2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
- Competes with: Dodge Caliber, Toyota Matrix, Mazda3 hatchback
- Looks like: Hyundai’s typical boring design meets a compact hatchback
- Drivetrain: 141-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic
- Hits dealerships: Spring 2008
Poor Canada often plays second fiddle to the U.S. when it comes to the automotive industry. Not all makes and models make it north of the border, but today Hyundai chose to debut its new Elantra Touring hatchback at the Montreal Auto Show.
We’ll know more specifics about standard and optional equipment for the U.S. later, but the standard equipment on the sedan — like four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, six airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system — should translate to the hatchback. Other features new to the Touring model are a USB input and standard auxiliary audio jack as well as a new center stack design.
Power still comes from the same four-cylinder engine, but for an economy car it isn’t completely anemic. There are more photos below, and we’ll have full U.S. standard equipment and pricing when the car makes its U.S. debut at the Chicago Auto Show.
