I chose my Elantra Touring SE/MT for its size, features (the bluetooth is the best new gadget in 10 years), mileage and reputation for reliability. What I did not expect was that I was getting a Korean car with the personality of an MGB-GT. What they say about 2-liter engines (it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow) is absolutely true. The core of the experience is the B&W shifter: quick, accurate and smooth.
Visibility is fantastic. It drives like a car, not a truck. It feels solid in every way. No one else on the highway knows how much fun I'm having!