REPORT: Hyundai shaves $1,800 off price of 2010 Elantra Touring
2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring - Click above for high-res image gallery
If the Hyundai Elantra Touring is singing your song, the music just got quite a bit better. The Korean automaker has announced a price reduction on the 2010 base model to the tune of $1,800. The 2009 Elantra Touring, a compact five-door hatchback, sat in showrooms with a base price of $18,520 (all prices include the $720 shipping charge) while the 2010 model rolls in wearing a much more pleasing $16,715 sticker this fall.
The 2010 model will also be available in three trim levels: GLS with a 5-speed manual ($16,715), GLS with a 4-speed automatic ($17,915), and SE with a 5-speed manual ($19,715). All models hum along with the same 2.0-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine (rated at 138 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque) sending power to the front wheels. The base GLS models are fitted with standard stability control and a 172-watt sound system with Satellite Radio and iPod/USB jacks. For its extra C-notes, the SE model turns up the music with a standard sunroof, heated front seats, B&M Racing short-throw shifter, and 17-inch alloy wheels with more aggressive tires.
We've reviewed a 2009 Elantra Touring with the automatic and found it way too soft to be a fun daily commuter. Hyundai then loaned us a model with the 5-speed manual, 17-inch wheels and short-throw shifter, which you'll soon be able to read about in an updated review. Short story: If you care about how your car drives, go for the SE with the larger wheels.
Gallery: Review: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ray 11:40AM (8/14/2009)
When is C>A>R>S suppose to end, I think in the fall. So yes price these a few grand more to take advantage of cash for clunkers and then lower the price after so hopefully someone will buys these cars with the archaic ICE.
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USCGTO 11:45AM (8/14/2009)
Hyundai dealers are known to give off a lot of $$$ on the cars they sell. Might not be true on all the cars, but, I had one dealer offer me a XG350 (Dont ask me why I looked at it) back in 07 for abt 9k off. Same story with the Sonatas (Dont ask me why I looked at it as well) 5k off.
Hyundai is good at this game. those who do their homework alrady know that dealers marks off a lot of $$$ on their lots.
Farmboy 1:59PM (8/14/2009)
CARS goes through September.
Erik 11:53AM (8/14/2009)
They could shave $13,000 off the price and I still would not be interested.
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homunculus 12:47PM (8/14/2009)
cool. what do you think of this weather we've been having?
epilonious 11:54AM (8/14/2009)
Dammit Hyundai... stop doing/making things that make me go "oooooh, I had written you out of my Future Car Options but now I must consider you again".
So long as the newly bargained 5-speed SE doesn't feel like a complete pooch, it very well might be my next "we need another couple of shelves and bags of mulch and to take the dogs to the vet" mobile.
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Bob-omb 3:54PM (8/14/2009)
Yeah, this is back on my list, too. Although I don't think this article tells the whole story. The 2010 SE w/manual sounds pretty much identical to the current Touring with the upgrade package -- with similar pricing, still. So this new GLS, which is $3,000 cheaper, is going to be decontented. That's fine with me depending on what they take out. If it keeps the great stereo and the stability control and A/C, I can give up the leather steering wheel and fog lights and stuff like that.
Tony 12:09PM (8/14/2009)
Go to nissan.com. They are advertising the Versa at $5,490.
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Tony 12:16PM (8/14/2009)
Sorry nissanusa.com - the price is (of course) with clunker cash.
tanooki2003 1:28PM (8/14/2009)
And the versa is a sub-compact, where-as this car is a compact, in other words a bigger car than the versa.
akboss302 12:32PM (8/14/2009)
SE sounds like a useful (if not a little uninspired) hatch that will get the job done for a lot of people's needs and interests. However, the economy new-car world is really lost on me - for the same price I'd rather look at a 3-year-old G35, A4 or 3-series.
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z-man 12:36PM (8/14/2009)
Give me at least 5 speed/auto and I will be all over it. Forte got it (as an option) why not this one? I believe they share the same platform in some way. I also don't mind the car being "way too soft", who buys a wagon as their daily commuter car?
We take long weekend trips and need space to pack all our hiking gear, so the softer car would be less punishing on the passengers I think as compared to my 4-door mazda 3 sedan.
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akboss302 12:44PM (8/14/2009)
Why would someone not want a hatchback as a commuter car? They work fantastic for weekend excursion duties plus, in economy-car form, get great mileage during the week for the 9-5. But as a Mazda owner I agree the softer ride is sacrificed for sporty driving dynamics, and it may not be the ideal road trip car. When my friend's Spectra felt like a Lexus, I knew my car had serious deficiencies in 'smoothness'.
jsjs 1:00PM (8/15/2009)
The Elantra Touring, or better known as the i30 wagon (in Europe), is the sister model to the Kia cee'd.
It's too bad Hyundai doesn't bring over the better looking hatch (or Kia bringing over the even better looking/handling cee'd, esp. the pro cee'd - which, according to German auto publications, handles comparably to the VW Golf).
An upgraded AT, DI engines, as well as additional fuel saving tech such as an ISG system are in the works for the refresh of these models.
z-man 12:53PM (8/14/2009)
akboss302:
I had to laugh when I read: "When my friend's Spectra felt like a Lexus, I knew my car had serious deficiencies in 'smoothness' ." Sadly but true! I bought in on all he hype of the M3 being best in its class and yes it feels sporty and such, but I didn't realize that it wouldn't be an "ideal road trip car" at that time. Now I know. I rented Elantra the other day when we flew to CO, boy was this car so much quieter than my M3 and yes "smoother".
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Farmboy 12:53PM (8/14/2009)
Not a bad price drop. Especially for Hyundai who, like other brands such as Kia, market lower models as affordable commuters. This is also nice because most vehicles are increasing prices do to the inflation.
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Simon 1:15PM (8/14/2009)
I recently test drove this same car here in Canada where the base price starts at $14,995. I was very impressed. The transmission could use another gear, but it drove well and was much roomier and practical than the Mazda3 sports' claustrophobic interior.
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Luis 1:21PM (8/14/2009)
Looks nice, but I've never seen one before. Ha!
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CityWok 1:45PM (8/14/2009)
Wow, they're really ripping off the Mazda design language on this one... the wheels are even almost _exactly_ the same as the new 3/RX-8 wheels (though not as awesome as the Rx-8 R3 wheels). Styling looks like an old accord smashed with a mazda, but it looks good.
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Farmboy 1:58PM (8/14/2009)
Yeah, I can see some 3 hatch in that design...