2023 Hyundai Elantra N

Drew Dorian, with CARandDRIVER, wrote...What's not to love about the boisterous Hyundai Elantra N's impressive athleticism, snorting exhaust, four-door convenience, and affordable price? The Hyundai Elantra N carves through curves and whips down straights with so much gusto that it has 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. The Elantra N comes only one way, and thats 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. The Hyundai Elantra N inherits its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder from the Veloster N hatchback and boasts a 286-hp rating. The regular Elantras 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.