“Coolness” can swing in another direction in a moment’s notice. One day you’re swaggering around in acid wash jeans and big hair, happily playing air guitar to Motley Crue, then suddenly, a couple of decades later, people start avoiding you at parties.
This happens in the vehicle world too. A case in point is the station wagon, which is suddenly cool again, after decades of taking a back seat to the minivan, the SUV and the crossover.
Fueling the station wagon’s current swing back to coolness is a slight “anti-SUV” sentiment and the arrival of some really kick-butt high-end wagons — like Cadillac CTS-V Wagon and Audi A6 Avant.
There are also some new and cool wagons at the lower end of the market, though when it comes to these shorter cars, the definition gets murky, whether they are a traditional station wagon or a “squared off” five-door hatch.
Three current compact nameplates that are designed in the more “traditional” wagon template are Mini Clubman, VW Golf Wagon, and the subject of today’s test drive — the Hyundai Elantra Touring.
Playing the Value Card
The ice-box white Touring we picked up at Hyundai Canada HQ was tricked out in the GLS trim, for a pre-tax, pre-PDI total of $20,499.
But you can get into a Touring for as little as $14,999 (L trim, with 5-speed manual), which sets the nameplate apart from the European wagons, which tend to be only available in upscale, fully-loaded models.
Lots of standard kits on all trim lines: stereo with USB and aux inputs; cabin air filter; rear centre armrest with cupholders, 12V outlet; power doors and windows; split fold-down rear seats; tilt steering wheel; and six air bags.
GLS models also throw on standard electronic brake force Distribution and stability and traction control, making for a very “safe” package for a “low $20K” vehicle.
This happens in the vehicle world too. A case in point is the station wagon, which is suddenly cool again, after decades of taking a back seat to the minivan, the SUV and the crossover.
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| The ice-box white Touring we picked up at Hyundai Canada HQ was tricked out in the GLS trim, for a pre-tax, pre-PDI total of $20,499. (Photo: Mike Goetz/Auto123.com) |
Fueling the station wagon’s current swing back to coolness is a slight “anti-SUV” sentiment and the arrival of some really kick-butt high-end wagons — like Cadillac CTS-V Wagon and Audi A6 Avant.
There are also some new and cool wagons at the lower end of the market, though when it comes to these shorter cars, the definition gets murky, whether they are a traditional station wagon or a “squared off” five-door hatch.
Three current compact nameplates that are designed in the more “traditional” wagon template are Mini Clubman, VW Golf Wagon, and the subject of today’s test drive — the Hyundai Elantra Touring.
Playing the Value Card
The ice-box white Touring we picked up at Hyundai Canada HQ was tricked out in the GLS trim, for a pre-tax, pre-PDI total of $20,499.
But you can get into a Touring for as little as $14,999 (L trim, with 5-speed manual), which sets the nameplate apart from the European wagons, which tend to be only available in upscale, fully-loaded models.
Lots of standard kits on all trim lines: stereo with USB and aux inputs; cabin air filter; rear centre armrest with cupholders, 12V outlet; power doors and windows; split fold-down rear seats; tilt steering wheel; and six air bags.
GLS models also throw on standard electronic brake force Distribution and stability and traction control, making for a very “safe” package for a “low $20K” vehicle.
 |
| Lots of standard kits on all trim lines: stereo with USB and aux inputs; 12V outlet; power doors and windows; tilt steering wheel; and six air bags. (Photo: Mike Goetz/Auto123.com) |