CARSHAVA

The current Elantra and Elantra Touring are decent-looking, no-frills vehicles. Things get a lot more interesting in early 2011, when swoopy lines and Sonata styling take over. But will there be a new Touring model?

The Elantra and Elantra Touring are uncomplicated, value-minded cars with easy-to-use cabins to match. Leather seats are now available on the Elantra Touring SE. Cruise control and a cooled glove box are options.

The current-generation Elantra sedan's 136-horsepower four will get the car to 60 mph in 10.2 seconds and its stops from 60 mph in 118 feet. Get the Elantra or the Elantra Touring with the five-speed manual, and you can have a bit of fun, but we'd advise waiting for the new Elantra's powertrain options, which are expected to be both more powerful and fuel efficient. We also expect a hybrid option at some point for the Elantra.

Elantra and Elantra Touring come with six standard airbags (dual front, front side, and side curtain), four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution, and tire-pressure monitoring. Traction control and stability control are optional.

GLS Touring, SE Touring: 23 mpg city/30-31 mpg highway