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2023 Hyundai Elantra N
Starting at $34.015
Highs Strong performance, rowdy exhaust note, tenacious grip.
Lows Polarizing nose design, interior reveals its econo-car roots, sunroof exclusive to automatic-equipped cars.
Verdict What's not to love about the boisterous Hyundai Elantra N's impressive athleticism, snorting exhaust, four-door convenience, and affordable price?
Overview
The Hyundai Elantra N carves through curves and whips down straights with so much gusto that it's managed to win us over despite its polarizing angry-catfish front-end design. Its fun-loving driving dynamics are made all the more engaging by a standard six-speed manual transmission and a rowdy exhaust note that's artfully balanced between playful and obnoxious. This racy quality carries over into the cabin with its edgy dashboard, aggressively bolstered sports seats, and N badges, which serve as reminders that this isn't just some ordinary Elantra. As if we needed any reminders. But the Elantra N is more than just sporty; it's a roomy, comfortable, and practical four-door sedan. Such versatility is part of what makes this sport compact sedan a winner-literally-something it proved in a recent comparison test against two highly respected peers.
What's New for 2023?
The Hyundai Elantra N is a carryover from the 2022 model year, meaning it receives no changes. It does, however, become one of just two N-brand models along with the Kona N, as the automaker has discontinued the Veloster N and will not produce it for the 2023 model year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Elantra N: $34,015
The Elantra N comes only one way, and that's basically fully loaded. A host of performance, technology, and safety features are standard and help to carry on Hyundai's value-packed business model. The only choices offered are exterior colors and either the manual or automatic transmission. As lovers of stick shifts, our recommendation is the standard six-speed manual, but we won't judge you if you decide to spend an extra $1,500 for the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Okay, maybe we'll judge you a little.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Hyundai Elantra N inherits its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder from the Veloster N hatchback. That engine makes a stout 275-hp in the Veloster N, but thanks to an overboost feature the company calls N Grin Shift, the Elantra N boasts a 286-hp rating. That gives the Elantra N a big power advantage over the similarly priced Jetta GLI. During our instrumented testing of the Korean sport compact sedan we observed sprints to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and a 13.8-second quarter-mile run with a trap speed of 105 mph. An eight-speed automatic is available but we're happy to report a six-speed manual is standard. During our numerous drives of Elantra Ns we’ve noted its sharp throttle response, crisp handling, and sonorous exhaust note. We also found that the Elantra N's longer wheelbase gives it a more compliant ride than the Veloster N but it still delivers the surefootedness we look for in a sports sedan. In fact, the more time we spend with it the more the Elantra N confirms its position as a top player in the spicy sport compact segment.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA rates the 2023 Elantra N at 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for models equipped with a manual transmission, and 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway for automatics. When we put it through our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, the 2022 Elantra N manual-transmission model did slightly better than its EPA highway estimate, notching a 32 mpg result. For more information about the Elantra N's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The regular Elantra's dramatically restyled cabin has a decidedly cockpit-like look and feel which translates perfectly to the racier Elantra N. The sportier-looking ambiance is enhanced by sport seats with aggressive bolsters, metal-accented pedals, and a smattering of N badges. Rear seat passenger space is more generous here than in the Veloster N and the trunk offers more space for cargo. A sunroof is available, but only if you get the automatic transmission.
Read More www.caranddriver.com/hyundai/...
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