and it was worth the wait. For the 2009 model year, we now have the all-new Elantra Touring (in other markets, it’s known as the i30) to grace the streets. And graceful it is. The German-designed, but South Korean-built Touring definitely combines the best of both worlds. Its classy exterior combines clean lines with pleasing curves and its spacious cabin is nicely detailed and very roomy. The fit, finish and overall quality of the Touring is nothing less than I would have expected from Hyundai; it is superb.

All Touring models from the base L to the top-of-the-line GL with the Sport Package share the same 2.0L, 16-valve, DOHC, 4-cylinder engine which produces 138 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque.

The interior isn't fashion-forward or edgy, but is roomy and functional in the best European tradition. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

It’s the same engine that is used in the Touring’s sedan sibling, and it’s peppy and powerful enough to provide the requisite zing for city and highway driving.

Two transmissions are offered with the Elantra Touring; a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. The automatic will cost an extra $1,200, but without a fifth gear! While I tested the Touring with the automatic transmission, I would personally opt for a manual transmission; not because of the fifth gear, but out of personal preference. I find manual transmissions to be a lot more fun to drive as the personality of the car tends to shine through just a bit brighter. But when stuck in gridlock traffic, I would opt for the automatic transmission just to make life easier. Perhaps the next generation Touring could offer a 5-speed automatic with a manual shifting mode? Just a thought.

Despite using the same name, what the Elantra sedan and five-door don’t share is their platform. The Elantra Touring has a longer wheelbase and has sportier driving dynamics thanks to its tuned suspension. It feels more agile in corners and definitely has a driving edge over the four-door. The Sport Package with its chrome trim, P215/45R17 tires with 17-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels, rear spoiler, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob give the Touring a sportier look and feel, too. It's a great package of goodies and pretty much covers everything, unless you've got your heart set on neon ground-effects lighting and dark tinted windows!

While the Touring might lack dark tinted windows, it doesn’t lack for interior room. Its design, although not as fashion-forward or edgy as the Mazda3 or Matrix, is more functional than cosmetic.

A swing-down rear armrest hides a pair of cupholders. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The rounded edges of the trunk offer more cargo volume in comparison. There is a total of 689L (24.3 cu-ft) with the rear seats folded up and, with the seats down it expands to 1,848L (65.3 cu-ft) of cargo room to fill with whatever can fit! There is also plenty of people room, a.k.a. head and legroom, throughout the cabin. Whether my 6-foot-3 fiancé was sitting in the driver’s seat, passenger’s seat or rear seats, he could stretch out (within reason) and find a ‘sweet’ spot to sit in. His knees also didn’t hug the steering wheel when driving which is certainly a bonus. Some vehicles just aren't designed to facilitate longer legs, but the Touring has it covered, the long, the short and the tall. There was no driving-with-the-knees in this five-door!

Sport Package aside, the GL trim comes complete with a nice list of standard convenience and safety features to make the drive-to-wherever a lot more comfortable. Included on this trim level is cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, keyless entry, power door locks and windows, fog lights, a trip computer, power sunroof and a kickin’ stereo system featuring 6-speakers, iPod control, tweeters and an CD/AUX/USB/MP3 player. Included on the safety side is a set of four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD, front, side-thorax and side-curtain airbags and active head restraints. Where the Elantra Touring lacks a little is in the electronic stability control department. Not even in the GL trim is this offered as a standard or even an optional feature. It’s a little odd considering this is an option in other Touring/i30 markets. However, the lack of this feature probably helps keep the cost of this vehicle quite low ($22,395 fully featured). Better yet, the base L model starts under $15,000 ($14,995), which is almost $1K less than the Toyota Matrix. With the economy in the state that it is, every penny counts, literally. And in my books, the Touring is a worthwhile way to spend your hard-earned pennies.

Speaking of hard-earned pennies, a good friend of mine was considering purchasing the brand-new Touring and brought me along to the dealership with her and her husband to take a look. The couple, who are expecting their first child in the next couple of months, loved the car’s generous interior room, safety features and styling. This experience also gave me insight into Hyundai’s sales people as well as their customer service; something I rarely experience.

The Sport Package includes P215/45R17 tires on 17-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

I was thoroughly impressed with the dealership (located in Victoria) and the level of service they offered. Of course, the sales people are there to sell, but I didn’t feel they were overtly pushy or pressuring with my friends. Plus, we’d arrived at the dealership about half-an-hour before closing, and they helped us as long as we needed, even after they had closed their doors. It's not that I was expecting they might kick us out or anything, but I was impressed with their patience and extended welcome, and at no point did it feel like they wanted us out. My friends ended up purchasing a car the next day but eventually opted for Hyundai's Santa Fe, as they wanted the AWD feature. Either way, they are very happy with their overall experience, especially their new car!

Of the two Elantras, I’m more of a fan of the ’09 Touring than the sedan. Having driven both in the last little while, the Touring offers more personality, pizazz and trunk space. It also has great fuel economy with an estimated 8.7L/100km in the city and 6.5L/100km on the highway with the automatic transmission. Did I mention it has lots of trunk space?!

Specifications (Elantra Touring GL with Sport Package):

• Price Range (GL Sport, MSRP): $21,995 - $22,395
• Price as Tested (MSRP): $23,395
• Delivery & Destination: $1,495
• Body Type: 5-door compact wagon
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Engine: 138-hp, 136 lb-ft of torque, 2.0L, 16-valve, DOHC I-4
• Transmission: 5-spd manual (opt. 4-spd auto)
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,485 / 1,765 / 1,520 / 2,700 mm (176.6 / 69.5 / 59.8 / 106.3 in)
• Cargo Volume (trunk): 489 L (24.3 cu-ft)
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD
• Tires: 215/45R17
• Warranty (mo/km): 60 / 100,000 comprehensive
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 8.7 / 6.5 L/100 km
• Direct Competitors: Dodge Caliber, Mazda3 Sport, Pontiac Vibe, Saturn Astra, Toyota Matrix, Volkswagen Jetta Wagon
• Web Site: www.hyundaicanada.com

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(J005) Standard Paint Type

(J003) Standard Paint Type