2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vs. Its Competition

2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring 4-door Wagon Man GLS Angular Front Exterior View

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Dec 9, 2011

There aren't many compact station wagons left on the market, so shoppers seeking out the Hyundai Elantra Touring should also take a look at some cleverly designed hatchbacks, too--or seek out some higher-priced iron.

The Kia Soul has its own cool character, and wagon-like room behind the rear seats, and it's now available with a stop-start system that improves gas mileage.

Both the Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza are new for 2012, and both come in hatchback body styles that could solve the carrying conundrum as well as the Elantra Touring; the Focus is more entertaining to drive, while the Impreza has standard all-wheel drive.

The Toyota Matrix is still out there, blending Corolla running gear with a tall-wagon body.

Finally, if you're able to spend a little more, the VW Jetta SportWagen has a base price of just under $20,000, and has a very agreeable interior and lovely handling.

2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Ford Focus Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Kia Soul Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Subaru Impreza Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Toyota Matrix Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
N/A Compact wagons are few and far between, and with its fine handling and interior room, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring wagon makes us wonder why there aren't more.	8.8 With the 2012 Focus, Ford shows that small cars don't have to feel so banal, with charismatic compacts that are more satisfying to drive, more luxurious, and better-equipped.	8.2 The name rings true: this Kia has a Soul, with fun road manners and tall-wagon practicality baked into its kicky shape.	7.8 Crisply restyled, with higher gas mileage, more space inside, a nicer interior, and all-wheel drive standard, the 2012 Subaru Impreza is a newly compelling compact alternative.	7.4 The 2012 Toyota Matrix combines the frugality of the best-selling Corolla with a little more sportiness and versatility--but it still comes up a bit short in features.	7.8 The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen isn't exactly like its sedan counterpart--it's noticeably smaller but nicer inside.
MSRP From
$15,995	$16,500	$13,900	$17,495	$18,845	$20,195
Gas Mileage
23 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy	26 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy	23 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy	25 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy	20 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy	23 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas Flat 4	Gas I4	Gas I5
EPA Class
Small Station Wagon	Compact	Small Station Wagon	Compact Cars	Small Station Wagon	Small Station Wagons
Style Name
4dr Wagon Man GLS	4dr Sedan S	5dr Wagon Man Base	4dr Man 2.0i	5dr Wagon Man L FWD (Natl)	4dr Manual S
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	All Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
4 Door Wagon	4 Door Sedan	5 Door Wagon	Sedan	5 Door Wagon	4 Door
Transmission
Manual w/OD	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual