Anyone Compare the Hyundai hatchback with the Touring?

delaluz

I owned a 2002 Hyundai hatchback (not sure of the model but it had auto leather seats & a sunroof). This car was totaled so I replaced it with a 2007 Hyundai hatchback (probably the GLS with 5-sped). I wasn't happy with the 5 speed so I traded it in for a 2007 Sonata.

Can anyone compare how the hatchback rides compared to the Touring GLS? In particular:

1. Does the Touring GLS ride "smoother" than the old hatch?
2. Which car would feel road bumps more?
3. Which car would have a quieter cabin?

Most of the time I'm driving my wife and or 83 year old mother around so I'm looking for something with a fairly smooth, quiet ride. i.e. I don't care about the zoom zoom factor.

jlflemmons

The '02 you describe would be a GT (only one that came with leather).

I owned an '02 GLS, an '05 GT, and now a '10 Touring SE. All three were great on the highway. The Touring GLS has a smoother ride than the SE, about the difference between your '02 and '07. If you are looking for the smoother ride, especially on typical rougher city/secondary roads, go with the GLS. The SE is great on the highway, but the low profile tires definitely transmit bump more harshly.

I was a bit tentative about how my 89 year old dad would be able to get in and out of the front seat on my Touring. He claims it is one of the easiest cars he has gotten into in some time. For reference, he is about 5'6, has a bad back and a wrecked knee, so it isn't like jumping into a car is easy for him. I noticed that the shape of the seat, the overhead hand grab, and height of the seat were really good for him. And the door swings way out, so it doesn't interfere with his walker.

Good luck. Oh, I love my Touring. Even with the SE package, it rides like a dream on the highway. Long wheel base for a car that size.

delaluz

Thanks for your input. I think the seats on the touring are a bit higher than my Sonata so it should be easier for my mom to get in and out.

Has your dad tried getting in and out of the backseat? If so is it as easy as the front?

Thanks!

jlflemmons

Haven't tried the back seat as it was just the two of us. There was also plenty of room for his walker in back, even with the rear seats in the normal position.

hwyhobo

delaluz, please note that GLS Manual comes with different seats than those on the SE (which Jim commented on). The quality of ride is different. Suspension is stiff in either case.

Check this thread also:

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f211cad?displayRecent

If you decide to buy it anyway, and you are in SF Bay Area, let me know. I have one for sale, less than a week old.