Some car models have many facets to their personality to accommodate different tastes. For example, Hyundai’s compact Elantra has a star ready for its spotlight alongside a more tame version of his sedan.
We are referring to the Hyundai Elantra N, a performance-oriented vehicle that is a real gem in this line-up in terms of driving performance and overall design.
The Elantra N was introduced as a new model for 2022 and carried over to the 2023 model year almost unchanged. The N is for the driving enthusiast who wants power under the hood and a vehicle built to tackle the road (or racetrack) with complete confidence. The strong N brand is just one way Hyundai is using to expand its audience beyond those seeking a typical everyday car or SUV option.
The Elantra N competes directly with sporty compact cars from brands such as Honda, Volkswagen, Subaru and Toyota.
I recently spent some time behind the wheel of the Elantra N and am back with a full report on this highly customizable hot rod.
For your information
- vehicle: Hyundai Elantra N
- Price tested: $35,145
- Best Features: Customizable and really fun driving experience
- evaluation: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Who Wants This Vehicle?: Driving enthusiasts looking for a versatile hot rod that won’t break the bank
Appearance
The Elantra N’s sporty exterior design grabs everyone’s attention and makes people think it’s a far more luxurious vehicle than its actual price suggests.
My test vehicle features a sharp Performance Blue paint scheme with red highlights, low to the ground and a distinctive grille design.
I got a lot of compliments on this car when I was out on the town. Actually the most I’ve ever gotten. Hyundai really nailed the design.
Exterior highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, power tilt-and-slide sunroof, special N-specific body style and rear diffuser, heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, rear wing spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets. It is included.
Moving inside, the Elantra N’s interior featured higher-quality materials than you’d expect at this price point, including leather seats.
There’s plenty of room for the driver and front passenger, though the rear seats might be tight for taller passengers, but there’s comfortable seating for five. In terms of cargo space, the Elantra N’s trunk is 14.2 cubic feet, which is a fair amount for a compact sedan.
The Elantra N’s interior features include dual automatic temperature controls, heated front seats, USB ports, 12V outlets, N-specific leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and alloy sports pedals.
how is the ride?
Performance is at the heart of the Elantra N.
The N has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. All Elantra N vehicles are front wheel drive only.
You can shift with a 6-speed manual transmission, or choose an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters that I tested.
For manual transmission enthusiasts lamenting the limited number of such vehicles in today’s mostly automated world, the manual option is welcome news.
The Elantra N is so agile and fun to drive that you will find yourself looking for places to go. Perhaps even find a nice winding and secluded road to test its limits.
It includes sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers to improve the performance of this sport sedan.
In a way, Hyundai is applying its race car mindset to street cars with the Elantra N, which is perfect for enthusiasts looking for speed and handling in an affordable sports sedan. If possible, it is the type of vehicle that you want to actually go to the racetrack and check its performance.
The time from 0 to 60 is in the 5s range, so moving fast isn’t a problem.
And the customization capabilities built into Elantra N are truly extensible. Through the infotainment system, you can adjust literally everything about your drive: steering feel, transmission shift times, engine performance, suspension stiffness, launch control settings and even exhaust sound.
What the driver can do is adjust the vehicle’s personality to the situation. Kid’s School Pickup He doesn’t have to scare people with loud exhaust sounds like he does when he’s in line or going to the grocery store, he can turn the volume down. But when you meander down back roads and racetracks, you can fully unleash its sporty nature.
The Elantra N also features a sports exhaust system, multi-link independent rear suspension, and 14.2-inch front and 12.4-inch rear ventilated brake rotors.
Another unique feature is the NGS (N Grin Shift) button. Pressing this big red button on the steering wheel gives him an extra 10 horsepower for 20 seconds and better acceleration. Slightly gimmicky, but another fun element of the Elantra N.
Overall, among front-wheel-drive sports sedans, the Elantra N can make a solid case for best-in-class when it comes to overall performance, braking, and handling (well, with some expensive luxury options). by comparison, it could probably work). Built for adventure, it’s the type of vehicle you’re reluctant to leave unused in your driveway.
technology, safety
The Elantra N’s technology is highlighted by a 10.25-inch bright and clear touchscreen, the best in its segment.
Voice commands work very smoothly to control music selection, navigation, phone calls and climate. Also, the touchscreen controls are well designed and easy to use. The system also offers a variety of natural sounds for your audio relaxation needs. It’s also where you do all the customization of the vehicle’s drive characteristics mentioned above.
Navigation was effective and got me where I wanted without any issues.
Elantra N features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Bose Premium audio system with eight speakers and subwoofer, satellite radio, wireless phone charging, Hyundai Digital Key, and Hyundai Blue Link Connected Car System.
The Elantra N also has a number of powerful safety features, including:
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist
- Adaptive cruise control available with lane centering to return the vehicle to the appropriate lane
- Forward Collision Mitigation warns of an impending collision and applies the brakes
- Blind spot collision avoidance assist
- Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
- Driver Attention Warning warns the driver if the car determines that the driver is too tired and inattentive.
- Safe exit warning after parking to warn of oncoming vehicles before passengers exit
- rear auto brake
All of this adds up to Elantra N’s overall government safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
fuel consumption
The official fuel economy figures for the Elantra N with automatic transmission are 20 in the city and 30 on the highway, for a total of 23. For manual transmissions, the numbers are: 22 city/31 highway/25 combinations.
Real-world testing of the Elantra N has confirmed the accuracy of the stated numbers. With a 12+ gallon fuel tank, you can potentially go over 360 miles per tank.
Some of its rival sport sedans are a few miles per gallon better, but that’s probably not enough to keep buyers away from the Elantra N.
And of course, the level of fuel economy you get depends on how much you drive the car. Of course your mileage will suffer if you have as much fun as possible which I highly recommend.
price
The Hyundai Elantra N (with automatic transmission) I tested cost just over $35,000. Base price for the N is around $33,000 (with manual transmission). It’s a built-in discount for self-shifters, as many enthusiasts prefer manual anyway.
N is fairly feature rich in terms of technology and safety options, so few options are offered.
A few other versions of Elantra are available starting at $21,000, but they’re far more tame and nowhere near as fun as the N can offer.
As usual, Hyundai has a big feather in its cap thanks to the excellent warranty it offers.
- 5 year/60,000 mile new vehicle warranty
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
- 7 year/unlimited mileage puncture proof warranty
- 3 years/36,000 miles free maintenance
- 5 Years/Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance
bottom line
A jewel in Hyundai’s Elantra lineup, the Elantra N is a wildly fun sports sedan that enthusiasts love to drive and tinker with every day. And for a performance-oriented vehicle that can offer multiple personalities for different needs, it’s priced well.
Once you get behind the wheel of the Elantra N and experience its super nimble ride, you’re likely to want to take it home.
Matt Myftiu can be reached via email at matt@autotechreviews.com. All of his past reviews are available online at autotechreviews.com. Follow his AutoTechReviews on Instagram @Autotechreviews.
