The 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring compact station wagon in its base camp: the University of Maryland's Lot 2. It will spend
as little of the next week in the parking lot as possible.
See more photos of the Elantra Touring below the article in today's slideshow.
Many car reviewers are accustomed to getting a week in each new car that comes to market. Some get even more time than that in manufacturer-owned cars from an automaker's press fleet.
In this space, you mostly see reviews based on shorter test drives from local dealerships. Hyundai has offered more: a week in its new compact station wagon, the Elantra Touring.
The Elantra Touring is billed as a blend of sporty handling and interior practicality, wrapped up with Hyundai's traditional amount of features for the money and long warranty. It has a week to prove it offers all of that.
In this space over the next week, you'll see impressions of what it's like to live with this car, driving it in rain and sunshine, at day and night, on empty highways, along curvy back roads, and in rush hour congestion. Check back for daily updates on the basics of its driving dynamics and comfort, and for more nuanced details that emerge over extended use.
And I invite you all to leave any questions you'd like me to be on special lookout for in the comments section below, or by e-mail at dc.car.examiner@gmail.com.
Day 1: introduction
Day 2: ride and handling
Day 3: cargo management
Day 5: seats, interior details, visibility
Day 7: traveling to and on Skyline Drive
Conclusion: full review
Odometer at beginning of test: 1,294 miles
Comments
Looking forward to your impressions over the next week. Have your friends all sit in the passenger seats and report their comfort if you get a chance.
How comfortable is the seat? (I found it a little hard/stiff on my test drive) . . .
Also, how does it handle in the rain and/or snow (if you have any in the area)?
Thanks!
My first impression when I landed in the seat was also that it was somewhat hard, but it proved comfortable over a 35-minute drive. I also didn't play with all the adjustments, which may make some difference there. I'll report back again when I've had even more time in the car.
No snow in April in the Washington area, but the car had no problem in heavy rain today.
WHEN SOLD " ALL PROFITS GO OUT OF THE USA!
Not interested.
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