Unexpected rival
Surprisingly, with size figures to back up, the closest rival of the Elantra Touring is not a wagon but rather the aforementioned Mazda3 Sport. Do you believe it?
The sleek, slender lines of the latter nicely hide very similar dimensions and a modular trunk area that's almost as big. Judge for yourself : the Mazda3 Sport offers 1,360 litres of cargo room, or barely 3 percent less!
The Elantra Touring also boasts superior passenger room, especially in the back. While the Mazda3's rear bench seat is primarily suited for kids or small adults due to a crying lack of legroom and headroom, the Elantra's prove comfortable even for large occupants.
What's more, the rear hatch of the Hyundai is easier to open and, unlike that of the Mazda3 Sport, you don't have to struggle with a narrow, fingertip-size crease at bumper level, exactly where dirt and sludge build up during winter. The liftgate also reveals a wider, taller opening than the Japanese rival. Ultimately, the angular bodywork of the Elantra Touring enhances the practicality and versatility consumers have come to expect from a hatchback.
Not as sporty as some may claim...
However, the Mazda3 Sport shines on the road with razor-sharp yet predictable handling -- qualities that the Elantra Touring doesn't possess. The latter's power steering puts a damper on driving excitement due to its sub-par precision and the random transitions it creates. Fortunately, the fully-independent suspension induces little body roll in corners.
Elsewhere, the Touring is motivated by the sedan's 2.0-litre, VVT Beta II engine. Takeoffs and accelerations are decent given the family aspirations of the car. The transverse-mounted powerplant does not produce unsettling torque steer, either.
Surprisingly, with size figures to back up, the closest rival of the Elantra Touring is not a wagon but rather the aforementioned Mazda3 Sport. Do you believe it?
The sleek, slender lines of the latter nicely hide very similar dimensions and a modular trunk area that's almost as big. Judge for yourself : the Mazda3 Sport offers 1,360 litres of cargo room, or barely 3 percent less!
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| Unlike that of the Mazda3 Sport, the rear bench seat of the Elantra Touring can comfortably sit large occupants. |
The Elantra Touring also boasts superior passenger room, especially in the back. While the Mazda3's rear bench seat is primarily suited for kids or small adults due to a crying lack of legroom and headroom, the Elantra's prove comfortable even for large occupants.
What's more, the rear hatch of the Hyundai is easier to open and, unlike that of the Mazda3 Sport, you don't have to struggle with a narrow, fingertip-size crease at bumper level, exactly where dirt and sludge build up during winter. The liftgate also reveals a wider, taller opening than the Japanese rival. Ultimately, the angular bodywork of the Elantra Touring enhances the practicality and versatility consumers have come to expect from a hatchback.
Not as sporty as some may claim...
However, the Mazda3 Sport shines on the road with razor-sharp yet predictable handling -- qualities that the Elantra Touring doesn't possess. The latter's power steering puts a damper on driving excitement due to its sub-par precision and the random transitions it creates. Fortunately, the fully-independent suspension induces little body roll in corners.
Elsewhere, the Touring is motivated by the sedan's 2.0-litre, VVT Beta II engine. Takeoffs and accelerations are decent given the family aspirations of the car. The transverse-mounted powerplant does not produce unsettling torque steer, either.
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| The multi-valve, 4-cylinder engine delivers decent takeoffs and accelerations given the family aspirations of the Elantra Touring. |