Up Close: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

Hyundai’s new Elantra Touring may not have the visual appeal of a Mazda3 hatchback, but it is reasonably sporty looking thanks to wraparound headlights and a large opening in the front bumper. Tall, thin taillights finish off the rear end.

Despite its small exterior size, the Elantra Touring has good room on the inside in both the front and back. If you need more room for your stuff, the rear seatbacks fold down easily. Apart from minor changes to the instrument cluster and center dash controls, the Elantra Touring’s cabin design is much like the interior of the regular Elantra sedan. Material quality is better than the Dodge Caliber’s and similar to the Mazda3’s.